Hajime Tabata, the director behind Final Fantasy 15, has given details about his departure from Square Enix, attributing his decision to differences in philosophy with then president Yosuke Matsuda. The split was announced five years ago in a memorable livestream, which also included the cancellation of the majority of Final Fantasy 15's DLC and some PC port features. Although the departure was not a sudden move as Tabata had contemplated it for years, the reasons behind it were only hinted at until now. He expresses regret regarding the DLC cancellations but states these frustrations have driven him to continue creating games, with his studio JP Games currently working on two new titles—an RPG in collaboration with another company, and an MMORPG.
The legacy of Final Fantasy 15 remains strong despite its rocky start and significant post-launch improvements, and it retains a dedicated fan base seven years on. The game, which began as Final Fantasy Versus 13, could see some concepts reincarnated in Tetsuya Nomura's future projects, such as Kingdom Hearts 4.
What caused Hajime Tabata to leave Square Enix?Hajime Tabata decided to leave Square Enix mainly due to differing philosophies with Yosuke Matsuda, the president of the company at that time. Having felt the need to part ways for several years, Tabata eventually made the decision as he knew the company would be guided by Matsuda's philosophy.
Alex Riverton
Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Tabata's exit from Square Enix is a classic tale of creative differences, something quite familiar in the gaming world. It's interesting to see such a candid insight into the behind-the-scenes of a major title like FF15, and how those inner workings steer careers and future projects—it's a stark reminder of the human element in game development that often gets lost amidst our anticipation for updates and sequels.
Tabata's exit from Square Enix highlights just how much creative differences can impact game development and a company's direction; it's a real testament to the need for alignment in vision, especially for iconic series like Final Fantasy. On the flip side, it's exciting to see his drive to create isn't diminished, and I'm keen to see how his experiences will shape the new RPG and MMORPG he's working on.
Hajime Tabata's departure from Square Enix is a classic example of creative differences reshaping a creator's journey—sometimes the end of one story is just the setup for the next epic. It's bittersweet to see what FF15 could have become, but knowing Tabata's still in the game crafting new worlds keeps the excitement alive 🎮✨