Square Enix has announced it will continue using Unreal Engine 4 for the third installment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, rather than upgrading to Unreal Engine 5. The decision prioritizes the development team's familiarity and existing customizations with the older engine. Director Naoki Hamaguchi shared insights on this choice and the role of AI in development.
Square Enix, the Japanese gaming company behind the Final Fantasy series, revealed its plans to develop the third part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake using Unreal Engine 4. This comes despite the availability of Unreal Engine 5, which Epic Games first revealed in 2020 and made accessible to developers in 2022.
In an interview with GameSpot, director Naoki Hamaguchi explained the rationale: sticking with Unreal Engine 4 allows the team to leverage their expertise and the custom modifications already implemented for previous titles in the series. Although the team initially considered transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, the advantages of maintaining continuity outweighed the potential benefits of the upgrade.
Hamaguchi also discussed artificial intelligence in game development. Square Enix lacks strict policies on AI use, but he personally avoids relying on it for ideation or content creation. Instead, he sees AI as a supportive tool to streamline routine tasks, freeing creators to focus on innovation and efficiency.
This approach is not unique to Square Enix. Polish studio The Astronauts is similarly persisting with Unreal Engine 4 for its upcoming title Witchfire, citing concerns over the maturity of Unreal Engine 5 at the start of their project.
The choice underscores a broader trend in the industry, where established tools often provide stability amid rapid technological advancements.
