Able to really feel previous? At this time marks the twenty fifth(!) anniversary of Remaining Fantasy 9, and Sq. Enix goes all out by… uh, launching a fan artwork challenge.
If that falls a bit in need of your remake-shaped expectations, you are not alone. There was quite a lot of pleasure in regards to the much-discussed Remaining Fantasy 9 remake after Sq. Enix launched an official Remaining Fantasy 9 twenty fifth Anniversary web site earlier this yr, and whereas the writer has at the least acknowledged Remaining Fantasy 9’s special occasion with an “anniversary particular film” and a request to gather particular recollections from followers, that is just about it.
“Celebrating 25 years of Remaining Fantasy 9 in the present day,” mentioned a tweet posted to the sport’s official X/Twitter account yesterday, July 6. “When a theatre troupe set out for a royal kidnapping, Zidane and Princess Garnet are thrown into an emotional journey that is by no means left the hearts of those that’ve performed it. What does FFIX imply to you?”
Then, in a follow-up message posted in the present day (July 7), Sq. Enix invited gamers aged 13 and up in chosen international locations to submit their FF9 fan artwork between now and the tip of October. If chosen, it’ll then be used on the Remaining Fantasy portal website, in addition to official social community accounts.
Assist us have a good time the twenty fifth anniversary of Remaining Fantasy IX: https://t.co/D9bh3mIWB1
From now till the tip of October, we’re accepting fan submissions commemorating the sport, and we would like to see your creations!
Submit them through the hyperlink above and submit with #FFIX25FanArt! pic.twitter.com/jsQWlhT0K5
— FINAL FANTASY (@FinalFantasy) July 7, 2025
The X/Twitter account of ardour challenge Remaining Fantasy 9: Memoria Mission additional stoked hypothesis earlier in the present day by quote-tweeting Sq.’s submit, including: “When are we going to inform them, Sq. Enix?”
When are we going to inform them, @SquareEnix? https://t.co/yLt8EQuWOD
— Remaining Fantasy IX: Memoria Mission (@MemoriaProject) July 7, 2025
It is a far cry from what some followers had hoped for, not least as a result of final yr, Remaining Fantasy 14 producer Naoki ‘Yoshi-P’ Yoshida talked a bit about what a Remaining Fantasy 9 remake may appear to be, warning it might not all slot in one sport and so go within the route of Remaining Fantasy 7 Remake. Earlier in 2024, Yoshi-P additionally introduced Remaining Fantasy 9-themed extras for the Collector’s Version and Digital Collector’s Version of Remaining Fantasy 14 enlargement Dawntrail.
Maybe unsurprisingly, then, the sport’s social media and Reddit communities have been stuffed with shocked gamers commenting on the shortage of stories. “This CANNOT be it bro,” mentioned one. “The remake. Announce the remake,” whereas one other mentioned: “At the least affirm or deny the remake rumors plz.”
“The twenty fifth anniversary is a giant milestone and saying it will be the most effective proper now. My hopes are gone,” added one other dissatisfied fan. Curiously, although, some followers have taken this lack of announcement as an indication there should be information to return.
“October is the month, boys,” mentioned this excited participant, whereas one other added: “Cutoff date is the tip of October as a result of y’all will reveal the FF9 Remake in November, proper?”
In a Reddit thread entitled, “You’ve got reached a checkpoint. How are you doing given the to this point disappointment of no announcement?”, one fan replied: “At this level I’ve performed myself greater than I’ve performed the precise sport. Simply name me Zorn & Thorn ‘trigger I am a licensed resident of Clown City.”
Even Domino’s Pizza cannot consider we’ve not had an announcement but…
Did @dominos simply turn into the best pizza firm? pic.twitter.com/VmK8KLTtj1
— Wickid 🇺🇸 (@PirateHunterWik) July 6, 2025
Remaining Fantasy 9 remake rumors have swirled round Sq. Enix ever for the reason that unannounced sport emerged as a part of a 2021 Nvidia leak of upcoming titles. The record, confirmed legit by Nvidia however probably outdated, contains a variety of Sq. Enix video games the corporate has both introduced or launched since, such because the Chrono Cross remaster, Kingdom Hearts 4, the Remaining Fantasy Ways remake, and naturally the Remaining Fantasy 7 remake for PC. Nevertheless, Remaining Fantasy 9 remake has but to materialize. Only a few months earlier than the Nvidia leak, in June 2021, a Remaining Fantasy 9 animated collection was reported to be in improvement, though we haven’t heard something about it within the years since, both.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and guide with 15+ years expertise working with among the world’s greatest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.