Few creators have a list of works as well-regarded asYasumi Matsuno. Matsuno is the director and writer of beloved classic games includingOgre Battle: The March of the Black Queen,Final Fantasy Tactics,Vagrant Story, andFinal Fantasy 12. It’s now confirmed that Matsuno is writing a scenario for a new project, as confirmed by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. What Matsuno’s new project is remains a mystery, but there are some exciting possibilities.
The confirmation of Matsuno’s next project comes from an interview withHironobu Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi is a longtime supporter of Matsuno’s work, and even brought Matsuno into Square Enix to write and directFinal Fantasy Tactics, which Sakaguchi produced. It’s Matsuno’s relationship with Sakaguchi that could hint at what the Final Fantasy Tactics creator is working on next, though Matsuno has other recent collaborations worth mentioning, too.
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Mistwalker and Old Friends
In 2004, Sakaguchi left Square and foundedMistwalker. Matsuno would then leave Square Enix in 2006, but it would be years before the two reunited. In 2014, Matsuno would be hired by Mistwalker to write a scenario for the mobile RPGTerra Battle. Matsuno would only write a single scenario for the game, titled “The Death of Shay and Arionne,” beforeTerra Battleshut down in 2020. However, the professional relationship between Matsuno, Sakaguchi, and Mistwalker may be tied to Matsuno’s next project.
In 2020, Mistwalker and Sakaguchi released a new game titledFantasian.Fantasianis an Apple Arcade game exclusive to iOS and has been warmly received. While Sakaguchi has preciously said theFantasiansaga is “complete,” there’s room for a new saga. Given Sakaguchi’s familiarity with Matsuno’s new work, it could mean the writer is working on aFantasianscenario. Alternatively, Matsuno could be working with Mistwalker on the studio’s next game, whether that’sFantasian 2or something new.
Final Fantasy 14 and New Friends
While Matsuno’s most recent project was the Kickstarter-funded tactical RPGUnsung Story, he’s also spent some time working with Square Enix again in recent years. Prior toUnsung Story, Matsuno provided scenario writing forFinal Fantasy 14’sStormbloodandShadowbringersexpansion patch content. It was a brief contract job, so Matsuno isn’t officially working with Square Enix. However, withFinal Fantasy 14’s newest expansion,Endwalker, currently available, it’s possible Matsuno is returning to create yet another scenario for the MMO.
Further evidence of Matsuno working on yet moreFinal Fantasy 14content revolves around, once again, Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi recently made headlinesmarathoning the entirety ofFinal Fantasy 14and its multiple expansions. He may be familiar with Matsuno’s new project because of his obsession withFinal Fantasy 14.
Final Fantasy Tactics All Over Again
One last project stands out from any number of other possibilities. There are substantial rumors of aFinal Fantasy Tacticsremastercurrently being in development. If Square Enix is modernizingFinal Fantasy Tactics, bringing Matsuno back to support or expand the tactical RPG would be very exciting. Never mind the possibility of Matsuno helping Square Enix build toward the sequel fans have wanted for over 20 years.
Suffice to say, Matsuno’s next project could take many different forms. Matsuno’s position as an independent creator could allow him many different opportunities, all of which are exciting. Mistwalker is rebuilding the excitement it had in 2006,Final Fantasy 14is becoming one of the most popular MMOs in the world, andFinal Fantasy Tacticsis adored as one of the industry’s best JRPGs. Fans ofMatsuno’s will be pleased just to know he’s still writing. That won’t make the wait for more information about theFinal Fantasy Tacticscreator’s next project any easier to be patient for.
