Sometimes the best leaks aren’t really leaks at all. They’re just observant fans noticing something slightly out of place. On December 10, 2025, Reddit user hashtagtylerh discovered that Square Enix’s Final Fantasy trailer playlist on YouTube had been updated with an unlisted video appearing as Private when scrolling through the list. This wouldn’t normally mean much, except The Game Awards 2025 happens tomorrow on December 11, and Final Fantasy VII Remake series director Naoki Hamaguchi literally just said in an interview that the title for Part 3 will be finalized by the end of 2025. Connect those dots and you get an entire community convinced we’re about to see the first trailer for the trilogy’s conclusion.
What the Playlist Actually Shows
Square Enix maintains a curated Final Fantasy playlist on their official YouTube channel that specifically contains only major trailers and announcements, not ports, re-releases, or minor updates. The last video added to this playlist was the full Dawntrail trailer for Final Fantasy XIV over a year ago. That’s important context because it means Square Enix doesn’t casually throw content into this specific playlist. It’s reserved for significant reveals that deserve spotlight treatment.
When hashtagtylerh noticed the unlisted video on December 10, the community initially thought there were two private videos. However, another user discovered that one of them was actually the Crisis Core Reunion trailer, which had apparently been in the playlist already. That means only one genuinely new unlisted video was added on December 10, perfectly timed for The Game Awards ceremony less than 24 hours later. The timing is almost too convenient to be coincidental.
Hamaguchi’s Suspicious Interview Timing
What makes this playlist discovery particularly interesting is how it aligns with comments Naoki Hamaguchi made in a recent interview with French YouTuber Julien Chièze. Hamaguchi revealed that he and creative director Tetsuya Nomura have narrowed the official title for Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 down to two options and will decide which one by the end of 2025. That’s an oddly specific deadline considering we’re currently in mid-December. Why does the title need to be finalized in the next three weeks unless they’re about to announce something?
Even more suspicious is how Hamaguchi responded when asked directly if Part 3 might appear at The Game Awards. Reddit users who watched the full interview noted his body language, including smirks, chuckles, and what one user described as a noticeable gulp before answering. He claimed uncertainty about appearing at the show while simultaneously displaying all the telltale signs of someone who knows something but can’t say it yet. The interview segment discussing Game Awards possibilities starts at 1:00:07 for anyone wanting to analyze his reactions themselves.
| Evidence | Significance |
|---|---|
| Unlisted video added December 10 | One day before Game Awards 2025 |
| Playlist contains only major trailers | Not ports or minor announcements |
| Last addition was over a year ago | Shows how selective Square Enix is with this playlist |
| Title finalized by end of 2025 | Oddly specific deadline suggests imminent reveal |
| Hamaguchi’s suspicious body language | Suggests he knows about Game Awards appearance |
Development Status is Further Along Than Expected
Another crucial piece of context comes from Hamaguchi’s recent comments about Part 3’s development status. In the same interview, he stated that the game has reached a stage where it’s finally starting to match the vision I had for it and described the new experience as almost complete. That’s remarkably far along considering Final Fantasy VII Rebirth only launched in February 2024, less than two years ago.
Square Enix made a deliberate decision not to produce DLC for Rebirth specifically to accelerate Part 3’s development timeline. The lengthy four-year gap between Remake and Rebirth was partially caused by resources diverted to creating the PS5 version of Remake and developing the Intermission DLC featuring Yuffie. By skipping DLC entirely for Rebirth, the studio could immediately shift full resources to Part 3 after Rebirth’s release. Combined with asset reuse, established pipelines, and the core gameplay systems already perfected, a shorter development cycle makes sense.
What Could the Trailer Actually Show
If this unlisted video really is Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3, expectations for what the trailer might contain vary widely across the community. Some fans hope for a full cinematic reveal with gameplay snippets, similar to how Rebirth was announced. Others expect a shorter teaser that establishes the official title, shows key story moments, and provides a vague release window without committing to specifics.
The most likely scenario involves a two-to-three minute cinematic trailer that reveals the official title, showcases the Highwind airship that Hamaguchi has repeatedly expressed excitement about, hints at major story beats without spoiling them for players who haven’t finished the original game, and ends with a 2027 release window. Showing too much would spoil the conclusion for newcomers to the franchise, but showing too little would disappoint fans who’ve been waiting since 2020 for the trilogy’s completion.
The Title Debate
Speculation about Part 3’s official title has consumed the Final Fantasy community for months. The first game was simply Final Fantasy VII Remake. The second was Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, continuing the Re- naming convention. Logic suggests the third entry would complete the trilogy with another Re- word, with popular guesses including Reunion, Requiem, Return, Reclamation, or Reckoning. However, Hamaguchi mentioned they’re deciding between two options, suggesting it might not follow the expected pattern.
Some fans theorize that one option follows the Re- convention while the other breaks it entirely, possibly using a subtitle that references the game’s themes of reunion with Aerith, the planet’s fate, or the resolution of Cloud’s mental state. Whatever they choose, finalizing it by December 31, 2025 strongly implies an announcement happens at The Game Awards rather than waiting for a dedicated State of Play or Final Fantasy event in early 2026.
The Release Window Question
One divisive topic in community discussions involves when Part 3 might actually release. Rebirth launched February 29, 2024. A four-year gap like the one between Remake and Rebirth would put Part 3 in early 2028. However, multiple factors suggest a faster turnaround is possible. No DLC development means full team focus on Part 3 immediately after Rebirth shipped. Asset reuse from Rebirth reduces work creating character models, environments, and systems. The development team learned valuable lessons from making two games in the same engine already.
Realistic estimates place Part 3’s release sometime in 2027, possibly as early as winter 2026 if development truly is as far along as Hamaguchi suggests. However, Square Enix announcing a game at The Game Awards 2025 for release in late 2027 or 2028 would be a significant hype killer. Fans are hoping that if they reveal it tomorrow, we’re looking at a 2027 launch at the latest. Announcing it now with a 2028 or later release would feel premature and potentially damage momentum.
Square Enix and The Game Awards History
Square Enix has a strong history with The Game Awards, using the show as a platform for major Final Fantasy announcements multiple times. The relationship between Geoff Keighley and Square Enix leadership means the publisher gets prominent placement during the ceremony when they have something significant to reveal. Final Fantasy XVI was showcased heavily at previous Game Awards. Final Fantasy XIV expansions have received trailers during the show. It’s become an expected venue for Square Enix’s biggest announcements.
That precedent makes The Game Awards 2025 an obvious choice for Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3’s reveal. The show attracts millions of viewers worldwide, including lapsed gamers who might not watch State of Play presentations or follow gaming news closely. Revealing the trilogy’s conclusion during gaming’s biggest night maximizes impact and ensures the announcement dominates conversation. Square Enix would be foolish to waste that opportunity if the game is ready to show.
The Skeptical Counterargument
Not everyone is convinced the unlisted video represents Part 3. Skeptics point out that Square Enix could be preparing to announce numerous other things. Final Fantasy IX Remake has been rumored for years and might finally be ready to reveal. Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion could get a full trailer. Final Fantasy Tactics received nominations at The Game Awards, suggesting something related to that franchise might appear. The unlisted video could literally be anything Final Fantasy-related.
Additionally, some fans argue that Square Enix announcing Part 3 this early would be a marketing mistake. Rebirth is barely two years old. Many players haven’t finished it yet. Announcing the next entry before the current one has fully saturated its potential audience could cannibalize sales. Waiting until mid-2026 to reveal Part 3 would give Rebirth more breathing room and create a more reasonable marketing timeline leading to a 2027 release. From a business perspective, patience might make more sense than revealing now.
What Happens Tomorrow
The Game Awards 2025 begins December 11, 2025 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. If Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 appears, it will likely happen during the first half of the show when viewership peaks. Geoff Keighley tends to front-load major reveals to hook audiences early and maintain momentum throughout the three-plus hour ceremony. A Final Fantasy trailer would absolutely qualify as a tentpole moment worthy of premium placement.
If the unlisted video isn’t Part 3, fans will be disappointed but the mystery will continue. Square Enix could be saving the reveal for Final Fantasy’s 38th anniversary in December, or a dedicated State of Play in early 2026, or even waiting until E3-adjacent summer events. The unlisted video might be something completely unexpected that nobody predicted. But given all the circumstantial evidence, the timing of Hamaguchi’s comments, and the playlist update happening exactly one day before The Game Awards, betting against a Part 3 reveal feels foolish.
FAQs
What is the unlisted video on Square Enix’s playlist?
On December 10, 2025, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy YouTube playlist was updated with an unlisted private video. The playlist typically contains only major trailer announcements, and the timing one day before The Game Awards suggests it’s being held for the ceremony.
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 being announced?
Not officially confirmed, but circumstantial evidence strongly suggests it. Director Naoki Hamaguchi said the title will be finalized by end of 2025, development is almost complete, and the unlisted video timing aligns perfectly with The Game Awards on December 11.
When will Part 3 release?
Unknown, but fans estimate 2027 based on Hamaguchi’s comments about development being far along and Square Enix’s decision not to create DLC for Rebirth to accelerate Part 3’s timeline. A 2026 release seems unlikely but possible.
What will Part 3 be called?
The official title hasn’t been revealed. Hamaguchi said it’s narrowed to two options that will be decided by December 31, 2025. Popular fan theories include Reunion, Requiem, or Return to follow the Re- naming convention established by Remake and Rebirth.
Could the video be something else?
Yes, it could be Final Fantasy IX Remake, a Final Fantasy XIV expansion trailer, Final Fantasy Tactics-related content, or something completely unexpected. However, the timing and context make Part 3 the most likely candidate.
How far along is Part 3’s development?
Hamaguchi described it as almost complete and matching his original vision. The main scenario work finished by end of 2024, and the team is now polishing and implementing. This suggests the game is in later development stages rather than early production.
Why no DLC for Rebirth?
Square Enix deliberately chose not to create DLC for Rebirth to accelerate Part 3’s development. The gap between Remake and Rebirth was extended partly due to resources spent on Remake’s PS5 version and Yuffie’s Intermission DLC.
When is The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 takes place on December 11, 2025 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be livestreamed globally across multiple platforms starting in the evening US Pacific time.
Has Square Enix used Game Awards before?
Yes, Square Enix has a strong history with The Game Awards, using the show to reveal and showcase Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy XIV expansions, and other major announcements. It’s become an expected venue for their biggest reveals.
Conclusion
Sometimes a mystery isn’t really a mystery at all. It’s just confirmation hiding in plain sight waiting for someone observant enough to notice it. The unlisted video on Square Enix’s Final Fantasy playlist, combined with Naoki Hamaguchi’s suspiciously specific comments about finalizing Part 3’s title by December 31, his description of development being almost complete, and the fact that this playlist update happened exactly one day before The Game Awards 2025, all point in the same direction. We’re almost certainly getting our first look at Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 tomorrow. The only real questions are what it’s called, how much they show, and when it releases. Everything else feels like foregone conclusion at this point. If tomorrow comes and goes without a Part 3 reveal, this will go down as one of the most elaborate cases of circumstantial evidence misleading an entire community. But based on everything we know, that seems extraordinarily unlikely. Square Enix doesn’t update that specific playlist casually. Hamaguchi doesn’t mention title finalization deadlines without reason. And The Game Awards doesn’t get unlisted video uploads the day before the show by accident. One way or another, we’ll have our answer in less than 24 hours. Get ready to finally see how this trilogy ends.