Square Enix might be announcing something FF9 related fairly soon according to persistent industry speculation and mounting evidence from the company’s extensive 25th anniversary celebrations that have continued far beyond the July 7 milestone date. With ongoing promotional activities including a Tokyo exhibition scheduled for November 22-December 7, new character artwork by original designer Toshiyuki Itahana, and the prolonged anniversary campaign reaching what some observers call “borderline absurd” levels, many fans believe these sustained efforts must be building toward a significant announcement, potentially the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX remake that originated from the 2021 Nvidia GeForce Now leak.
Prolonged 25th Anniversary Campaign Raises Questions
The speculation that Square Enix might announce something FF9 related stems largely from the company’s unusually extensive anniversary celebrations that have persisted for months beyond the official July 7, 2025 date marking 25 years since the original PlayStation release. Unlike typical anniversary acknowledgments that conclude within days or weeks, Square Enix continues releasing FF9-related content including fan art collections, social media posts, merchandise announcements, and commemorative materials that suggest preparation for a larger revelation.
Push Square noted the “borderline absurd” extent of these celebrations, questioning whether Square Enix would maintain such sustained promotional activity without “some obvious goal in mind.” The company’s continued investment in FF9-related marketing and content creation indicates strategic planning beyond simple nostalgia, particularly given the resources required for months-long promotional campaigns that typically precede major game announcements rather than standalone anniversary celebrations.
Tokyo Exhibition and Physical Presence
The upcoming Final Fantasy IX 25th Anniversary Exhibition at Tokyo Big Sight from November 22-December 7, 2025, represents the most substantial physical commitment to the anniversary celebrations, requiring significant organizational effort and financial investment that exceeds typical commemoration activities. This dedicated exhibition space, complete with exclusive commemorative merchandise and what promises to be comprehensive franchise retrospectives, suggests Square Enix views FF9 as worthy of major promotional investment.
The timing of this exhibition, occurring several months after the official anniversary date, aligns with industry patterns where major announcements often coincide with special events or exhibitions that provide controlled environments for media coverage and fan engagement. The exhibition’s prominence and scale indicate potential preparation for revealing new FF9 content that would justify the substantial logistical and financial commitments required for such comprehensive physical presentations.
Nvidia Leak Context and Validation Pattern
The foundation for believing Square Enix might announce something FF9 related traces back to the September 2021 Nvidia GeForce Now leak that revealed multiple unannounced Square Enix projects, nearly all of which have since been officially confirmed and released. The list included Chrono Cross remaster, Final Fantasy Tactics remake, Kingdom Hearts 4, and Final Fantasy VII Remake for PC—projects that seemed implausible at the time but have materialized exactly as leaked, lending credibility to the remaining unconfirmed entry: Final Fantasy IX remake.
The systematic validation of other leaked titles creates strong precedent for the FF9 remake’s existence, particularly given Square Enix’s demonstrated commitment to remastering and remaking classic Final Fantasy entries. With Final Fantasy VII receiving comprehensive remake treatment and multiple other franchise entries getting modern updates, Final Fantasy IX’s inclusion in similar treatment aligns with the company’s broader strategy of leveraging beloved intellectual property through contemporary presentations.
Leaker Reports and Development Status
Industry insider reports have provided mixed signals about whether Square Enix might announce something FF9 related, with reliable leaker NateTheHate suggesting the remake remains in development while cautioning about potential troubles or cancellation possibilities reported by sources in mid-2025. These conflicting reports create uncertainty about the project’s current status, though NateTheHate emphasized the need for “fresh checks” to verify more current information about development progress.
Jeff Grubb, known for accurate Oblivion remaster leak shortly before its shadow drop announcement, has reconfirmed that the FF9 remake is “indeed real” according to his sources, providing additional validation for the project’s existence despite ongoing development challenges. The combination of multiple insider confirmations suggests substantial foundation for the remake’s reality, even if timeline and announcement specifics remain uncertain pending further verification.
New Artwork and Character Design Updates
Recent character artwork releases by original designer Toshiyuki Itahana featuring updated designs for Zidane, Vivi, Garnet, and Steiner have intensified speculation that Square Enix might announce something FF9 related soon. These modernized character presentations maintain franchise authenticity while showcasing contemporary artistic techniques that would be appropriate for remake development, suggesting active creative work beyond simple anniversary commemoration.
The new artwork’s quality and consistency with remake-appropriate design evolution indicates significant artistic investment that typically accompanies major project development rather than standalone anniversary activities. Industry observers note that such comprehensive character design updates usually precede game announcements, particularly when created by original franchise artists who would likely be involved in any official remake development process.
Tokyo Game Show and Event Timing
Recent speculation suggested Square Enix might announce something FF9 related during Tokyo Game Show 2025 (September 25-28), though the event concluded without remake revelations, redirecting attention toward other potential announcement opportunities. The absence of TGS announcements doesn’t diminish remake possibilities but rather suggests different timing strategies that might align with the November exhibition or other promotional windows throughout late 2025.
Industry patterns show that major Square Enix announcements often occur during dedicated company events, State of Play presentations, or Nintendo Direct showcases rather than large multi-company exhibitions where individual projects might receive less focused attention. The strategic timing of potential FF9 announcements could leverage dedicated presentation formats that provide optimal conditions for detailed project reveals and media coverage.
Community Expectations and Franchise Demand
The sustained community interest in whether Square Enix might announce something FF9 related reflects the game’s enduring popularity and perceived neglect compared to other Final Fantasy entries that have received modern updates. Final Fantasy IX’s unique position as the last mainline PlayStation One entry creates nostalgic appeal while its absence from current-generation platforms makes it particularly attractive for remake treatment that could introduce classic gameplay to contemporary audiences.
Fan campaigns, social media engagement, and community discussions consistently demonstrate strong demand for FF9 remake announcement, creating commercial incentives for Square Enix to capitalize on established enthusiasm. The game’s critical acclaim, memorable characters, and distinctive aesthetic provide strong foundation for successful remake development that could match or exceed the commercial performance of other franchise remasters and remakes.
Strategic Franchise Portfolio Considerations
Square Enix’s broader franchise strategy suggests logical reasons why the company might announce something FF9 related as part of comprehensive Final Fantasy portfolio management that includes multiple concurrent remake and remaster projects. With Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy nearing completion and other franchise entries receiving modern updates, Final Fantasy IX remake would fill gaps in the company’s classic title offerings while providing content for audiences seeking traditional JRPG experiences.
The commercial success of Final Fantasy remakes and remasters validates continued investment in classic title updates, while Final Fantasy IX’s unique charm and gameplay mechanics differentiate it from other franchise entries in ways that could attract distinct audience segments. Strategic portfolio diversification through varied Final Fantasy offerings allows Square Enix to serve different player preferences while maximizing intellectual property value across multiple market segments.
Technical Development and Modern Platform Opportunities
Current gaming technology provides unprecedented opportunities for Final Fantasy IX remake development that could justify why Square Enix might announce something related to the project, particularly given advances in visual fidelity, loading performance, and user interface design that could enhance the original’s distinctive artistic vision. Modern development tools enable faithful recreation of the game’s unique aesthetic while addressing technical limitations that constrained the original PlayStation release.
Cross-platform development capabilities allow simultaneous release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms, maximizing market reach while amortizing development costs across diverse audience bases. The technical feasibility of comprehensive remake development has never been higher, reducing barriers that might previously have prevented Square Enix from pursuing ambitious classic title updates like Final Fantasy IX remake.
Alternative Announcement Possibilities
While remake speculation dominates discussions about what Square Enix might announce FF9 related, alternative possibilities include animated series development, mobile game adaptations, or comprehensive remaster rather than full remake treatment. The reported Final Fantasy IX animated series from 2021 remains unconfirmed, suggesting potential development that could surface during anniversary celebrations or future promotional windows.
Less ambitious but more immediately feasible projects could include enhanced remaster versions with improved visuals, quality-of-life updates, and modern platform optimization that would satisfy community demand while requiring less development investment than complete remake production. Such intermediate approaches could serve as testing grounds for gauging commercial interest in more comprehensive Final Fantasy IX projects while providing immediate revenue opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What evidence suggests Square Enix might announce something FF9 related?
Evidence includes prolonged 25th anniversary celebrations extending months beyond July 7, a dedicated Tokyo exhibition in November, new character artwork by original designer Toshiyuki Itahana, and the project’s inclusion in the validated 2021 Nvidia leak alongside other confirmed titles.
When might Square Enix announce the Final Fantasy IX remake?
Potential timing includes the November 22-December 7 Tokyo exhibition, upcoming State of Play events, Nintendo Direct presentations, or dedicated Square Enix showcases, though no official timeline has been confirmed by the company.
Is the Final Fantasy IX remake confirmed to exist?
While not officially announced, multiple reliable leakers including NateTheHate and Jeff Grubb have confirmed its existence, and it appeared in the widely-validated 2021 Nvidia GeForce Now leak alongside other projects that have since been announced.
What happened on July 7, the 25th anniversary date?
Square Enix released commemorative videos and launched fan art projects but made no remake announcement, leading to speculation that reveals might occur later during the extended celebration period or dedicated events.
Could the announcement be something other than a remake?
Yes, possibilities include animated series development, mobile adaptations, enhanced remasters, or comprehensive anniversary collections, though remake speculation remains strongest based on industry insider reports and leak validation patterns.
Why would Square Enix maintain such long anniversary celebrations?
The sustained promotional investment suggests preparation for major announcements rather than simple nostalgia, as months-long campaigns typically precede significant project reveals rather than standalone commemorations.
What makes Final Fantasy IX suitable for remake treatment?
The game’s unique artistic vision, memorable characters, distinctive gameplay mechanics, and position as the last PlayStation One mainline entry create strong foundation for contemporary updates that could attract both nostalgic and new audiences.
Conclusion
The mounting evidence that Square Enix might be announcing something FF9 related soon reflects a combination of sustained promotional investment, industry insider confirmations, and strategic franchise considerations that suggest significant developments beyond simple anniversary acknowledgments. While the July 7 milestone passed without major revelations, the company’s continued commitment to extensive celebrations including the upcoming Tokyo exhibition indicates preparation for announcements that would justify months of promotional buildup and resource allocation. Whether the long-rumored remake materializes through the validated Nvidia leak, alternative projects emerge from development, or comprehensive anniversary content provides different fan satisfaction, the prolonged attention to Final Fantasy IX demonstrates Square Enix’s recognition of the title’s enduring value and commercial potential. As speculation continues toward the November exhibition and other potential announcement windows, the combination of insider reports, sustained promotional activity, and strategic franchise management suggests that patient fans may finally receive the Final Fantasy IX content they have anticipated since the 2021 leak first revealed the project’s existence within Square Enix’s development pipeline.