Final Fantasy 16is easily one of the most anticipated games currently in development, given it’s the latest release in one of gaming’s largest franchises. Its announcement during the 2020 PlayStation 5 Showcase shocked many, asFinal Fantasy 16appeared surprisingly far along in development. At the time, Square Enix promised more information aboutFinal Fantasy 16in 2021, which it’s now done in a small but appreciated way. Producer Naoki Yoshida shared a brief update on the ongoing development ofFinal Fantasy 16on Saturday.
Specifically, Yoshida discussedFinal Fantasy 16’s ongoing voicing and motion-capture efforts. In somewhat of a surprise, Yoshida confirmed that the English voicework was taking priority over the Japanese audio. Further, they’re doing it in “British English,” which perhaps means that Square Enix is using a recording and mocap studio in England, which has hired British voice actors for the job. Square Enix similarly did this withFinal Fantasy 14, Yoshida’s other project, which could be why they chose it again forFinal Fantasy 16.
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Yoshida further explains thatFinal Fantasy 16’s audio and facial captureis being recorded at the same time. That way, they don’t have to adjust faces during speaking by hand later. Motion capture is also being done in tandem with voice recording, but not for every cutscene. That’s why English is being prioritized over Japanese, according to Yoshida. However, he says that Japanese dubbing will be starting soon. He doesn’t clarify if there will be accompanying Japanese facial capture, as well.
The decision is likely made half in part because of Square Enix’s chosen studio for motion capture and half due to modern games primarily focusing on English markets first. That’s not to say that the Japanese market won’t also be a priority, as it has been for theFinal Fantasyfranchisefor decades. There’s just a degree of difference in market sizes in the 2020s, particularly for games as big and expensive asFinal Fantasy 16.
It’s difficult to tell if there are any conclusions that can be drawn from Yoshida’s comments aboutFinal Fantasy 16’s development. Historically, motion capture can take place early or late in a game’s development, but voicework typically comes later due to it requiring the story, scenarios, and dialogue to all be finished. Otherwise, any changes require additional unplanned recording sessions. That could meanFinal Fantasy 16is farther alongthan it may seem.
When Square Enix said to expect updates onFinal Fantasy 16in 2021, it probably didn’t mean Yoshida answering questions like this. As such, there’s likely to be bigger announcements later this year. A good possibility would bePlayStation’s next big games showcase, like in 2020. However, when PlayStation will hold one of those is anyone’s guess.
