Few creators have a list of works as well-regarded as Yasumi Matsuno. Matsuno is the director and writer of beloved classic games including Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen, Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, and Final 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 with Hironobu Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi is a longtime supporter of Matsuno’s work, and even brought Matsuno into Square Enix to write and direct Final 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.
Mistwalker and Old Friends
In 2004, Sakaguchi left Square and founded Mistwalker. 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 RPG Terra Battle. Matsuno would only write a single scenario for the game, titled “The Death of Shay and Arionne,” before Terra Battle shut 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 titled Fantasian. Fantasian is an Apple Arcade game exclusive to iOS and has been warmly received. While Sakaguchi has preciously said the Fantasian saga 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 a Fantasian scenario. Alternatively, Matsuno could be working with Mistwalker on the studio’s next game, whether that’s Fantasian 2 or something new.
Final Fantasy 14 and New Friends
While Matsuno’s most recent project was the Kickstarter-funded tactical RPG Unsung Story, he’s also spent some time working with Square Enix again in recent years. Prior to Unsung Story, Matsuno provided scenario writing for Final Fantasy 14’s Stormblood and Shadowbringers expansion patch content. It was a brief contract job, so Matsuno isn’t officially working with Square Enix. However, with Final 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 more Final Fantasy 14 content revolves around, once again, Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi recently made headlines marathoning the entirety of Final Fantasy 14 and its multiple expansions. He may be familiar with Matsuno’s new project because of his obsession with Final Fantasy 14.
Final Fantasy Tactics All Over Again
One last project stands out from any number of other possibilities. There are substantial rumors of a Final Fantasy Tactics remaster currently being in development. If Square Enix is modernizing Final 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 14 is becoming one of the most popular MMOs in the world, and Final Fantasy Tactics is adored as one of the industry’s best JRPGs. Fans of Matsuno’s will be pleased just to know he’s still writing. That won’t make the wait for more information about the Final Fantasy Tactics creator’s next project any easier to be patient for.
