Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director reveals reasons for using Unreal Engine 4 instead of upgrading to Unreal Engine 5

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of the upcoming role-playing game Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, has elucidated the rationale behind the team’s decision to utilize Unreal Engine 4 rather than transitioning to Unreal Engine 5 for the game’s development. This choice, while surprising to some, reflects a strategic approach geared towards efficient production and timely delivery to fans of the franchise.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is built upon the same technological foundation as its predecessors, Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth, which have found success with Unreal Engine 4. Many in the gaming community anticipated Square Enix to adopt the newer Unreal Engine 5, which offers advanced features that could enhance the gaming experience. However, Hamaguchi clarified that adopting Unreal Engine 5 would have extended the development timeline, a decision deemed impractical from both a business and player perspective.

In discussions with a media source, Hamaguchi articulated that the development team had already customized Unreal Engine 4 to meet the unique demands of their project. He emphasized the importance of leveraging this established technology to ensure a swift release. By continuing with Unreal Engine 4, the team could maintain their existing workflow, avoiding the complications that would arise from starting anew with a different engine.

Hamaguchi acknowledged the common perception that newer technology often equals better results, leading to questions about the decision to forgo Unreal Engine 5. However, he remains steadfast in his belief that delivering a polished product to players in a timely manner is paramount. He noted that the team’s mastery of Unreal Engine 4 spurred confidence in their ability to achieve near-Equitable quality to that of Unreal Engine 5, particularly highlighting that they had developed a rendering system comparable to UE5’s Nanite technology.

The director reaffirmed the importance of the final product over the underlying technology, emphasizing that the creative output is what truly resonates with gamers. This sentiment was echoed by the positive reception of the graphics showcased in recent promotional materials.

As part of ongoing advancements in the industry, Unreal Engine 5 recently received an update, with version 5.8 now available, which includes notable enhancements such as the inclusion of Lumen Light for the Nintendo Switch 2. This continued evolution of gaming technology will undoubtedly influence future projects, but for now, Square Enix remains committed to delivering Final Fantasy 7 Revelation through the robust framework of Unreal Engine 4.

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