Square Enix on the origin of the Final Fantasy name
September 5th, 2010 Posted in General Nintendo, News, Posted by ValayWondering how Final Fantasy got its name? Fortunately for you, Square Enix Executive Producer Akitoshi Kawazu recently went through a quick rundown of how the title came to be. Interestingly, Kawazu mentioned that “Fighting Fantasy” was one possibility that could have been used, but Square Enix decided against it because Steve Jackson was already using the name.
“It was something that was decided a long time ago, so my memory might be a bit faulty, but I think one of the things we had decided up front was that we wanted a title that could be abbreviated as FF. That abbreviation has special meaning. So we came up with many different titles, and Final Fantasy was one of them. From there, I think we were quick to make the call. There were some concerns about calling something ‘final’ from the get-go, but in the end we all warmed up to it. On a side note, one other option we liked was Fighting Fantasy, but it was the name of a game-book series by legendary game designer Steve Jackson, so we canned the idea. I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t realize this and went with the Fighting Fantasy option.”
11 Responses to “Square Enix on the origin of the Final Fantasy name”
By NekoKnight on Sep 5, 2010
I thought Mr. Sakaguchi came up with the name, because it was going to be his “Final” game and be a “Fantasy” RPG.
By Freekopolis on Sep 5, 2010
Yeah, same here. I thought they were in financial jeopardy and Sakaguchi wanted to make one last great game…
By Me on Sep 5, 2010
yeah, that’s what i thought as well
By Silver Slimer on Sep 5, 2010
Honestly, you guys are all right. Square was doing pretty badly and was in financial trouble at the time. The reason it was called Final Fantasy is because it was their final chance to make money. Had it not succeeded as it did, the name would have fit perfectly.
A very similar story follows the creation of the Dead or Alive series.
By rai on Sep 5, 2010
I thought that too…its a better story.
By Chopperdude on Sep 6, 2010
I thought so as well.
By Ponkotsu on Sep 6, 2010
Modern Square retconning their own story while the whole company’s still spiraling toward financial ruin again after multimillion dollar flop after flop. Somehow, I’m not surprised.
Funny to see this while Sakaguchi’s expressing as much happiness as he is as of late to be focused on Nintendo platforms again after all these years.
By lele on Sep 6, 2010
in that case, i won’t want to have a last story 2.
By chuji on Sep 6, 2010
When and where was this “quick rundown” done?
I’d like to take your word for it, but I don’t see anything that shows that this story is valid.
By Zetite on Sep 6, 2010
its not valid… but then again on the net its hard to make the difference. on the DVD that came with the collectors edition of Final Fantasy 12, it explained the origin of the name as the fact that they werent going to make another game after that one since they were broke.. and the rest well.. you know
By Warfox on Sep 6, 2010
Honestly, you guys are all right. Square was doing pretty badly and was in financial trouble at the time. The reason it was called Final Fantasy is because it was their final chance to make money. Had it not succeeded as it did, the name would have fit perfectly.[2]
Right!!!!