Director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed that while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth skipped DLC to prioritize the trilogy’s conclusion, the upcoming third installment may receive expansion content depending on fan demand.
Why Rebirth Skipped DLC
In a recent interview with ntower, Hamaguchi shed light on the development process behind the second chapter of the remake project. Despite internal discussions, the team ultimately decided against creating story-based DLC for Rebirth.
Hamaguchi revealed that the team seriously weighed the possibility of a DLC expansion right up until the project transitioned into its final planning phase. However, the decision was driven by the long-term vision of the trilogy. “Within the context of a long-term trilogy, we concluded that running development of the second installment’s DLC in parallel with the third installment would inevitably affect the third game’s schedule and overall quality,” Hamaguchi explained.
The director emphasized that his primary responsibility was to deliver the final entry to fans as quickly as possible, ensuring the highest level of polish rather than splitting focus on side content for the second game.
Possibilities for the Final Chapter
While Rebirth remained a standalone experience without post-launch story expansions, the door is not closed for the third game. Hamaguchi noted that the potential for DLC in the final title will hinge largely on ongoing community support.
“As for DLC beyond the third installment, I believe that will ultimately depend on how strongly fans continue to support Final Fantasy 7 as both a title and a franchise. If there is significant demand, we’d certainly be open to exploring those possibilities proactively,” he stated.
Reflecting on the Remake Strategy
The approach to the first entry, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, differed significantly, as its DLC served a dual purpose: providing additional story content while acting as an incentive for players to upgrade to the PS5 version. As the team looks toward the future, the focus remains firmly on the development of the final chapter, which Hamaguchi recently noted he has personally played through “over 40 times.”
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