FF9 Remake Could Be Dead Before It Had A Chance To Live

For years, the whispers of a Final Fantasy 9 remake have swirled around the gaming scene. Now, it seems it might not even happen.

The game appeared in the infamous Nvidia GeForce Now leak, confirming it was not just idle talk like other titles that turned out to be real. That gave fans hope that the dream return to Gaia might actually be happening.

Square Enix kept the hype alive by releasing new merchandise, launching a Vivi picture book, and sharing a heartfelt anniversary video on July 7, 2025. Things lost steam there, and the lack of updates has only created more confusion.

Is FF9 Remake Canceled?

Then insider NateTheHate (NateDrake) shared that while the remake was in progress as of his last update, a source hinted it might have encountered major problems and could be canceled secretly.

He acknowledged the tip was from only one contact and remains unverified, yet the statement’s timing right after the 25th anniversary without an official announcement increased the speculation.

Fans expected a remake announcement to close out the celebration. Some argue that FF9 holds up just fine as it is, especially with PC mods like Moguri that enhance visuals and UI to near-remake quality.

Others feel Square Enix ought to focus on games requiring a complete remake, like FF8 and FF13, before anything else. Still, there’s a strong group of fans who were genuinely heartbroken by the rumor.

What Might Have Caused the Project to Stall?

Some think it’s nostalgia, but Square Enix may be stepping back because Final Fantasy VII Rebirth didn’t meet their sales expectations, even with strong reviews.

click to enlarge

+ 3

The decision to split that remake into three separate games may have hurt momentum. Players unfamiliar with the original story felt overwhelmed by the episodic structure and inconsistent platform access.

Many didn’t even realize Remake was only the first act of a longer project until they hit the abrupt ending.

Some fans speculate that Square Enix took these lessons and decided the risk of doing the same with FF9 just wasn’t worth it.

Could Outsourcing or Priorities Be a Factor?

There are reports that the FF9 remake was handled externally, similar to past games, which caused issues with quality or scope.

click to enlarge

+ 3

Square has had to cancel projects in the past for similar reasons. The decision to pause the remake probably came down to financial and quality concerns, not emotional reasons.

Meanwhile, the company is juggling other projects (like Kingdom Hearts 4, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, and a wave of remasters), which makes it easy for lower-priority titles to get lost in the shuffle.

Should We Call It Canceled Yet?

Despite all that, nothing has been officially confirmed.

click to enlarge

+ 3

Square Enix hasn’t acknowledged the remake in any capacity, even after all the leaks and rumors. This puts the community on edge, while some still think the project is alive but facing difficulties.

Others think it may have quietly been shut down with no announcement. And then there are those who never believed it was real to begin with. At the end of the day, this isn’t just about one game getting canceled.

It boils down to trusting leaks, insiders, and companies that understand how much these games matter to fans. The FF9 remake, whether it ever sees the light of day or not, has become a symbol of how fragile hype can be when it's built on silence.

Stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com: the best site for Final Fantasy coverage.