Report: Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 9 remake reportedly placed on hold

Square Enix’s planned Final Fantasy 9 remake may have been put on hold, Khel Now reported on August 10, 2026, citing a ResetEra report. The information was shared publicly by Alex Donaldson, Features Editor at VG247 and owner of RPGSite.

According to the reporting, development on the remake advanced to a substantial stage before work stalled for reasons that were not disclosed. The article states the project is no longer in active development but does not say it has been definitively cancelled.

ResetEra’s account, as relayed by Khel Now, describes the remake as intended to be a single, standalone release that would tell the complete story rather than being divided into multiple instalments. The piece contrasts that proposed approach with the multipart structure used for the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.

The Khel Now article includes a quoted remark from Yoshi-P: "Yoshi-P says if they were to Remake FF6, FF8 or FF9 they’d probably have to release them in 4 or 5 instalments because they are so big!“Of course I understand the feelings of the players, but you gotta think about it. Look at Final Fantasy VI, it’s such an incredibly huge game.… pic.twitter.com/fHrZVx4Vra"

Khel Now reports that Square Enix is reassessing its long-term strategy for the Final Fantasy franchise and is aiming to focus on creating new stories rather than relying primarily on remakes. The article also says the director and producer of the Final Fantasy series may have hinted at a new Final Fantasy game that could serve as the next mainline title.

The piece notes Square Enix has not issued an official announcement confirming a Final Fantasy 9 remake. It adds that the company has a history of reviving previously cancelled projects and says there is a very good chance the company might revisit the remake in the future.

The Khel Now report was written by Mahaksh Chauhan and, per the article, provides the current public account of the remake’s status: stalled after reaching an advanced stage with no official confirmation from Square Enix and the possibility the project could be resumed as the publisher rethinks its franchise direction.