During a recent interview with Famitsu, FFXIV Producer Naoki Yoshida (or Yoshi-P) talked with Shota Shimoda about their work in Square Enix and his experience joining development for A Realm Reborn. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
Shota Shimoda is a founding member of WFS, and former Square Enix planner and director that worked alongside Yoshi-P, and currently oversees development of Heaven Burns Red.
Yoshi-P said that when he became involved with FFXIV A Realm Reborn he didn’t want to be pigeonholed into a single role, and decided to take a very hands-on approach in order to avoid the team from becoming too vertically divided. He also said he didn’t feel old enough to be put in a position to solely rely on the work of others. The developer added that it was this “hands-on” mentality that allowed him to make it throughout as producer and director for FFXIV.
Shimoda also revealed that during the change in leadership for FFXIV, composer and sound engineer Masayoshi Soken was thinking of leaving Square Enix, and Yoshi-P confirmed that it was thanks to Shimoda putting both developers in contact that Soken remained attached to the project. Yoshi-P said that although Shimoda didn’t work together with him on FFXIV, his contribution was integral to FFXIV.
Final Fantasy XIV is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC, with the Xbox Series X version launching on March 21, 2024. The new Dawntrail expansion will arrive in the Summer of 2024, and more news on it will appear at PAX East 2024.
