Square Enix’s openness to allowing a non-Japanese studio to develop a Final Fantasy title seems to have been an allusion to a mysterious “Final Fantasy” title provisionally dubbed “Fortress,” cancelled but visible in incomplete form in the technical demo visible below.
Square Enix apparently selected a third-rate developer from Sweden, the now defunct Grin, and canceled their involvement after being unimpressed with what was delivered; however, it is said to still be in development elsewhere:
FORTRESS is the codename of an official, but currently unannounced sequel to FINAL FANTASY XII.
It is an action game set some time after the events of FINAL FANTASY XII: REVENANT WINGS, and is intended for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows platforms.
The project was originally developed by GRIN and supervised by Square Enix, but issues between the two companies led to GRIN going bankrupt and Square Enix reclaiming the project from them.
The project has not been officially announced yet, but its existence is known due to information leaked by former members of the development team and sources in the video game industry.
The Fortress project is still supported by Square Enix and in development at a currently undisclosed studio — possibly Eidos Montreal, Square Enix’s main Western branch.
The tech demo video is reminiscent of a certain popular western RPG:
Supposedly the title was/is based directly on Final Fantasy XII, as this concept art featuring Princess Ashe demonstrates:
Free roaming and non-linear gameplay? No wonder Square Enix was unhappy with the title…
“third-rate developer”
“Grin”
Oh that’s right, I’m on sankaku, that explains it.
If they were going to let a NA studio do a FF it should be something tactical. We do okay with stuff like Warcraft/Starcraft even if the Koreans end up beating us once it’s on the market in gameplay.
How about instead of Japanese versus western ‘visual style’, why not HYBRID? How about a little bit of both?
I mean, God forbid that a game studio try something DIFFERENT. You all complain that Final Fantasy games are too predictable and static and linear, and then you have the nerve to complain that this game is too different from your pre-conceived expectations and that the change in visuals is unacceptable. You are all close-minded and xenophobic hypocrites.
I’m late. Seems that SE pulled the vid out for copyright claim.
Any alternative links?
Princess Ashe looks like Queen Amidala. lol