Final Fantasy 7 Remake 3 Graphics Will Stay Good on All Systems

The director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake 3 has said the game will look good on all consoles, including Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. He explained that they will make sure it runs well on different systems without making the graphics worse.
By Newsroom | Video Games, Technology |

Concerns have surfaced regarding the potential impact of a multiplatform release on the graphical fidelity of Final Fantasy 7 Remake 3. As the series expands beyond its initial high-end platform focus to include consoles like the Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2, players question whether this broader reach might necessitate graphical compromises. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has directly addressed these worries, stating that the third installment will not be subject to any reduction in visual quality.

Development Strategy and Platform Reach

The Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, which began on platforms such as the PlayStation 5 and PC, is now embracing a multiplatform approach. This shift includes making the games available on systems with varying performance capabilities.

  • The second installment, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, is currently available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store) and PS5.

  • Versions for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S are scheduled for release on June 3.

  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, which features an additional story episode, is also accessible on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store), PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S.

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This expansion means the development team must consider a wider range of hardware specifications.

Director's Reassurance on Visuals

Speaking with Automaton, Director Naoki Hamaguchi explicitly addressed player apprehension. He stated that the decision to make the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series multiplatform would not lead to a decrease in the quality of the third installment.

"Our current approach to developing games is based on the idea that if a title runs at 30fps on platforms like PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, or Xbox Series S, it should be able to achieve 60fps on high-end platforms."

This indicates a development philosophy aimed at maintaining high performance on more powerful systems while ensuring a baseline experience on less capable ones, rather than downgrading assets across the board. The success of previous titles on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store has already led the team to develop assets with the broader PC market in mind, a market known for its diverse hardware.

Technical Considerations for Multiplatform Games

The move to a multiplatform release for a game as graphically intensive as Final Fantasy 7 Remake 3 presents several technical considerations:

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  • Asset Optimization: Creating game assets that can render effectively on both high-end and lower-spec hardware requires careful optimization. This can involve different levels of detail (LOD) for models and textures.

  • Performance Targets: As Hamaguchi mentioned, the team aims for a tiered performance goal – 30fps on lower-spec consoles and 60fps on high-end ones. This requires robust engine capabilities and platform-specific tuning.

  • Scalability: The game's engine must be designed to scale effectively, adjusting graphical settings dynamically based on the platform it's running on.

The assertion that the series has sold well on PC platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store suggests that a significant portion of the development effort already accounts for PC's varied hardware, which can be seen as a precedent for managing multiplatform demands.

Player Expectations and Developer Promises

Player expectations for modern game graphics are generally high, particularly for titles within established, visually impressive franchises like Final Fantasy. The explicit promise from Naoki Hamaguchi aims to manage these expectations by directly countering fears of graphical degradation. The successful porting and performance of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on various platforms will serve as a key indicator of the team's ability to uphold this promise for the final installment.

Conclusion

Director Naoki Hamaguchi has reassured fans that the transition of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series to a multiplatform release will not result in any compromises to the graphics of the upcoming third installment. The development strategy appears to be focused on adapting performance to different hardware tiers rather than lowering overall visual quality. The team's experience with the PC market and the stated performance goals suggest a commitment to delivering a high-fidelity experience across all planned platforms.

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  • Key Statement: Final Fantasy 7 Remake 3 will "not compromise on graphics whatsoever" despite its multiplatform release.

  • Rationale: Development strategy includes achieving 30fps on lower-spec platforms and 60fps on high-end ones, with assets already developed considering the broad PC market.

  • Context: The series is expanding to include Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2, in addition to PC and PS5.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will Final Fantasy 7 Remake 3 look bad on Xbox or Switch?
No, the director said the game will not have worse graphics because it is coming to more systems.
Q: How will the game run on different consoles?
The plan is for it to run at 30 pictures per second on systems like PS4 or Switch 2, and 60 pictures per second on stronger systems.
Q: Why is the game coming to more systems?
The game series has done well on PC and they want more people to be able to play it.
Q: What does this mean for the graphics?
The team will work hard to make sure the game looks good on all systems by changing how it runs, not by making the pictures worse.