A Final Fantasy 16 demo could launch next year

Final Fantasy 16 PS5 screenshot
(Image credit: Square Enix)

Final Fantasy 16 might get a demo prior to launch, according to one producer.

That producer would be Naoki Yoshida, who just recently did media interviews with publications around the world. In an interview with Dengeki Online (and translated by GamesRadar+), Yoshida mentions that he would "like to" put out a "trial version" of Final Fantasy 16 prior to it launching next Summer.

However, the producer does couch this in the fact that the team behind Final Fantasy 16 is still planning for development phases to come in 2023. Therefore, Yoshida can't actually guarantee there will be a demo of the new RPG before it launches, but it's more a personal wish of his.

When contacted for comment, Square Enix declined to comment on Yoshida's statement. 

Additionally, Yoshida mentions that he would like to provide members of the media with the opportunity to experience Final Fantasy 16's combat for themselves, before it launches. Again, this isn't a guarantee this will actually happen, and appears to be a separate goal of Yoshida's outside of a general public demo.

If you remember back to the last mainline release in the series, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Square Enix provided a demo for the RPG prior to its launch. While members of the media and E3 attendees were able to try out the demo before anyone else, it would eventually be made available for all PS4 players just a matter of weeks later.

It could very well be the case that Final Fantasy 16 might receive a similar treatment. Speaking of experiencing the combat, GamesRadar+ also had the opportunity to speak to Yoshida, and asked him about Final Fantasy's big switch away from command and turn-based combat over the years. 

You can also head over to our general Final Fantasy 16 interview with Yoshida for a deeper look at combat, characters, and the imposing Eikons. 

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
A screenshot shows Like a Dragon characters facing off in Dave the Diver.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza will soon get a playable demo and an unexpectedly adorable Dave the Diver crossover
Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail cinematic screenshot showing Alphinaud Leveilleur, an Elezen boy with short white hair
"It's simply impossible": Final Fantasy 14 lead explains why the MMO's difficulty level will never be "just right" for all players
Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy creator plans to make another game before he retires, and this one is inspired by Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer screenshot showing a young woman in a green ceremonial dress dancing, a determined look upon her face as she smirks while staring ahead
Final Fantasy 7 Part 3 won't be a PS6 exclusive and it's been in the works for "about nine months already"
Screenshot from Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children showing Cloud holding an unconscious Tifa in his arms.
With everything from Helldivers to Zelda getting the big screen treatment, OG Final Fantasy 7 director would "love" for the JRPG to get another movie
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 14's Yoshi-P was unsure about referencing Final Fantasy 9 so heavily because it's a "masterpiece, and everyone has a strong emotional attachment to it"
Latest in Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
28 years after Final Fantasy 7 introduced a generation to the concept of waifus, Tetsuya Nomura says Tifa's popularity is "not just about appearance"
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 14's Yoshi-P was unsure about referencing Final Fantasy 9 so heavily because it's a "masterpiece, and everyone has a strong emotional attachment to it"
A Final Fantasy 14 character points to something off the screen as two others in the background watch on
Final Fantasy 14's 7.2 patch launches in under 2 weeks, kicking off a run of MMO content that the community has been waiting for since Dawntrail launched last year
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
The Final Fantasy series has sold a whopping 200 million copies, while the Pixel Remaster reportedly outsells FF16 with 5 million copies
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail screenshot showing the Warrior of Light, a man with lengthy swept-back brown hair, blue eyes, and facial hair stubble, smiling slightly
As Final Fantasy 14 fans gear up for patch 7.2, Yoshi-P teases that the update will be the MMO's largest ever
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail Futures Unwritten Ultimate raid
As Final Fantasy 14 raiders tear through the MMO's hardest duty with no healers and then no tanks, the community can only see this going one way: "Now it's time to clear without DPS"
Latest in News
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC
Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton in Hawkeye
Linda Cardellini cast as Jason's mom, the original Friday the 13th killer, for Crystal Lake prequel series
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red won't make survival games just because they're popular, but Netflix's Edgerunners anime is fueling dreams bigger than RPGs
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel may have just sneakily confirmed one of the biggest Daredevil: Born Again fan theories
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”