Final Fantasy Producer Cites Star Wars as a Key Inspiration for Characters and Mechanics in Franchise
Longtime Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase revealed to IGN that Star Wars was a big influence on the RPG franchise.
Yoshinori Kitase, a long-standing producer for the Final Fantasy series, discussed the franchise's influences at the Lucca Comics & Games Festival 2026. When asked about the heavy influence of Final Fantasy on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kitase expressed happiness for the game's success and admitted to being inspired by various sources, including Star Wars.
He explained that his early interest in movies, particularly Star Wars, shaped his creative process. Kitase mentioned that Final Fantasy characters Wedge and Biggs from Final Fantasy 7 were directly inspired by Star Wars' rebellion figures. Additionally, Blitzball from Final Fantasy 10 was inspired by Star Wars' Podracing from Episode 1.
The producer emphasized his commitment to avoiding direct plagiarism but acknowledged the beauty of creating games that build upon each other's ideas. Kitase concluded by mentioning that Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the final installment of the 7 remake trilogy, will be released on April 8, 2027.
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