Creative Influences in Final Fantasy
Longtime Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase revealed that Star Wars was a significant influence on the RPG franchise.
During the Lucca Comics & Games Festival 2026, Kitase discussed the creative cycle of inspiration. When asked about the influence of Final Fantasy on the upcoming title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, he expressed appreciation for the homage, noting that he similarly draws from major entertainment works, specifically Star Wars.
Kitase stated that he is happy to see creators inspired by his work, noting that he was heavily influenced by Star Wars during his youth. He emphasized the importance of this creative cycle where developers draw inspiration from one another to build new experiences.
The producer noted that he has always been careful not to lift directly from Star Wars to avoid creating simple copies. However, he pointed to specific elements in his work that were born from his appreciation for the sci-fi series.
Star Wars References in the Series
Kitase identified the Final Fantasy 7 characters Wedge and Biggs as the most overt examples of his inspiration, as they are named after characters from the Star Wars rebellion.
He also noted that the Blitzball minigame from Final Fantasy 10 was inspired by the Podracing sequence in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Kitase explained that he wanted to integrate a sport within a fantasy context, and he took the concept of a high-stakes race directly from the Star Wars film.
The final installment of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, titled Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, is scheduled for release on April 8, 2027.
