Final Fantasy has always stood as Square Enix’s crown jewel, but a recent podcast interview reveals just how close the beloved series — and the company behind it — came to collapse. Legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu shared that Square nearly fell apart after Hironobu Sakaguchi, the series’ visionary creator, departed the company in 2003.
On the latest episode of the NOBIYO to Issho ni (Together with NOBIYO) podcast, Uematsu opened up about the fragile state of Square in the wake of Sakaguchi’s exit. Speaking with Sakaguchi himself, Uematsu reminisced on the early days of Final Fantasy development — when passion, not structure, drove the team.
“Sakaguchi was the big boss,” said Uematsu. “Even though we didn’t have a formal company structure, everyone naturally followed his lead.”
🎮 A Creator Who Held Square Together
Sakaguchi, inspired by Western RPGs like Ultima and Wizardry, launched Final Fantasy in 1987 alongside a dream team of Square’s best talent. The game was a surprise hit that laid the foundation for one of the most enduring franchises in gaming history. But his true genius, according to Uematsu, went beyond design — it was in his leadership.
Uematsu described their early workplace in Hiyoshi, Japan, as feeling less like a company and more like a university club. Yet, in this unorthodox environment, Sakaguchi managed to command respect, lead creative minds, and keep the studio moving forward — even if he had to be tough at times.
“He could be strict and bossy, but he had this charisma,” Uematsu noted. “People naturally gathered around him.”
💔 The Fallout of Sakaguchi’s Departure
Sakaguchi left Square after the commercial failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within in 2001 — a bold cinematic experiment that didn’t resonate with audiences. His official departure came in 2003, and Uematsu said the absence left Square rudderless.
Without Sakaguchi’s central leadership, the studio struggled internally, and Uematsu admitted there were times when the company seemed like it might not survive. His comments underscore how much of Square’s early identity was shaped around Sakaguchi’s personality and creative vision.
🛠️ Survival Through Reinvention
Square would eventually stabilize by merging with Enix and releasing successful titles like Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XII, which helped bring the franchise back into the spotlight. Uematsu, who stepped away from full-time composition after Final Fantasy XII, later returned to contribute to titles like Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Today, Final Fantasy continues as one of gaming’s most celebrated franchises, but its survival wasn’t guaranteed. The insight from Uematsu’s podcast appearance is a powerful reminder that the foundation of iconic companies often rests on the vision of just a few key individuals.
Stay tuned with us as the series moves into the future with games like FF XVI and FF VII Rebirth, the legacy of both Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu continues to echo through every note and narrative.