FF7 Remake director thinks streamers are dangerous for RPGs

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi worries that streamers are causing a “crisis” in the RPG genre, as those watching the game may not feel like playing it themselves.

Since Final Fantasy 7 Revelation wrapped up the big Summer Game Fest show last week, we've learned a lot about the third and final installment of the remake trilogy. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has given us tons to look forward to, from the promised inclusion of Scarlet and Tifa's fight getting “the treatment it deserves” to the possibility of Dirge of Cerberus DLC.

One of the most interesting details to emerge about Revelation is that it will have much more player choice than Remake and Rebirth, both in terms of story moments chosen and how players approach things like minigames and content. This degree of player agency is something Hamaguchi believes is necessary due to the rise of streamers causing the RPG “crisis”.

FF7 Remake director thinks live streams are a problem for RPGs

This is why Revelation promotes player choice

As Automaton pointed out, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi recently spoke with 4Gamer about the latest chapter in the remake trilogy, where he highlighted the renewed focus on player choice. While this is partly due to fan feedback and making the story more personal, Hamaguchi reveals that the rise of game streams also played a role in this.

Hamaguchi notes that player choice is something that is needed for games in this era, as RPGs like Final Fantasy have to be “careful” that players aren't satisfied with just watching streamers while playing the game. The director calls it a “crisis for the work” and something the filmmakers can't “wholeheartedly rejoice over.”

While Hamaguchi doesn't think all game streams are bad, he does think a player's choice can make watching streamers consider how they would play the game and encourage them to give it a try. On the other hand, just focusing on the story could leave those watching live streaming feeling like they don't need the full experience.

“I'm not saying all gaming videos are bad, but if watching them makes people think, 'What would I like to do?' or “How could I try to figure this out?” then they will be more inclined to try it themselves'. – Naoki Hamaguchi

This it isn't a problem that is exclusive to RPGs, as almost every game that comes out is immediately broadcast live and edited for hundreds and thousands of viewers, but is especially dangerous for story-driven games like Final Fantasy. If you feel like watching a compilation of cutscenes on YouTube is the equivalent of actually playing the game, Hamaguchi and all the other developers are begging you to think again.