Square Enix: No plans for Final Fantasy XII HD, Final Fantasy X-3

There are current no plans for a HD port of Final Fantasy XII or a Final Fantasy X-3, according to Final Fantasy franchise Producer and overall boss-man Shinji Hashimoto, speaking on a Singaporean press tour promoting Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy X & X-2 HD Remaster. 

Asked about the possibility of a HD release of Final Fantasy XII HD to follow on from the Japanese successes of FF10's remaster by SGCafe, Hashimoto said that Square Enix "do not have any plans," but noted that "if there are a lot of requests from the fans for a HD remastered version of FF12, we might consider it." 

This echoes comments made by FF10 & 13 honcho Yoshinori Kitase, who told RPG Site that he 'hoped' success for FF10's HD remaster would trigger the development of a HD remaster for that game. 

Meanwhile, the internet has been abuzz with talk of a potential Final Fantasy X-3 after the additional thirty minute audio episode included with the HD remaster of the PS2 classic included a number of plot twists that seemed to set things up for a sequel. Without getting specific on spoilers, the audio-only play features death, game-changers for major relationships and the resurrection of a major antagonist. Hashimoto, however, was keen to note that opening up the story in such a manner doesn't necessarily mean there's a sequel on the way. 

"S ince we’re revisiting Final Fantasy X and X-2, which were released about 10 years ago, the series’ scenario writer Kazushige Nojima and character designer Tetsuya Nomura had a discussion and thought that the HD Remaster release would be a good opportunity for them to include this additional story episode," he told SGCafe. "But the audio episode’s inclusion wasn’t because we have any plans to develop a Final Fantasy X-3."

Call us skeptics, but we notice that there's an out for Hashimoto there in semantics - when announcing Lightning Returns, Square Enix were quick to note that title wasn't Final Fantasy XIII-3, too. Could a sequel to the adventures of Tidus & Yuna appear under a different title? Or is that Final Fantasy universe now done with forever. Time will tell - let us know your thoughts in the comments below.