LOS ANGELES (Aug. 11, 2025) – FINAL FANTASY fans can look forward to an action-packed PAX West 2025 with multiple panels taking center stage. Separately, SQUARE ENIX will host a community meetup on Saturday, Aug. 30, where fans can enjoy photo opportunities, exclusive giveaways, meet-and-greets with FINAL FANTASY XIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida, FINAL FANTASY Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles Director Kazutoyo Maehiro and Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa, as well as other special guests, and much more.
Full details below on the PAX West panels:
Panels – Also available to view via PAX’s Twitch Channel (https://www.twitch.tv/pax)
Storytime with Naoki Yoshida
Friday, August 29 at 11:00am-12:00pm at the Main Theatre:
Naoki Yoshida joins PAX West to share more about his experiences as a game developer. He'll also share his thoughts on the evolution of the games industry and how it has affected projects he’s worked on such as FINAL FANTASY XIV and FINAL FANTASY XVI. There may even be an opportunity for some live Q&A!
The Making of FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
Saturday, August 30 at 2:00pm-3:00pm at Blue Dragon Theatre:
Calling all Tacticians of Ivalice! In anticipation of the upcoming FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles launch on Sep. 30, SQUARE ENIX invites fans for a special panel with Game Director Kazutoyo Maehiro (FINAL FANTASY Tactics, FINAL FANTASY XII, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, FINAL FANTASY XVI) and Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa (FINAL FANTASY TACTICS, VAGRANT STORY, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, FINAL FANTASY XVI). The panel will discuss how the developers were able to bring the significantly enhanced version of the game to life and share some behind-the-scenes stories about the development of the genre-defining game. Hosted by the award-winning voice actor, Ben Starr (FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles, FINAL FANTASY XVI), this will be a panel that FINAL FANTASY fans cannot miss! Panel attendees will receive a special FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles branded pin.*
*Limited quantity / While supplies last.
The Relationship Between Game Design and Art Direction with Naoki Yoshida and Hiroshi Minagawa
Sunday, August 30 at 11:00am-12:30pm at the Main Theatre:
Naoki Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY XIV, FINAL FANTASY XVI) and Hiroshi Minagawa (FINAL FANTASY XVI, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS) team up to discuss the importance of art direction and design in world building and the creation of unique visual styles for our favorite medium. Learn more about their inspirations, experiences, creative processes, and more in this chat between legendary developers!
PAX West will be held at the Seattle Convention Center from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. More information can be found by visiting https://west.paxsite.com/.
Separately, SQUARE ENIX will be holding a special Community Night, with details below.
SQUARE ENIX Community Night
Saturday, August 30 at 7:00pm-10:00pm
Location: To Be Announced through Eventbrite
SQUARE ENIX invites its passionate community to come celebrate all things FINAL FANTASY and DRAGON QUEST at PAX West 2025! Come celebrate fan favorite FINAL FANTASY XIV, FINAL FANTASY XVI, FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS, and the highly anticipated upcoming games including FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles (out Sep. 30), DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake (out Oct. 30), and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (out this winter for Nintendo Switch™2 and Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC)! The event will feature special guests: Naoki Yoshida, Kazutoyo Maehiro and Hiroshi Minagawa, as well as photo opportunities, giveaways and more. Tickets will be available to purchase on Eventbrite and will be required to enter the event.*
*Limited quantity / While supplies last.
Square Enix Related Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquareEnix
X (previously Twitter): https://twitter.com/SquareEnix
Instagram: www.instagram.com/SquareEnix
YouTube: www.youtube.com/SquareEnixNA
About FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
Since its original release in 1997, the award-winning FINAL FANTASY TACTICS has sold millions of copies worldwide and is a legendary title in the tactical RPG genre. Faithfully brought to modern platforms by a team composed of both original development members who worked on the original game along with new faces, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles recreates the 1997 release for old and new fans alike, releasing on all major platforms on September 30, 2025.
About FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
With over 30 million total registered players, FINAL FANTASY XIV is one of the most popular MMORPG games today. Since its relaunch in 2013 with A Realm Reborn, the game has enjoyed a stunning resurgence from the first expansion pack to 2021’s Endwalker™. Each expansion continues the epic tale that has spanned the past decade — a gripping saga of light against dark that has kept players coming back for more. The latest expansion release has players embarking on a brand-new adventure with the launch of Dawntrail™ on July 2, 2024.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 203 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 94 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com
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FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE © SQUARE ENIX
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