Final Fantasy XVI Was Almost on 2 Discs; Managed to “Barely” Fit on 1 Disc Half-Year Before Release

During the latest Final Fantasy XVI broadcast, the game’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, revealed that the title was initially planned to be on two discs. However, just six months before launch, the team managed to barely fit it onto one.

This was highly desired since keeping the game on one disc significantly reduced manufacturing costs and avoided delays in polishing the overall experience before the title went gold.

While a PlayStation 5 game on two discs sounds far-fetched, it’s not exactly new. The upcoming Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is confirmed to be featured across two discs, so it’s no surprise that Final Fantasy XVI almost embodied that identity.

In case you missed them, check out the planned pre-launch and post-launch updates for Final Fantasy XVI.

Final Fantasy XVI is set to be a more action-heavy entry than its predecessors, with a Devil May Cry V designer even taking the helm. Throughout the title, players will control the protagonist, Clive, as he confronts various Dominants, humans who have been cursed with the power to become Eikons.

Clive is the “First Shield of Rosaria,” sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, who’s the Dominant of Phoenix. However, following a certain tragedy, Clive swears revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit.

The producer, Naoki Yoshida, describes this game as akin to his experience with the first Final Fantasy, as “playing the lead in an epic motion picture.” The reasoning for this title’s action-oriented approach and more classical fantasy setting was to “appeal to as wide a range of gamers as possible.” Moreover, “there will be a “comprehensive support system in place for players who aren’t too confident with action games.”

In case you missed it, check out our preview.

You can download the official Final Fantasy XVI demo now.