As 2023 gets underway, all of the studios and publishers are airing nondescript teases for their upcoming releases. Perhaps the most notable of these is from Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase, who has hinted at a “big announcement” regarding the storied Final Fantasy franchise.

However, it is interesting to note that Kitase and the team at SE’s Creative Business Unit I are in charge of the ongoing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth project, and while it is widely believed that the second chapter of the epic remake series will launch in the winter of this year, the mysterious announcement seems to be about a completely different project.

“Development is picking up speed on the title I’m producing, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” said Kitase in the short New Year’s message. “I’m sure many of your collective imaginations are running wild trying to picture how we’ll recreate some of the game’s most iconic scenes, and we’ll have more to share about that when the time is right.”

“There’s also another big announcement unrelated to Final Fantasy VII that I can’t say anything about just yet. Rest assured we’re working hard to make sure 2023 is the most exciting year yet.”

Since 2023 is known as the “Year of the Rabbit,” Rokuma Saito’s adorable artwork of our lop-eared FF pals was included with Kitase’s message. Interesting news Time will tell whether Kitase and co. will announce another remake, a brand-new game, or another multimedia project entirely. I would say that “it looks like this year is going to be a big year for Final Fantasy fans,” but when was the last time a year didn’t bring us a slew of new games, remasters, DLC, ports, mobile releases, or updates for games set in the most recognizable RPG series of all time? For fans of Final Fantasy, each year is a pivotal one.

Last Dream VII Resurrection is planned to send off winter 2023, solely on PS5.