Call of Duty: World at War Multiplayer Nearly Had a Much Larger Focus on Vehicles

Dataminers have discovered content that suggests Call of Duty: World at War would've had a much larger focus on vehicle combat in its multiplayer modes.

Back in the mid to late 2000s, Call of Duty was defining its formula. It became annualized, with multiple studios alternating between games, ast-paced and class-based PvP multiplayer modes, and a blockbuster campaign. Still, there was a lot to figure out on what exactly those multiplayer experiences would look like. We know it well now, but it seems that Treyarch was playing around with vehicles in the series' earliest multiplayer modes.

Call of Duty 3 and Call of Duty: World at War's multiplayer modes both featured vehicles that players could freely get into and use. In World at War, it felt like a bit of an afterthought, as only four maps actually had tanks, but it turns out there were much larger plans for them.

As discovered by ForwardLeaks and @TheSpoopatron on X, World at War would've allowed players to call in tanks after obtaining seven kills. These tanks would've been fully customizable with special perks, different weapons, and more. Players would've been able to equip flamethrowers to the tanks, have control over their speed, and much more.

To support all of this, World at War would have had more maps that were specifically designed to accommodate tanks. Unfortunately, all of this got cut (or at least drastically reduced) before launch. It's unclear why Treyarch pulled back on this, but it's possible that it wasn't as fun or didn't work as well as they'd hoped.

World at War also suffered from a fairly rushed development. Despite having a two-year dev cycle, the game underwent massive revisions and changes, which may be another reason why these features and maps were cut.

🚨LOST MEDIA FOUND:

Call of Duty: World at War was initally going to have a much deeper focus on vehicle combat within the game before being scrapped.

After a play reached a 7 kill streak, the player would have the ability to call in a tank. The tank would be able to be fully… pic.twitter.com/6zzWJ6vl9d

— Forward (@ForwardLeaks) August 6, 2026

• Railway (mp_railway)
• Sandtrap (mp_sandtrap)
• Village (mp_village)
• Zoo (mp_zoo)

* indicates map released in WaW pic.twitter.com/hU6jd95Jzi

— Forward (@ForwardLeaks) August 6, 2026

It's interesting to think about what Call of Duty might have looked like, had these features shipped. Would vehicles have played a bigger part in future Call of Duty games? It's hard to say. The recent Modern Warfare games have had vehicles as part of its Ground War mode, seemingly as a way to compete with large-scale multiplayer games like Battlefield. It's a fun addition, but it has yet to rival the more intense 6v6 experiences in the game.

Players also discovered a cut Zombies tower defense mode in the recent Black Ops ports. Those ports are among the best selling games of 2026, as fans have flocked to the older games in droves.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

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Hideki Kamiya Reveals Spider-Man 2 Scene That Inspired Key Game Sequence in Okami

Hideki Kamiya revealed that Okami's main planner took inspiration from a scene in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 movie to shape one particular moment in the highly-acclaimed 2006 game.

If you’ve seen the movie and played Okami, you probably know what moment I’m talking about. If you haven’t, this is your warning that spoilers lie ahead (though, to be fair, both of these things are over 20 years old at this point).

In the unlikely event you haven’t seen the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies, there’s a scene in the second film where he uses his webs to stop a runaway train at the last second. It’s an iconic moment that has sparked endless tributes and parodies over the years — and it apparently inspired a story beat in Okami, of all things.

In the game, players must find a way to cross a massive, raging river in order to progress to another area. A non-playable character is tasked with repairing the bridge that crosses this river, but in the middle of his chore, a log comes flying downstream at top speeds, prompting a timed gameplay segment where Amaterasu is tasked with slowing the log down using her Vine power before she careens off the side of a waterfall.

As told by Okami director Hideki Kamiya on his official X/Twitter account, this segment was created by planner Hiroshi Shibata, who took direct inspiration from Spider-Man 2.

“This scene was planned by Shibata-san, who served as the main planner, drawing inspiration from the train scene in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2,” Kamiya said matter-of-factly in response to a clip from the moment posted to the official Okami X account.

この場面は、メインプランナーを務めてくれた柴田さんが、サム・ライミ版スパイダーマン2の電車の場面から着想を得て企画しました… https://t.co/O9ZtBYNlLZ

— 神谷英樹🍀 Hideki Kamiya🍀 (@HidekiKamiya_X) August 5, 2026

This is one of several insights that Kamiya has given about his games over the last few months, most recently confirming that Leon S. Kennedy was, indeed, named after the 1994 movie Leon: The Professional. Kamiya famously directed Resident Evil 2, creating one of the series’ most iconic characters whose popularity has stood the test of time. (He’s even getting a life-sized statue in Shibuya later this year to celebrate Resident Evil’s 30th anniversary.)

Okami is finally getting a sequel game, produced by the newly-formed Clovers, founded by Kamiya after his exit from Platinum Games. In collaboration with Capcom, it is a direct continuation of Okami’s main story, not a spin-off in the vein of Okamiden on the DS.

“I always wanted to create an Ōkami sequel,” Kamiya told us in an exclusive interview in February 2025. “Thinking back to about 19 years ago when I first created the game, you have to remember that the story itself isn't really complete, and I always wanted to complete this game.”

For now, not much else is known about the project, with Clovers saying it will be some time before anything further is shown off publicly. However, we do know that it's being developed in Capcom's RE engine, which gives us a vague idea of what the sequel's visual design might look like off the back of its unique art style in the original game.

Image Credits: Sony Pictures / Capcom

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.

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'This Is Unbelievably Scummy' - GTA 6 Fans Are Annoyed By Netflix's Paywalled Extended Look at the Game

Grand Theft Auto 6 fans aren't thrilled with Rockstar's decision to release the next look at the game through Netflix.

Earlier today, Rockstar Games confirmed it will debut an "extended look" at Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 27 at 3pm ET through Netflix. The extended look will also be available at 9pm ET on YouTube, but for six hours, it will essentially be paywalled behind a Netflix subscription. Essentially, Rockstar and Netflix are asking fans to fork over some cash to see the game's next big marketing beat the moment it goes live. Given the high anticipation for this game, there'll certainly be people who sign up for Netflix just to watch this instead of waiting for it to release for free on YouTube later that evening.

As you might imagine, some fans find the entire thing a bit odd and are even upset about the move.

"This is unbelievably scummy," said one fan on X. "Everyone is excited for the extended look of GTA 6, but it's premiering on Netflix first, which will influence people to get a subscription. This needs to be called out, because if any other studio, such as Bethesda, did this, they would be crucified."

"Hiding the first potential gameplay reveal behind a subscription, even if cheap and temporary, is peak Rockstar arrogance," said another.

There are numerous other near-identical messages under Rockstar's social media posts about the announcement, so these aren't isolated comments. Some have questioned why Netflix was even chosen for this event. It's likely Rockstar and Netflix partnered up after the streamer helped release Red Dead Redemption and the remastered GTA trilogy through its service, making the games accessible to millions of people who may not own a console or PC.

There are also fears that Netflix might not be able to handle the demand for the new look at GTA 6. The service is pretty notorious for crashing under pressure, particularly when there's a highly anticipated premiere of a new show like Stranger Things or a live sporting event. Is Netflix prepared to handle millions of people flooding its servers at once to catch a glimpse at GTA 6? We can only hope.

As of right now, we're not quite sure what will be featured in this new look. Will it be raw gameplay? A playthrough of a mission? A very long trailer? Some are hoping that we'll get 15–30 minutes of footage of the game, which seems reasonable for something that is premiering on Netflix. Rockstar released 10 minutes of gameplay for Red Dead Redemption 2 ahead of its release across two gameplay deep dive videos, so an even deeper look at GTA 6 doesn't feel totally out of the question.

The entire situation has resulted in a second wave of backlash against GTA 6. Although Rockstar is treating the game like an unprecedented event, some fans aren't happy about the ways the company is going about it. In June, Rockstar confirmed that GTA 6 will not release on a disc, saying physical copies would only include a digital code. It's speculated that Rockstar is doing this to prevent the game from leaking through early copies, but physical media fans are frustrated about the game from a preservation perspective. On top of that, the game is also $80 and certain content is locked behind a $100 ultimate edition.

Whether or not any of these annoyances are enough to turn people off to the game remains to be seen. GTA 6 is expected to be a pop culture golliath either way, and will likely be one of the biggest entertainment releases in history.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

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Scalping Has Gotten So Bad That The Pokemon Company Is Limiting Certain TCG Packs to Japanese Citizens Only

Bad news for Pokemon TCG players outside of Japan; you’ll need to be a Japanese citizen in order to buy certain decks and expansion packs from its official online store.

In an apparent effort to discourage scalpers, The Pokemon Company is implementing its first-ever ID-guarded protections for specific items on its online store. Those items are listed below:

• Pokémon Card Game Mega Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Box: 7,200 Yen (~$46 USD)
• Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Futuristic Box: 27,500 Yen (~$174 USD)
  • The most expensive of the lot, this includes two Pikachu EX promo cards, shields, a deck case, a display case, play mat, and other goodies.
• Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Espeon and Umbreon Premium Deck Set: 6,200 yen (~$39 USD)
• Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Card Set: 10,800 Yen (~$68 USD)

To snag these packs, you’ll have to be a Japanese citizen with an ID card issued by the Japanese government. If you don’t have one, you’re simply outta luck.

First announced in July, buyers will need to use the Digital Identification App to make these purchases, which is a free, secure online tool that allows citizens to sign documents and verify their identities online. It’s used alongside the My Number Card, a plastic IC-chip card for residents that acts both as an official photo ID and a digital tool to more easily access government services.

It’s a super secure, citizens-only process that severely limits who’s able to get these card packs, but given the sheer amount of scalping that’s taken place within the Pokemon space specifically, it makes sense that these protections are being implemented.

This is the latest measure the Pokemon Company has taken to discourage TCG scalpers after enacting facial recognition scans at select card stores within Japan, affecting adults and children above elementary school age to “provide a safe and secure shopping environment for all customers, to prevent crime, and to ensure compliance with appropriate entry and purchase rules.”

These policies aren’t a total surprise; Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa announced that My Number IDs would be necessary for certain purchases in order to combat scalping in the Pokemon TCG space in early July.

“Nintendo also communicates with The Pokémon Company as needed to discuss appropriate ways to deliver products to consumers," Furukawa said. "We believe that The Pokémon Company will continue to take measures to respond to this issue."

It doesn’t seem like scalping as a practice within the trading card community has shown any signs of stopping, though. Recently, Disney theme parks and stores in both the United States and Europe were overwhelmed after customers lined up in droves to purchase new Princess-themed Lorcana packs, forcing one location to temporarily close its doors to prevent chaos that had started unfolding outside among overeager players and scalpers.

It’s not just cards that are suffering from this treatment; merchandise for high-profile IPs in general are suffering from the scalping epidemic, with the One Piece x Popeye’s exclusive bento boxes getting resold on eBay for hundreds, while limited-edition Pokemon Pop-Tarts were also listed online for as high as $50.

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.

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Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Release Dates for 2026 and Beyond

We now have our hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, a new console from one of the biggest names in gaming. Alas, a new console is only as valuable as the library of games you can build on it.

Thankfully, Nintendo hasn't been shy about planned releases over the next year. In the second half of 2026, we'll be getting our hands on a mix of Switch 2 exclusives, third-party releases, and the benefit of backward compatibility with any games still launching on the original Switch. Without further ado, here are all of the new Switch 2 games we can look forward to in 2026 and beyond.

All Upcoming Switch 2 Games With Release Dates

* indicates a Switch 2 exclusive

Lies of P: Complete Edition (August 6, 2026)

One of the most beloved Souls-likes is getting a new ‘Complete Edition’ to accompany its launch on Switch 2. This new edition will include the Overture expansion as well as some quality of life improvements unique to the Nintendo console. It will be available to purchase digitally starting August 6, with a physical edition releasing later in October.

The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remastered (August 11, 2026)

Oblivion Remastered wasn't necessarily Bethesda's best-kept secret, but the day it 'shadow-dropped' was still one of the cooler Xbox moments in recent history. IGN's 8/10 review calls the full remake “a fantastic modernization” while acknowledging some "jank," including flubs left in for nostalgia's sake.

In a somewhat active statement against the ongoing trend of digitization, Bethesda and Nintendo have confirmed that the Switch 2 edition of the Oblivion remake will be coming on a cartridge, which has already been selling out as a preorder.

Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters (August 27, 2026)

Now this is soccer. Or football. Whatever you want to call it, this game lets you pick from 22 national teams with over 110 playable characters to play it. The Captain Tsubasa sequel will include a singleplayer mode following the rise of the ‘king of sports anime’ (with tons of cut scenes) as well as online multiplayer modes.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition (August 28, 2026)

While we wait for more news about FromSoftware’s next game, The Duskbloods (which will be a Switch 2 exclusive), we finally know when the GOTY-winning masterpiece that is Elden Ring will be coming to the Nintendo console. The Tarnished Edition will include two new starting classes as well as new armor sets, all of which will also be available as an upgrade for folks who already own the game on PC or other consoles.

Orbitals (September 3, 2026)*

This one caught my attention from its first teaser, in large part because of the particularly clean retro anime art style. Orbitals is an intergalactic adventure built for co-op play in a seemingly similar vein to Hazelight Studios games like Split Fiction and It Takes Two. We were big fans in our hands-on preview!

NBA 2K27 (September 4, 2026)

It’s a classic. This year’s iteration of NBA 2K will launch on the Switch 2 at the same time it becomes playable on PC and other consoles. Each version of the game features a different cover athlete, either Victor Wembanyama (Standard), Derrick Rose (Ultra), and, for the first time ever, a WNBA player, Caitlin Clark (Deluxe).

RuneScape: Dragonwilds (September 15, 2026)

RuneScape got a bit of a makeover with this new open world crafting and survival game that was initially released last year, and is finally coming to Switch 2 this fall.

Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave (September 17, 2026)*

We finally have a release date for the next game in the Fire Emblem series, which already happens to be available to preorder. Here’s a snippet of what to expect from the official Nintendo listing: “Worthy fighters from all over the land have come to Dagsion, the capital city of the Dagdan Empire, to compete in the Heroic Games for the chance to win one wish. Among the combatants are four heroes tied to the fate of the world.”

Another Eden Begins (September 17, 2026)

From Masato Kato, the writer behind Chrono Trigger, comes Another Eden Begins, a completely fresh RPG that takes you on a journey across the past, present, and future. Recruit companions from a roster of 18 characters to help you take down the Beast King and find your sister. This one’s got a whopping 10 endings on the menu, though I’m sure some of those are reserved for New Game+.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (September 18, 2026)

The latest LEGO game finally has a Switch 2 release date. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is truly next level. It blends and parodies classic Batman moments from across all iterations of the caped crusader while also offering a pretty massive plastic version of Arkham to play around in. Even the combat is pretty elaborate, with inspiration from the Arkham games courtesy of development support from Rocksteady Studios.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance (September 24, 2026)

SEGA brought back its Shinobi series with the action platformer Art of Vengeance in 2025. We called the new release “a genuinely engaging 2D action platformer that’s beautiful to behold and even better to play” in our review, and it’ll be getting a Switch 2 port later this year.

Minecraft Dungeons II (September 29, 2026)

We called the first Minecraft Dungeons game a “fun dungeon crawler with a simple but tried-and-true set of systems.” The sequel, developed by Mojang and published by Xbox, will be launching across platforms, including Switch 2, this September. Like the first game, the block-based dungeon crawler will support both local and online multiplayer.

007 First Light (September 30, 2026)

Yet another massive multi-platform release, IO Interactive's take on James Bond is launching on Switch 2 several months after its initial release on PC, PS5, and Xbox in late May. The game lets you play out Bond's initial recruitment and rise in the MI6 ranks, featuring Patrick Gibson as the titular spy and Lenny Kravitz as the villain Bawma.

Rayman Legends Retold (October 1, 2026)

Remakes truly are all the rage right now. This one is a 3D reimagining of 2013’s Rayman Legends, which we called a “work of platforming genius” in our original 9.5/10 review.

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] (October 8, 2026)

The Switch 2 will be getting fresh editions of existing Kingdom Hearts games, which will replace the existing ‘Cloud streaming’ versions that were available on the Switch. Those Cloud versions were notoriously… not great, so here’s to hoping this gives everyone a better shot at the series ahead of Kingdom Hearts 4. The three collections will be available individually or as one big bundle.

Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen (October 9, 2026)

Capcom’s RPG sequel is getting a new ‘Dark Arisen’ edition with fresh content and QOL improvements as it launches on the Switch 2. Jarrett Green reviewed the game for IGN when it was first released on PC, saying that it’s more than anything “a retelling and reimplementation of… wonderful ideas from the 2012 cult-classic.”

The Witch’s Bakery (October 14, 2026)

For the cozy gamers, The Witch’s Bakery places you in control of Lunne, a young witch who’s opening a new bakery in Paris. In the vein of something like Dave the Diver, each in-game day is split into multiple phases of managing your bakery and exploring the town while also using your magic to help your friends.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse (October 15, 2026)

The first 2D Castlevania game in almost 20 years narratively follows Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse, taking place a little over decade after that one’s story (which also serves as inspiration for the animated Netflix series). Mitchell Saltzman got the chance to preview the game for IGN, with particular praise for the combat, saying there’s “plenty of room to carve out your own personal playstyle thanks to the variety of weapons, Arcana, and relics.”

Nintendo Switch Sports: Resort (October 22, 2026)*

In the tradition of what I consider some all-time greats, Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, Nintendo recently announced Nintendo Switch Sports: Resort. The Switch 2 exclusive will feature 12 sports, a mix of classics like bowling and tennis as well as new sports like thumb wrestling, that use a combination of the Switch 2’s motion and mouse controls.

Final Fantasy Resonance (October 22, 2026)

This new Final Fantasy game technically adapts the FF mobile game Brave Exvius that was discontinued in 2025. More notably, however, it’s the first Final Fantasy game to embrace the new HD-2D graphics system popularized by modern classics like Octopath Traveler.

IGN’s own Michael Higham got the chance to check out the first couple of hours of gameplay, so you can learn more about how this one blends new and old Final Fantasy traditions in our hands-on preview.

One Piece: Grand Gourmet (October 23, 2026)

Yep, it’s a One Piece cooking game. This one feels like a real throwback to the glory days of Flash games, which I deeply appreciate. The management sim puts you in charge of a restaurant, going on expeditions to acquire new ingredients and recipes while encountering over 400 characters from one of the greatest manga (and anime) series of all time.

ANOMALITH (October 28, 2026)

This third-person action shooter puts you in control of 17-year-old Reona Minazuki, a professional ‘Diver’ that explores deadly ‘Anomaly Zones’ for the government while searching for her lost friend. The Steam listing offers the rather interesting description that the game is “steeped in the atmosphere of liminal spaces and Showa-era retro aesthetics.”

Hello Kitty Party Land (October 29, 2026)

Not too long after we got our hands on Hello Kitty Island Adventure, the iconic Sanrio character is returning for yet another cute and cozy game. This one is a party game in the tradition of classics like Mario Party, featuring more than 40 minigames and over 140 Sanrio characters.

Metaphor Re:Fantazio (November 12, 2026)

This new IP from Atlus, best known for the SMT and Persona series, features similar mechanics around turn-based combat and social links. Instead of playing as a high schooler, though, you take on the role of Will, a young man who seeks to bring justice to a fantasy world facing its first version of an election. We gave the game a solid 9/10 when it first dropped on PC, and it even landed as our top RPG of 2024.

Barbie Rewind (November 12, 2026)

This collection will come with 16 classic Barbie games that were originally released between 1991 and 2007, as well as one unreleased game, Barbie: Vacation Adventure. Funnily enough, this happens to be one of the only games daring enough to announce a release date in the November crossfires of GTA 6.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (December 3, 2026)

In the lead-up to Xenoblade Genesis, an entirely new game in DADSS’s iconic RPG series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is getting the Switch 2 edition treatment. The port will also be available as a digital upgrade pack for anyone who already owns the game. IGN’s reviewer tackled the 150-hour campaign, which he considered worth the time for “great characters and addictive tactical combat.”

Upcoming Switch 2 Games With Unknown Release Dates

There are plenty more Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games in development that don’t have a solid release date yet. Here are some more games we know are on the way, including the highly-anticipated 10th generation of Pokémon:

• Turok Origins - Fall 2026
• The Eternal Life of Goldman - 2026
• Witchbrook - 2026
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam – 2026
• Danganronpa 2x2 - 2026
• The Duskbloods- 2026
• Valheim - 2026
• Stellar Blade - 2026
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Remake) - 2026
• Pokémon Winds - 2027
• Pokémon Waves - 2027
• Final Fantasy VII Revelation - Spring 2027
• Xenoblade Genesis - 2027
• Haunted Chocolatier - TBA
• Kingdom Hearts IV - TBA

Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.

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Halo: Campaign Evolved Reportedly Had a Troubled Development That Impacted a Now-Canceled Multiplayer Project

A new report suggests that Halo: Campaign Evolved had a fairly troubled development.

According to Rebs Gaming, a popular Halo insider whose reporting journalists have corroborated in the past, the recent Halo remake underwent major changes during its development. Halo Studios works with a bevy of external teams and contractors, something that may have led to issues during Campaign Evolved's development. A studio known as Abstraction was recruited around 2023 to help modify the original game's work and make it compatible with a new engine and new features.

Halo Studios opted to utilize Unreal Engine 5, which created issues since the original game was designed on a rather ancient engine known as Blam. Abstraction worked to gel the two together and make it so new elements like sprinting, four-player co-op, and more all felt organic in Campaign Evolved. The original levels and combat encounters weren't designed for these things, so not accounting for them could have created all kinds of issues.

Unfortunately, Rebs Gaming reportedly discovered that Abstraction was prematurely kicked off the remake after Halo Studios imposed unrealistic deadlines and expectations on a technically complex project. The studio wasn't credited in the game's credits, but individual staff members were given special thanks. A source told Rebs Gaming that Abstraction's work was thrown out and redone quickly, which is believed to have caused bugs and AI problems.

The insider went on to claim that the studio's hubris led to further setbacks down the line. It was believed that the pivot to Unreal Engine 5 would have made things easier, but that wasn't the case. The team was led to believe by leadership that they could port assets into Unreal; instead, 100% of those assets had to reportedly be rebuilt in the engine, which the team didn't account for.

Rebs Gaming went on to allege that overall mismanagement created multiple obstacles for the team and even led to the cancellation of a multiplayer Halo project, as the Campaign Evolved team needed its staff and resources. In the final year of the game's development, the team had to crunch in order to get it out on time.

Additionally, the game was planned to utilize real-time cutscenes, which would've allowed players to see their custom armor and weapons. This unfortunately had to be scrapped, as the external team working on the game's cinematics "struggled" and barely made it in time for release.

Ultimately, Halo: Campaign Evolved is being received fairly well, but it has also left some fans feeling like there was more to be desired with its various issues. It's unclear how the game is selling yet, but we'll likely know within the next few weeks as sales data comes out. The team did tease a Halo 2 remake at the end of this one, so perhaps there is more to come. We can only hope it's not as messy as this game's development, though.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

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Naoki Hamaguchi Doubles Down on Connecting All Final Fantasy VII Spin-Offs Into Revelation’s Ending

Final Fantasy VII Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi opened up on the game’s connection to the Advent Children film, saying that more than one of FF7’s spin-offs are going to tie into the game’s ending.

In an interview with YouTuber Ashif’s Release Notes at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival Berlin 2026, Naoki revealed that he’s well aware of the fan theories surrounding the next game in the Remake trilogy, particularly where ties to other properties in the FF7 universe are concerned.

He assured Ashif that he’s carefully considering all of these titles, specifically mentioning Dirge of Cerberus, Crisis Core, and of course, the Advent Children movie.

"I see a great deal of that discussion. I've seen a lot of people discussing and speculating off the back of interviews with myself and with Kitase-san, 'Is the ending of this going to connect to Advent Children?'” he began.

“But it's not a question. I don't want to sit here and say it connects to this, it connects to that. But obviously, there are a lot of other titles within the VII universe. So, we're talking about Advent Children, we're talking about Dirge of Cerberus, Crisis Core. And we want to bring all of those in and make sure we're not leaving those out.

“And then on top of that, once we have all of those in place, we're looking towards the ending. And then the question is, what kind of ending are we going to head for in Revelation that still has those ties? And I think that's something that I really hope players will look forward to finding out."

While Hamaguchi was careful not to say anything that would outright spoil things, his answer has certainly fueled an animated debate within the community, especially following similar comments previously made by other devs working on the Remake trilogy.

Hamaguchi made similar remarks in an August 1 interview with Automaton, confirming that the Remake series is a “new, overarching universe that encompasses the lore of the many various spin-offs” in the FF7 universe — “not just Advent Children, but also Dirge of Cerberus and Crisis Core.”

“We’re not denying the possibility of the ending tying into FFVII AC, but rather, we’re saying that FFVII AC has just been incorporated into the overarching FFVII remake series, including the ending. However, I won’t comment on whether the ending is positioned to lead into it,” he told the outlet.

And in 2023, producer Yoshinori Kitase told Eurogamer very definitely that this is the case: "We are finally going to link up with Advent Children, that is going to be part of canon," he said. "The overall storyline, the developments, will not go wildly out in a way that will not add up to Advent Children in the end. I don't think anyone wanted that, that's not what we're looking to create here.

"[But] to make sure it doesn't become stale and people know exactly where it's going, [that it] doesn't just follow the original word for word, we add in extra elements which add that little bit of doubt. Getting the right balance of that is so key. Ultimately, we're not trying to change the Final Fantasy 7 story into something really different. The overall balance wouldn't really allow for that anyway."

Hamaguchi’s latest comments have created stirred up a heated conversation within the fanbase, with some lamenting the trilogy’s shift away from the original game’s storyline in favor of a metaverse-style combo of all FF7 properties, while others remain cautiously optimistic about what this entails for the fates of Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and co.

In June, Hamaguchi spoke further about Revelation’s ending, saying that while players will be able to shape the story in some way, everyone will ultimately come to a "singular ending."

"The idea is to kind of change the approach and the depth of these story moments for these characters in this final chapter," he said. "We hope players look forward to that moment in the game."

Final Fantasy VII Revelation releases in spring 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.

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