Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles used fan sites’ source code for the remaster
The highly anticipated Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles is almost here, bringing new life to the classic PlayStation TRPG. With enhanced graphics, full English and Japanese voice acting, gameplay adjustments including an easier mode, and quality-of-life improvements, both newcomers and longtime fans will get to enjoy Ramza Beoulve’s journey once again. But one surprising detail stands out: part of the remaster’s source code had to be retrieved from fan websites.
Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles used fan sites’ source code for the remaster
At a PAX West 2025 panel, game director Kazutoyo Maehiro explained how the original source code of Final Fantasy Tactics was overwritten during the localization process. Each new version replaced the previous one, making it hard to preserve the original data.
With incomplete access to the original code, the development team searched through old versions and even turned to fan-maintained websites. Maehiro acknowledged that the community’s preserved files were essential in rebuilding the foundation for the remaster.
Why not use the PSP version?
While the team could have relied on Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP), they decided against it. According to Maehiro, the PSP port introduced extra content that didn’t fully resonate with fans and wasn’t in line with the creators’ original vision.
As a result, The Ivalice Chronicles combines reconstructed parts of the PlayStation source code, resources preserved by fans, and fresh adjustments made by the developers themselves.
The highlight of Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles is its Enhanced Mode, featuring modern graphics, full voice acting, and new quality-of-life improvements. For purists, a Classic Mode will also be available, keeping the original’s look and gameplay while adding conveniences like autosave and bug fixes.
Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles will be released on September 30, 2025 for PC (Steam), PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
via Automaton