Square Enix Confirms Smooth Progress on Kingdom Hearts 4

Lead: Square Enix creative director Tetsuya Nomura announced today that development on Kingdom Hearts 4 is “progressing smoothly” and remains on schedule, assuring fans more information will arrive in due course.

Nut Graf: During the Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis second-anniversary livestream, Nomura addressed long-standing fan anticipation for Kingdom Hearts 4, alongside updates on Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3, underscoring the relevance of both flagship titles to Square Enix’s ongoing release roadmap.

Key Details

  • Nomura stated that Kingdom Hearts 4 has reached significant development milestones without delays.
  • The official release timing for both Kingdom Hearts 4 and FF VII Remake Part 3 has been internally decided, though specific dates remain under wraps.
  • Fans first saw Kingdom Hearts 4 at the series’ 20th Anniversary in April 2022, with a handful of screenshots released in May 2025.

Development Status and Next Steps

Tetsuya Nomura emphasized that Square Enix will adhere to its predetermined announcement schedule, discouraging speculation ahead of the planned reveal. While no new trailer or gameplay footage was shown today, Nomura’s remarks signal the studio’s shift toward a condensed marketing cycle, likely beginning within a year to a year and a half of each title’s launch window.

Industry Context

Kingdom Hearts 4 follows a notably long development period-akin to the five years spent on Kingdom Hearts 3-after Square Enix transitioned its engine from Unreal Engine 4 to UE5. The studio’s recent strategy favors late-stage marketing similar to Final Fantasy XVI and the upcoming Rebirth series, aiming to build momentum closer to release.

Fan Expectations and Outlook

With major gaming showcases on the horizon, including Tokyo Game Show and The Game Awards, observers anticipate that the next substantial update for Kingdom Hearts 4 could surface by year’s end. Until then, fans are encouraged to remain patient as Square Enix prepares its next wave of announcements.