Final Fantasy developer leaves Square Enix, cites health problems

Final Fantasy XI's producer Hiromichi Tanaka is stepping down from his role on the project and parting ways with Square Enix due to growing health problems.

Final Fantasy XI's producer Hiromichi Tanaka is stepping down from his role on the project and parting ways with Square Enix due to growing health problems.

Speaking at VanaFest, a festival in celebration of Final Fantasy XI, Tanaka announced his departure after first revealing the Final Fantasy XI Seekers of Adoulin expansion.

Tanaka said in an interview with Famitsu that he has an illness that requires him to take his health into consideration, and this coupled with the desire to work independently as a solo game creator led to the decision to resign from Square Enix. He did not go into detail about his health problems.

Tanaka worked for Square Enix since 1983 and has been credited on titles like Final Fantasy II, III and V, Xenogears, and Chrono Cross.