We have practically always linked Eidos Montréal to projects like Deus Ex, Tomb Raider or the most recent Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Projects that let us see what a developer is capable of who is no longer under the command of Square Enix after its sale to Embracer Group.
Now, through an interview with TrueAchievements, Jonathan Jacque-Belletête has revealed how they almost took it upon themselves to create a very special project. The former art director of the studio has indicated that the Japanese company gave them the opportunity to carry out Final Fantasy XV.
As we know, the fifteenth installment of the franchise suffered one of the most convulsive developments to be remembered, lasting several years until his arrival in 2016. “[Eidos Montreal] brought back to god ex. I was the art director on Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Later [fui] executive art director Mankind Divided. Then we try to do Final Fantasy XVJonathan explains.
However, Square Enix changed course and decided to take the work back to Japan, something that the person in charge describes as “a big mistake”. In fact, he is very clear that the version of Final Fantasy XV they were preparing “was really great”.
Currently working on Hell is Us, the truth is that Jacque-Belletête has not gone into more detail about what happened. Despite this, the youtuber SuperBunnyHop shared a video in 2018 in which he dealt with precisely this topic.
Through his sources, he got to know that Eidos Montreal had basic art already created for Final Fantasy XVwith a setting space opera rpg and including a love triangle. Had it come true, it would have been the first time a Western studio has handled a main installment of final-fantasy.