How many more copies does Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles need to sell before Square Enix greenlights a new grid-based strategy RPG? Almost three years later, physical versions of Hi-Fi Rush are finally up for pre-order. And how long will it take for Netflix to turn Arc Raiders into its next streaming hit?
It’s the latest edition of Morning Checkpoint, Kotaku‘s daily roundup of gaming news and culture. Depending on what you’re into, January will probably feel like a slow month for big new game releases, at least compared to last year. But I’m getting lowkey hyped for Code Vein 2, the follow-up to the messy 2019 action-RPG anime soulslike. This one has a motorcycle.
Even Final Fantasy Tactics‘ original director can’t believe how well the remaster is selling
I underestimated the sales figures by too much.😂😂😂
— 松野泰己🐈⬛ (@YasumiMatsuno) January 6, 2026
Square Enix revealed that Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has sold over 1 million copies. That might be “below expectations” for the infamously disappointed Japanese publisher, but it was enough to take Yasumi Matsuno by surprise. It also prompted a fresh message to fans from the remaster’s director.
“The entire development team is not only grateful to you, but, in order to spread the joy, create a better experience, and encourage more people to play, we are looking at updating the game in the future!” Kazutoyo Maehiro wrote, according to a translation from Gamesradar. What does updating the game in the future entail, exactly? Could the missing War of the Lions content be officially restored? Could we get fresh end-game modes?
“Our first and foremost goal here really was to recreate the original game,” Maehiro told Wired last year. “If [The Ivalice Chronicles] were to become a success,” he continued, “I do feel that that would then lead to discussions around potentially bringing out sequels, for example, or newer tactical RPGs.”
Let the Final Fantasy Tactics 2 summoning circle commence.
You can finally pre-order a physical copy of Hi-Fi Rush
The 2023 GOTY contender from Tango Gameworks, a studio that Microsoft closed in 2024 but which was later re-opened under Krafton, is finally getting a physical version that you can start pre-ordering from Limited Run Games on January 23. That includes a PS5 version. This is one game everyone should have in their collection, even if it could still be a year before it actually starts shipping.
We could end up getting an Arc Raiders TV show
Embark studio head Patrick Söderlund told GamesBeat that Hollywood is interested and so is he. “We [wouldn’t] mind doing that. It would be fun, but it needs to be done in the right way. I hope that we will do that. I think the IP fits quite well with something like that.” Nothing is set in stone yet, however, and Embark doesn’t “have anyone working on a TV or film adaptation yet.” Maybe we’ll see it on Netflix in time for Arc Raiders 2.
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner was fine with her ending
She acknowledges that the rest of the cast was disappointed with their characters’ fates. “But I feel that I was very happy with the way Sansa ended her story in Game of Thrones, and no one else was really happy with their ending,” Turner told The Direct. “I feel like I got a good one, and so I don’t know if I could revisit it.” Would she come back to do more Game of Thrones? “Show me the money,” she joked. She might be too busy with Tomb Raider anyway.
Final Fantasy 9‘s character artist says goodbye
Toshiyuki Itahana left Square Enix at the end of last year. “Last year marked a major milestone with the 25th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY IX, a truly significant event, and I was deeply grateful to see so many people celebrating FFIX,” he wrote in a message to fans. He’ll continue to produce art as a freelance illustrator.