Yusuke Tomizawa, the general producer behind Bandai Namco Entertainment’s Tales of JRPG franchise, recently engaged in a roundtable discussion with Persona series producer Kazuhisa Wada, as reported by Famitsu. During the conversation, Tomizawa addressed Tales’ current standing and future prospects as a franchise, specifically touching on the extended hiatus between new releases.
Although the series boasts a rich history, Tomizawa notes that one of its current hurdles is the dwindling chances for players to revisit older titles and their beloved characters, particularly since there are no live-service Tales games to maintain player engagement. To tackle this, Tomizawa has made it a priority to ensure older games remain accessible on modern systems through the Tales Remastered Project, which launched in 2024. Given that the reception to these efforts, such as the recently unveiled “Tales of Eternia Remastered,” has surpassed expectations, the team is committed to carrying forward with the initiative.
Tomizawa also acknowledges that a fresh installment that meets the series’ high standards is “absolutely essential” for preserving its momentum. “The standards for development scale and other elements have risen, and frankly, we’ve kept players waiting for quite some time,” he explains. “Although we haven’t disclosed specific details yet, we are actively working on it with the series’ future in mind.”
The foundation of the Tales series, in Tomizawa’s view, lies in games and characters that players can “cherish for years,” and he is resolute in upholding this principle. While expressing regret for the prolonged wait, the producer reassured fans that he has no intention of letting rival JRPG franchises like Persona (mentioned in a lighthearted spirit, naturally) outshine the Tales series.
Tales of Eternia Remastered is set to launch on October 16, 2026 for PC (Steam), PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Xbox Series X❘S.