Not long ago, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s director Naoki Hamaguchi made headlines when he asked PC gamers to refrain from creating and installing offensive or inappropriate mods in an interview with Epic Games Store. Curious about more than just Square Enix’s official stance on the matter, AUTOMATON asked Hamaguchi about his personal perspective on mods. The director revealed an appreciation for the positive impact mods have on gaming, and even mentioned that he uses them himself.

“As someone who plays games on PC, I sometimes use mods myself,” Hamaguchi admitted. “I’m aware that mods have come to be accepted by the community and that they bring enjoyment to many players – I see it as a positive thing myself.”

Hamaguchi was careful to clarify a point from his interview with Epic Games Store: “I wasn’t trying to tell people not to use mods. It was more about being mindful. Both creators and users alike should ensure mods don’t detract from the intended game experience.”

He acknowledged the variety of mods available, from UI customizations to more controversial modifications, including “extreme” costume changes or reverse engineering. “There are mods that could shock some players, so I encourage users to research what they’re installing and for creators to be mindful of their audience.”

However, Hamaguchi’s stance isn’t limited to simply approving of or rejecting mods – he considers them to have had a transformative impact on PC gaming as a whole. “I respect the modding community,” he said. “Mods have played a significant role in the rise of the PC market. Look at series like Fallout or The Elder Scrolls – even years after release, new mods breathe life into these games, making players want to come back to them.”

Hamaguchi also appreciated the speed with which the modding community acts, compared to companies. “Volunteer communities often move faster than the companies that produced the source material, which creates an exciting atmosphere,” he noted. “I think It’s a fascinating market.”

If you’re interested in more, AUTOMATON also talked to Hamaguchi about the misunderstandings surrounding Cloud and Aerith’s relationship, as well as the “logic-based barrier” he uses to protect his creative vision for the Final Fantasy games.