Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Director Says There Is “A Need” for Yellow Paint in Games
The debate surrounding the use of yellow paint indicators in modern video games has resurfaced once again, and this time, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi has shared his thoughts on the matter. Speaking with GamesRadar+, Hamaguchi addressed player criticisms of such visual cues while asserting that there is a definite need for them, depending on how they are implemented.
“The need to guide players around from a gameplay perspective and show them what can be done, what they need to do, there are definitely times where that is needed,” Hamaguchi said. “So I think obviously there is more of a debate about how it's done, what level and what works. And there’ll still be people who say, ‘no, that doesn’t fit at all. We don’t like that.’ That’s fine, but I think there is definitely a need there, and it’s something that is definitely worth looking at.”
Hamaguchi’s comments reflect a growing divide among players over environmental design choices in games. The use of bright yellow markings to indicate climbable walls or interactable objects has become commonplace in major AAA titles, sparking debate between those who value immersive realism and those who appreciate clear guidance in complex environments.
The director’s stance emphasizes player accessibility and the importance of maintaining fluid exploration, especially in expansive titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which features sprawling areas and intricate quest structures. For Hamaguchi and his team, clarity appears to take precedence over visual purism.
Still, the discussion raises valid points about customization. Many players have suggested offering the option to disable or tone down such visual cues to accommodate different play preferences. While PC players can sometimes rely on community-made mods to remove these markers, official in-game toggles would give console users the same flexibility.
As Square Enix prepares for the third and final entry in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, the balance between player guidance and exploration freedom remains an ongoing design challenge. Hamaguchi’s remarks suggest that while the studio understands fan concerns, accessibility will continue to guide its design philosophy moving forward.
Do you think yellow paint markers help make games more accessible, or do they take away from immersion and exploration?
