Rumor: Final Fantasy 7 Remake to release next year on PS4; Final Fantasy’s 30th Anniversary celebration detailed

According to the latest rumors, the first episode of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be releasing next year in celebration of the franchise's 30-year anniversary.

Sony and Square Enix officially revealed the Final Fantasy 7 Remake during E3 2015. The game is set to release episodically, with each episode about as large as Final Fantasy 13. At the time of the reveal, it was confirmed that the first scenario of the first episode was completed and that the game will either be an explorable sandbox or open world.

A source close to VGLeaks (via NeoGaf) has detailed that episode one of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will release alongside "Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age as main games to celebrate the Final Fantasy’s birthday" in 2017. The outlet went on to detail a Final Fantasy XIII trilogy for PS4, that will also release next year and will feature Final Fantasy XIII, XIII-2 and Lightning Returns on separate discs in 1080p and 60fps.

In addition to all of this, the Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Collection will bundle up Final Fantasy I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX on a single disk/card for the PS4 and Vita. This collection will include two versions of Final Fantasy I to VI: original versions from NES/SNES and modern ports (mostly mobile ports).

The Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Collection will come in three different versions, according to VGleaks:

Regular version: games and poster.

Collector’s Edition: Games, poster, art book, 8-bit Black Mage keychain, Chocobo plush and two discs with a selection of songs chosen by Nobuo Uematsu.

Crystal Complete Edition: It will be only available in limited quantities in the Square Enix’s website for PS4. Crystal Complete Edition will include:

• Games: Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Collection titles (FF I to IX), Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy, Final Fantasy XV (and all DLC), Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (including all expansions + a 3 month subscription). Special items for Final Fantasy XI Mobile and Final Fantasy XIV will be included as well.
• Physical items: all the content included in the Collector’s Edition, two extra discs for the soundtrack, a crystal necklace, a Moogle plush, a Black Mage statue, all three Final Fantasy Trading Card Game starter decks, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV and Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV. Everything will be packed in a luxury chest decorated with the Final Fantasy logo.

The outlet also detailed a Season Pass that could bring some other Final Fantasy games to Steam.

It seems like quite a bit of content to release in a single year, which can cast a bit of doubt on the rumor in general. Especially the part where nine games were shoved onto one Vita card. In addition to this, it's likely that Kingdom Hearts 3 will release in 2017 as well. It seems like far too much from Square Enix in one year, but who knows!