Final Fantasy IX - 25th Anniversary

Today marks a momentous occasion, it's the 25th Anniversary of Final Fantasy IX, originally released July 7, 2000.

This isn't just a special day for Square Enix and Final Fantasy fans the world over, but a special day for LootKraft as well! The theory and origins of LootKraft were heavily inspired by Final Fantasy IX, in more than one way.

So far, Final Fantasy IX is the only mainline Final Fantasy game to have a unique hidden Treasure Hunter Rank, revealed only at the end of the game by speaking to an old man who is a Rank S Treasure Hunter. Your treasure score is built up through the collection of chests, field treasures, coins, lootable items and other treasures. The Rank S title can be achieved if you've collected at least 340 of 371 possible treasures. As you can see by my username, SRankBunny, it's been influential to say the least.

LootKraft itself shares the spirit of Final Fantasy IX's treasure hunting aspect. It was made to seek and create something special, like the various types of loot found in the worlds of FF9. Personally, I love treasure hunting, and creating treasures for others.

I enjoy gifting handmade treasures to friends, family, and sometimes strangers, in the hopes they can enjoy them as much as I did making them. I never made a habit of taking photos of anything gifted, as I believed that letting the gift go completely in all aspects added a new elevation, a new depth to the gift itself. It's hard letting treasure go after you've put many soul-hours into making it, but that sacrifice becomes part of the gift. The new owner will own that piece in almost every way, the only thing I keep is the memory of making it. Nowadays, I have to take photos of what I make so I can share it with a wider audience, but personal handmade gifts remain un-photographed.

While not unique to FF9, it has a card mini-game within the main game. Tetra Master is notorious for being strategic with a bit of RNG randomness spicing it up. Tetra Master speaks to those who love strategy, but also like to inject the element of random into their games, maybe even their way of life. Make sure to save after any big wins!!

As a bonus, years later after the original release of FF9, I discovered that the Festival Of The Hunt, an early-game event, occurs in-game on the same day as my birthday. Is it a happy coincidence? Maybe!

To mark this day, Square Enix has released some new artwork, merchandise, and a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Video, to see it Click Here.

New character illustrations by Toshiyuki Itahana

There is also a special Final Fantasy IX 25th Anniversary Fan Art Project, which will be open for submissions from today, July 7th 2025, through to October 31 2025. For more details on submission criteria, Click Here.

As a big fan of FF9, I will be entering this art project, submitting a handcrafted piece to showcase a love of Final Fantasy IX and the spirit of treasure hunting. Keep an eye out for it this September. Square Enix encourages everyone to submit their fan art onto social media under the #FFIX25FanArt hashtag.

I wish the best of luck to all who enter, may the best works earn a place to be featured by Square Enix! I hope you all have a blessed day, HAPPY HUNTING!!

-David (SRankBunny)