In his new year message to fans eagerly awaiting the release of Final Fantasy XV, the game's director Hajime Tabata took to Square Enix's official blog to deliver his new year's resolution: "to create an experience we are incredibly proud of and one that you will enjoy and treasure." Tabata, who has been in a near-constant limelight since the 2013 re-announcement of Final Fantasy XV (previously known as Versus XIII for readers who have been on another planet since 2006), has been remarkably active in his communications with fans throughout the game's production.

News hit in December that the game, in a pre-beta form, is playable from beginning to end and that the first half is essentially completed. Tabata's new year's message lines up nicely with the idea that the development team is now charging towards the finish line and that 2016, a decade after this game's original announcement, will actually see Final Fantasy XV release to the masses.

The full text of Tabta's message follows:

“Happy New Year!

We will finally release FFXV this year, in 2016! In development, previous phases required wisdom and strength. However, moving forward the final phase will focus on effort and willpower.

I vow to you all that every member in the team will do their best to the very last possible moment taking responsibility and pride in their craft.

We will do everything we can do to finish FFXV to create an experience we are incredibly proud of and one that you will enjoy and treasure.

The whole FFXV team appreciates all of the support from each and everyone one of you this past year. I cannot tell you how much it means to all of us.

We’d like to celebrate a wonderful New Year and as we approach the release of FFXV, I’d like to enjoy that moment with you all.

Director of FFXV Hajime Tabata”