Kingdom Hearts 4's Latest Tease Could Be the Spark that…

It's been three years since Kingdom Hearts 4 shared its reveal trailer, and just when the player base was mourning the loss of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, new screenshots have been shared to cushion the blow. One bright glimpse of the future after a saddening cancellation has left many series loyalists in a tailspin of emotions. The surprise is understandable as the screenshots tease CGI cutscenes, special Keyblade abilities, and even playable Mickey.

News on the Kingdom Hearts series in general, much less Kingdom Hearts 4, has been extremely quiet since the series' 20th anniversary in 2022. Missing-Link, its development, and closed beta tests have been the only substantial moving piece of the franchise outside of merchandise for the last while. Now, the only development fans have been able to follow openly has completely halted. It makes sense as to why Square Enix would shift its focus to the fact that Kingdom Hearts 4 is still chugging its way down the track, with how there isn't much to look forward to after Missing-Link's cancellation. However, the sudden shift in attention may lead to something more, considering this directional swap happened at a key time of year for the gaming industry.

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link's Loss May Be KH4's Gain

After the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, it's now up to Kingdom Hearts 4 to pick up the pieces of the mobile title.

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By Drew Swanson

Square Enix Could Be Going All in On Kingdom Hearts 4 News Over the Next Month or So

Kingdom Hearts 4 Could Be Primed for a Summer Game Fest Appearance

June has consistently been an important time for all sorts of gamers. It acts as a sort of "Christmas in July" for gaming companies, developers, and players alike. Titles that have been developed in secret are announced, and big reveals of upcoming titles, like demos and release dates, are written down on calendars in excitement. Even as E3 has come and gone, this hasn't changed with Summer Game Fest and other events filling in the space left behind.

The idea of Kingdom Hearts 4 appearing at Summer Game Fest in particular has become a bit of a joke in gaming communities, like waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong or any other silently-in-development title. However, in a year when many gaming impossibilities are becoming reality, there are rumors circling that Kingdom Hearts 4 at Summer Game Fest may be a dream made reality this time. Even if it isn't part of Geoff Keighley's presentation, there are plenty of other windows of opportunity that could pop up as part of the industry boom typically expected in June.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Will Likely Make Itself Known Sooner Rather than Later

Regardless of how Kingdom Hearts makes itself known, it's very easily arguable that there's been a shift in the winds for the Disney and Final Fantasy crossover franchise. It's true that the Kingdom Hearts 4 screenshots were meant to shed light on the saddening news of Missing-Link's cancellation, but after such a long period of silence, even a small tease like this isn't done lightly. It's a tactical marketing move on Square Enix's end to get fans to focus their attention on KH4 instead, and that could be because the series is about to make the biggest moves it's made in years.

Kingdom Hearts 4's development began in 2020. It's been 5 years, which has been an important juncture in many development cycles for all kinds of games, usually serving as a good time to prepare for, if not fully, release. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth followed this same timeframe, starting production in 2019 and releasing in 2024. All signs are pointing to Kingdom Hearts 4 ramping up to bombard fans with everything they've been waiting for, even if it won't hit the shelves for a while yet.

Fans of Sora and friends should remain alert for anything new, be it from something big like Summer Game Fest or something unexpected like a Kingdom Hearts livestream announced a few days in advance. Even if June isn't the time for KH4 to wake up from its hibernation, Tokyo Game Show in September could still be a prime time to release whatever Square Enix is working on. No matter what, the time seems right for Kingdom Hearts to take the stage, and the recent screenshots may just be a warm-up.

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