Fan Mod Reintroduces Ariana Grande to Final Fantasy Resonance
A new mod for the Final Fantasy Resonance demo restores Ariana Grande, who previously appeared as a pixelated character in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. Square Enix producer Keisuke Nakashima had said Grande would not fit the game's worldview, but modders have added her along with other guest characters like Sora and 2B. The mod is available for the demo, which allows progress to carry over to the full release in October.
The original mobile title, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, ceased operations in 2025, and its HD-2D successor Resonance launches in October. Grande's 2017 pixelated avatar, including her Dangerous Woman bunny outfit, was tied to the song "Touch It."
The FFR Vision Studio mod adds Grande alongside Kingdom Hearts' Sora and Nier Automata's 2B to the playable demo. Since demo progress transfers to the full release, these fan-made additions could persist into the launch build.
This modding trend could influence how publishers approach celebrity cameos in future remakes, as fan demand may clash with creative vision. Players who enjoyed the original mobile crossover may feel a sense of nostalgia and ownership, potentially driving community engagement. Conversely, it may highlight the tension between official artistic direction and fan-driven preservation, prompting developers to consider more flexible licensing or community support strategies.