Neil Broadley, localisation director for Square Enix's SaGa franchise, has died after a multi-year battle with stage 4 colon cancer, according to a farewell message posted on his X account.
A prepared farewell shared on X (formerly Twitter) on November 6th said a work colleague posted it after his death. Broadley wrote that he had "struggled very fiercely with the cancer itself, as well as multiple complications from repeated surgeries, three types of chemotherapy, and one course of radiation treatment," but had kept working on SaGa and chatting with fans throughout. "My work had been very healing for me throughout the entire ordeal, and continuing on made me feel like my life had purpose," the message said.
The farewell was signed Neil Broadley (1981–2026). He wrote: "I unfortunately will not be around to see the release of my next project," but was "extremely confident that you will enjoy it," and that he had spent recent years preparing successors so they could "continue to provide you with unforgettable SaGa moments." "It has been my pleasure and honor to help revive SaGa overseas with remasters, remakes, and new titles, bringing many new players into the fold along the way," he wrote. He is survived by his partner of 25 years and his dachshund Noah.
The official SaGa Series account posted its own condolences, saying it was "deeply saddened by the passing of Neil Broadley, who served as localization director for the SaGa franchise." On behalf of everyone involved with the series, it extended "heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."
SaGa remasters and remakes
Broadley's X profile listed him as Loc Director at Square Enix, naming SaGa alongside Final Fantasy XI, Mobius Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy Dimensions. Square Enix's overseas SaGa push has mixed remasters, remakes and new titles. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, a full remake of the 1993 non-linear RPG developed by Square Enix and xeen and published by Square Enix, launched on October 24th 2024 with English voice acting and subtitles among its supported languages, according to its Steam store page.
The franchise's next major release is Romancing SaGa 3: Destinies United, a remake the official SaGa Series account says launches on February 16th 2027. Square Enix previously showed the remake to press at Tokyo Game Show.
Broadley's closing note asked fans to "always be kind to everyone you meet, but especially to yourself," and wished "nothing but health, happiness, and a long life," whether or not they had played a SaGa game or agreed with his localisation philosophy.
