In an interview that took place days before the launch of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, game director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that he had no idea during the game's development that Sephiroth would be included in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a DLC fighter. Hamaguchi also stated that none of the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth development team had a clue at the time either, and claimed that he only found out when the public did.