Photo: Square Enix
‘The online RPG to offer enhanced 4K visuals and improved performance.’
After a decade-long wait, Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XIV, their popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game, will finally be available on Xbox consoles. The game will be released for Xbox Series X/S in spring 2024 and will offer 4K visuals and faster loading times, similar to its PS5 counterpart. It remains uncertain whether there will be any exclusive upgrades for the Xbox version.
Players can expect an open beta for patch 6.5X, indicating that the Xbox port will be ready in time for the Dawntrail expansion scheduled for summer next year.
Microsoft has been actively pursuing the addition of Final Fantasy games to its catalog. In 2019, it added 10 titles, encompassing releases from VII through to XV, to Game Pass. However, Final Fantasy XIV was not included in this lineup, leaving Xbox players without access to an active MMO. The game initially debuted on PS3 and PC in 2013, followed by ports for PS4 in 2014, Mac in 2015, and PS5 in 2021.
The motivation behind this move is clear. Final Fantasy XIV allows Microsoft to cater to fans of the series, especially those who were left out by the timed PS5 exclusive for Final Fantasy XVI. It also serves as an opportunity to appeal to both Japanese gamers and JRPG enthusiasts. Historically, Xbox has struggled to gain traction in Japan, partially due to local studios favoring Nintendo and Sony consoles. While this game alone may not drastically change Microsoft’s fortunes in the Japanese market, it does remove a barrier to adoption for some players.