PlayStation's Latest Square Enix Exclusive: What We Know So Far
Reports indicate that PlayStation has secured another major exclusive from Square Enix, adding to their already impressive lineup Fans eagerly anticipate the announcement of this highly anticipated title
According to a recent insider report, fans of Square Enix's Final Fantasy franchise may have reason to be excited, as the long-rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake appears to be more than just hearsay. In fact, this report suggests that the game is not only real, but also likely to be a PlayStation exclusive, further cementing the strong relationship between Square Enix and Sony. This news comes just weeks before the launch of Final Fantasy 16, which has already been confirmed as a timed exclusive for the PS5. Some fans have speculated that Square Enix's recent tease of a "big announcement" for 2023 may be related to the Final Fantasy 9 remake, and this theory is supported by a leak from September 2021 that specifically mentioned the game.
ResetEra user Im A Hero Too, who previously leaked the Persona 3 remake, recently gave more credibility to the rumor of a Final Fantasy 9 remake. In a series of posts, the alleged insider claimed to have seen the remake and confirmed it will not be available on the Nintendo Switch. Although not fully committing to a PlayStation exclusivity prediction, the source suggested that the remake "has Sony written all over it." Im A Hero Too also reported that the game is at least two years away from being released.
While the credibility of Im A Hero Too's leaks remains unproven, it is clear that Sony needs more exclusive titles to entice consumers to purchase a PS5. This was highlighted by the lukewarm reception to the recent PlayStation Showcase, which was criticized for its lack of exclusives. With only Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy 16 as PS5-only titles, and the latter confirmed to eventually release on PC, it is clear that Sony could benefit from more system sellers in the near to medium term.
A timed exclusive for PlayStation from Square Enix cannot be ruled out, considering the strong historical ties between the two companies. However, it remains to be seen if this will materialize with the speculated FF9 remake, and could even hinge on the success of Final Fantasy 16.
