Xbox Fans Rejoice: Final Fantasy 14 FanFest Event Delivers Epic Wins

Highlights

The arrival of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox consoles in 2024 marks an exciting milestone, as it introduces the game to a fresh player community. This expansion also presents an opportunity for Square Enix and Microsoft to foster further collaborations.

Xbox gamers can now enjoy the full Final Fantasy 14 experience, encompassing the original game and all expansions. The inclusion of cross-play and a fresh solo-play option for the main storyline quest adds further excitement. The collaboration between Square Enix and Microsoft paves the way for a new era in the MMORPG genre. Additionally, this partnership could indicate a shift away from exclusivity, thereby providing opportunities for other Final Fantasy titles to be released on Xbox consoles.

Square Enix recently hosted the North American version of the Final Fantasy 14 FanFest, with the European and Japanese events scheduled for later in the year and early 2024. Alongside celebrating the 10th anniversary of A Realm Reborn's launch and the revival of Final Fantasy 14, the event also featured exciting announcements about the future of Square Enix's highly successful MMORPG. While the introduction of new jobs and the upcoming Dawntrail expansion were somewhat expected by fans, the biggest surprise came in the form of Final Fantasy 14 finally arriving on Xbox consoles.

After years of speculation and uncertainty, including a previously canceled version of Final Fantasy 14 for the Xbox 360 prior to the Realm Reborn relaunch, Naoki Yoshida and Phil Spencer took the stage at FanFest to reveal that Final Fantasy 14 will officially be available on Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2024. Furthermore, players will have the opportunity to test the game and assess its performance through an open beta on the platform months before its official release. This news is not only a dream come true for Xbox players who have been waiting for Final Fantasy 14 on their consoles for nearly a decade, but also hints at potential future collaborations between Square Enix and Microsoft.

Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Signals a New Era for One of the Best MMORPGs

Given the significant growth of Final Fantasy 14 between A Realm Reborn and the upcoming expansion Dawntrail, Xbox players are incredibly fortunate to have access to the game in its current state. The launch on Xbox will include the base game and all expansions, providing approximately 300 hours of gameplay. Furthermore, Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox will support cross-play. Additionally, the new Duty Support system, coming in patch 6.5x, allows players to experience the main story quest line of the base game solo.

With the introduction of an open beta period, Xbox players will have the opportunity to test the game's stability and gauge its popularity on the platform. This is particularly exciting for fans of Japanese RPGs, as Xbox has predominantly been associated with Western RPGs, especially since the acquisition of Bethesda. The console release of Final Fantasy 14 offers the most complete version of the game, making it a valuable addition for JRPG enthusiasts. Additionally, the extensive Free Trial for Final Fantasy 14, which allows players to level their character up to level 50, is expected to attract a significant number of new players to the world of Eorzea.

Final Fantasy 14's Arrival on Xbox May Just Be the Beginning

Sony's rumored acquisition of Square Enix, a strategy seen in the industry's trend of hardware manufacturers acquiring studios for exclusive titles, has sparked speculation. Given the longstanding relationship between Sony PlayStation and Square Enix, this acquisition is a possibility. However, the recent release of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox suggests that Square Enix is currently not interested in being acquired. This development also signals the potential for more Final Fantasy games to be released on Xbox consoles.

Both Square Enix and Microsoft have emphasized that the arrival of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox is just the beginning of a new strategic partnership. Phil Spencer's commitment to expanding Xbox's presence in Japan is evident in securing Square Enix's support, and Final Fantasy 14 is a major achievement towards that goal. This partnership could also mean that exclusivity for games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 might become timed exclusives rather than limited to PlayStation.

Final Fantasy 14 is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5, with an Xbox Series X/S version launching in Spring 2024.