What you need to know
As 2024 wraps up, Xbox has been successfully gaining support from Japanese publishers, though it’s not without some notable exceptions in its game lineup. Titles like Yakuza and Persona have made their way to Xbox, continuing to do well. However, heavyweight entries from the Final Fantasy series, such as FF16 and the FF7 Remake, remain elusive for Xbox players, staying exclusive to PlayStation. A recent chat with GamesRadar hints at a brighter future for Xbox fans regarding these treasured titles.
Microsoft’s Xbox finds itself on a high note, boasting achievements like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 shattering previous engagement records. The timed exclusive STALKER 2 not only reached a million sales but also saw even more players dive in through Xbox Game Pass. Plus, the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game, expected to launch in December, is generating quite the buzz. Yet, it’s not all smooth sailing.
A dip in Xbox hardware sales can’t escape attention, with critics often pointing to the gaps in the console’s game library as a likely reason. While Xbox has made headway by welcoming franchises like Yakuza, Genshin Impact, and Persona, there’s still a glaring absence that leaves a nostalgia-driven segment of the gaming community feeling a bit left out.
Once a mighty force, the Final Fantasy series has seen its influence wane for several reasons. Fluctuations in game quality and experimental gameplay tweaks have at times fragmented its fanbase, casting a shadow on the series’ nostalgic appeal. Compounding this is Final Fantasy’s tradition of sticking to a single platform release, which dims its brand presence in today’s dense and algorithm-driven discovery market—a dilemma recognized by Square Enix. With this understanding, Square Enix vows to chart a new course into multi-platform game development, including Xbox. This transition began with Final Fantasy 14 and Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters for Xbox players, but as it stands, Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 remain absent. There are, however, glimmers of hope on the horizon.
In a discussion where game director Naoki Hamaguchi, involved with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, expressed his fondness for Xbox, there was a reiteration of Square Enix’s resolve to expand their game’s reach. “With Final Fantasy 7, there’s not much to share at the moment, but it’s our goal to bring it and the Remake series to as many gamers as possible,” Hamaguchi stated. “Our aim is to create an environment where more players can access these games in the future.”
Hamaguchi acknowledged a shift within the gaming industry towards multi-platform experiences, noting, “This shift goes beyond Final Fantasy. It’s a broader industry change, given the diverse range of platforms now available for gaming.” In his words, the landscape of gaming access points has multiplied compared to the past, which is likely a catalyst for Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu’s decision to go for multiplatform development. On a personal note, Hamaguchi also praised the Xbox, saying, “I own an Xbox myself. It’s a great piece of hardware, and I enjoy it.”
More Final Fantasy for Xbox
Microsoft has made commendable strides wooing publishers traditionally averse to Xbox. Yet, there’s more to be done: major 2024 titles like Black Myth Wukong and Stellar Blade continue to bypass Xbox. Meanwhile, Xbox entered the gacha scene with Genshin Impact just this month, trailing its competitors. Nonetheless, Xbox has savored successes like the exclusive STALKER 2, bolstering its lineup this month. Not to mention last year’s frenzy surrounding Palworld and Xbox’s recent score by securing Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, formerly a PlayStation exclusive.
Hamaguchi’s foresight seems on point as the gaming world embraces a multiplatform ethos. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has hinted that more Xbox titles might find their way onto PlayStation, reflecting a fiercely competitive market vying for consumer attention. Fail to target every platform, and you risk losing the momentum needed to make your game trend. Even if this trend could challenge Xbox hardware sales, initiatives like Xbox Cloud Gaming, now with “buy-to-own” options, promise a robust future for game creators within Microsoft’s ecosystem. Reports from Spencer and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella echo this sentiment, showing an uptick in active console users and continued growth.
With any luck, those players will soon be embarking on adventures in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Rebirth, and its anticipated third installment. Who knows, maybe we can even persuade Square Enix to make Final Fantasy 17 a return to its turn-based roots…
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