Right now, Sq. Enix introduced that its profitable MMORPG, Closing Fantasy XIV, is on its solution to Xbox consoles after years of being a PlayStation console unique. And to listen to the CEO of Sq. Enix inform it, it seems like Xbox has efficiently ensured that much more Sq. Enix video games will find yourself on its consoles within the coming years.
Throughout the Closing Fantasy Fan Fest 2023, Closing Fantasy XIV recreation director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) welcomed Xbox head Phil Spencer onto the stage alongside Sq. Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu to rejoice the Xbox launch announcement. Whereas onstage, Kiryu made the next assertion:
“And another factor: as CEO of Sq. Enix, we wish to proceed to ship fabulous video games to followers internationally. And naturally, we wish to welcome the Xbox group as properly. And beginning with right this moment’s announcement of Closing Fantasy XIV coming in spring 2024, and every time doable, we’re planning to convey our video games to Xbox for gamers around the globe to take pleasure in. We’re actually trying ahead to working intently with Phil and the Xbox staff to make this doable.”
In response, Spencer stated the next:
“Thanks Kiryu-san. we deeply respect the wealthy legacy of Sq. Enix, and we look ahead to constructing on the connection that we have established in bringing Closing Fantasy XIV to the Xbox, and partnering intently with you and the Sq. Enix staff on future video games.”
On its face, the concept that Sq. Enix desires its video games on Xbox consoles won’t appear that unusual, however there’s loads of fascinating context surrounding this assertion that makes it a bit extraordinary. Sq. Enix has lengthy been the topic of exclusivity offers with each Xbox and PlayStation through the years which have pushed its video games towards one console or one other at some point of their launch intervals, and even completely. Most lately, Closing Fantasy XVI launched unique to PlayStation consoles, and there is been no phrase but on an Xbox launch.
The gravitation of Sq. Enix towards PlayStation has been a critical concern for Xbox, although, as we noticed throughout the current FTC v. Microsoft trial. One proof doc revealed that Xbox had severely thought-about shopping for Sq. Enix in 2019, although we didn’t study from that doc why the deal by no means occurred. Sq. Enix additionally got here up repeatedly throughout the trial, with Closing Fantasy XVI used for example of the sorts of video games PlayStation was shopping for exclusivity rights to in a irritating however acknowledged a part of video games market competitors. From the trial, we discovered how important it has grow to be to Xbox to stuff its library stuffed with content material, and to make sure it is not lacking out on main video games like FFXVI.
In gentle of that, it is no shock that Spencer has been courting Sq. Enix for franchises like Closing Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Nier, Simply Trigger, and lots of extra. Whereas neither Kiryu nor Spencer elaborated on specifics, their willingness to take the stage collectively right this moment maybe hints at a future with fewer PlayStation exclusivity offers for Sq. Enix content material, and extra Sq. Enix content material on GamePass.
Right now’s Fan Fest keynote was a busy one. Except for the Xbox announcement, we received updates on the brand new Closing Fantasy 14 Dawntrail enlargement, a serious graphics replace for the sport, a mysterious T-shirt tease, and a affirmation that no, Dawntrail doesn’t embrace Blitzball (sorry).
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.