In 2013 I had the chance to fly to Japan and discuss to Last Fantasy 14 Sport Director Yoshi-P. There was one query I needed to know – when would Last Fantasy 14 come to the Xbox? It’s a query that I, and each Last Fantasy 14 fan, wouldn’t know the reply to for an additional decade.
Last Fantasy 14 coming to Xbox marks the tip {that a} long-lingering query. In 2013 Yoshi-P answered saying a Microsoft cross-play coverage – that meant Xbox customers would require their very own server and due to this fact couldn’t play with the broader neighborhood – ended the hopes of Xbox gamers having fun with the sport. “Group is essential for an MMO, and as Xbox Reside is a closed community it means these enjoying on Xbox 360 or Xbox One cannot play with others on completely different platforms,” “I do not suppose that is best for an MMO, and that is the most important motive we have not introduced the sport to Xbox platforms.”
Years later, Xbox followers like myself will quickly be capable of expertise the sport on their most popular console for ths first time. Xbox Wire clarifies it’ll convey Last Fantasy 14 to the console with an expanded free trial permitting you to play the primary three expansions (A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Stormblood) as much as stage 70 with no restrictions on playtime. That’s no less than 100+ hours of content material to sink your tooth into as a brand new participant. It’ll be wonderful to see it come to 1 extra platform.
Loved being onstage with Yoshi-P and Kiryu-san to announce Last Fantasy XIV coming to Xbox. We’re thrilled that the Xbox neighborhood will be a part of the Warriors of Gentle and we stay up for partnering carefully with Sq. Enix on future video games. pic.twitter.com/zq0ETkDFq1
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 28, 2023
Again in 2013, the very fact a sport of this scale labored throughout PS3, PS4, and PC was a core motive it had top-of-the-line communities within the historical past of gaming. I used to play it with Greg, myself on PC whereas he was on PS3, and whereas we had been on completely different platforms, we discovered an extremely welcoming playerbase that helped us alongside the way in which, and lots of of them hoped Xbox gamers may sometime get in on the enjoyable.
The shortage of Xbox help was a subject that continued to assemble momentum and in 2015, once we requested Phil Spencer for an replace, he chalked the dearth of Last Fantasy goodness as much as “enterprise” and platform exclusivity: “As I’ve grown on this function, and I’ve tried to be taught the third-party exclusivity factor – and also you see us doing much less of it now – [I’ve found] it is not one thing I am an enormous fan of.
At E3 2016, it seemed like Xbox had a change of coronary heart about crossplay, promising that anybody keen to let their video games be performed throughout platforms may accomplish that
“Completely different sorts of offers occur, and I do know that is a part of this enterprise – and possibly it will be my failing in the long run – but it surely’s not one thing I particularly embrace with any deal that is on the market.”
A yr later, at E3 2016, it seemed like Xbox had a change of coronary heart about crossplay, promising that anybody keen to let their video games be performed throughout platforms may accomplish that. This begged the query as soon as once more – would Last Fantasy 14 lastly make it to Xbox? In an interview with Polygon, Yoshida gave the faintest glimmer of hope: “Microsoft truly approached the Last Fantasy 14 crew in regards to the cross-platform alternative When our crew reviewed the laws which might be related to that, we realized that Microsoft could not have the expertise or understanding of operating an MMORPG as a web based sport style simply but. The Last Fantasy 14 crew has fed again to Microsoft that there are specific components of its laws that we must contemplate waived. We’re ready on Microsoft’s response for that, however we’re having discussions.”
The next yr, Yoshida once more teased a attainable launch on Xbox (and Nintendo Swap), saying, “Conversations have been had with Mr. Phil Spencer of Microsoft, and the higher administration groups of Nintendo.”, however related points with cross-play stored cropping up. For Yoshida, neighborhood – irrespective of how large or small – was every thing and wanted to be taken care of, and closed-platforms prevented the crew from making one of the best expertise attainable.
In 2019, all of the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ turned a strong promise – that Last Fantasy 14 would come to Xbox… sometime. “The astute folks on the market may need observed there’s one Last Fantasy that is lacking in our listing: quantity 14,” Phil Spencer advised Eurogamer. “14 is one I have been devoted to, working with [director] Yoshida-san to discover a resolution to convey that sport to Xbox. And whereas it is not within the information at the moment, I needed you to know, relaxation assured, that we’ll be bringing that sport to Xbox.”
Just a few months later, Yoshi-P defined why issues had been taking so lengthy: “If we had made an FPS sport, then we might have already got crossplay. One of many laws is that gamers with completely different platforms can not chat with one another in-game. Then how do you play an MMO? The opposite regulation is you can’t make a neighborhood with gamers on a unique platform. You’ll be able to’t kind a guild. So I want to have Microsoft change their laws.”
Proper now Sq. Enix is comfortable, Phil is comfortable, and extra importantly followers are comfortable, and a beloved MMO simply acquired a bunch of recent gamers to affix in.
After one other replace in 2020, through which Yoshi-P counseled Xbox’s persistence (“Phil may be very devoted in his help for FFXIV, and I really recognize his efforts”), the sport director stated that, lastly, Last Fantasy 14 was coming to Xbox. “There aren’t any obstacles for growing the Xbox model”, he stated in an interview with VG247. “We had been capable of undertake improvement and supply our service due to the immense efforts that Phil has invested.” That stated, he admitted it wouldn’t occur instantly, and that the event crew was engaged on the PS5 model of Endwalker and that the main focus would change to Xbox afterwards.
Now, after a ten yr wait, it’s occurring. And judging by the response from communities throughout the globe, persons are hyped!
For me, there’s one other vital takeaway right here. Whereas I used to be on the sidelines watching this story unfold for the final decade, Phil Spencer and Yoshi-P had been frequently working behind the scenes to make it a actuality. It’s an enormous victory for Spencer to see this factor by, and certain a large endeavor on the Microsoft aspect to adapt their insurance policies to permit it. Possibly sometime Xbox will give us a peek behind the scenes and tell us what it took to make that occur. However proper now Sq. Enix is comfortable, Phil is comfortable, and extra importantly followers are comfortable, and a beloved MMO simply acquired a bunch of recent gamers to affix in.
In hindsight, I’m wondering if any of the hold-up was to do with not too long ago revealed paperwork shared through the Activision listening to, the place we found that Microsoft was in talks to buy Sq. Enix, which had been then placed on maintain. However this week’s FF14 reveal did have a promising footnote that I’m positive all Xbox followers can be excited by, when Sq. CEO Takashi Kiryu confirmed, “Wherever attainable we’re planning to convey our video games to Xbox for gamers world wide to get pleasure from.” Right here’s hoping meaning Last Fantasy 7: Remake and Last Fantasy 16 don’t take 10 years to return to Xbox.
Destin Legarie is a Director of Content material Technique at IGN. He’s actually unhealthy at Baldur’s Gate 3 fight however cannot cease enjoying it anyway. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter if you would like.
