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 group – ended the hopes of Xbox gamers having fun with the sport. “Group is essential for an MMO, and as Xbox Dwell 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 supreme for an MMO, and that is the largest motive we have not introduced the sport to Xbox platforms.”
Years later, Xbox followers like myself will quickly be capable to expertise the sport on their most well-liked 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 a minimum of 100+ hours of content material to sink your tooth into as a brand new participant. It’ll be wonderful to see it come to at least one 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 group will be a part of the Warriors of Mild and we sit up for partnering intently with Sq. Enix on future video games. pic.twitter.com/zq0ETkDFq1
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 28, 2023
Again in 2013, the actual 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 have been on completely different platforms, we discovered an extremely welcoming playerbase that helped us alongside the best way, 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 shortage 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 appeared like Xbox had a change of coronary heart about crossplay, promising that anybody prepared to let their video games be performed throughout platforms may achieve this
“Completely different sorts of offers occur, and I do know that is a part of this enterprise – and possibly it’s going to be my failing in the long run – however it’s not one thing I particularly embrace with any deal that is on the market.”
A 12 months later, at E3 2016, it appeared like Xbox had a change of coronary heart about crossplay, promising that anybody prepared to let their video games be performed throughout platforms may achieve this. 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 rules which might be related to that, we realized that Microsoft might not have the expertise or understanding of working an MMORPG as an internet sport style simply but. The Last Fantasy 14 crew has fed again to Microsoft that there are specific components of its rules that we must think about waived. We’re ready on Microsoft’s response for that, however we’re having discussions.”
The next 12 months, Yoshida once more teased a attainable launch on Xbox (and Nintendo Change), 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, group – regardless of how huge or small – was every little thing and wanted to be sorted, and closed-platforms prevented the crew from making the very best expertise attainable.
In 2019, all of the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ grew to become 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 record: quantity 14,” Phil Spencer advised Eurogamer. “14 is one I have been devoted to, working with [director] Yoshida-san to discover a answer to convey that sport to Xbox. And whereas it is not within the information right this moment, I needed you to know, relaxation assured, that we’ll be bringing that sport to Xbox.”
A couple of months later, Yoshi-P defined why issues have been taking so lengthy: “If we had made an FPS sport, then we might have already got crossplay. One of many rules is that gamers with completely different platforms can’t chat with one another in-game. Then how do you play an MMO? The opposite regulation is you can not make a group with gamers on a distinct platform. You may’t kind a guild. So I want to have Microsoft change their rules.”
Proper now Sq. Enix is joyful, Phil is joyful, and extra importantly followers are joyful, and a beloved MMO simply received a bunch of recent gamers to affix in.
After one other replace in 2020, by which Yoshi-P recommended Xbox’s persistence (“Phil could be very devoted in his help for FFXIV, and I really respect his efforts”), the sport director mentioned that, lastly, Last Fantasy 14 was coming to Xbox. “There are not any obstacles for creating the Xbox model”, he mentioned in an interview with VG247. “We have been capable of undertake growth and supply our service due to the immense efforts that Phil has invested.” That mentioned, 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 12 months wait, it’s occurring. And judging by the response from communities throughout the globe, individuals 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 have been usually working behind the scenes to make it a actuality. It’s an enormous victory for Spencer to see this factor via, and sure an enormous enterprise on the Microsoft facet to adapt their insurance policies to permit it. Perhaps 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 joyful, Phil is joyful, and extra importantly followers are joyful, and a beloved MMO simply received a bunch of recent gamers to affix in.
In hindsight, I’m wondering if any of the hold-up was to do with just lately revealed paperwork shared throughout the Activision listening to, the place we found that Microsoft was in talks to buy Sq. Enix, which have been then placed on maintain. However this week’s FF14 reveal did have a promising footnote that I’m certain all Xbox followers will likely be excited by, when Sq. CEO Takashi Kiryu confirmed, “Wherever attainable we’re planning to convey our video games to Xbox for gamers all over the world to take pleasure in.” Right here’s hoping which means 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 dangerous at Baldur’s Gate 3 fight however cannot cease enjoying it anyway. You may comply with him on Twitter if you’d like.
