In 2013 I had the chance to fly to Japan and discuss to Last Fantasy 14 Recreation 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 one more decade.
Last Fantasy 14 coming to Xbox marks the top {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 taking part in on Xbox 360 or Xbox One cannot play with others on completely different platforms,” “I do not suppose that is ideally suited for an MMO, and that is the largest purpose we’ve not introduced the sport to Xbox platforms.”
Years later, Xbox followers like myself will quickly have the ability to expertise the sport on their most well-liked console for ths first time. Xbox Wire clarifies it’ll carry 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 degree 70 with no restrictions on playtime. That’s no less than 100+ hours of content material to sink your enamel 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 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 recreation of this scale labored throughout PS3, PS4, and PC was a core purpose it had among the finest 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 might sometime get in on the enjoyable.
The dearth of Xbox help was a subject that continued to collect momentum and in 2015, after 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 regarded like Xbox had a change of coronary heart about crossplay, promising that anybody keen to let their video games be performed throughout platforms might accomplish that
“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 ultimately – however it’s not one thing I particularly embrace with any deal that is on the market.”
A yr later, at E3 2016, it regarded like Xbox had a change of coronary heart about crossplay, promising that anybody keen to let their video games be performed throughout platforms might 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 group concerning the cross-platform alternative When our group reviewed the laws which are related to that, we realized that Microsoft might not have the expertise or understanding of working an MMORPG as an internet recreation style simply but. The Last Fantasy 14 group has fed again to Microsoft that there are particular components of its laws that we must think about waived. We’re ready on Microsoft’s response for that, however we’re having discussions.”
The next yr, Yoshida once more teased a doable 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 comparable points with cross-play saved 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 group from making the very best expertise doable.
In 2019, all of the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ turned a stable promise – that Last Fantasy 14 would come to Xbox… sometime. “The astute folks on the market might need observed there’s one Last Fantasy that is lacking in our listing: quantity 14,” Phil Spencer informed Eurogamer. “14 is one I have been devoted to, working with [director] Yoshida-san to discover a answer to carry that recreation to Xbox. And whereas it is not within the information immediately, I needed you to know, relaxation assured, that we’ll be bringing that recreation to Xbox.”
Just a few months later, Yoshi-P defined why issues had been taking so lengthy: “If we had made an FPS recreation, then we might have already got crossplay. One of many laws 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 neighborhood with gamers on a unique platform. You possibly can’t kind a guild. So I wish 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 latest gamers to affix in.
After one other replace in 2020, wherein Yoshi-P counseled Xbox’s persistence (“Phil may be very devoted in his help for FFXIV, and I actually 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 had been capable of undertake improvement 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 group was engaged on the PS5 model of Endwalker and that the main focus would swap 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 necessary 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 recurrently working behind the scenes to make it a actuality. It’s an enormous victory for Spencer to see this factor by, and certain an enormous endeavor on the Microsoft facet to adapt their insurance policies to permit it. Perhaps sometime Xbox will give us a peek backstage 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 latest gamers to affix in.
In hindsight, I ponder if any of the hold-up was to do with lately revealed paperwork shared in the course of 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 certain all Xbox followers can be excited by, when Sq. CEO Takashi Kiryu confirmed, “Wherever doable we’re planning to carry our video games to Xbox for gamers all over the world to get pleasure from.” Right here’s hoping which means Last Fantasy 7: Remake and Last Fantasy 16 don’t take 10 years to come back 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 taking part in it anyway. You possibly can observe him on Twitter if you’d like.
