Final Fantasy 16 Reportedly Coming to Xbox-Square Enix Just Hasn’t Confirmed It Yet
It looks like the world of Final Fantasy 16 could soon open up beyond PlayStation 5. All of this comes despite the game launching exclusively on Sony’s console in June 2023, but there have been suggestions swirling that an Xbox version is being made and may be announced soon.
Cumbersome Launch Against High Onslaught Of First-Day Sales
Upon its initial arrival, Final Fantasy 16 was praised for looking and playing beautifully with the help of PlayStation 5‘s SSD which made load times virtually non-existent. The opening was seemingly good, with a game that sold three million copies in its first week. But it ultimately disappointed Square Enix, though the company has been notoriously quiet on just how much underperformed.
Square Enix was majorly affected by it as the amount heavily invested in the game, shares fell rapidly, and alleged to miss its sales price targeted goal received a severe penalty on their stock. This is in stark contrast with the fortune files by its predecessor, Final Fantasy XV which launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows and then sold ten million units ultimately making it among top-selling games of all time.
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Xbox Version on the Horizon?
The existence of Final Fantasy 16 is real, even its possible arrival on Xbox One (which according to a ResetEra post by NateDrake that was reported on via XPboxEra in March isn’t so much a question of “if” — but when ‘). The post posits that Square Enix is holding back the Xbox announcement for when they “have to announce it,” especially because of possible contractual obligations with Sony which could be keeping them from talking about the port.
It is hardly the first time Final Fantasy has gone from PlayStation exclusive to multiplatform. The title skipped Xbox and Pc at launch, shortly after launching on the PS4 like Final Fantasy XV did with a copycat path for what we expect to see just as before. It is understandable given Square Enix’s recent business strategy shift, particularly after their other PlayStation 5 exclusives failed to meet sales projections.
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Square Enix Changes Strategy
Earlier this year, Square Enix laid bare their intent to move away from new risky IP in favor of sequels and auxiliary works building on their pre-existing catalog. One way to do that is by putting their other PlayStation exclusives, such as The Last of Us on more platforms. This squared with the idea that coming to Xbox and PC could assist Final Fantasy 16 in recouping its development costs and making a broader impact.
Final Fantasy 15 did huge numbers on multiple platforms, so it’s unlikely Final Fantasy 16 will replicate that sort of success even if it does ship on more systems. They could simply expand their audience in the hope that it will get to something approaching break-even, or even turn a money-making franchise for Square Enix.
Final Fantasy 16 Coming Up Next?
While rumors continue to make the rounds, Square Enix has yet to confirm an Xbox release is in development. Nevertheless, if the business intends to realize all the success of recreation they may take into consideration having it on subsequent technology Xbox consoles. This might include improving Resident Evil 2 to run at full potential on newer hardware, potentially resulting in a feature that could sweeten the pot for Xbox gamers.
There remains some waiting for what Square Enix will do next. Should these rumors prove to be true, though…well, then Final Fantasy 16 may soon land on Xbox and place the much-chronicled franchise in front of an even larger audience.