Some Xbox fans have been wowed by Square Enix’s dedication to the Xbox One, as both Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III, will be making their way to Microsoft’s new console. However, one piece of Square’s property is oddly missing in their Xbox lineup: their overhauled MMO Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, which is now making it’s way to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Director of the title, Naoki Yoshida, revealed in a interview the reason why this game isn’t bound for any of Microsoft’s systems.
Describing that it is due to Microsoft’s policies for Xbox Live, Yoshida told the interviewer that the “main reason” why there isn’t going to be an Xbox 360 or Xbox One version of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, is because Square didn’t want the “community divided” as Microsoft’s policies would have forced them to “split the gaming community into two or more” groups.
“For example, one player might be on the PC version, another might be on the PS4 version, and I’m playing the Xbox version — but we’re not able to join the same game servers. That is just … I just don’t like the idea. I disagree with it. To be frankly honest with you, there are now so many mobile devices, smart phones, everything — why would you ever just stick to one platform from the hardware aspect? Just — make it open to everyone? That’s my opinion.”
Yosida goes to explain his stance further when he describes the disappointment that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn won’t make it into the hands of more gamers.
“I would love for as many players as possible to enjoy the game worldwide, so from a business point of view it could make sense to have it on the Xbox platforms, but as I mentioned earlier, that would bring about the tragedy that somebody might have to give up their existing character. Then players might get frustrated, and then they ask us — ‘Square Enix, can’t you do something?’ and then… yeah. Unless that happens, we can’t really do anything.”
Microsoft’s policy to close its servers off might come back to haunt them later if this becomes precedence, as developers might just pass over the Xbox One if they want to bring new MMOs to consoles. While many might scoff at the idea of an MMO on a console, especially since these titles mostly dominate on PCs, you should remember the big splash Final Fantasy XI and the early Phantasy Star Online titles made when they got released to the consoles.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be available on the PC and the PS3 on August 27, with a PS4 version coming next year.
