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At this time, Sq. Enix introduced that its profitable MMORPG, Ultimate Fantasy XIV, is on its technique to Xbox consoles after years of being a PlayStation console unique. And to listen to the CEO of Sq. Enix inform it, it feels like Xbox has efficiently ensured that much more Sq. Enix video games will find yourself on its consoles within the coming years.
In the course of the Ultimate Fantasy Fan Fest 2023, Ultimate Fantasy XIV recreation director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) welcomed Xbox head Phil Spencer onto the stage alongside Sq. Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu to have fun the Xbox launch announcement. Whereas onstage, Kiryu made the next assertion:
“And yet another factor: as CEO of Sq. Enix, we wish to proceed to ship fabulous video games to followers the world over. And naturally, we wish to welcome the Xbox group as properly. And beginning with at present’s announcement of Ultimate Fantasy XIV coming in spring 2024, and every time doable, we’re planning to carry our video games to Xbox for gamers world wide to get pleasure from. We’re actually trying ahead to working carefully with Phil and the Xbox staff to make this doable.”
In response, Spencer mentioned the next:
“Thanks Kiryu-san. we deeply respect the wealthy legacy of Sq. Enix, and we look ahead to constructing on the connection that we have established in bringing Ultimate Fantasy XIV to the Xbox, and partnering carefully with you and the Sq. Enix staff on future video games.”
On its face, the concept Sq. Enix desires its video games on Xbox consoles may not appear that unusual, however there’s a variety of fascinating context surrounding this assertion that makes it a bit extraordinary. Sq. Enix has lengthy been the topic of exclusivity offers with each Xbox and PlayStation through the years which have pushed its video games towards one console or one other all through their launch intervals, and even completely. Most lately, Ultimate Fantasy XVI launched unique to PlayStation consoles, and there is been no phrase but on an Xbox launch.
The gravitation of Sq. Enix towards PlayStation has been a critical concern for Xbox, although, as we noticed throughout the current FTC v. Microsoft trial. One proof doc revealed that Xbox had critically thought-about shopping for Sq. Enix in 2019, although we didn’t be taught from that doc why the deal by no means occurred. Sq. Enix additionally got here up repeatedly throughout the trial, with Ultimate Fantasy XVI used for example of the sorts of video games PlayStation was shopping for exclusivity rights to in a irritating however acknowledged a part of video games market competitors. From the trial, we realized how crucial it has grow to be to Xbox to stuff its library filled with content material, and to make sure it is not lacking out on main video games like FFXVI.
In gentle of that, it is no shock that Spencer has been courting Sq. Enix for franchises like Ultimate Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Nier, Simply Trigger, and plenty of extra. Whereas neither Kiryu nor Spencer elaborated on specifics, their willingness to take the stage collectively at present maybe hints at a future with fewer PlayStation exclusivity offers for Sq. Enix content material, and extra Sq. Enix content material on GamePass.
At this time’s Fan Fest keynote was a busy one. Other than the Xbox announcement, we acquired updates on the brand new Ultimate Fantasy 14 Dawntrail growth, a serious graphics replace for the sport, a mysterious T-shirt tease, and a affirmation that no, Dawntrail doesn’t embrace Blitzball (sorry).
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.
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