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In 2013 I had the chance to fly to Japan and speak to Ultimate Fantasy 14 Recreation Director Yoshi-P. There was one query I wished to know – when would Ultimate Fantasy 14 come to the Xbox? It’s a query that I, and each Ultimate Fantasy 14 fan, wouldn’t know the reply to for one more decade.
Ultimate 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 subsequently couldn’t play with the broader group – ended the hopes of Xbox gamers having fun with the sport. “Neighborhood 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 excellent for an MMO, and that is the largest purpose we have not introduced the sport to Xbox platforms.”
Years later, Xbox followers like myself will quickly be capable of expertise the sport on their most popular console for ths first time. Xbox Wire clarifies it’ll deliver Ultimate 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 at the very least 100+ hours of content material to sink your enamel into as a brand new participant. It’ll be superb to see it come to 1 extra platform.
Loved being onstage with Yoshi-P and Kiryu-san to announce Ultimate Fantasy XIV coming to Xbox. We’re thrilled that the Xbox group will be part of the Warriors of Gentle and we look ahead to partnering intently 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 best 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 might sometime get in on the enjoyable.
The dearth 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 dearth of Ultimate 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 might accomplish that
“Totally different sorts of offers occur, and I do know that is a part of this enterprise – and perhaps it’s going to be my failing in the long run – nevertheless it’s not one thing I particularly embrace with any deal that is on the market.”
A yr 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 might accomplish that. This begged the query as soon as once more – would Ultimate Fantasy 14 lastly make it to Xbox? In an interview with Polygon, Yoshida gave the faintest glimmer of hope: “Microsoft really approached the Ultimate Fantasy 14 workforce in regards to the cross-platform alternative When our workforce reviewed the rules which are related to that, we realized that Microsoft could not have the expertise or understanding of operating an MMORPG as a web based recreation style simply but. The Ultimate Fantasy 14 workforce has fed again to Microsoft that there are specific parts of its rules that we must contemplate waived. We’re ready on Microsoft’s response for that, however we’re having discussions.”
The next yr, Yoshida once more teased a potential 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 stored cropping up. For Yoshida, group – irrespective of how large or small – was all the pieces and wanted to be taken care of, and closed-platforms prevented the workforce from making the perfect expertise potential.
In 2019, all of the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ turned a stable promise – that Ultimate Fantasy 14 would come to Xbox… sometime. “The astute folks on the market might need seen there’s one Ultimate Fantasy that is lacking in our record: quantity 14,” Phil Spencer instructed Eurogamer. “14 is one I have been devoted to, working with [director] Yoshida-san to discover a resolution to deliver that recreation to Xbox. And whereas it is not within the information at the moment, I wished you to know, relaxation assured, that we’ll be bringing that recreation to Xbox.”
Just a few months later, Yoshi-P defined why issues have been taking so lengthy: “If we had made an FPS recreation, then we’d 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 special platform. You possibly can’t type a guild. So I want to have Microsoft change their rules.”
Proper now Sq. Enix is blissful, Phil is blissful, and extra importantly followers are blissful, and a beloved MMO simply bought a bunch of latest gamers to affix in.
After one other replace in 2020, wherein 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, Ultimate Fantasy 14 was coming to Xbox. “There aren’t any obstacles for creating the Xbox model”, he mentioned in an interview with VG247. “We have been in a position to 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 workforce was engaged on the PS5 model of Endwalker and that the main focus would change to Xbox afterwards.
Now, after a ten yr wait, it’s taking place. And judging by the response from communities throughout the globe, persons 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 commonly working behind the scenes to make it a actuality. It’s an enormous victory for Spencer to see this factor by, and sure a large endeavor on the Microsoft aspect to adapt their insurance policies to permit it. Possibly sometime Xbox will give us a peek backstage and tell us what it took to make that occur. However proper now Sq. Enix is blissful, Phil is blissful, and extra importantly followers are blissful, and a beloved MMO simply bought a bunch of latest gamers to affix in.
In hindsight, I ponder if any of the hold-up was to do with not too long ago 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 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 probably be excited by, when Sq. CEO Takashi Kiryu confirmed, “Wherever potential we’re planning to deliver our video games to Xbox for gamers world wide to get pleasure from.” Right here’s hoping which means Ultimate Fantasy 7: Remake and Ultimate 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 dangerous at Baldur’s Gate 3 fight however cannot cease enjoying it anyway. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter in order for you.
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