Is Final Fantasy 16 coming to Xbox and PC?
Final Fantasy XVI will indeed be coming to PC as Square Enix released a gameplay trailer for it on August 19, 2024, with a confirmed release date of September 17, 2024.
However, when Final Fantasy VII Remake's exclusivity arrangement ended, only a PC port was made with no Xbox port in sight to this day. This means, for Xbox fans, that Final Fantasy XVI could end up with a similar fate. However, with Square Enix's recent commitment to release more games on Xbox,
With Final Fantasy XVI's PC port on the horizon and Square Enix's renewed support for Xbox, there may be hope for an Xbox port yet
Final Fantasy XVI is the sixteenth mainline installment of Square Enix's prolific Final Fantasy franchise. It is developed by Square Enix's Creative Business Unit III (CBU3 for short), the division of developers behind the widely popular MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV.
Final Fantasy XVI is an action-oriented JRPG that tells the story of Clive Rosfield, a bitter, vengeful warrior who is on a quest to slay Ifrit, a powerful godlike Eikon who has destroyed his home and murdered his closest loved ones.
This game is a darker take on the franchise with a visceral combat system and a mature storyline involving themes of tragedy, political intrigue, and revenge as we follow Clive's life from his innocent childhood to his bitter adult years.
Final Fantasy XVI was released exclusively at first for PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023. Then a few months later in September 2023, the game's producer, Naoki Yoshida, announced at Pax West that CBU3 had begun development for a PC Port of Final Fantasy XVI and would set a release date for it at a later time.
Then nearly a year after that announcement, Square Enix finally declared the release date for the PC port of Final Fantasy XVI on August 19, 2024, revealing that it will launch on September 17, 2024 for Steam and Epic Games Store. In addition, Square Enix released a playable demo for Final Fantasy XVI's opening act, which is available to download on Steam and Epic Games Store.
Unfortunately for Xbox fans, there are currently no plans for an Xbox port of Final Fantasy XVI being made at this time as the developers have stated they're currently focused on finishing the PC version. However, that isn't to say the idea of an Xbox port isn't possible or that the developers aren't opposed to the idea.
The game's director, Hiroshi Takai, confirmed in our recent interview with him that he would like to see it happen. Additionally, Naoki Yoshida hinted at the possibility of porting Final Fantasy XVI to other platforms once the PC version was complete during an interview with Noisy Pixel at Pax East 2024.
On top of that, when Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer made a shocking surprise appearance during 2024's Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival event in Las Vegas, Square Enix announced it would commit itself to bringing more of its titles to Xbox consoles, starting with the Xbox port of Final Fantasy XIV.
Although, highly requested Xbox Series X|S ports of Square Enix titles like Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Final Fantasy XVI have yet to happen. On the other, the latest addition of Square Enix's Mana series, Visions of Mana will be debuting on Xbox Series X|S alongside the PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, making this upcoming Xbox JRPG the first game Square Enix has made for an Xbox console in a very long time.
For the longest time, hopes of playing Final Fantasy XVI on Xbox Series X|S looked grim and fans had come to terms with the fact that it may never come to Xbox just like Final Fantasy VII Remake. However, with Final Fantasy XVI's developers hinting at the possibility of making more ports on other platforms beyond the PC version, and Square Enix announcing that they will bring more of their games to Xbox consoles, the chances of an Xbox version of Final Fantasy XVI happening are more likely than ever.
In the meantime, PC fans can look forward to helping Clive get his revenge on Ifrit and explore the war-torn world of Final Fantasy XVI when this upcoming PC title launches on September 17, 2024 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Tore.
