In 2013 I had the chance to fly to Japan and speak to Ultimate Fantasy 14 Sport Director Yoshi-P. There was one query I needed 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 an additional decade.
Ultimate Fantasy 14 coming to Xbox marks the top {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 due to this fact couldn’t play with the broader group – ended the hopes of Xbox gamers having fun with the sport. “Group is essential for an MMO, and as Xbox Dwell is a closed community it means these taking part in on Xbox 360 or Xbox One cannot play with others on completely different platforms,” “I do not assume that is splendid for an MMO, and that is the largest cause 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 convey 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 degree 70 with no restrictions on playtime. That’s at the 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 a part of the Warriors of Mild and we sit up for 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 sport of this scale labored throughout PS3, PS4, and PC was a core cause it had probably the greatest 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 shortage of Xbox help was a subject that continued to collect 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 isn’t one thing I am an enormous fan of.
At E3 2016, it regarded 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
“Completely different sorts of offers occur, and I do know that is a part of this enterprise – and possibly it’s going to be my failing in the long run – however it’s not one thing I particularly embrace with any deal that is on the market.”
A yr later, at E3 2016, it regarded 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 truly approached the Ultimate Fantasy 14 staff concerning the cross-platform alternative When our staff reviewed the laws which can be related to that, we realized that Microsoft might not have the expertise or understanding of operating an MMORPG as a web-based sport style simply but. The Ultimate Fantasy 14 staff has fed again to Microsoft that there are specific parts of its laws that we must take into account waived. We’re ready on Microsoft’s response for that, however we’re having discussions.”
The next yr, Yoshida once more teased a attainable 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 related points with cross-play saved cropping up. For Yoshida, group – irrespective of how huge or small – was all the things and wanted to be taken care of, and closed-platforms prevented the staff from making the perfect expertise attainable.
In 2019, all of the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ grew to become a stable promise – that Ultimate Fantasy 14 would come to Xbox… sometime. “The astute folks on the market might need observed there’s one Ultimate Fantasy that is lacking in our listing: quantity 14,” Phil Spencer informed Eurogamer. “14 is one I have been devoted to, working with [director] Yoshida-san to discover a answer to convey that sport to Xbox. And whereas it isn’t within the information at the moment, I needed you to know, relaxation assured, that we’ll be bringing that sport to Xbox.”
Just a few months later, Yoshi-P defined why issues have been taking so lengthy: “If we had made an FPS sport, then we might have already got crossplay. One of many laws 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 distinct platform. You’ll be able to’t type a guild. So I wish to have Microsoft change their laws.”
Proper now Sq. Enix is comfortable, Phil is comfortable, and extra importantly followers are comfortable, and a beloved MMO simply obtained a bunch of latest gamers to affix in.
After one other replace in 2020, wherein Yoshi-P recommended Xbox’s persistence (“Phil may be very devoted in his help for FFXIV, and I actually admire 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 staff was engaged on the PS5 model of Endwalker and that the main focus would swap to Xbox afterwards.
Now, after a ten yr wait, it’s occurring. 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 usually working behind the scenes to make it a actuality. It’s an enormous victory for Spencer to see this factor by way of, and sure an enormous enterprise on the Microsoft facet to adapt their insurance policies to permit it. Possibly sometime Xbox will give us a peek behind the scenes and tell us what it took to make that occur. However proper now Sq. Enix is comfortable, Phil is comfortable, and extra importantly followers are comfortable, and a beloved MMO simply obtained a bunch of latest gamers to affix in.
In hindsight, I ponder if any of the hold-up was to do with lately revealed paperwork shared through 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 positive all Xbox followers will likely be excited by, when Sq. CEO Takashi Kiryu confirmed, “Wherever attainable we’re planning to convey our video games to Xbox for gamers all over the world 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 taking part in it anyway. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter if you need.
