“Will it or won’t it?” is the question that’s been on everyone’s mind as far as the PC port of Final Fantasy 16 is concerned. But, now, the often-left-out PC gamers can breathe a collective sigh of relief because producer Naoki Yoshida has put all speculation to rest. A PC version of Final Fantasy XVI is not just a whisper in the winds of Valisthea; it’s now a concrete plan.
The announcement came not as a standalone eureka moment but as part of a package of updates. During the ‘Voices from Valisthea’ voice actor’s panel at PAX West 2023, Yoshida emerged on a video message to be the bearer of much-anticipated news. It wasn’t just the PC version that got a nod; two sets of paid-for DLC are also in development.
For those craving more narrative layers and combat challenges in the intricate world of Valisthea, this expansion aims to quench that thirst.
Here's a special video message from Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida. #FF16 pic.twitter.com/MjyKzQXHRN
— FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) September 3, 2023
Final Fantasy XVI has garnered its share of positive reviews, particularly for its combat system, which most likely fueled the urgency from fans for additional content and platform releases. Yoshida expressed that the reaction from players is clear: they wanted to delve deeper into Valisthea’s story and spend more time with its denizens.
It was a call to action that couldn’t be ignored, prompting work on two installments of DLC to expand the lore and the game’s universe.
Now, let’s go back to the saga of the PC version. The debate over its existence before the official reveal isn’t baseless. An earlier trailer for the game included the phrase “available on PC,” only for Square Enix to retract it later. As if dangling the proverbial carrot, Yoshida had previously noted that a PC port is next on his to-do list. He emphasized the transition to PC will take a while due to the optimization requirements. In his own words, “Even if we start optimizing the PC version after the PS5 version comes out, we won’t be able to optimize it in half a year.”
It was a call to action that couldn’t be ignored, prompting work on two installments of DLC to expand the lore and the game’s universe.
Optimization indeed stands as a hurdle, especially considering the seamless transitions between FF16’s many amazing locations and gameplay sequences in the PS5 version. These aren’t technical challenges; they’re pillars of the gameplay experience that have to be faithfully recreated on PC. Yoshida addressed the issue, citing the need to work on removing loading screens and smooth transitions between cutscenes and gameplay as key areas that needed attention in the development cycle.
To add another layer of intrigue, let’s not forget the Xbox angle. Following the announcement that Final Fantasy XIV is coming to Xbox, the presence of Square Enix at TGS 2023 alongside Xbox does spark speculation. Could Final Fantasy XVI potentially add another feather to Xbox’s growing cap of JRPGs?
There’s a lot on Yoshida’s plate, including the recently announced Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth slated for early 2024 on PS5. But for Final Fantasy XVI, he promised updates on both the upcoming DLCs and the PC version before the end of the year. If there’s one thing to take away, it’s this: patience will be the watchword for all, whether you’re waiting for DLC drops or praying to swap your PS5 controller for a mouse and keyboard. The only certainty is that Final Fantasy XVI’s journey is far from over; it’s merely gearing up for its next epic chapter.
