For as long as most RPG fans can remember, Final Fantasy is synonymous with the PlayStation brand. However, in recent years, Square Enix has expanded the JRPG progenitor’s reach to other platforms.
The release of Final Fantasy 15 marked of the start of multi-platform releases for the best-selling franchise. But, Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake as well as its upcoming sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, are both exclusives. And, while this hasn’t hurt the game’s sales, it appears that the Japanese giant might finally be putting the timed-exclusivity deals of the said games to good use.
Jez Corden of the Xbox Two Podcast has hinted at ongoing discussions between Microsoft and Square Enix to bring more Final Fantasy games to the Xbox platform.
This is in line with an earlier statement by Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, where the ever-vocal executive’s desire to bring more Square Enix titles to Xbox was evident after securing Final Fantasy 14 following an arduous years-long negotiation process.
According to Corden, discussions are underway to bring FF7 Remake, presumably the upgraded version, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, to the Xbox Series S/X, although he believes Xbox might delay the official announcement of the port to avoid overshadowing the upcoming release of FF7 Rebirth. This sequel, scheduled for release on February 29, continues the narrative of the remake and, like its predecessor, will initially launch as a PlayStation exclusive.
The planned Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is a reimagining of the 1997 classic title, Final Fantasy 7. It’s one of the best-selling PS5 exclusives to date, well-received for its modernized gameplay, expanded story, and cutting-edge graphics.
With that said, it’s important to note that these are still just rumors. There has been no official confirmation from Square Enix or Microsoft regarding Final Fantasy 7 Remake coming to Xbox. However, given the game’s popularity and the potential for an Xbox release to move the needle, fans would love to see this move happen.
Aside from acquiring ZeniMax Media and Activision Blizzard, Xbox has been making the necessary moves to improve its presence in Japan. Securing these kinds of deals with Square Enix could open the door for other similar agreements and even, potentially, exclusivity contracts, that would go a long way in boosting the sales of the Xbox Series S/X.
Ultimately, it’s still unclear when FF7 Remake and FF16 are coming to Xbox, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that the two parties involved, Square Enix and Xbox, want these games there. Hopefully, we’ll see both titles arrive on Xbox not long after FF16 arrives on PC.
