Square Enix has announced that Xbox Series X/S players are in for a treat. Beginning at some point in early mid-January and February, Xbox enthusiasts can join the open beta test for Final Fantasy 16 allowing them to take a sneak peek into the fantastical realm of Eorzea before the official launch on Xbox in Spring 2024. This foray into Xbox territory comes after over a decade of the game’s dominance, initially starting as a PS3 console exclusive and eventually finding its way onto the PS4 and PS5.
The grand revelation was made during Final Fantasy 14’s 2023 Fan Fest event. This event wasn’t just limited to the Xbox announcement. It also unveiled the content for the forthcoming expansion, Dawntrail, which includes a new class.
FF14’s dedicated fan base on Xbox has been eagerly waiting for updates since Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, appeared at the same event in July. Highlighting the game’s forthcoming open beta test during Patch 6.5, Spencer’s cameo only amplified the excitement.
Exact dates for the open beta test remain undisclosed for now. Still, with the announcement made via the official FF14 Twitter account, fans can rest assured they’ll be kept in the loop as the timeframe approaches. This beta test will also give Square Enix the golden opportunity to rigorously stress test the game, ensuring it operates seamlessly during its Spring 2024 release.
For players familiar with the magnificent world of Final Fantasy 14, the news doesn’t end with Xbox’s integration. Aside from the Xbox version’s debut, several new additions are scheduled to roll out in 2024. Foremost is the aforementioned Dawntrail expansion, poised to release in Summer 2024, promising to broaden the game’s horizon further. The recent London 2023 Fan Fest unveiled more exhilarating news, revealing a crossover with Final Fantasy 16, which is the most recent mainline entry that was met with equal parts acclaim and criticism at launch aside from being unfairly blamed for Square Enix’s financial woes.
When it comes to the technical side of things, the Xbox port brings notable upgrades to the decade-old MMO. Creative Business Unit III is promising swifter loading times and 4K resolution support for the Xbox version of FF14. Furthermore, both newcomers and veteran players can join forces and venture into Eorzea, as the game supports cross-play across different platforms. This feature allows for a seamless integration, letting players from various platforms experience the game together.
With the Xbox launch, newcomers will be greeted with the base game and all its expansions, making for an all-encompassing gaming experience. But the cherry on top for Xbox newbies is the game’s extensive free trial. This trial, often humorously referred to as a meme due to its generosity, grants players access to the entirety of the base game and the first two expansions: Heavensward and Stormblood. However, this generosity comes with a few constraints, primarily aimed at tackling currency farming bots. These include a gil cap, limitations on using the market board, and restrictions on forming parties or joining guilds.
But even with these restrictions in place, the free trial offers an overwhelming amount of content. Players can dive deep into the narrative, progressing through the expansions linearly. The content is so vast that players can potentially spend hundreds of hours exploring it all, without spending a dime. Those who wish to advance further can then choose to invest in subsequent expansions like Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and, of course, Dawntrail.
As FF14 prepares to welcome Xbox players into its fold, the horizons of Eorzea are poised to become more vibrant and vast.
Speaking of Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming on February 29, 2024. Finally, FF16 is coming to the PC at a certain point with two post-launch expansions confirmed as well.
