Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 remake are now on Xbox; is it too late?

Final Fantasy 16 and 7 Remake debut on Xbox, boosting Square Enix's multiplatform strategy.

: Square Enix has expanded its multiplatform strategy with the release of Final Fantasy 16 on Xbox, two years after its PS5 debut. Final Fantasy 7 Remake will join Xbox this winter, five years post its PS4 launch, highlighting Square Enix's intent to diversify earnings by revisiting Xbox markets despite historic preferences. The Xbox launch of these games is aimed at tapping into broader audiences and reinforcing Square Enix's partnership with Microsoft to revitalize sales. While significant, the move underscores an ongoing effort to align release strategies with market expectations alongside anticipated releases like Final Fantasy 17.

Square Enix announced the arrival of Final Fantasy 16 on Xbox during the Xbox Showcase, following its exclusive debut on PS5 two years prior and a subsequent PC release. This launch marks a significant milestone as part of Square Enix's aggressive multiplatform strategy, aimed at diversifying revenue streams. Final Fantasy 7 Remake is also expected to debut on Xbox this winter, five years after its initial release on PS4, followed by iterations on PS5 and PC, thus reflecting the company's renewed focus on multi-platform releases.

The release on Xbox is poised to expand accessibility to a broader audience and potentially increase sales for both games. Square Enix's intent to strengthen partnerships within the gaming industry is evident, as noted by Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, who emphasized the importance of their collaboration. This strategic shift acknowledges Xbox's previously uneventful presence in Japan, due in part to its American origins and the subsequent scarcity of Japanese RPGs on the platform.

Naoki Yoshida, Naoki Yoshida, celebrated the Xbox arrival, highlighting that the demand for these titles has been palpable among Xbox players. This sentiment challenges the traditional alignment of Final Fantasy with Sony and Nintendo and attempts to broaden the franchise's market base. Yoshida pointed out that there has been a noticeable decline in Xbox's Final Fantasy fanbase since the release of Final Fantasy 15, citing the importance of building community ties to strengthen Square Enix's market position.

The absence of direct player numbers from Square Enix's reports, particularly for Final Fantasy 14 and the Pixel Remasters, contrasts with the known success of these games in financial reports. Such findings suggest that Xbox releases have indeed provided a commercial boost. The Xbox availability of Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, for example, was announced during the Tokyo Game Show and symbolizes a growing outreach to Japanese developers and audiences.

Despite its efforts, Square Enix remains in a catch-up phase with these releases, aimed at restoring momentum from past successes like Final Fantasy 15, which was launched on both PlayStation and Xbox simultaneously. Looking ahead, there is anticipation for Final Fantasy 17 to further capitalize on Square Enix's multiplatform strategy from inception, potentially setting a new precedent for future launches.

Sources: Square Enix, Xbox, Eurogamer

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