Back when Sony first announced Final Fantasy XVI it was presented in a way that made fans think it was only going to be on the PlayStation 5. Usually with bigger companies like Square Enix, these exclusives aren’t forever, but instead for a set amount of time. It turns out that Final Fantasy XVI is also a timed exclusive, though we don’t know for how long.
Final Fantasy XVI On Other Platforms?
According to an update on Sony’s website, they are now advertising Final Fantasy XVI as “not available on other consoles for a limited time.” This would indicate that although it has not been announced yet, the game will be coming to other platforms.
This really comes as no surprise as Square has always had a good relationship with Xbox. Many Final Fantasy games have been added to Xbox Game Pass recently with more on the way. It would make sense to eventually move the newest installment to other platforms and allow other players to experience it.
We have seen this time and time again, especially with new consoles. In fact, Final Fantasy VII Remake’s timed exclusivity expired this month, so it is possible we will see it elsewhere now, as well.
Square has done this before with other titles, too. Rise of the Tomb Raider was an Xbox exclusive for the first year of its life. Timed exclusives are nothing new and are an incentive to encourage players to buy the console before the exclusivity ends. In a world with the internet the way it is, I think this is a pretty effective strategy as many want to avoid spoilers.
Long History On PlayStation
Final Fantasy has a long history with Sony, starting with Final Fantasy VII on the original PlayStation. I’m not surprised to see XVI follow in the footsteps of previous titles and come to PlayStation first.
Only a handful of Final Fantasy games were multiplatform releases. Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XV had multiplatform releases, but the series has always seemed to favor PlayStation since 1997. With a history like that, PlayStation fans have grown to expect Final Fantasy releases on PlayStation consoles so Square probably isn’t losing too much on deals like this.
It just goes to show you how advertising can change the way people see news like this. “PlayStation Console Exclusive” doesn’t mean much in a world where we are seeing games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone make their way to PC. Sure it took years after their release, but ultimately once they run their course on their consoles, there is money to be had elsewhere.
With that being said, are you looking forward to Final Fantasy XVI? Will you be trying to grab a PlayStation 5 to play it or will you be patient and wait for the Xbox release? Hopefully PlayStation 5 consoles can be stocked by the time this game is released so we can experience it.
Agree with the author? Couldn’t disagree more and are frothing at the mouth to tell him? Leave a comment here, on Facebook or send an email and make sure to follow Never Ending Realm on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!