Square Enix, a prominent Japanese game publisher, has long been a notable absentee from the Xbox ecosystem. This is primarily due to the platform’s relatively small presence in Japan, where PlayStation and Nintendo reign supreme. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida shed light on this, revealing that Xbox boasts an “extremely low” user base in the region. This has historically been a significant hurdle for Square Enix when considering expanding their games to Microsoft’s console.
However, Square Enix is now showing signs of embracing a more inclusive approach. The company has stated its intention to bring more of its titles to Xbox, marking a potential shift in strategy. This raises intriguing questions about the future availability of popular franchises like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth, and even Final Fantasy XVI on the platform. It remains uncertain whether these games will ever see an Xbox release, but Square Enix’s evolving stance suggests a possibility.
This change in strategy could be fueled by factors like Microsoft’s growing global appeal and the recent price hike for the PS5 in Japan. The latter has led to a noticeable increase in Japanese gamers opting for Xbox consoles, as reported by Eurogamer. It remains to be seen how this dynamic will play out in the long run, but it’s clear that Square Enix is cautiously exploring new avenues for reaching a wider gaming audience.
