PlayStation has always had this hold of one of my favorite franchises in Final Fantasy. However, we’ve recently learned that those days are now in the past. This doesn’t stop Sony from going after exclusives on the eastern front of gaming development. We all know that those new developers are really starting to bear fruit, and I believe Sony will be the front-runners in getting more of those games tied in.
This does mean though that for the first time we’re going to see parity in terms of Square Enix games coming to the Xbox. What does this suggest to me? Well, it hasn’t done enough on PlayStation, or at the very least, to the very high expectations of Square Enix. I am getting a sense also though, that this is just the beginning.
Nobody knows how well it will do on Xbox. That’s something that very much Microsoft is going to have to think about. If Xbox Game Pass is going to be their main focus. If all their attention is going to be on that. How does Xbox put themselves in a position where more Xbox fans will absolutely play these games?
It’s going to be interesting, because Microsoft could go all-in on Game Pass, and with the recent news we spoke about. It seemingly seems they are. However, they’re not afraid to sign up the big third-parties and they’ve shown that themselves at all the Xbox Showcases.
They’ve just got better and better with Game Pass being a big focus in the way we play as Xbox fans. Time will tell on that front, but the fact we’re seeing cheaper prices being placed on these games as well. It says to me that Square Enix wants a fan base on Xbox with Game Pass ultimately potentially becoming a factor that comes into play, I’d imagine in the long-term.
It almost seems to me that we’re seeing a shift for the Xbox platform where Game Pass will be the big thing next generation, and by extension all the stores that are in discussions to join the platform. Making ‘buying’ by that very principle more affordable and giving people the freedom to play their way whether through purchasing or subscription. To be successful as a platform.
There has to be a balance and in the context of what we’re suggesting here. There seems to be a lot of thought going into what the future means for Xbox universally. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see more of Kojima Productions and more partnerships take that leap as well.
I expect the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth follow up on Nintendo Switch 2 also someday.
Written by Craig Clark
From gaming industry headlines to all things Manchester United and entertainment, Craig covers the stories everyone's talking about — alongside his own published works.