The director of Final Fantasy XIV, Naoki Yoshida, wants to bring his MMORPG to the Microsoft console and regularly talks with Xbox chief Phil Spencer. He also shares a few words about a possible PS5 version.
What does Yoshida say? In an interview with the Japanese colleagues from Game Watch, director Yoshida commented on the release of FFXIV on an Xbox console.
Yoshida has always emphasized that he wants to release his MMORPG on many platforms, so it can be played by as many people as possible. He remains true to this motto:
We continue to stay in contact. Over the past 3.5 years, I have spoken a lot with Phil-san. He visits Square Enix about every 6 months, and we also exchange emails.
When we first talked about [FFXIV on the Xbox], the crossplay rules of Xbox were still very restrictive. The “encapsulation of players” was still the default setting.
Director Yoshida to Game Watch
Both executives have the same view regarding consoles, namely that they are just a means to an end. The most important things for both were the growth and the wishes of the gaming community, according to Yoshida. This commonality led to further discussions, with Phil Spencer being very accommodating:
Phil-san has changed various regulations to make FFXIV possible on the Xbox, to help us and ease our work. […] Currently, FFXIV uses Direct X 11 as its base, so if we continue to develop for PC, we will eventually need to implement Direct X 12 support. He [Phil Spencer] told me that they will also help and support us with that.
Director Yoshida
During X019, Phil Spencer explicitly stated that he and Yoshida are working together to bring FFXIV to Xbox. The MMORPG chief reaffirmed this statement and said that Microsoft welcomes their game on their console.
So it sounds like an Xbox version of FFXIV is now just a matter of time and resources, as the fundamental issues have been resolved.
“Of course, we want FFXIV on PS5”
While there is still no official announcement for the PlayStation 5 version of FFXIV, director Yoshida has also commented on Sony’s next-gen console. Even though Yoshida very much desires a PS5 version, the team currently has other priorities.
On one hand, the developers still have to struggle with the limitations of the Corona pandemic. On the other hand, negotiations with Sony are currently proving to be difficult, as personal meetings are preferred in such negotiations in Japanese culture.
In an interview with the Japanese magazine Famitsu, Yoshida explained that FFXIV is no longer graphically up to date. The transition from PS3 to PS4 was quick, and he hopes that it will be the same with PS5.
For example: We often hear about the “Ray Tracing” in the PS5. It revolves around the reflection of light. However, FFXIV is a pure fantasy game with few reflective materials, so not much will change there, even if we add it [Ray Tracing].
Director Yoshida
When the time is right, players will learn more about a possible PS5 version, according to Yoshida.
In the near future, however, the development team is preparing for the launch of the major content patch 5.3. It is the perfect time to look at FFXIV, as the base game and the Heavensward expansion will become free.
