Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Xbox Plans: What We Know So Far

In recent days, the gaming community has been buzzing with conflicting reports regarding the potential Xbox ports of several high-profile Final Fantasy titles. The initial speculation stemmed from a rumor shared by Windows Central journalist Jez Corden. According to Corden, games like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Final Fantasy XVI, and the Pixel Remasters were reportedly “on the docket” for an Xbox release.

However, a new perspective has emerged from Alex Donaldson, a journalist with VG247. In a forum post on the IconEra board, Donaldson presented a counter-narrative, indicating that, as of his latest information, there is no active development for Xbox versions of the Final Fantasy VII Remake titles. Donaldson expressed confidence that such ports might eventually occur but suggested that this will not happen in the immediate future. He speculated that Square Enix would likely prioritize completing the third installment of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy before considering Xbox and possibly Nintendo Switch 2 ports.

Donaldson also touched on the broader implications of Square Enix’s recent shift in multiplatform strategy. He noted that the company’s policy changes could take time to implement across all projects. Consequently, some games in development might continue to target traditional platforms like PlayStation and PC if they were conceived before the policy shift. If this is the case, it could be financially impractical to alter their target platforms at a late stage of development. Donaldson reassured fans that if such situations arise, it does not necessarily indicate a reversal in Square Enix’s overall strategy.

In closing, Donaldson acknowledged that recent developments could have altered the situation. Nevertheless, as of his last update, there were no concrete plans for Xbox ports of Final Fantasy VII Remake or Rebirth. On a more optimistic note, he suggested that Final Fantasy XVI might see an Xbox release sooner than the other titles.

For reference, Final Fantasy XVI is scheduled for a PC launch on September 17, about fifteen months after its initial PlayStation 5 debut. If the pattern holds, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth could follow a similar timeline, with its PC release potentially occurring around May 2025.