“I admit it, I like Xbox,” said Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy VII Remake, dismissing any notion of animosity towards Microsoft. For Hamaguchi, there’s no issue with Xbox, and he hopes that all his RPGs can one day be enjoyed across all platforms.
Square Enix’s recent shift towards a multiplatform strategy has sparked significant conversation in the gaming industry. This new approach, coupled with the strengthening relationship between the company’s leadership and Xbox’s Phil Spencer, suggests that more of Square Enix’s titles may come to the American console in the future. Yet, one franchise remains the focal point of attention: Final Fantasy.
Currently, the remakes of Final Fantasy VII and the recent Final Fantasy XVI are absent from Xbox, though not due to any antipathy towards the platform.
In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Naoki Hamaguchi expressed his desire for the Final Fantasy VII remakes to be accessible to as many players as possible. His statement reinforces Square Enix’s interest in adopting a broader, cross-platform release strategy. Recent successes, such as the launch of Final Fantasy XIV and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Xbox, underline the company’s commitment to expanding its presence across different gaming ecosystems.
“I think the industry is shifting towards a much more diversified environment in terms of platforms,” Hamaguchi remarked, emphasizing that this strategy is not exclusive to Final Fantasy. He further highlighted that offering more access points for players is crucial to Square Enix’s goals. “I own an Xbox myself. I think it’s a great platform. I admit, I like Xbox,” he said, showing his personal admiration for Microsoft’s console.
Xbox Expands Its Japanese Game Portfolio
Xbox has been increasingly successful in attracting franchises that previously avoided its ecosystem, such as Yakuza, Persona, and Genshin Impact. However, significant gaps remain, such as the aforementioned Final Fantasy XVI and highly anticipated 2024 releases like Black Myth Wukong.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft’s strategy appears to be working. Recent successes include titles like STALKER 2 and the addition of Death Stranding to Xbox’s library, breaking previous PlayStation exclusivity.
As the gaming market becomes more competitive, cross-platform accessibility has shifted from a developer’s option to an expectation from players. If Square Enix fulfills its promise to bring the Final Fantasy VII Remake to Xbox, it could mark a turning point in the relationship between this iconic franchise and Microsoft, signaling a more inclusive gaming future where platform boundaries matter less.
Source: 3djuegos
