A buzz is circulating online about the possibility of Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), the renowned MMORPG, making its way to mobile devices. According to a gaming industry leak from Kurakasis, Tencent Games and Square Enix are collaborating to bring this epic journey to your smartphone.
They’ve Got History
This wouldn't be Square Enix's first venture into the mobile realm with the Final Fantasy franchise, though past attempts have yielded mixed results. Take Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis, for example—it was decent but didn't knock everyone's socks off. And then there was Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia, which closed its doors last year. Thus, porting a complex MMORPG like FFXIV to mobile is a bold move.
It's important to stress that this information remains unverified. Square Enix has yet to make any formal announcements. However, there have been hints in the past suggesting a partnership between Square Enix and Tencent. In 2018, the two companies discussed potential collaborations, and in 2021, then-President of Square Enix, Yosuke Matsuda, mentioned ongoing projects with Tencent. So, while the rumor might seem out of left field, there's some historical context to it.
Kurakasis’ leak does not provide a timeline, leaving us to speculate whether this project is still in its early stages or if it's even guaranteed to happen. An official announcement might be some time away.
The big question is: Can Square Enix successfully translate the intricate mechanics of FFXIV to a mobile platform without diluting the depth that fans love? It will be fascinating to see how they approach this challenge. A clunky, watered-down version could leave fans feeling let down.
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