After the announcement confirming the PC, PS4 and PS3 release for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn many gamers were left with a single question, will Final Fantasy XIV release on Xbox One? There’s a very short and simple answer to that valid question, no. First reactions led to many players speculating about an exclusive console deal with Sony, however Square Enix soon squashed those rumors as it was reported that Microsoft would not allow any form of cross-platform play; a vital ingredient in the upcoming MMO.
Game Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida had this to say:
“The main reason from our side is that I don’t want the community to be divided; to be split into two or more. For example, one player might be on the PC version, another might be on the PS4 version, and I’m playing the Xbox version ? but we’re not able to join the same game servers. That is just … I just don’t like the idea. I disagree with it.”
He continued to say:
“I really want the community to stick together and not be split into two or be divided because of that reason. That’s one of the reasons that means that unless the policy chances, Xbox just doesn’t make sense to us.”
It’s okay Mr. Yoshida, the Xbox One doesn’t make sense to a lot of us. With the phase 3 extended beta test underway there’s plenty of opportunity to sample the world of Final Fantasy XIV before subscriptions are implemented, that is of course assuming you can get a beta key.