Why Final Fantasy 16 Is A PlayStation 5 Exclusive

Game Informer writes: "During my cover story trip to Square Enix’s Tokyo, Japan, offices, I asked producer Naoki Yoshida how developer Creative Business Unit III feels about the game’s PS5 exclusivity and what that does for the studio in terms of development. He says it’s important to distinguish that CBUIII doesn’t go into game development thinking it wants to limit a game to just one platform or company."

[coolastheycome]

Definitely gonna hurt its sales being exclusive.

[DarkZane]

It would have costed them more money to port it on Series X and S than they would have made from the sales. Even more true with Gamepass since Xbox gamers don't buy games anymore. Plus Series S would have gimped the game.

[MagUk]

@DarkZane and all his up voters 🤦🏻‍♂️

[BehindTheRows]

By skipping Switch, perhaps.

[Vizigoth04]

That and reducing the resolution of the characters to stick figures.

[Tacoboto]

Or exclusivity on the top-selling platform heightens awareness to the title and it sells better due to more focused marketing / potential reputation being supremely polished on its target platform

[andy85]

It'd hurt the game more having to be adapted for Series S. What would it have sold...500k? If that. Wasn't Crisis core only about 5% sales on Xbox. It's more effort to make a whole new version for that low number

[Chevalier]

Exactly. It's not worth making 2 more versions for Xbox when you're bound to lose more money than with the extra development time. It's some crazy delusion that Xbox fans seem to think it's so easy to just release Xbox versions of games and it doesn't involve work to do it. Case in point Balders Gate 3 by Larian. Makes me wonder if co-op was scrapped for Halo Infinite for the same reason.

[Pyrofire95]

To a degree but the FF audience has been Playstation sided ever since FF7 in 1997 people who are fans of the series probably got a PS; at the very least fewer Xbox owners are fans.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I used to always buy the new Playstation for every new FF game, that's why I got the PS2 and PS3, can't remember what I got the PS4 for since FF15 didn't come out early in it's lifespan (I think it might have been Neptunia V2). Final Fantasy isn't a system seller anymore for me though, so I tend to look at what other exclusives are on offer now.

[shinoff2183]

Ff15 I think sold 15 million maybe 13 million xbox accounted for 2 of those mill. I'm sure whatever Sony gave them equaled those sales if not more.

[andy85]

That was also before Gamepass though, now Xbox players buy games far less because of it

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Not likely, and I bet it'll come to PC at some point, maybe a year or two later like alot of the other FF games have. Xbox owners don't buy many games and they generally don't buy JRPGs, Square-Enix like any other company has probably already done a cost benefit analysis and found it wasn't going to make the return they wanted/needed. And there's no-way in hell the Switch could ever run this game, not a big surprise it's PS exclusive when you think logically about it.

[ChasterMies]

Where else would Square Enix release FFXVI? Nintendo Switch? This ain’t Pokémon graphics. The Series S? Probably would run like dog shit. The Series X? Too little marketshare in the jrpg market. I give Microsoft credit for courting the shooter crowd and western RPG crowed, but they left behind a lot of genres that PlayStation and Nintendo own now.

[XBManiac]

Being on Game Pass is what hurts sales... and income. Companies have learned about this and only some indies will be there if Microsoft money abandons Game Pass massive sponsoring plan.

[neutralgamer1992]

Cool

Wait for activision deal to go through and all square Enix and capcom games will be on PlayStation only. Those celebrating and defending Microsoft and their intention to buy publishers better keep up the same narrative and energy

The gaming land scape is about to change and 100% not for better. Less options aren’t good for gamers

[z2g]

the answer is easy. Sony paid.

[crazyCoconuts]

On to the next great mystery

[InUrFoxHole]

Lol

[potatoseal]

I don't think money would have been the deciding factor. Maybe Sony helping them with development of the game and optimization. I also remember one of the FF guys saying the game wouldn't be releasing so early without the help of Sony.

"From our point of view, the technical support we receive from the hardware manufacturer is a big factor in signing [exclusivity],”

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

[Tacoboto]

I replied in the chain above but wanted to do so here to highlight just how important this is.

This game needs to be performant and solid. Let's look at Starfield - the conversation isn't on the gameplay or tone or setting, it's on how much of a technical mess we think it could be. For FF16 and the first mainline attempt at action combat, the game needs to feel as polished/smooth/solid as possible.

In 2020 the Series devkits had very public performance issues. Microsoft's first party went nonexistent in 2022. Redfall was neglected by its own first party because all effort is on Starfield in 2023.

Square has every reason to be cautious around Xbox as a platform. That's not even touching on potential language barriers that could make any tech assistance difficult to even start. Money and time down the drain

[Pyrofire95]

The answer is somewhat more complex. It's not a long article. And it's such a clear and obvious answer that I don't think a reasonable person could say it's just about the money.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Developer support definitely can't be understated. Sony had their devs involved all through the process to ensure that they could meet their goals and optimize as best as they could. Microsoft probably did not have any devs helping Arkane and so we all know how that story ended. But on the other hand, Microsoft devs also did Halo infinite, so Microsoft devs may just not have the same level of talent as Sony's devs.

Maybe they should spend more money hiring and recruiting new talent and less money buying existing companies.

[P_Bomb]

Square weighs multiple offers. Sony won the FF roulette. Someone else won Redfall. That’s life 🤷🏻

[rlow1]

Do really believe that any other platform had a chance? If you do, then where is the FF remake? After Square left Nintendo it’s been pretty much all PlayStation.

Hell, Xbox would have had better odds if it had been roulette.

[P_Bomb]

Hmm. Well, we know XB has the money. But there were also those rumblings of a soured relationship with Square. Phil seems pro-Japan tho. He seems the type that would’ve liked to have FF. For whatever reason(s) it didn’t work out. The future is wide open tho.

[Pyrofire95]

FF has SUCH a history with PS it would have taken a LOT for anyone else to partner. SE probably had some intentions from the start and are smart enough to get some cash and resources out of SONY up front.

[shadowT]

maybe Xbox Series S was the problem

[Pyrofire95]

I wouldn't place it high up in the list of reasons but I could seeing it being a factor.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I suspect Gamepass deals or sales numbers personally, they did say support was a big deciding factor and I suspect Xbox gives little to none to developers.

[XBManiac]

Good point.

[babadivad]

Money...

[Flawlessmic]

Ms money hats aswell, people getting upset about Sony doing it is fake outrage.

There not upset about money hatting if they were they would be angry when Ms does it.

There just upset that Sony does is better and bags all big AAA exclusives where as Ms just bags games smaller titles

[babadivad]

Who's upset?

[Flawlessmic]

Wasn't saying you, just people on here in general will always say Sony money hats while ignoring there own platform does just not half as well and that's what they are really upset about.

[ocelot07]

Sounds like they went around to a few companies and sony gave them the best offer.

This is why I think Nintendo needs a more powerful console. I personally think if the Switch 2 was available right now and had the power of say a series s or a little bit weaker. Then I don't think Sony could cut a deal to make it exclusive. As I think Square would be confident enough to release on both Ps5 and switch 2 as they know it would sell well on switch.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I also can't see how it would be possible to port this to the Switch, I like the Switch as a console, but Nintendo really need a Switch Pro several years ago, hopefully the Switch 2 keeps the same hybrid idea, but makes it noticeably more powerful.

[ocelot07]

Agreed and there is no reason for Nintendo not to. Look at the Steam Deck and how affordable that is and the performance it offers is amazing.

[darkrider]

Not being made with cross Gen console in mind. Thats a huge plus.

[InUrFoxHole]

Amen

[SullysCigar]

Yeah, the series S would likely have been a factor in this decision. There's no way you're getting what we've seen of FFXVI running properly on that machine. You'd end up with SD and 20-odd FPS.

[isarai]

Seriously, I know these consoles can do so much more than we've seen. We just havent seen it besides like R&C and the UE5 demo because everything is either a remake or a cross gen game. Now seems like "next gen" is finally picking up

[hiroyukisanada]

Y'all gotta stop responding to Pete and ESPECIALLY Obscure lol They just stay trolling to get a response outta you guys/gals lol

[Grilla]

I don’t even read Obscure’s comments anymore. I just check disagree and move along.

[OneLove]

This is kind of dumb cuz if you flip it.....there is no way there would ever be an exclusive FF for Xbox. Think what you will but that alone says a lot.

[BriBri]

To me, it says that Square and Sony have a tried and tested relationship that allows Square to develop and release games it is happy with, both technically and commercially.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

PS fanboys: Because FF games don’t sell on Xbox

Xbox fanboys: because Sony paid them off.

Somewhere in between these two is the truth…You decide.

[isarai]

It's both, they clearly state they are getting technical and development support from Sony, that's $, and it's public knowledge JRPGs sell like trash on Xbox platforms comparatively. So why would you not take that offer to give up a likely single digit percentage of sales to greatly increase the production quality of the game?

[gold_drake]

doesnt suprise me, they have a long standing history together. thats what happens when you build relationships with others.

you know, the very thing a certain playform lacks.

[BriBri]

This

[CobraKai]

Working specifically on only one platform, I have higher expectations now, in terms of performance and fidelity. There’s no excuses. Can’t blame PS4 or Series S if the if the game isn’t up to par.

[InUrFoxHole]

So sony money hatted the game. While my stance is every game should be on every platform I don't blame them for making a business decision

[BriBri]

If every game is on every platform shouldn't they're be only one platform?

[InUrFoxHole]

No. Because each eco system is different

[antikbaka]

because money

[StarkR3ality]

Yeah Sony paid them sure, but it sounds like Square and Xbox don't have a great relationship from reports. And when you consider that games like this only sell between 10 -20% on Xbox, they probably didn't see the work worth it in my opinion.

[YourMommySpoils]

Cause that damn other box isn't good enough for gaming.

[Hoywhiskey]

Well that's that, deal will be done with Activision/Microsoft now. Playstation shooting themselves in the foot with this news. This is bad all round for gamers no matter what hardware is in your home.

[GamingSinceForever]

PlayStation never was holding up the deal. Apparently the CMA thinks cloud gaming is a much bigger issue.

[Hoywhiskey]

CMA will not stop this deal now I'm afraid. But you are missing my point from my last post. Microsoft has more leverage with this news if Sony puts up poor me front again. It won't hold.

[GamingSinceForever]

I understood your point clearly. You missed my counter.

PlayStation was never a threat regardless of their “cries” over losing market share.

[Hoywhiskey]

The only thing you done was look at my first post with rose tinted glasses. I said this is bad for gamers Activision/Microsoft and Sony/Exclusives deals. But I'm not surprised has this site is Awash with fanatics and mostly PlayStation ones.

[GamingSinceForever]

You said “ Well that's that, deal will be done with Activision/Microsoft now. Playstation shooting themselves in the foot with this news.”

I simply said that there is nothing PlayStation could do to change the opinion of the authorities approving the deal.

Not sure what part of that you aren’t
comprehending. I never gave my opinion on the deal nor did I have anything to say about your opinion on the deal.

[Hoywhiskey]

Stop putting words in my mouth. I never said you had a opinion on the deal. My second post now you have looked at it with rose tinted glasses.

[BehindTheRows]

Yes, the CMA WILL stop the deal if they don’t approve it post appeal.

Irrelevant to this situation regardless.

[drizzom]

They desperately need a system seller and are fully intent on bundling the game with their PS5s that nobody wants to try and get the lions share of buyers before the game is ultimately released on PC where the majority of players want to play it.

[BehindTheRows]

They desperately need a system seller? As in Sony? If so, you clearly you haven’t been watching the numbers.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

There're not desperate, Sony has sold a sh*t-ton of PS5s, and I don't think they have that many system seller this gen so far. As much as I love PC, there's alot of people who aren't going to bother with a PC, plus PC parts are terribly priced at the moment, looking from that angle, a PS5 is great value.

Personally I'd rather get it on PC and don't mind waiting, I'm not sure if I'll even buy this game yet.

[phoenixwing]

Do we really need an explanation at this point? Microsoft wasn't willing to sweeten the deal enough to get multiplatform release let alone exclusivity. And let's be real here it would be stupid for them to pony up the cash. Their install base doesn't buy a lot of jrpgs. Secondly alot of their fanbase want it on gamepass now. Give it some time a year or two and they'll have it for gamepass at the end of the generation anyway. And even if they don't everyone bought their Xbox knowing it was a playstation exclusive and went ahead and bought one anyway

[Tzuno]

Sony has established a strong position in gaming department
Games that are labeled as exclusive, is a indication of their quality and it represents them
They recognize good quality when they see one and no wonder this is a exclusive for a while on their platform

[savedsynner]

There are two logical reasons a 3rd party dev would go exclusive: to maximize one platforms technology or because they feel they could make more money(i.e. the console maker paid them)...given the closeness in graphics capability between the PS5 and XBSX, that only leaves one option :)

[andron]

People need to make up their mind. They complain about half-finished games being released, often on a multitude of platforms at the same time, ported by different devs.

Games like FF16 shows the way, a highly polished game developed on one system. That's the best way to get consistency...

[PhillyDonJawn]

A lot of hypocrites in here. ActivisonBlizzard, approached MS ijs.

[BehindTheRows]

https://www.ign.com/article...

https://www.theverge.com/22...

Is that so?

Besides, when Sony buys a publisher and then turns once multiplatform IPs into permanent exclusives, we can begin to have this discussion. Hypocrisy requires an equal and this ain’t it.

[PhillyDonJawn]

https://www.venturebeat.com...
Oh it's equal, keep that same energy my boy

[BehindTheRows]

I'm not your boy, for starters. Second, you made a claim and those sources provided refute it. You can try to lean on your sole link, but it does nothing to disprove my multiple. This is capped off by your obvious and total ignorance of the follow-up.

Move along.

[PhillyDonJawn]

Google is your best friend plenty of links

[XBManiac]

Perhaps, Microsoft should stop forcing developers and publishers to support Xbox Series S. If they would allow games to be released on Xbox One X, without the need for Xbox Series S to be supported as well, developers of demanding titles would find it easier to develop for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The PC would be the next option, with a view to lower versions that would work on Xbox Series S... But forcing it to come out at the same time on Xbox X Series and Xbox Series S is a stumbling block.

[COS]

I am sure they were financially compensated by Sony, they will do just fine.