The PC release date for Final Fantasy 16 looms ever closer. This is a momentous occasion for those who play on PC after the game was exclusively on PlayStation 5 for a year. Now, those on PC can see the glorious combat against the Eikons on PC come September, with both DLCs being available to purchase from the outset.
In an interview with GamesRadar+, the Director behind Final Fantasy 16, Hiroshi Takai, discussed the decision to launch Final Fantasy 16 later on PC than straight out of the gate alongside the PlayStation 5 version.
Takai was asked whether fans of the long-term franchise will be able to see future Final Fantasy releases on PC on day one. He responded, “I think that’s possible—probably even likely,” adding, “That said, the team in charge of each project gets to decide its own policy, so this is just my personal opinion.”
It’s somewhat surprising to hear that the development team can choose to do a console-exclusive release and that the seniors don’t choose to override their opinions. However, they likely have conversations at length where the seniors have some kind of influence throughout the conversations.
Despite Hiroshi Takai stating that those opinions are his own, they align with Square Enix’s views, especially when looking at the information in their financial briefings. For example, in the financial briefing from the last fiscal year, Square Enix spoke of changing their modus operandi to a “shift from quantity to quality” as they “aggressively pursue a multiplatform strategy.”
With the most recent releases, such as Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 REBIRTH, both being PlayStation 5 exclusives, it begs the question of whether future Final Fantasy 7 segments will be PlayStation 5 exclusives or whether the audience can expect to see them on PC as well. The latest game in the Final Fantasy 7 remake is yet to come to PC, and there is currently no information on whether the game will be coming to PC. However, since the others have since come to PC, it’s a fair assumption that it will be in due time.
However, in previous history, ports of Square Enix’s games to PC have been a bit bumpy. While Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade was a huge success, that’s not to say it was without issues. If the port of Final Fantasy 16 goes well, then it may seal the deal for Square Enix in terms of releasing future games on PC alongside PlayStation 5.
