Final Fantasy XIV Switch and Xbox One Discussions are "Positive", Says Producer

FFXIV Producer Yoshi-P has stated that ongoing discussions with Nintendo and Microsoft are "positive" about bringing Final Fantasy XIV to Switch and PS4.

[Ashlen]

They have been saying this about an xbox version since 2014. Given the poor sales of Japanese games including FFXV which only sold 15% of it's units on Xbox I don't see this as likely. A Switch version on the other hand seems like a great idea. FFXIV on a portable system would be great.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

If they can fit it on and get it running as smoothly as Skyrim, at the least, then I'd say that would be a great idea.

But if they can't do that, then I'd prefer Squeenix "switch" their focus over to making new games for the Switch, as well as getting that remake of Secret of Mana, and the Mana Collection, localized on Switch.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. I felt FFXIV on Switch would make a lot of sense given that it exist on PS3 and Square is ok with having their own online UI (the very thing that MS was basically mad about)

[JunMei]

PS3 support ended with the launch of Stormblood the latest expansion. That said, I don't think it'd be that difficult to run on Switch. It's got plenty of ram for what the system does.

[Eidolon]

Westerners love the MMORPGs, though. 15% doesn't seem too low. Didn't it release on PS4/PC and PS3 as well? Xbox One user base is smaller and way less units in Japan, but it's larger now and FFXIV is an established MMORPG.

[Summons75]

FF14...on Switch? YES PLEASE!!!!!!

I mean I own it on PS4 and I love it but taking it on the go (provided I have an internet connection obviously) my healing skills will know no bounds!

[Kaiou]

God please no Switch port .unlike WOW, FFXIV graphics bearly improved since release because of the lowest common denominator the PS3 , they finally got rid of it and we now have large cities without loading screens, we don't need any new limiters .

[datriax]

You already dumped the outdated PS3 that was holding back enhancements to the game. Now you want to bring it to Switch and be right back in the same boat? Why............?

[GameBoyColor]

Let's not forget ps3 only had 256mb of ram and the architecture was difficult to work with. Not only is the switch much more powerful and has way more ram, it is also easier to develop for.

[_-EDMIX-_]

This.

I get the PS3 isn't as strong as the PS4, but Switch is stronger then the PS3. So I'd say Square's team is on to something and maybe they see something that could really work on Switch. I think it easily can work in terms of function, but I don't know how well it will perform. I mean.....its an MMO, doesn't look kiddie at all, I just don't know how such a thing will really sell on a Nintendo system, but if they see a opening, I'll wait and see.

Trust me, they would like to not lose money more then I'd like to not see them lose money lol

[bluefox755]

That's a good point, hadn't considered that.

[DarkKaine]

1) Switch came out not too long ago while PS4 was already out when this game originally launched. The fact that you hardly see the Switch on store shelves shows there is a lot of potential for this system.
2) The Switch is extremely easy to develop for, as stated by a lot of developers and shown by the release of games like Skyrim, Doom, etc. From what I've seen, it seems to take developers about a week if not days to have something up and running.
3) The game is built with x64-x68 systems in mind. Porting it to a device that rocks ARM is actually not that difficult.

Porting it to the complicated Cell processor is simply not a viable option when the next system is already on the shelves. You'd have to rewrite a lot of code to specifically take advantage of all the SPU's and even then it might have not been worth it.

Also the Switch and PS3 cannot be compared, neither of them are more powerful than eachother. PS3 holds the advantage with the powerhouse CPU (hell, it even beats the PS4's CPU in some cases), while Switch has the advantage of having a modern and fully supported architecture that is easier to work with and supports more features. If your game is heavy on physics calculations and uses a lot of threads I think it's safe to say PS3 wins hands down, when the CPU isn't stressed that much Switch wins. In short; it depends on the game.

[djplonker]

As much as I would love this on switch I would be cautious since they only recently dropped support for the ps3 version and a handheld switch is only a little more powerful than a ps3 so It could be holding the game back for pc / ps4 assuming it is crossplay.

Would be impressive if they got some of the areas in stormblood to run on the switch though.

[Ashlen]

Well, I believe the PS3 was dropped due to memory limitations. It only had 1 GB where as the Switch has 4.

[Asuka]

Not even 1GB for ps3. It was 256MB of system, and 256MB for applications (games, media apps, etc.) Where as switch has 1GB dedicated to system and 3GB for games... its not even comparable so idk why people are complaining. Switch far more competent than the ps3

[bluefox755]

Sure, but it's still a far cry from PS4, and would be a new lowest common denominator. People who play the game don't want it limited any more than it already is.

[_-EDMIX-_]

"" about bringing Final Fantasy XIV to Switch and PS4."

ok...I think they need to edit this.

Its already on PS4.

[OnionThief]

As someone who used to own an Xbox One, and currently owns a Nintendo Switch, and had played FFXIV from 1.0 through to Stormblood i'm saying no thank you.

1.0 to ARR was a massive downgrade. They had fixed many of the games faults, but also downgraded it graphically and mechanically in order to accommodate console support. Any time something that was requested was asked, the response was too often "PS3 limitations" to the point where it became a popular meme both in game and on FFXIV game forums. Heavensward dropping support of the PS3 was obvious, we enjoyed larger zones and a lot of quality of life changes.
But to port the game to a weak system once again? I love my Switch but I don't want it to become the reason FFXIV needs to be gimped again, I won't want to see people asking for a feature and see the words "Switch limitations".

If Yoshi P could promise the community that porting it to the Xbox One won't cause any limitations then sure, go for it. But I can't see it going onto the Switch without going back to those awful PS3 limitation days again.

[Chocoburger]

Exactly what I've been saying since the beginning. Switch is going to cause limitations for a long-term game like an MMO. Just build exclusive games for the Switch. S-E already has an MMO coming in DQX port, right? Don't gimp 14 for the sake of a quick buck.

[dilbig5]

It’s Microsoft’s fault that it’s not on there already isn’t it?

[Liqu1d]

Yes.

[MunchMiller00]

Right. Let's take a game that we want to have a long future, and throw it on hardware that was outdated before it even hit store shelves. SE, your stupidity is showing...................... again.

[F0XHOUND]

While I would welcome more players to the game, I cant help but feel worried about the switch being added as a platform. I'm a huge Nintendo fan btw, but going by the fact its the weaker of all the major platforms right now, technically that is, it worries me in a game that has had to drop PS3 support in order to make room for the technical limitations it created. I feel like this game will have at least another 10 years of life in it, the PS4 Pro and better yet Xbox X will enable this to still be relevant on old consoles in the reality that new consoles will come in the next 18-24 months in which the devs here should be focusing on ports. The Xbox X itself already is likely suitable for another 10 years of this game to run absolutely fine on. The switch will only limit this game as time goes on imo, we saw it with the PS3 and while it might work now for another expansion or 2 in the game, eventually it will be resources wasted as the game is literally required to evolve to stay competitive as the number 1 mmorpg. I'd love to see a final fantasy on the switch though, I think even FF XV is better suited than XIV tbh.

[JunMei]

Oh man.... what I'd do for a portable version of FFXIV.