Anticipation and a Slight Hiccup for Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox
In a surprising turn of events, Xbox fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions with the announcement and subsequent retraction of the Final Fantasy 14 open beta for Xbox Series X|S. A post from Xbox Wire initially announced the beta’s launch, only to be quickly corrected, leaving fans in a state of confusion and anticipation.
A Look Back at Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festivals
The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival 2023 was a landmark event, particularly with the announcement of the Xbox Series X|S version and the upcoming Dawntrail expansion. These announcements marked a significant step in the game’s evolution, offering cross-play capabilities and uniting Xbox players with the existing PlayStation and PC gaming community. The planned release of the new Xbox version in spring 2024 and the announcement of an open beta were highlights of last year’s event.
The Promise of an Open Beta
During the Fan Festival 2024 in Tokyo, game producer Naoki Yoshida shared plans to launch the open beta in February, setting the stage for Xbox gamers to finally experience the world of Final Fantasy 14. However, a post by Xbox Wire about the beta’s supposed launch was swiftly taken down, as reported by IGN. The retraction and subsequent apology from the Xbox Wire team put a pause on the excitement, promising a follow-up with the correct release date.
We incorrectly posted news this morning regarding the Final Fantasy XIV Online Open Beta. We’ll follow-up with the correct date when available.
We apologize for any confusion -Xbox Wire Team
— Xbox Wire (@XboxWire) January 16, 2024
Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox: A Technical Glimpse
Before its removal, the Xbox Wire post shared that Final Fantasy 14 would support up to 4K on Xbox Series X, although details about the Xbox Series S’s performance were not disclosed. This mirrors the PS5 beta from 2021, where progress from the open beta carried over to the full release.
The Community’s Reaction and Anticipation
Despite the initial disappointment due to the error, the gaming community remains enthusiastic about the upcoming Xbox Series X|S version. The open beta, once released, will allow Square Enix to address any issues and offer Xbox players their first experience of the MMORPG on their preferred platform.
Looking Forward: The Dawntrail Expansion
Square Enix’s roadmap includes the release of the Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail expansion in summer 2024. This expansion promises to usher in a new saga, with players exploring Tural, a mysterious region known as “The New World” in the game’s lore.
In summary, while the mix-up over the open beta’s release date caused a stir among fans, the anticipation for Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox remains high. The game’s expansion into new platforms and content continues to excite its ever-growing community, as they eagerly await the adventures that lie ahead in the world of Eorzea.
