By Sagar V. Mankar Square Enix and Tencent are reportedly joining forces to bring the beloved Final Fantasy XIV to mobile platforms. This news surfaced following the recent approval of an overseas license (Waizi) in China. Last week, China’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) granted licenses for 15 foreign games to be released in the country.
The NPPA follows a lengthy procedure before approving foreign games for release in China. Hence, many publishers submit their applications early to align the Chinese release with the global launch. This latest approval included some games that had been pending for a long time, while others received swift approval.
Among the 15 approved games are notable titles like NetEase’s Marvel Snap and Marvel Rivals, Nintendo’s Mario Golf: Super Rush, and Paper Mario: The Origami King, as well as Ubisoft’s mobile and PC versions of Rainbow Six. However, the most interesting entry for many fans is undoubtedly Final Fantasy XIV by Square Enix.
Daniel Ahmad from Niko Partners provides some insight, stating that this new game is expected to be a standalone MMORPG separate from the existing PC game. However, there has been no official confirmation from Square Enix or Tencent regarding this. The mobile adaptation is expected to capture the essence of the original game while being optimized for portable devices, providing a unique and accessible experience for gamers on the go.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Final Fantasy XIV is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that first launched in 2013. It serves as a replacement for the original 2010 version, which faced significant challenges upon release. Over the past decade, FFXIV has grown into a beloved title, captivating players with its rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay.
The game has seen numerous expansions and updates, keeping its content fresh and exciting for both new and veteran players. Its availability on multiple platforms, including PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, has contributed to its widespread popularity. However, the game has never been released on mobile until now.
In 2018, Square Enix formed a “strategic alliance” with Tencent to bring several of its games to mobile platforms, including NieR and now Final Fantasy XIV. Earlier this year, Tencent reportedly canceled the NieR mobile game. However, getting a Chinese license for Final Fantasy XIV shows a strong commitment to launching this game.
Moreover, the latest wave of approvals in China marks a significant milestone for publishers like Tencent. So far, 2024 has seen 76 overseas games receive licenses, matching the total number for all of 2021 and surpassing the 44 approvals of 2022. Last year, 2023, was notable for having 98 overseas games approved, marking a resurgence in international game entries into the Chinese market. It will be interesting to see if 2024 can exceed last year’s figure.
For more information, visit Niko Partners. And remember to subscribe to Gaming Foodle for more news!