Square Enix has made a significant shift towards multi-platform game development, opening the doors to greater accessibility for its most iconic titles. After several years of exclusives for specific consoles, the company has decided to release its games on various platforms, including PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S. This evolution began with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, which is already available on both Switch 2 and Microsoft consoles.
They believe that accessibility should be a priority
The director of Rebirth, Naoki Hamaguchi, has confirmed that both this title and its sequel, Part 3, are scheduled to be released simultaneously on multiple platforms, which could happen between 2027 and 2028. This strategy reinforces Square Enix’s commitment to eliminating exclusivity agreements, a decision that has been supported by legendary figures within the company, such as Yoshinori Kitase, the historic producer of Final Fantasy, and Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest. Both have expressed their vision that video games should be accessible to a wide audience, without barriers to entry.
Kitase emphasized that improvements in hardware specifications have allowed developers to maintain high standards of quality across different systems. As technology advances, it is possible to offer top-notch gaming experiences regardless of the platform chosen by the player.
Additionally, the support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and the Xbox Play Anywhere functionality have added an extra level of flexibility, allowing players to transfer their progress between devices, even on handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally. This strategy not only broadens access to games but also seems to position Square Enix on a more competitive path within the renewed interest in JRPGs.
