Square Enix shoots down Final Fantasy XI II reports

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Jul 18, 2006 1:33 am GMT

[UPDATE] Nikkei news agency reports that sequel is coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows Vista; Square Enix denies announcement, reconfirms "all-new" next-gen MMORPG.

Though it was the centerpiece of Microsoft's Electronic Entertainment Expo 2005 press briefing, the Xbox 360 edition of Final Fantasy XI hasn't really taken off. As of the end of May 2006, the next-gen console edition of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game has sold just 72,194 copies in the US, according to the NPD group.

FFXI's lackluster showing on the 360 is in large part due to the game having been available on the PC and PlayStation 2 since 2003 and 2004, respectively. Now, though, it appears that an all-new FFXI is in the works for Microsoft's next-gen console--as well as its prime competitor.

According to a Monday report on Nikkei.net, "Square Enix will develop a sequel to Final Fantasy XI...for three platforms: Sony Computer Entertainment's next-generation PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360, and the Windows Vista PC operating system." Since Windows Vista won't be available until 2007, the PC edition of the game would likely not launch until next year--at the earliest.

The Nikkei report was short on details, containing neither a release date nor an official title for the FFXI sequel. Attempts to contact American Square Enix reps for clarification and confirmation had gone unanswered as of press time.

[UPDATE] However, this morning in Tokyo, Square Enix issued a terse statement saying that it had never announced a next-gen sequel to FFXI. "The company did not make such an announcement and has not made any decisions resembling those detailed in the media report," it said.

Square Enix did assert in broken English that "it is currently developing an online [game for] next-generation platforms including game consoles and PCs." However, the company said of the game in question that "this title is being developed [as a] completely new MMORPG." The title in question appears to be the PlayStation 3 and PC Vista game producer Hiromichi Tanaka revealed in an April interview.

That said, the news wasn't all bad for FFXI fans. Square Enix did announce that it "continuously plans to release expansion packs for Final Fantasy [XI] available on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Windows, as well as perform version updates."

217 Comments

  • KingT614

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 6:39 pm GMT

    I personally think not makin another ff online is a good idea, cuz to me ff online isnt garbage, but theirs alot more they could work cuz i think WoW is killin ff online, they need to just completely redo ff online new look, interface, attacks and everything to just blow everyones mind, cuz i wanna see ff online surpass WoW, just cuz ive been with square ever since final fantasy 1 and want to be an avid supporter

  • Lancing

    Posted Dec 28, 2008 5:49 am GMT

    some "tech demo" screen shots of this new project are available if you search for square enix's project, "rapture" on google

  • Tiger_Raid

    Posted Nov 5, 2008 2:33 pm GMT

    screw Final Fantasy XI man! they need to ditch it and make II. release it on the Xbox 360 cuz they need a new MMORPG badly!

  • runtheplacered

    Posted Dec 7, 2007 11:17 am GMT

    @ taintedsun
    '"I find it funny that Square/Enix tries to do what it doesn't do well, and forgets about how they came to be what they are today."

    Right.. because nobody should ever evolve.. everything should just remain static, forever.

  • DevilsOverlord

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 2:37 pm GMT

    Personally I think FF12 would make a great setting for an MMORPG, the game mechanics are practically set out for an MMORPG at any rate, and that world/lore seems good enough to have the maps expanded and such.

    If they made an mmo based on 12 I would be a very happy man. Oh and whoever said WoW was D&D based - Seriously? It's nothing of the sort, it just happens to be a fantasy game. Go play D&D then come back to me. The pen and paper D&D is far superior to WoW lol, pity the mmo wasn't so great =(

  • Rocketstmac001

    Posted Aug 11, 2007 5:58 am GMT

    i think that FFXI is an amazing MMO, i like WoW but i'd personally go w/ XI any day in my opinion

  • rpgfan1781

    Posted Feb 16, 2007 1:21 am GMT

    bah, they wont make another ff mmorpg they need to make new stuff for the one they have now, like a new race, hint hint!

  • stikasasn

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 12:47 am GMT

    I want FFXI on my PS3

  • slayss

    Posted Aug 15, 2006 6:53 am GMT

    i think XI is the best one yet so this should be good

  • Solid_RAG

    Posted Aug 2, 2006 8:44 pm GMT

    well FFXI-2 never ever will happen. they learn there lesson FFX-2 >.>

    Plus FFXI on the PS3. People how have the PS2 version can install it on the PS3 and The PS3 Will Update it the game to HD graphics. And S/E FFXI Devepolment Team said at the fan fesvt that they will not spend time creating the Same MMO again. There curretly at working on an MMO for US release. Details on it unknown S/E is shush about it. Besides that S/E Wouldnt even Update the Graphics and Game Engine for the PC and PS2. They Quote and said the game is beautiful as it is.

  • ImperialPanda

    Posted Jul 30, 2006 7:49 am GMT

    PiMacleod_basic: Amen!

    Two reasons I loved FFXI was its difficulty and the whole PvE system. In WoW, got to level 55 2.5 weeks after release and quit out of boredom. I would automatically buy any MMO that Square makes.

  • DarknessOfFate1

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 3:38 am GMT

    This is good to see. Serves them right for being sell outs.

  • blink-jfg

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 10:00 am GMT

    It Looks Good And For £25 ($45) its an alright deal

  • Orague

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 5:42 am GMT

    hopeful it get out soon can wait much long

  • Zerohawk

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 5:38 am GMT

    All MMOs will cost money, Guildwars may have pulled it off, but that doesn't mean that everyone will do the same. Its just something that needs to be accepted.

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 5:14 pm GMT

    hopefully its not 13 bucks a month!

  • Dante200X

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 12:09 pm GMT

    great post "PiMacleod_basic"

    I agree with almost everything you said...except for the parts where you mentioned Chrono Trigger (you spelled the character's name, not the game) and FFVI. Sure those were, and def. still are, great games, but I still hold FFVII a bit higher than CT and VI is right below that.

    and in case you're wondering-Chrono Cross is just below FFVI

  • mike_mgoblue

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 11:23 am GMT

    I would LOVE to play a NEW Final Fantasy Online game for the Xbox 360.

    I wasn't interested in Final Fantasy XI because it had already been released for the PC for so long. If Square Enix were to release the Windows Vista and Xbox 360 version at the same time, then I would buy the Xbox 360 version so I could play it on my HDTV in the livingroom and experience it with 5.1 sound.

    I would not be interested in a Playstation 3 version.

  • taintedsun

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 6:22 am GMT

    I find it funny that Square/Enix tries to do what it doesn't do well, and forgets about how they came to be what they are today.

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