Square Enix shoots down Final Fantasy XI II reports

[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."

216 Comments

  • Lancing

    Posted Dec 28, 2008 5:49 am PT

    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 PT

    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 PT

    @ 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 PT

    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 PT

    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 PT

    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 PT

    I want FFXI on my PS3

  • slayss

    Posted Aug 15, 2006 6:53 am PT

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

  • Solid_RAG

    Posted Aug 2, 2006 8:44 pm PT

    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 PT

    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 PT

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

  • blink-jfg

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 10:00 am PT

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

  • Orague

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 5:42 am PT

    hopeful it get out soon can wait much long

  • Zerohawk

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 5:38 am PT

    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 PT

    hopefully its not 13 bucks a month!

  • Dante200X

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 12:09 pm PT

    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 PT

    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 PT

    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.

  • ymcop

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 4:51 am PT

    I want it for my new computer, omg!

  • Benny_is_here

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 3:31 am PT

    As long as it's better than FFXI for the 360!
    I probably won't get any other FF or "all-new MMORPG" simply because of the monthly fee.

    Weird how the word "fee" is "free" without the "r"...

  • Cbot

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 7:51 pm PT

    I jsut hope that it's friendly to casual gamers

  • JoePiervincenti

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 7:44 pm PT

    Bendover, FFXI is not like other video games, so you can't expect it to be free like every other game. This isn't some FPS that has 16 players online... You interact with thousands of people on a regular basis and the game has a social community unlike any other console game. Just be lucky you don't need to pay for Xbox Live to play it. You only need to pay the normal fee everyone else pays for the game, which is $12.95 a month.

    All MMO's typically have a monthly fee, and some are even more! You can't expect increased functionality without there being some costs involved. It's not free to maintain all those servers. If you're expecting Square to make the next MMO free, you will be sorely disappointed. Especially with SE needing so many servers if they plan on having the game cross platform again!

  • M0AB

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 6:18 pm PT

    ben_dover2003, you don't have to have an Xbox Live Gold account to play Final Fantasy XI.

  • Thakingk05

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 5:56 pm PT

    The title in question appears to be the PlayStation 3 and PC Vista game producer Hiromichi Tanaka revealed in an

    yeah ps3 and windows exclusive

  • ben_dover2003

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 5:53 pm PT

    I agree with everyone else and I have been a huge FF fan for years now when i found out that FF XI was online i got so exciyed because i hade a 360 but when i found out that you had to pay a monthly fee to go online on it aswell hase have a xbox live account i was disapointed because i am not going to pay for a xbox live account and then pay to go online on a game that is totally not my style. When that was announced I think that dissapointed alot of people including me. If they are gona make another final fantasy game online or a MMORPG it has to be free to go online if you already have a XBox live account.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    w8ing 2 c

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 4:59 pm PT

    K1LLSWITCH- you obviously not a fan of MS, so why should you care what or how they do things at all? It's very unrealistic to think your negative comments is going to keep people from voicing their joy of any title coming to X360, so why bother?

  • CloudStrife57

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 4:54 pm PT

    I don't think FFXI was tat good, in the sence that it wasn't a true FF game.
    It sold well because it was generally a FF game.
    I once wanted it but it doesnt seem as appetising as XII.

  • unreal_master

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 4:00 pm PT

    i think more ppl woulda bought it if it was free =P i kno i woulda bought the 360 version but monthly fee isnt worth it cause ull eventull stop playing ya u had fun but now if u wanna go back u gotta charge up another month not my style

  • gamer_10001

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 3:24 pm PT

    I really don't care about FF

  • PiMacleod_basic

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 2:50 pm PT

    "Jujurimoo --
    the game sucks anyway, trust me i played it for 2 years and had 2 75 jobs and a very, very competent linkshell
    but its just not worth the time or money, pointless game"

    Having 2 75 jobs shows that you spent the time in it. It must've had some point for you to hold on past level 30. Matter of fact, getting that high in levels basically means you spent 100s of hours to get 2 jobs maxed. So, the words 'pointless game' are coming from someone who's done almost everything in the game -- at which point, there's not much left to do. It's like saying, "I've already beaten Prince of Persia. It's a pointless game." If it was so pointless, then why'd I go through the time to beat it?!

    And to 'FallenOneX' --
    maybe you are an 'old school gamer', but games HAVE gotten easier. Quoting off time periods doesn't prove a thing -- you can talk about what you've read about World War 2, but that doesn't mean you've been through it. ...but that's not the reason I'm responding to your post.... If you think games have stayed the same difficulty, go back and play 'Kid Icarus', then we'll talk. Or how about the Wizardry series, especially the old NES ones. Go back and play some really old-school NES titles, basically, and you'll find that challenge that we lack today.

    People today want gratification NOW. They want explosions NOW. They want violence NOW. They want level-ups NOW. They want new equipment NOW. Forget this 'earning it' stuff we used to do -- we want to do nothing, and still get the same benefits. That's why WoW is so popular -- little work, lots of benefits. That's why XBox360 has Achievements -- people like earning stuff for little work (see Madden). Heck, that's why Diablo 2 was always popular...quick levels up to 30, lots of power, TONS of weapons, the list goes on. I'll give FFXI this -- you feel GOOD when you earn something. If you get your Chocobo License, you feel awesome! If you earn a level, even if it's just from 22 to 23, you feel amazing! And the fact that you can de-level, makes you guard it the fullest. It's that amount of trouble the game puts you through that makes the achievements that much better.

    To those that think SquareEnix cannot have what it had back in the 'PSX era'....

    They cannot even seem to attain what they had in the SNES era! But then again, that was even higher quality. To you new-schoolers out there, yes, games existed before the PSX, and they were just as brilliant and even more imaginative in most cases. Crono Trigger and FFIII (really 'FFVI', if you're keeping count) were two examples of how a SNES game can be better than a PSX game. ...or a PS2 game...or a 360 game...

    if you've played them, you understand completely. Those were experiences we have yet to have SINCE those games. FFVII doesn't even do what they did. Sure, it added cinematics, character death, and a pretty good badguy -- but do I need to remind people that (SPOILER!) Kefka actually causes the apocalypse?! (/SPOILER) That more than one character can be a main character? That you can have more than couple of characters specialize in magic, without ruining their 'class'? That you can have a stunning soundtrack on a SNES game?

    With all of that being said, I've played FFXI for about 18 months -- from when it came out, for about a year....quit, then came back for 6 more. It's great. But you need TIME to play. -- and here I am, with a 40 hour a week career, thinking of doing it again. The chocobo breeding/owning update is what's making me consider going back, fyi.

  • shizwill03

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    Well I have to at least use the current three expansion packs to their full potential FIRST.

    Work getting in way....must....do.....something....

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 2:00 pm PT

    FF is past its prime and is set for demo. just like after the first two FF's. cept now, they have bad plans for years. at least now there will be something to mock, besides capcom...

  • Eclipse_ShinRa

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 1:57 pm PT

    @ Imavnas, The Wii MMO is Mana 100% sure of that. Nsider and gonintendo said it was true plus look here.. Friends of Mana sounds like a MMO and they was Trademarked

    Here

    They you are right.. Its exclusive for the Wii this is jsut for PS3. 360 and vista Square said they was working for while..

    I am glad its jsut a new MMO.. Means new world, and FFXI was great, but hade problems maybe there new MMO they can get it right..

    To bad Fantasy Earth didn't come to the U.S that was a great game form what I played of it.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 1:22 pm PT

    i dont play that kind of game

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 1:18 pm PT

    ym cop none of that matters If your graphics card is crap But anyway yay now I dont have to abandon my ffxi char for a ffxi ii char

  • Cunder

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 1:09 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • Imavnas

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 1:04 pm PT

    "I read in EGM that Square-Enix is working on an online Mana game. Maybe that's what this is. It was just a rumor though..."

    That would be all nice and dandy except that the same EGM magazines rumor mill also points out that the online Mana game will be an exclusive MMO for the Wii, whereas the MMO in this article is for Vista and PS3.

  • Renegadesnake

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:52 pm PT

    I read in EGM that Square-Enix is working on an online Mana game. Maybe that's what this is. It was just a rumor though...

  • DrCLos

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    I'm really curious about this new MMORPG.
    Is it based on a current franchise like Chrono Trigger/Cross or Dragon Quest?
    Maybe the game is just an entirely new universe.
    Hopefully it is more user friendly than Final Fantasy XI.

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:41 pm PT

    A good MMORPG for PS3.

  • WALKINGMAPAUL

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:38 pm PT

    what dont people understand about the final fantasy xi graphic update they did ages ago, besides square soft have announced that they are going to be releasing more expansions for this and patching the games, also they have hinted numourous times at the possibility of another graphic update (i feel like i gonna need to upgrade my rig again)

  • Shtinky

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:29 pm PT

    "The title in question appears to be the PlayStation 3 and PC"

    No Xbox 360 love...

  • OrianaDorta

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:07 pm PT

    i dont like online gaming ¬_¬' and why did SE call it Final Fantasy XI? "Final Fantasy Online" sounds better and SE should have used the "XI" for another final fantasy game without the online feature

  • Jamaipanese

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:05 pm PT

    hmmm interesting, i'm looking forward to this

  • Jujurimoo

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 11:59 am PT

    the game sucks anyway, trust me i played it for 2 years and had 2 75 jobs and a very, very competent linkshell

    but its just not worth the time or money, pointless game

  • Sejazo

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 11:52 am PT

    When Final Fantasy will stay in Nintendo's consoles again? Please more rpg for nintendo, PLEASE!

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 11:43 am PT

    P.S. Gold service should become free, Platinum service should be added. [**Crosses fingers**]

  • Imavnas

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 11:33 am PT

    Thank you update! Its like Squeenix heard my plea, lol. Seriously though, FFXI is a good game, but sequels muddle things up. A completely new FF MMO would be a fresh approach for Squeenix, and it would also attract far more gamers than a sequel to a game that isnt nearly as popular as it should be. Now this Is something I can get excited about.

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