Final Fantasy XIV's Full Xbox Release Date Confirmed Alongside Free Game Pass Expansions

Final Fantasy XIV is coming to Xbox Series X|S on March 21, following an extended beta period. Square Enix showed off a new trailer for the popular MMORPG on a Xbox Partner Presents stream, including a teaser that Xbox Game Pass owners will get some extra bonus perks.

From March 21 through April 19, you can claim a Starter Edition through Game Pass Ultimate perks. That version includes the base game, along with its first two expansions, Heavensward and Stormblood. In the meantime before release, the beta is still available to try out the game.

Final Fantasy XIV has been a success story for Square Enix over the last ten years. While the game originally released in 2010, the reception was largely negative and Square Enix took the criticisms to heart. It buckled down on a totally revised version, which it named A Realm Reborn, and relaunched in 2013. That revised version of the game was praised as a vast improvement, and it has gained a steady following on PC and PlayStation platforms since then. On top of Heavensward and Stormblood, FFXIV has gotten two more expansions so far, Shadowbringers and Endwalker.

But even as it's received continued success, fans and would-be fans have lamented the notable absence of an Xbox version. Square Enix chalked this up to business considerations in 2015, and later in 2019 suggested it came down to the platform-holders stances on cross-play. Xbox boss Phil Spencer addressed that concern head-on later that year and promised the game was destined for Xbox One. But that was nearly five years ago, making this Xbox Series X|S release a long time coming.

Another expansion, Dawntrail, is set to release this summer. That expansion will take you to a tropical locale, where you'll help administer a rite of succession to choose the new ruler of Tural. It will also introduce a level cap increase, new jobs, gear, recipes, and of course, dungeons. A 7.0 patch coming alongside the expansion will include improved graphics for all players.

For more, check out all the biggest announcements and reveals from the Xbox Partners stream.