Key Takeaways
1. Final Fantasy 16 is now available on Xbox, but its launch was not heavily promoted, leading to low traction on Xbox Series X|S.
2. The game ranks between the 350th and 400th spots for most-played games on Xbox, despite the Standard and Complete Editions performing better in sales.
3. Community theories suggest the late Xbox release, competition from PC sales, and absence from Xbox Game Pass may contribute to its underwhelming performance.
4. Final Fantasy 16 also struggled on PS5, with sales declining after an initial strong start, raising questions about JRPG success on Xbox.
5. Microsoft is shifting focus towards multi-platform publishing and new handheld Windows devices, which may result in fewer Xbox-exclusive releases in the future.
At a recent event, Microsoft revealed that the Xbox version of Final Fantasy 16 is now available. Square Enix has been making its games accessible on various platforms, but the RPG’s launch on Xbox was not heavily promoted. Two years after its release on PS5, the game is struggling to gain traction on Xbox Series X|S. In fact, it is ranking unexpectedly low on Microsoft’s lists for most-played and top-paid games.
Game Rankings and Performance
The situation is fluid, with data that changes regularly. Currently, Final Fantasy 16’s Xbox port sits between the 350th and 400th spots for most-played games. However, the news is a bit brighter in terms of sales; the Standard Edition is within the top 50, and the Complete Edition is in the top 30. Still, many gamers believe that the game’s performance is underwhelming for a title from a well-known company like Square Enix.
Community Theories
On the ResetEra forums, critics have been sharing their thoughts on why Final Fantasy 16 is struggling to attract a big audience on Xbox. One reason could be that it was a late release for a game that has been available for PS5 players since 2023 and for PC players since 2024. Many Xbox users also play on PCs due to Play Anywhere, which means some may have already bought the RPG on Steam or the Epic Games Store. Another notable point is that the absence of Final Fantasy 16 from Xbox Game Pass might be affecting player numbers.
Broader Context
To be fair to Microsoft, Final Fantasy 16 didn’t perform as expected on PS5 either. The publisher acknowledged that sales declined after a strong start, especially when compared to other titles from Square Enix. Other Final Fantasy games, despite being more popular on Nintendo and PlayStation, have drawn in more players on Xbox. The idea that JRPGs can’t succeed on Xbox is now being questioned. While players are divided on its subgenres, the popular game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 clearly incorporates JRPG elements.
Microsoft is now focusing more on publishing across multiple platforms and on new handheld Windows devices. This shift may lead to fewer Xbox Series X|S-exclusive releases in the near future.
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