Square confirmed as Xbox developer

[10.18.00] » Final Fantasy XI and PlayOnline service Xbox-bound.

   IT Pro, a technology subsidiary of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, is reporting that Square has confirmed they are developing Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox. According to the Nikkei's sources, Final Fantasy X will remain a PS2 exclusive, but Final Fantasy XI and the PlayOnline service will be coming to Xbox sometime in summer 2001. The Xbox versions of Final Fantasy XI and PlayOnline will be cross-compatible with the PS2 versions. Final Fantasy XI is already in development for the Xbox on Microsoft's XDKs. Square got the XDKs this summer, but had some difficulty with them, as the hardware was not yet finalized and the documentation was entirely in English. Both problems have been resolved, however, and Square is advancing with development.

   Naoto Yoshioka, an Advanced Technology Group Manager at Microsoft, said "I can't confirm or deny anything right now, but getting killer content like FF is Microsoft's major goal right now. Nothing would make us happier right now than Square announcing an Xbox version (of FF)."

   A spokesman for Square said "We have not made any official statements about entering the Xbox field. We cannot comment about the release of an Xbox FF."

   More details about Square's Xbox involvement are sure to be released soon. Thanks to Kevin Gifford of Video Senki for translation assistance.