Final Fantasy XVI Director Denies Rumors of PC Release Coming Half a Year Later

During the Final Fantasy XIV New Year Mahjong tournament broadcasted on the Japanese video-sharing website NicoNico, Naoki Yoshida, the producer and director of Final Fantasy XVI, happened to notice a comment from a viewer asking him about an ongoing rumor that the title would be coming to PC platforms six months later after the “PlayStation exclusive” agreement wore off.

Yoshida then proceeded to state that “nobody said anything about a PC version coming out”, expressing (in a rather sarcastic tone) that players should “buy the PS5 version!”. Furthermore, he also revealed some behind-the-scenes stories about how he adjusted the patch delivery schedule for Final Fantasy XIV at the same time he was directing Final Fantasy XVI as well. Unfortunately, that segment of the livestream requires users to subscribe to the Nico Nico Premium membership.

Japanese comments on the article have rightfully pointed out that the reason that Yoshida might be denying those claims might be due to clauses and conditions that are present in the contract that they signed up with Sony, and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case. Because when you stop to think about it, if you leave yourself open and reveal even the faintest possibility of another platform releasing, there’s the risk of sales being lost, thus violating the reason behind the exclusivity contract, as fans “wait for the PC release”. However, that’s just speculation.

Final Fantasy XVI is set to be a more action-heavy entry than its predecessors, with a Devil May Cry V designer even taking the helm. Throughout the title, players will control the protagonist Clive, as he confronts various Dominants, humans who have been cursed with the power to become Eikons.