No cross-play on Xbox means no Final Fantasy MMO for at least five people

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be coming to the PC, PS3, and PS4, but not the Xbox 360 or Xbox One. Contrary to some rumors, the MMORPG isn’t skipping Microsoft’s consoles because of an exclusivity deal with Sony. Producer and director Naoki Yoshida told RPG Site that he doesn’t think Microsoft’s policy of not allowing cross-platform play is right for his game.

The main reason from our side is that I don’t want the community to be divided; to be split into two or more. For example, one player might be on the PC version, another might be on the PS4 version, and I’m playing the Xbox version – but we’re not able to join the same game servers. That is just… I just don’t like the idea. I disagree with it.

If it was a P2P or an MO, then it would be fine – but for FF14, if that frustration happens, maybe one of those players says ‘OK, I will give up my PS4 character and start out for scratch, making a new account from scratch on another machine. I don’t think that’s fair.

I really want the community to stick together and not be split into two or be divided because of that reason. That’s one of the reasons that means that unless the policy chances, Xbox just doesn’t make sense to us.

All five Final Fantasy fans that don’t own a Sony console will be devasted. Fans of the series that only have a Xbox will just have to suck it up and get a Sony PS3, PS4, or PC if they want to take part in a Realm Reborn. They’ll still be able to play Final Fantasy XV on the Xbox One someday.