Summary
China recently approved a number of new game imports, including a mobile game based onFinal Fantasy 14. This information seemingly confirms that aFinal Fantasy 14mobile game is not only coming, but also decently far into development.
Due to strict laws on censorship, video games require approval to be circulated in China, which are announced on a bimonthly basis. Games that are not produced by Chinese developers like Tencent also need to be distributed by local tech groups, like whatNetEase does for Blizzard franchises likeWorld of Warcraft,Diablo 4, andOverwatch 2.
The most recent wave of approvals for games to be brought over to China included several upcoming titles, includingRainbow Six,Dynasty Warriors, andNetEase’s ownMarvel Rivals, but one stood out among the rest. According to Niko Partners director of research and insights Daniel Ahmad, a game calledFinal Fantasy 14 Mobilewas given the green light for Chinese distribution. This official documentation seemingly confirmsFinal Fantasy 14not only has a mobile game, but that it is nearly complete – though Ahmad suspects it may be three to six months before Square Enix talks about it.
A Final Fantasy 14 Mobile Game is In Development
According to the approval,Final Fantasy 14 Mobileis being developed by both Tencent’s Lightspeed Studios and Square Enix, implying the former will also be distributing the game in China. Beyond this, little is known about the unannounced title, but Ahmad shared that rumors from within the industry suggest it will be a standalone MMORPG separate fromFinal Fantasy 14itself.
This isn’t the first evidence to suggestaFinal Fantasy 14mobile game was on the way. In early July, a credible leaker claimed the critically-acclaimed MMORPG was developing a mobile title in partnership with Tencent on the eXputer forums, and Square Enix reportedly filed for a newFinal Fantasy 14trademark around the same time as well. This information is further corroborated by the Chinese approval, suggesting the rumors are indeed true.
That said, there is no way to know what this secret project will look like untilFinal Fantasy 14officially reveals it. The mobile title could be a new companion app, a standalone title, or even a gacha game with perks for playing both it and the MMO. It is also possible the game may not see a release beyond Japan or China right away, if at all, so western players shouldn’t get their hopes up quite yet. Either way, it seems like fans ofFinal Fantasy 14may have more than new contentfor the critically-acclaimed MMORPG to look forward to soon.
Final Fantasy 14 (2010)
WHERE TO PLAY
Begin your adventure in FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm RebornCreate your very own Warrior of Light and embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.Take to the skies in FINAL FANTASY XIV: HeavenswardTake your first steps in the reclusive nation of Ishgard, locked in a seemingly never-ending struggle with dragons.Rekindle the fires of hope in FINAL FANTASY XIV: StormbloodJourney to the East and rise up against the might of the Garlean Empire.Become the darkness in FINAL FANTASY XIV: ShadowbringersTravel to a world where light ushers all unto oblivion. But hope is not yet lost, for where there is light there is shadow.Journey to the very stars above in FINAL FANTASY XIV: EndwalkerA great calamity has been building - a second advent of the Final Days. The Warrior of Light must journey ever higher and stand firm as hope’s last bastion.Set forth for new horizons in FINAL FANTASY XIV: DawntrailBlue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as hope’s light dawns once more.
