Square Enix announces plans to shut down the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions of the MMORPGFinal Fantasy 11, beginning March 31st at 6am Pacific time.
It’s the end of an era. By the time April rolls around, the firstFinal FantasyMMO,Final Fantasy 11, will cease to exist on PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. The shut down will occur on March 31st at 6am Pacific time, so those interested in playing the game on consoles have until then to do so.
For those that enjoy playingFinal Fantasy 11on PC, rest easy knowing that there are currently no plans to end the game’s services on that platform just yet. However, withFinal Fantasy 14: A Realm Rebornproving to be a much more popular game for the company thanFinal Fantasy 11, there is a distinct possibility that support forFinal Fantasy 11on PC could come to a close not long after the console versions conclude.
This decision likely depends on how many people are actually still playingFinal Fantasy 11on PC. The game released over a decade ago to a relatively lukewarm critical reception, but decent sales. At one point it looked like it could compete withWorld of Warcraftin terms of consistent player count, but Square Enix didn’t support it quite as aggressively as Blizzard supported and continues to supportWoW.
If people keep playing the PC version ofFinal Fantasy 11, perhaps it will be allowed to live on. In the meantime, Square Enix is also reportedly developing a mobile version of the game withTitanfallmobile developer Nexon, but how fully-featured it will be remains to be seen. SinceFinal Fantasy 11is a main seriesFinal Fantasygame, hopefully Square Enix figures out some way for fans to enjoy it, even if support for it in its current state ends.
It’s always sad when a long time MMO ends, even if most people have lost interest in it, as is the case withFinal Fantasy 11. It will be interesting to see if Square Enix concludes its support ofFinal Fantasy 11with a big sendoff like other MMOs have done in the past, or if the game will simply go out quietly.
When theStar Wars GalaxiesMMO ended, it went out with a bang, offering satisfying closure to its dedicated fans that had played the game for years. It would be nice for Square Enix to follow suit, even though the game will still be playable on PC. There are probably some people that have been playing the PS2 version of the game since its release, and it would be upsetting if their adventure didn’t get a proper ending before the servers were shut down.
WithFinal Fantasy 11support ending, expect Square Enix to increase its support forFinal Fantasy 14. The latter remains a strong, popular MMORPG, especially on the PlayStation 4. Perhaps by ending support ofFF11, Square Enix will be able to release more DLC content like theFinal Fantasy 14:Heavenswardexpansionor even make progress on the rumoredFinal Fantasy 14Xbox One port.
How do you feel about Square Enix shutting downFinal Fantasy 11? Are you one of the game’s loyal players, or did you give up on it years ago? Have you been playingFinal Fantasy 14to replaceFF11? Get at us in the comments below and leave us your thoughts on Square Enix’sFinal FantasyMMORPGs.
