2024 may have started on shaky ground for Xbox, with layoffs, concerns about exclusives heading to rival platforms, and a lack of first-party releases. However, Microsoft is closing out the year with impressive momentum, turning things around in spectacular fashion.
October marked a major milestone as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 joined the Xbox Game Pass lineup. This was followed by the November launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and the highly anticipated S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Looking ahead, fans are already buzzing about Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, set to release soon. On top of this, Black Friday campaigns are delivering fantastic deals on Xbox consoles, further boosting their appeal.
Strengthened Ties with Japanese Developers
One of the most notable shifts this year has been Xbox’s growing rapport with Japanese developers, particularly Square Enix. The publisher has released several high-profile titles on Xbox in recent months and reaffirmed its commitment to multi-platform development.
In an interview with GamesRadar, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, hinted at potential opportunities for Xbox players eager for the Final Fantasy VII Remake series:
"In terms of Final Fantasy VII, there's nothing really we can say at the moment, but certainly I do want to bring Final Fantasy VII and the Remake series to as many players out there as possible. So we want to create that situation, that environment, where more players can play the games in future, and we want to look in that direction."
Hamaguchi also shared his personal enthusiasm for Xbox, explaining Square Enix’s decision to focus more on multi-platform releases:
"This is just a personal opinion now, but I've got an Xbox myself. I think it's a great hardware platform. I do like Xbox."
Positive Signs from the Market
Recent releases like Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster and Metaphor: ReFantazio have performed well on Xbox, signaling strong interest in Japanese RPGs among Xbox players. However, whether the Final Fantasy VII Remake series will join the platform remains uncertain. Square Enix’s willingness alone is not enough—Sony’s exclusivity agreement continues to be a significant factor in the equation.
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s clear that Microsoft has successfully turned the tide. With major releases, enticing console deals, and growing support from global developers, Xbox fans have plenty to celebrate.
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