Summary
- China recently approved Final Fantasy 14 mobile game for distribution, signaling it is well into development.
- Games not by Chinese devs need local tech groups to distribute, such as NetEase for Blizzard.
- Final Fantasy 14 mobile game is believed to be a standalone MMO.
China recently approved a number of new game imports, including a mobile game based on Final Fantasy 14. This information seemingly confirms that a Final Fantasy 14 mobile game is not only coming, but also decently far into development.
Due to strict laws on censorship, video games require approval in order 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 what NetEase does for Blizzard franchises like World of Warcraft, Diablo 4, and Overwatch 2.
Final Fantasy 14 Announces First Event Since Dawntrail's Launch
One month after the launch of Dawntrail, Final Fantasy 14 reveals the expansion's first event that players can experience and earn new rewards.
The most recent wave of approvals for games to be brought over to China included several upcoming titles, including Rainbow Six, Dynasty Warriors, and NetEase's own Marvel Rivals, but one stood out among the rest. According to Niko Partners director of research and insights Daniel Ahmad, a game called Final Fantasy 14 Mobile was given the green light for Chinese distribution. This official documentation seemingly confirms Final Fantasy 14 not 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 Mobile is 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 from Final Fantasy 14 itself.
This isn’t the first evidence to suggest a Final Fantasy 14 mobile 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 new Final Fantasy 14 trademark 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 until Final Fantasy 14 officially 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 of Final Fantasy 14 may have more than new content for the critically-acclaimed MMORPG to look forward to soon.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- August 27, 2013
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Crystal Tools
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
Begin your adventure in FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn
Create 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: Heavensward
Take 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: Stormblood
Journey to the East and rise up against the might of the Garlean Empire.
Become the darkness in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers
Travel 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: Endwalker
A 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: Dawntrail
Blue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as hope's light dawns once more.
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
