Sony has long been accused of being the main reason Square Enix games tend to skip Xbox. While it’s true that PlayStation often signs timed exclusivity deals with the publisher, a new report – ironically by a Microsoft fan site – suggests that there’s more to the story.
Why Square Enix games might be skipping Xbox
Exclusivity deals aside, Windows Central‘s Jez Corden claims to have heard that something has gone “functionally wrong” between Microsoft and Square Enix.
Recently, the publisher announced Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection for all platforms but Xbox, and despite Octopath Traveller previously releasing on Xbox Game Pass, its sequel seems to be skipping Microsoft’s platforms.
Corden didn’t elaborate what exactly went wrong between Square Enix and Microsoft, but in response to a comment on Twitter, he suggested that the issue is on Microsoft’s side rather than Square Enix.
Indeed Square Enix has enjoyed a healthy relationship with Microsoft in the past. The company famously signed a one-year timed exclusivity deal for Rise of the Tomb Raider – a game from a franchise long associated with PlayStation. We also saw Outriders land on Xbox Game Pass. What changed between the two is anybody’s guess.
Interestingly, Microsoft has complained to lawmakers that Sony is the reason popular Japanese games (read: Final Fantasy) won’t launch on Xbox.
