Final Fantasy XIV Mobile is an “extension of beloved franchise” but This Move Could Prove to be Detrimental for the Franchise

Mobile Gaming is slowly taking over the gaming industry, and it looks like Square Enix has also decided to dive headfirst with Final Fantasy XIV Mobile into the market. This will be an officially licensed mobile version of the original game and will be developed by Lightspeed Studios under the watchful eye of FFXIV’s visionary producer and director, Naoki Yoshida.

Since the recent announcement, the excitement among the community is palpable. However, beneath this excitement, they are also questioning whether this is the right move for the franchise. Will FFXIV Mobile be able to maintain the level of quality expected from the studio’s lineup, or will it ruin the legacy of one of the most successful MMORPGs of all time?

Will Final Fantasy XIV Mobile Be a Blessing or a Curse for the Franchise?

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile looks to carry forward the charm and content that made the original game a favorite among the community. The game will offer a variety of playable races, each with its own distinct lore and aesthetics, staying true to the diverse cultures of Eorzea. It was announced that nine jobs will be available at launch, alongside the unique Armoury System.

Besides the different jobs, the mobile version will also carry forward the social aspect of the original game. Players can forge strong connections with other players through social features, whether they’re playing solo, in parties, or meeting new players on their journey. The mobile will feature the mentoring systems as well.

Developed by Lightspeed Studios @__lightspeed___ supervised by Square Enix, FINAL FANTASY XIV MOBILE is annouced today!

For the first reveal of FFXIV MOBILE, #FFXIV Art Team Lead Yusuke Mogi has created a new visual highlighting nine iconic jobs from the title. Which are you… pic.twitter.com/RuisyuqtMu

— FFXIV_MOBILE (@FFXIV_MOBILE_EN) November 20, 2024

With the epic music of the game present, there’s no doubt that FFXIV Mobile will be a great addition to the franchise. However, despite the optimism surrounding the game, there is a growing concern among the community that Square Enix is taking a considerable amount of risk with this new venture.

Ahhh this is so exciting 😍

— Hoshi (@HoshizoraOW) November 20, 2024

I’m cautiously optimistic about this…

As long as they don’t fill it with microtransactions I will probably actually give it a shot (I don’t normally play mobile games).

— Nozomi Kei (@NozomiKeiXIV) November 20, 2024

Really? What a waste of resources. Really should have invested this back into the actual game and put some effort in the current expansion’s writing.

— Roeark (@Roeark) November 20, 2024

The primary worry among the community is the general live-service model itself. As with many mobile games nowadays, FFXIV Mobile may be filled with microtransactions, pay-to-win mechanics, or aggressive monetization that takes away the excitement from the player.

Since the official website says that the game will be cross-play, it also introduces another issue: if the mobile version is not done correctly, the difference in experience/performance between the mobile version and the PC/PS version has the potential to not only divide the gameplay experience but also the community.

It’s important to understand that while FFXIV is a massive success on PC and PlayStation, FFXIV Mobile is a drastic departure from what usually is considered the core experience. Additionally, the mobile market is a different beast, and the pressures of adapting a game of such scale and depth to a smaller screen, particularly with touch controls could lower the original’s magic.

Is this A New Chapter or a Risky Venture?

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile could prove to be an exciting and well-executed expansion of the Final Fantasy XIV universe. But to achieve success both Square Enix and Lightspeed Studios need to dedicate their time and find the right balance for the gameplay for the mobile platform.

The promise of an accessible, and social experience, combined with the iconic world of Eorzea, is an enticing prospect for both new and returning players. However, if the game fails in any of the following aspects: content, performance, or monetization, it has the potential to severely impact the franchise’s goodwill.

Over the years, FFXIV’s vision has earned the full trust of the players but many fear that a poor execution of this mobile venture could undo all the previous efforts. For fans and developers, the mobile release is both an opportunity and a potential risk that could shake the foundation of what makes Final Fantasy XIV great.

In the end, while there are a lot of exciting things in the announcement to be excited about, there is also just as much to be cautious about. Only time will tell whether the mobile version will be able to live up to the legacy of its parent game or not.

Are you excited about the mobile version of FFXIV, or are you planning to stick to the PC/PS version? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.