Square Enix Almost Axed Final Fantasy XI

In an interview with Yoji Fujito, the producer and director of Final Fantasy XI, he reveals that Square Enix almost shifted the game into Maintenance Mode back in 2024 had fan reception to the game not been so positive. That meant that the team would have stopped rolling out updates and simply focused on maintaining servers. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!] According to Fujito, Square Enix considered putting the game into Maintenance Mode and ending service in 2024 after The Voracious Resurgence. However, fans from all over the world contacted Square Enix through various methods during the 20th anniversary to talk about how much they wanted service to continue, as well as how ending the game would destroy this routine they’ve established since the game came out over two decades ago. Because of the fans’ support, they’ve decided to keep the game going who replacing the older servers with newer ones. After discussions with Akihiko Matsui, a director and producer for Final Fantasy XI, the team decided to see how the game did after The Voracious Resurgence to decide if they would continue it. Because of the game’s continued popularity, Square Enix decided it wouldn’t end it just yet. Final Fantasy XI came out in 2002 for the PS2 and Windows PC. Many people, including those who started playing earlier in the game’s lifetime, have since made it part of their daily routine. Despite its age, Square Enix is still adding onto it in the form of story expansions and new mechanics, such as an upcoming paid character race change service. Final Fantasy XI is available on Windows PC. The post Square Enix Almost Axed Final Fantasy XI appeared first on Siliconera.

May 20, 2025 - 11:30

Square Enix Almost Axed Final Fantasy XI

In an interview with Yoji Fujito, the producer and director of Final Fantasy XI, he reveals that Square Enix almost shifted the game into Maintenance Mode back in 2024 had fan reception to the game not been so positive. That meant that the team would have stopped rolling out updates and simply focused on maintaining servers. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!]

According to Fujito, Square Enix considered putting the game into Maintenance Mode and ending service in 2024 after The Voracious Resurgence. However, fans from all over the world contacted Square Enix through various methods during the 20th anniversary to talk about how much they wanted service to continue, as well as how ending the game would destroy this routine they’ve established since the game came out over two decades ago. Because of the fans’ support, they’ve decided to keep the game going who replacing the older servers with newer ones.

After discussions with Akihiko Matsui, a director and producer for Final Fantasy XI, the team decided to see how the game did after The Voracious Resurgence to decide if they would continue it. Because of the game’s continued popularity, Square Enix decided it wouldn’t end it just yet.

Final Fantasy XI came out in 2002 for the PS2 and Windows PC. Many people, including those who started playing earlier in the game’s lifetime, have since made it part of their daily routine. Despite its age, Square Enix is still adding onto it in the form of story expansions and new mechanics, such as an upcoming paid character race change service.

Final Fantasy XI is available on Windows PC.

The post Square Enix Almost Axed Final Fantasy XI appeared first on Siliconera.