FFXIV Director Yoshi-P Discusses Console Support and Hardware Limits

Final Fantasy 14 remains one of the very few MMOs playable on virtually every platform, now that it has come to Xbox Series X/S, and potentially coming to Nintendo Switch 2 down the line. Back in 2024, with the launch of the Dawntrail expansion, FFXIV underwent a graphic overhaul that improved visuals across the board, from character models to foliage and environments. The game’s graphical quality made a massive leap forward.

With new updates and the game coming to more consoles, some fans are concerned about the aging hardware, like the PlayStation 4 and older PCs, and if FFXIV will still be supported on those platforms. FFXIV director Yoshi-P has provided an answer to that question and has also settled an eight-year debate about console hardware, graphics, limitations, and what he thinks consumers actually want.

Yoshi-P Says There’s No Need For New Hardware Anymore

Video Games May Have Reached Their Limits

In an interview with Feed4Gamers, Yoshi-P was asked about future console generations and if fans could expect FFXIV to come to the hypothetical PlayStation 6 and future Xbox hardware. His response was both surprising also what a lot of gamers have been saying for years: “I feel that there’s no real need to make new hardware, because I think right now people are happy with the Xbox Series X, the PS5 or the Switch 2.”

Yoshi-P also stated that stopping new hardware would be a benefit for consumers, saying: “And honestly, from a gamer’s perspective as well, hardware is just expensive to buy.” In terms of price, the PlayStation 5 just got a price increase. Xbox and Nintendo (for the Switch 1, anyway) raised their prices before that, and Nintendo has also stated Switch 2 prices may increase in the future as well.

Previous Console Generations May Get Left In The Dust

FFXIV Will Be Supported On Older Hardware As Long As Possible

Yoshi-P was also asked about his commitment to update and stick with the PlayStation 4 version of FFXIV, which is still playable. He stated that he wants to continue support as long as possible, but the PS4 OS might make it difficult, saying: “My basic stance is that I do want to continue supporting hardware which has grown old. But I do have one concern, and that’s regarding the OS of the PlayStation 4.”

Personally, I agree with Yoshi-P that the industry may have hit its maximum capacity for graphic fidelity and performance, at least when it comes to consoles. Graphical improvements nowadays are marginal at best, and some games that came out on previous generations still look amazing to this day, like The Last of Us Part 2 and the Horizon series.

It seems unlikely that hardware production will ever cease, but as games and consoles get more expensive and everything else costs more money, too, fans may not be quite so willing to put down $600 for a new console or $80 for a new game. In Final Fantasy 14‘s case, it seems like Yoshi-P is dedicated to the PS4 and all other platforms for as long as he can be.

Final Fantasy 14

Systems

Released

August 27, 2013

ESRB

T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Engine

Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer

Steam Deck Compatibility

Playable

PC Release Date

August 27, 2013

Xbox Series X|S Release Date

March 21, 2024