Rumor: Microsoft in Talks to Bring Big PlayStation Console Exclusive to Xbox

gamerant.com:

Microsoft may be in preliminary discussions to bring Final Fantasy 7 Remake to Xbox, an established industry insider has said. This claim arrives mere months after a well-known leaker labeled a Final Fantasy 7 Remake Xbox port as unlikely, at least in the foreseeable future.

The first installment in the planned trilogy of Final Fantasy 7 remakes was originally released as a timed PS4 exclusive in April 2020. An enhanced version of the game, called Final Fantasy 7 Remake Integrade, launched on the PS5 in June 2021 before making its way to PC six months later. Square Enix has yet to give any indication that an Xbox port of the game is on the cards, despite the fact that its exclusivity deal with Sony ended years ago.

Be that as it may, Microsoft may currently be in talks to finally bring the game to the Xbox Series X/S, according to Windows Central's Jez Corden. «I've got evidence tentatively that there are discussions about Final Fantasy 7 [Remake] for Xbox,» Corden said during the latest episode of The Xbox Two Podcast. ​​​​​​His insight dovetails with Phil Spencer's recent comments on the possibility of a FF7 Remake Xbox port that saw the Microsoft Gaming CEO reveal he's often in Tokyo discussing potential new releases with Square Enix.

But even if these purported talks were to amount to anything, Corden believes that a near-future announcement of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Xbox port is unlikely, as such a move would «take the shine off Rebirth.» For clarity, FF7 Rebirth—the second installment in the planned remake trilogy—launches February 29 as Square Enix's biggest game of the year, budget- and expectations-wise. Much like its predecessor, the upcoming JRPG will be a timed PlayStation exclusive.

Maybe Sony and Square Enix both wouldn't want to take the shine off [FF7] Rebirth right now by announcing FF7 Remake for Xbox, but I do think it'll happen.

Nevertheless, Xbox fans eager to play some Final Fantasy won't be without options in the near future. That's primarily