Sq. Enix’s pledge to finish all its console exclusivity nonsense is already bearing fruit. As noticed by the eagle eyes at Gematsu, beloved RPG Octopath Traveler has been rated in Taiwan for PlayStation, and Octopath Traveler II—beforehand introduced for Xbox—may seem as quickly as this month.
As that means, Octopath Traveler has had one thing of a peculiar time. The primary recreation, launched in 2018, started life as a Change unique, earlier than steadily discovering its solution to PC in 2019, then Xbox One in 2021. However a PlayStation model by no means appeared. Come 2023, Octopath Traveler II was concurrently launched on Change, PC and…PlayStation. Huh?
Each Sony and Microsoft love a great unique. Generally every firm will get publishers and builders to conform to not less than a timed interval the place a recreation can solely be performed on their very own console. The idea being, should you’re attempting to decide on between an Xbox or a PlayStation, you’ll choose the one which performs probably the most video games you’re excited by. However whereas this theoretically advantages the consoles, it’s solely a short-term win for the builders, who must be positive the monetary incentives will match the potential lack of half of all doable console gross sales.
However the actual losers are us, the gamers, the individuals who personal the “incorrect” console. And that has been particularly the case in terms of those that personal both am Xbox or a PS4/5 who need to benefit from the Octopath franchise. Evidently this silliness may nicely be coming to an finish, on condition that Taiwan’s scores board has listings for each video games on their beforehand lacking platform.
The unique Octopath Traveler has listings for each PS4 and PS5, though with no launch date but hooked up. And we’ve identified for some time that Octopath Traveler 2 is due an Xbox launch, given Sq.’s trailer launched throughout Tokyo Sport Present final September, though solely that it ought to arrive “Early 2024.”
That’s clearly been missed, given we’re now halfway by means of the yr, however in line with Exputer (additionally noticed by Gematsu), a leaker has instructed it might be showing on Sport Go this June. Rumored to be a day-one Sport Go launch, that’ll be a nice shock for individuals who have been ready three years for the follow-up.
With Squeenix’s promise to keep away from all this tiresomeness sooner or later, you’d hope it’d clear a path for a possible Octopath Traveler 3, though sadly the simultaneous promise to focus extra on “high quality” video games (learn “AAA”) does counsel this might be unlikely to exist in any respect.
We’ve reached out to Sq. to ask for affirmation concerning these rumors, and to investigate in regards to the possibilities of an Octopath Traveler 3.
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