In an exclusive revelation, a senior official from Square Enix has disclosed that the PC adaptation of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy 16 will necessitate the use of a solid-state disk (SSD). This detail emerges following the recent official announcement of the PC version of Final Fantasy 16 by the Japanese gaming giant.
While Final Fantasy 16 has been prominently showcased as a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 5, with its exclusivity agreement with Sony set to conclude in late December, the release date for the PC version remains uncertain. Speculations suggest that eager fans might have to wait until 2024 or possibly later for the game’s arrival on the PC platform.
Despite the ongoing efforts to craft the RPG’s maiden port, Square Enix has made a decisive move, proclaiming that an SSD will be a prerequisite for playing Final Fantasy 16 on PC. In a recent interview with Famitsu, Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy 16, offered insights into this hardware requirement. According to Yoshida, the game encounters an inherent “hardware barrier” as the development team strives to ensure compatibility with diverse PC configurations.
Yoshida clarified that while the team is committed to optimizing the PC version to the fullest extent, there are limitations in compensating for the comparatively slower read speeds inherent in traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Expressing his perspective on this matter, Yoshida suggested that prospective PC players should consider SSDs as essential for an optimal gaming experience. He further confirmed that the specific minimum and recommended PC system requirements would be disclosed closer to the completion of the port.
Square Enix joins a growing trend among major game developers who are increasingly incorporating SSD requirements into their titles. Games of the caliber of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Alan Wake 2, and Starfield have all set a precedent in 2023 by mandating the use of SSDs, indicating a shift away from relying solely on HDDs for ultra-budget PC gaming builds. Even titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, which do not enforce SSDs as a strict prerequisite, exhibit significantly prolonged loading times when played on HDDs.
The industry shift towards SSDs is notably influenced by the current-generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft, both of which are equipped with solid-state disks. Consequently, gaming setups reliant solely on traditional HDDs can no longer be considered as modern gaming PCs. However, there’s a silver lining for enthusiasts, as reliable gaming SSDs are readily available for less than $100, making them an accessible upgrade for users seeking an enhanced gaming experience.
As Final Fantasy 16 inches closer to its PC debut, the mandate for SSDs raises questions about the evolving landscape of gaming hardware requirements. With more developers embracing this trend, the era of HDD-centric gaming configurations seems to be fading, giving way to a new standard that prioritizes speed and efficiency for an immersive gaming experience. As the gaming community eagerly awaits the PC release of Final Fantasy 16, the insistence on SSDs signals a commitment from Square Enix to deliver a cutting-edge experience for players on the PC platform.
