It has been faced with a few setbacks since it was known as Final Fantasy Versus XIII in 2006, but the since-rebuilt Final Fantasy XV (FFXV) is finally poised to drop later this year, much to the delight of fans who had been waiting for the game for a decade. However, now it looks like fans might have to wait a bit longer, as the game will reportedly suffer through one more delay before it is ready to hit shelves.
According to the latest rumors, FFXV has been delayed until Nov. 29, effectively pushing it back from the Sept. 30 release date that Square Enix confirmed at the conclusion of the Uncovered: Final Fantasy XV event in March.
The source of the rumor, Gamensia, alleges that FFXV has been delayed after an unidentified source within GameStop management tipped the site off about it. Apparently, promotional materials with the new date have arrived at some GameStop stores with instructions that they are not to be put up until after Aug. 14, as such, an official announcement of the delay is expected then.
Now, with a game as hyped up as Final Fantasy XV on the line, the veracity of this rumor needs to be addressed immediately.
At least two sources have gone out on their own to talk to Gamestop employees who all allege that this rumor is false.
As noted, we have confirmed with 7 Gamestops the Gamenesia report of Final Fantasy 15 delay is false. No such materials or delay exist
— MyXboxRadio (@MyXboxRadio) August 13, 2016
@MoogleKupoCake Corporate and they said its not true as far as they know. Not sure if you want to put any of that out to help fans :) — Nyx Ulric (@That_PS4_Guy) August 13, 2016
Meanwhile, Gamensia argues its alleged source is to be trusted as s/he has correctly leaked past info to the site on several occasions. Such instances include leaking the release date and trade-in deals for New Nintendo 3DS as well as the release date for Star Wars Battlefront. In a similar vein, the site discredited the previously mentioned two sources, saying, "GameStop employees are not likely to publicly announce something two days before they are legally allowed to."
Gematsu seems to be corroborating this account as well, as a source who told the site about FFXV's original release date has recently said that Gamensia's report is accurate.
*Note: Nearby Gamestops aren't open yet, but they will be reached for comment once they do.
In the meantime, Square Enix (who has been contacted) has yet to issue an official statement about this development. Its silence doesn't impact the veracity of Gamensia's claim, but certain actions the company has taken in the last few months do go against it.
For starters, Square Enix recently announced that Final Fantasy XV would be getting a Digital Premium Version, six DLC packs, as well as a Season Pass to get them all. It wouldn't make much sense for Square Enix to reveal all of this extra stuff if it already knew the game was getting delayed.
Furthermore, the Uncovered event was such a huge deal that it seems silly for Square Enix to go back on any promises made during it. It is not uncommon for consoles to have a special press event dedicated to them, but the same can't necessarily be said for video games.
Lastly, while on the subject of release dates, Square Enix was deliberate in releasing FFXV within the same window as Persona 5's Japan release, it even had a survey that alluded to this. However, if it does come out on Nov. 30, that would put it in the same window as Pokemon Sun and Moon. FFXV and Persona 5 would be fighting on even ground, but it would be an uphill battle if it went against Sun and Moon.
In the end, however, delays do happen, and considering the history of Final Fantasy XV, it wouldn't be too surprising if this rumor turns out to be true. Whether this is actually the case will no doubt be resolved soon.
