Final Fantasy XI on PS2 and Xbox 360 shutting down next year

The Xbox 360 and PS2 versions of Final Fantasy XI will be brought to a close by March 2016, Square Enix has confirmed.

Polygon reports that while the PC version of the MMO will remain active, the console release is being shut down around a year from today. Until then, the publisher is planning a three-part sendoff dubbed Rhapsodies.

"We plan for this to be a grand conclusion to the Final Fantasy series’ first MMORPG – and indeed, the first console MMORPG – in a way that will be recorded in the annals of the genre’s history,” Square Enix stated.

The first chapter of the game’s final main scenario will be added to the game this May, with the second and third chapters scheduled for August and November. The content is designed to tie together the last 13 years of the game and will include major characters from the game’s history
.
Square Enix is also developing a mobile version of Final Fantasy XI in partnership with Nexon Korea. The release is currently planned for 2016 in Japan, Korea, North America and parts of Europe.