Square Enix announces plans to shut down the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions of the MMORPG Final Fantasy 11, beginning March 31st at 6am Pacific time.

It's the end of an era. By the time April rolls around, the first Final Fantasy MMO, Final Fantasy 11, will cease to exist on PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. The shut down will occur on March 31st at 6am Pacific time, so those interested in playing the game on consoles have until then to do so.

For those that enjoy playing Final Fantasy 11 on PC, rest easy knowing that there are currently no plans to end the game's services on that platform just yet. However, with Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn proving to be a much more popular game for the company than Final Fantasy 11, there is a distinct possibility that support for Final Fantasy 11 on PC could come to a close not long after the console versions conclude.

This decision likely depends on how many people are actually still playing Final Fantasy 11 on PC. The game released over a decade ago to a relatively lukewarm critical reception, but decent sales. At one point it looked like it could compete with World of Warcraft in terms of consistent player count, but Square Enix didn't support it quite as aggressively as Blizzard supported and continues to support WoW.

If people keep playing the PC version of Final Fantasy 11, perhaps it will be allowed to live on. In the meantime, Square Enix is also reportedly developing a mobile version of the game with Titanfall mobile developer Nexon, but how fully-featured it will be remains to be seen. Since Final Fantasy 11 is a main series Final Fantasy game, hopefully Square Enix figures out some way for fans to enjoy it, even if support for it in its current state ends.

It's always sad when a long time MMO ends, even if most people have lost interest in it, as is the case with Final Fantasy 11. It will be interesting to see if Square Enix concludes its support of Final Fantasy 11 with a big sendoff like other MMOs have done in the past, or if the game will simply go out quietly.

When the Star Wars Galaxies MMO ended, it went out with a bang, offering satisfying closure to its dedicated fans that had played the game for years. It would be nice for Square Enix to follow suit, even though the game will still be playable on PC. There are probably some people that have been playing the PS2 version of the game since its release, and it would be upsetting if their adventure didn't get a proper ending before the servers were shut down.

With Final Fantasy 11 support ending, expect Square Enix to increase its support for Final Fantasy 14. The latter remains a strong, popular MMORPG, especially on the PlayStation 4. Perhaps by ending support of FF11, Square Enix will be able to release more DLC content like the Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward expansion or even make progress on the rumored Final Fantasy 14 Xbox One port.

How do you feel about Square Enix shutting down Final Fantasy 11? Are you one of the game's loyal players, or did you give up on it years ago? Have you been playing Final Fantasy 14 to replace FF11? Get at us in the comments below and leave us your thoughts on Square Enix's Final Fantasy MMORPGs.

Source: Destructoid