Japanese Smartphone Users Can Now Stream 'Final Fantasy XIII' to Their Handsets

By Dondi Tiples, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Square Enix has announced "Final Fantasy XIII" is now available for streaming to Android phones and iOS in Japan.

Role playing video game, "Final Fantasy XIII" can now be played on iOS and Android devices in Japan via Square cloud streaming, game developer Square Enix has revealed.

Square Enix made good on its earlier promise after initially delaying the service, delivering a cloud-powered version of the fast-paced JRPG combat game for Japanese Android smartphone and iOS users. Users outside Japan can also take advantage of this availability as long as they own a Japanese iTunes account.

Despite the hardware-intensive graphics usually associated with "Final Fantasy" video games, cloud streaming services utilizing "G-cluster technology" provided by a Finnish cloud game streaming provider, make it possible for users to enjoy the game with its fully intact visuals on their mobile devices and handsets.

For a more optimal experience, Square Enix recommends at least 3Mbps broadband connection for users to enjoy "Final Fantasy XIII" fully on their phones.

Using "cloud gaming venture" provided by Shinra Technologies, Square Enix is targeting the creation of a whole new industry ecosystem in online video gaming. They previously used this type of technology to stream the MMO game, "Dragon Quest X Online" for Nintendo 3DS users.

With "Final Fantasy XIII" free to download for smartphones, users will be able to play the first 30 minutes free, but will need to pay 2,000 yen to unlock the rest of the game.

Touted to be the future of gaming, bringing titles normally played on PCs and gaming consoles via cloud streaming to smartphones and other handheld devices, may indicate what's to come for popular games under Square Enix's catalog.

No word has yet been released when this type of technology will be made available for North American users.