A website listing owned by Square Enix was spotted on the web today that seems to indicate that they will be re-releasing Final Fantasy VII on the PC, but with a catch. Believe it or not, it sounds like they’re planning to build in microtransactions.
According to a Google Cache (opens in new tab) link sent to Joystiq (opens in new tab) and confirmed through Who-Is (opens in new tab), Square Enix registered a website called FinalFantasyVIIPC.com with lots of information about the classic title’s reincarnation. Among the juiciest bits is a little note that suggests that players will be able to use a “character booster” to increase their HP, MP, XP, or to attain items “all with the simple click of a button, leaving you to enjoy your adventure.” Which, of course, sounds quite a bit like microtransactions.
We’re still skeptical that this is a 100% true story, and not an elaborate troll. The website is registered to Square Enix as well as a Japanese domain trademark firm though. We’re just baffled as to why Square Enix would fundamentally alter the gameplay of its most cherished classic in order to turn it into a FF7 sight-seeing tour.
We don’t yet have a confirmation from Square Enix, but we’ll update this story if we get word about the validity of this horrifying, horrifying story.