Online game giant Nexon has cut a deal with Square Enix to make a mobile version of its long-running MMORPG Final Fantasy XI that it hopes to bring to market in 2016.
This marks the first time Square Enix has attempted to adapt an established MMORPG for the booming mobile market, which Nexon has been chasing for some time.
Developing the game with input from Square Enix will be Nexon Korea, a division that -- according to the Tokyo-based company's earnings reports -- did very well for Nexon last year thanks to strong mobile performers like Three Sword Heroes and Legion of Heroes.
From a development perspective it's not clear whether or not the mobile version of Final Fantasy XI will retain the real-time massively multiplayer mechanics of its namesake; Nexon Korea has stated only that it plans to optimize the game for mobile devices while drawing on the "storyline, engaging content and impressive graphics" of Final Fantasy XI.
In addition, a recent forum post from a member of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI community team suggests the company is aiming to create a "full-fledged" app version of the game optimized for touch input that will serve as a "massive multiplayer mobile role playing game."