Final Fantasy 10’s Blitzball may not be coming to FF14, but what are the other possibilities? 

Many Final Fantasy fans were disheartened when Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) announced that despite the recently-released Dawntrail expansion’s Final Fantasy X vibes, the game wouldn’t be getting Blitzball. Introduced in Final Fantasy X and reappearing in Final Fantasy X-2, the water-based sport isn’t just a core component in both games’ narratives; it also has a pretty fun minigame attached to it. Blitzball may not be coming to Final Fantasy XIV anytime soon, but there might still be hope for Spira’s most popular sport. 

Which version of Blitzball are we talking about here? 

When it comes to Blitzball, most Final Fantasy fans will think of the Final Fantasy X minigame where they can recruit different Blitzball players from all over Spira and control them while playing an aquatic-based sport. Each player has different stats (HP, Attack, Passing, and Blocking, among others) which dictate their strengths and weaknesses. These stats can be improved as Blitzball players participate in more games and new techniques can be acquired using the “Tech Copy” command. 

Speaking of commands, Blitzball in Final Fantasy X is more involved than in Final Fantasy X-2, where players assume a more managerial role. Team formations can be assigned, recruited players can be controlled in the aquatic stadium, and battles against the opposing team play out in a turn-based fashion. There is a good deal of math involved in Blitzball, but it never gets too complicated that players need to pull out their calculators for every game. 

Blitzball could find a new home as a mobile spin-off game 

Seeing as the core fundamentals were already set in Final Fantasy X, Square Enix could build off the 23-year-old mechanics and update them for a modern audience. While a game could be made for the PC and consoles, the best fit for Blitzball seems to be on mobile. 

Players can manage and control their Blitzball team using simple touch controls. Commands can also be given easily since the game pauses during encounters with opposing players. And seeing as there is no need to explore Spira, more Blitzball players can be recruited to your team via a new system (*cough* gacha *cough*).  

On top of playing matches against A.I. teams, Square Enix could also implement PVP matches and tournaments. Final Fantasy X has no online functionality whatsoever, so being able to blitz off against others and your friends’ teams is something that would keep players interested in a mobile Blitzball game. Clans could be added, Blitzball players could be swapped between teams, and activities like a fantasy Blitzball league are just a few things that could be implemented to take advantage of Blitzball’s sports nature. 

Blitzball as its own game has so much potential. Many Final Fantasy fans loved the original minigame and with some additions and updates, Blitzball could become relevant again. At the very least, this will give those who aren’t the biggest fans of Final Fantasy VIII’s Triple Triad something more proactive to play.