Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Gets Major Update

Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Gets Major Update

Key Takeaways

  • Square Enix released an update for the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo.
  • The 1.01 patch addresses some major bugs and introduces upscaling tech improvements, among other changes.
  • Square Enix is still investigating reports of the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo experiencing severe stuttering.

As a die-hard Final Fantasy enthusiast with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement when Square Enix announced the release of the 1.01 update for the PC demo of Final Fantasy 16. Having experienced the original version’s minor hiccups firsthand, I was eager to see if this patch would bring about the smoother, more polished experience I’ve come to expect from Square Enix.


The initial update for the personal computer version of the ‘Final Fantasy 16’ demo is now ready to be downloaded. Labeled as version 1.01, this update makes improvements to the ‘Final Fantasy 16’ PC demo by incorporating approximately a dozen changes, such as resolving several significant bugs.

In September 2023, it was officially confirmed that “Final Fantasy 16” would also be available for PC, about two and a half months after its debut on PS5. Approximately a year later, Square Enix finally set a specific release date, announcing that the RPG would be playable on Steam and the Epic Games Store starting September 17, 2024. This announcement coincided with the beginning of pre-orders for the game and the launch of its PC demo on August 19.

Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Gets Upscaling Tech Improvements and More

In a span of three days, the PC demo for Final Fantasy 16 received its inaugural update, now available for download on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. This patch brings the version up to 1.01 and introduces several modifications, with a focus on enhancing the quality across all supported upscaling technologies: Nvidia’s DLSS, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS. According to the update’s release notes, Square Enix has been working diligently to address pixelation issues related to FSR, as well as minimizing graphical anomalies such as blurring when utilizing XeSS or DLSS.

As an ardent fan, I can share that this update tackles numerous performance concerns, such as GPU glitches, inconsistent sound effects, and troubles related to resolution. In specific cases, it’s claimed that graphical tearing in borderless window mode has been eradicated too. Issues like these have been flagged by Steam users in the past, with some even citing them as grounds for a negative review. Given the volume of disgruntled players, the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo currently boasts “Mixed” reviews on Valve’s marketplace.

Square Enix Is Still Investigating Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Stuttering Issues

The 1.01 update aims to fix several known issues, such as enemies not appearing correctly in certain battles and UI rendering errors. Furthermore, Square Enix has acknowledged reports of stuttering and is currently investigating them. This suggests that the 1.01 update might not be the last one for the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo.

Online chatter from players on social media and Steam Community boards suggests that the current demo version runs at a faster frame rate compared to the initial build, yet it still experiences some performance issues, particularly due to stutters. The improvements the developers plan to incorporate into the demo in the upcoming weeks should also lead to a smoother, more refined experience of the full game. For now, a high-ranking Square Enix representative has hinted that the extended wait for this port may not be a sign of things to come, indicating that the studio could start releasing future Final Fantasy games on PC simultaneously with console versions.

Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Update 1.01 Patch Notes

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that advancements have been rolled out for DLSS, FSR, and XeSS in terms of visual quality. These upgrades should significantly minimize problems like blurring (in DLSS and XeSS) and pixelation (in FSR), enhancing the overall gaming experience.

The following issues have also been addressed:

  • Dynamic Resolution being locked on the lowest setting.
  • Enemies not appearing properly in certain battle content.
  • Graphics not displaying properly on certain stages.
  • Graphical tearing in certain instances when using borderless screen mode.
  • SFX not playing properly under certain conditions.
  • UI not displaying properly under certain conditions.
  • Screen resolution changing under certain conditions.
  • Rare instances of GPU crashes.
  • Other minor issues.

At present, we’ve encountered cases of stuttering in specific computer settings, and we’re actively looking into this problem to find a solution.

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2024-08-24 18:24