Sword from the Videogame FINAL FANTASY XVI Unveiled for Exclusive Exhibition Alongside the Royal Armouries Collection in the Tower of London

SQUARE ENIX® unveiled an exclusive, one-month only exhibition in the historic castle of the Tower of London for fans to experience a real-world replica of Clive Rosfield’s sword, the leading protagonist in the latest instalment in the FINAL FANTASY franchise. The partnership with the Royal Armouries has been announced to celebrate the upcoming launch of the highly anticipated action-RPG, FINAL FANTASY®XVI, which launches globally on 22nd June 2023 for the PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console.

Link to the official trailer here.

Working in partnership with the Royal Armouries, a world-renowned museum that houses the United Kingdom’s national collection of arms and armour, the FINAL FANTASY XVI sword, INVICTUS, is now on display until 19th July 2023 on the first floor of the White Tower, the most infamous castle keep in the world located at the centre of the Tower of London. Throughout this period, visitors to the Tower of London will be able to view the sword up close for themselves as part of their general admission, marking the first time a sword created from a videogame has ever been housed in the Royal Armouries alongside armour once owned by Kings.

“It’s thrilling to see the historic art form of sword crafting continue to thrive in the videogame space and what better way to celebrate this than by displaying this exclusive sword from FINAL FANTASY XVI alongside the Royal Armouries collection of arms and armour,” said Emma Mawdsley, Keeper of Tower Armouries. “We are always looking at ways to engage new audiences with our collections across the Museum’s three sites, so we’re very excited to welcome fans of the franchise and gamers alike to the Royal Armouries in the Tower of London.”

The sword was crafted over a number of months by renowned swordsmith, Tod Todeschini, who meticulously captured Clive Rosfield’s sword’s intricate details through a variety of metal working techniques. Using a mixture of traditional techniques and the latest technological advancements in sword making, the lower part of the blade was ground from solid steel using belt finishers and hand grinders and then a long steel peg was welded-on, which went from the blade ridge to the end of the pommel. The upper part of the blade was then made from two hollow shells, then welded together and cleaned using belt and hand grinders. The final pieces of detail at the top of the blade were formed and spot welded in place to complete the blade.

“SQUARE ENIX challenged me to bring the sword from FINAL FANTASY XVI to life from the digital world to the real world, therefore the first and most sizeable task was working out how to actually make it in reality,” said Tod Todeschini, the swordsmith on the project. “I knew from the very start, this was not going to be an ordinary sword and challenging in every way, but I’m very pleased with the finished sword and proud that it will be available for the fans to view alongside the Royal Armouries collection in the Tower of London.”

The Royal Armouries has three museums across the United Kingdom and cares for one of the most important national collections of arms, armour and artillery in the world. The collection is housed in the White Tower at the Tower of London, in the purpose-built Royal Armouries museum in Leeds and at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth. The White Tower is the historic home of the Royal Armouries collection and 2023 marks the 700th anniversary of the first officially documented appointment of a Keeper of the Privy Wardrobe at the Tower of London – representing the establishment of an official administration to oversee the monarch’s arms and armour.

FINAL FANTASY XVI introduces gamers to an all-new story in the Final Fantasy universe, an epic dark fantasy that takes place in the realm of Valisthea – a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals, and where peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions. The fate of the land is decided by the Eikons, mighty summoned beasts and their Dominants, men and women who have been blessed with the ability to call upon and wield them.

FINAL FANTASY XVI is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon known as Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.

Digital pre-orders for the Standard and Deluxe Editions are available on the PlayStation™Store.
FINAL FANTASY XVI is rated USK 16 / PEGI 18 and will be available for the PlayStation®5 console on 22nd June 2023.

With thanks to Historic Royal Palaces.

FINAL FANTASY XVI introduces players to an all-new story in the FINAL FANTASY universe, an epic dark fantasy that takes place in the realm of Valisthea – a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals, and where peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions. The fate of the land is decided by the Eikons, mighty summoned beasts and their Dominants, men and women who have been blessed with the ability to call upon and wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon known as Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.