June is a packed month book-ended by arguably two of the biggest games to come out of this generation. And, while Diablo 4 and Final Fantasy 16 would've stood out among the competition with little effort, both Blizzard Entertainment and Square Enix did plenty in terms of marketing to generate hype for each respective title. But, as we inch closer to the release of Final Fantasy 16, we'll have to give the trophy in this imaginary arms race between these two to Square Enix after what it just pulled off over in London.

In an audacious blend of history and digital gaming, one of the year’s most anticipated games, Final Fantasy 16, is linking arms with England's age-old royal fortress - the Tower of London.

The monumental event is the first time a real-life version of a video game artifact has ever held court among the ancient armor, royal jewels, and history that saturate the imposing stone walls of the famous landmark.

Square Enix, the developer behind the celebrated Final Fantasy series, has pulled out all stops for the marketing campaign of its latest installment, Final Fantasy 16, exclusively for the PlayStation 5. The absolute peak is the display of a real-life replica of the protagonist Clive Rosfield’s sword, Invictus, within the Tower of London.

A first for the video game industry, this audacious pairing of the old with the new underscores the cultural significance of gaming and its entwined relationship with other forms of art and history.

Invictus, an emblem of the protagonist’s quest for justice and vengeance, was brought to life by renowned swordsmith Tod Todeschini. This blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques reveals a curious hybrid; a manifestation of our millennia-long infatuation with medieval chivalry and our love for fantastical realms.

Just as Final Fantasy has seamlessly integrated medieval aesthetics within a future-bound narrative, Todeschini has found a way to bring a digital artifact into the physical realm, shattering the glass between the real and the digital world.

The sword will go on display from June 22 to July 19, within the White Tower, an integral part of the Tower of London. The White Tower, a structure steeped in history and former home to kings, queens, and even prisoners, will now host a symbol of a world imagined by Square Enix that will be played by millions across the globe come tomorrow, June 22.

It seems fitting that this convergence of past and future, reality and fantasy, is happening within the Tower of London, the place that has been the stage for stories of treachery, power, love, and despair, much like the story of Final Fantasy 16, a game described by its combat designer as his "personal masterpiece."

Emma Mawdsley, the keeper of the Tower Armouries, expressed her excitement for this integration of video game culture within the collection, stating, "We are always looking at ways to engage new audiences with our collections." This sentiment hammers home the evolving nature of our understanding and appreciation of art and history.

Final Fantasy 16 is set to launch later this week with pre-loading already available. At this point, fans worldwide can barely contain their excitement. Amid the frenzy of pre-orders, playable demos, and now a tangible piece of the game world, all the world's gamers are on the edge of their seats. With this move, Square Enix has set a new precedent for fan engagement and blurred the boundaries between video games and the world's foremost historical artifacts.

The Invictus will stand alongside armors and weaponry that formerly belonged to Kings and guarded nations, marking an interesting shift in how we perceive, interact with, and value digital and physical artifacts. While tourists may flock to the Tower of London for a glimpse of the Crown Jewels or the architecture, some will now be enticed by the siren call of Final Fantasy.

As the world of Valisthea looms on the horizon, ready to ensnare gamers with its rich storytelling, dynamic combat, and enchanting landscapes, the reality of Clive's sword will stand as a testament to the enthralling power of video games and their ability to redefine the boundaries of our imagination.

With its eyes firmly set on the future, Final Fantasy 16 has paid homage to the past, carved out a new path for engagement, and redefined the boundaries of the gaming world.

But, hey, if Square Enix still hasn't convinced you to get your copy of FF16 now, you can wait for the review embargo to lift a day before the game comes out.