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[James Sawyer Ford]

Were that the case, Square wouldn't be feverishly making public declarations of making their future projects multi-platform.

Were that the case FF16 wouldn’t have bombed on PC but sold well on PlayStation

 

[adamsapple]

Were that the case FF16 wouldn’t have bombed on PC but sold well on PlayStation

Nah.

1. The game (and Rebirth) under-performed on their base platform per reporting(s)
2. A year and a half late port which itself launched in a buggy state doesn't didn't help either

To emphasize point 2, look at Death Stranding's recent Xbox release, it's even more late, but it launched in an excellent state and with a very good launch bundle offer, and it's been sitting on the top of the Top Paid charts, only behind CoD. It matters the state something launches in.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Nah.

1. The game (and Rebirth) under-performed on their base platform per reporting(s)
2. A year and a half late port which itself launched in a buggy state doesn't didn't help either

To emphasize point 2, look at Death Stranding's recent Xbox release, it's even more late, but it launched in an excellent state and with a very good launch bundle offer, and it's been sitting on the top of the Top Paid charts, only behind CoD. It matters the state something launches in.

1. And FF16 sold less than 1/10th on PC than PlayStation , a massive bomb

2. Later releases shouldn’t matter if there’s some untapped audience - it doesn’t for GTA or RDR

 

[Denton]

I think most fans of final fantasy have a PlayStation and after accounting for them there isn’t a huge audience left straggling on pc

That's what you get for excluding people. If Squeenix was day 1 multiplatform for two decades like e.g. Capcom is now, they would be reaping the benefits of having huge fanbase on both PS and PC.

Regardless, games always sell better on any platform if released during the peak of their hype cycle.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

EVERY YEAR for the last 20+ years we got a handful of turn based JRPGs that sold well, then the same people go “SEE, would you look at that!! Turns out that people like turn based JRPGs after all!”

FFS you guys can drop the persecution complex now. Turn based JRPGs never went anywhere. Nobody is taking them away from you.

 

[adamsapple]

1. And FF16 sold less than 1/10th on PlayStation, a massive bomb

2. Later releases shouldn’t matter if there’s some untapped audience - it doesn’t for GTA or RDR

1. The source is a twitter account, who granted has gotten some things right, shouldn't be used as a news source for something like this. Let's wait for some actual communique before making proclamations like that.
2. R* only releases 2 games in a decade and sell them across 2, 3 generations, they are not the norm, they are the wild exceptions. If you want a more actively releasing dev/pub for inspiration, look at Capcom.

 

[Pejo]

Because dragon quest is basically a national institution in japan. There are plenty of turn based games that don't have a built in audience that dragon quest does. It's like pointing to call of duty and saying that halo should become that.

That's kinda what MS did, to not much success, but I get your point. Still, it's not like turn-based FF games wouldn't have a sizeable, if aging, demographic to play to. They certainly aren't hitting the zoomers like they had hoped to be with the last few entries.

 

[ProtoByte]

See Square Enix, see this is what happen when you support PC day one. Huge support for you unlike FF7 Rebirth and FF16

This isn't "huge" support. Until Suicide Sales and Concord messed up the perception of player count numbers, this is flop territory for AAA games.

Also, don't you realize that this just cuts into PS sales? It's not adding anything.

 

[pulicat]

Funny how this game is going to outsell both FFXVI and FF7 Rebirth despite budget differences between those games.

My sales estimation
Switch - 3.5m
PS5 - 1.5m
PC and XSS - 1m
Total - 6m

FFXVI
PS5 - 3.5m
PC - 0.5m
Total - 4m

FF7 Rebirth
PS5 - 2.5m
PC - 0.5m
Total - 3m

If they played their card right, the next mainline Dragon Quest game is going to be bigger than ever with Switch version alone could potentially sell over 5m units.

 

[ap_puff]

That's kinda what MS did, to not much success, but I get your point. Still, it's not like turn-based FF games wouldn't have a sizeable, if aging, demographic to play to. They certainly aren't hitting the zoomers like they had hoped to be with the last few entries.

I'd argue that final fantasy doesn't really have a core audience like that. For example FF5 comes up in a lot of "best ff" surveys in japan and it's barely acknowledged in the West outside a cult following. We could have a turn based FF for FF17 and I'd welcome that but it would still only be a fraction of the people who have played FF games that would be interested. We have lots of competing camps that all hate it when they aren't specifically catered to. "FF7 was the best FF, FF8 sucked". "No, FFX is the best".
Even FF16 could have been successful had it simply been less underbaked as an RPG. It sucks that FF7R2 came out after FF16 because I feel the reaction to FF16 put a big damper on the enthusiasm for FF7R, which is a far far superior game and probably has the best gameplay Square has ever made.

 

[Ceadeus]

Such a no brainer. The OST and graphical style are worth the buy. Dragon Quest is the OG.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Were that the case, Square wouldn't be feverishly making public declarations of making their future projects multi-platform.

The increasing Japanese support for Steam made me switch.
PC is now definitively a place where you can play everything.

 

[Generic]

Funny how this game is going to outsell both FFXVI and FF7 Rebirth despite budget differences between those games.

My sales estimation
Switch - 3.5m
PS5 - 1.5m
PC and XSS - 1m
Total - 6m

FFXVI
PS5 - 3.5m
PC - 0.5m
Total - 4m

FF7 Rebirth
PS5 - 2.5m
PC - 0.5m
Total - 3m

If they played their card right, the next mainline Dragon Quest game is going to be bigger than ever with Switch version alone could potentially sell over 5m units.

Final Fantasy 17 confirmed on Switch 2!

 

[Power Pro]

I'm playing it on Switch, but maybe I should double dip just to show my support. Dragon Quest is still way too underrated in the west, and I love it.

 

[ArtHands]

I'd argue that final fantasy doesn't really have a core audience like that. For example FF5 comes up in a lot of "best ff" surveys in japan and it's barely acknowledged in the West outside a cult following. We could have a turn based FF for FF17 and I'd welcome that but it would still only be a fraction of the people who have played FF games that would be interested. We have lots of competing camps that all hate it when they aren't specifically catered to. "FF7 was the best FF, FF8 sucked". "No, FFX is the best".
Even FF16 could have been successful had it simply been less underbaked as an RPG. It sucks that FF7R2 came out after FF16 because I feel the reaction to FF16 put a big damper on the enthusiasm for FF7R, which is a far far superior game and probably has the best gameplay Square has ever made.

I feel like the main reason for FF7 Rebirth flopping on PS5 is because the previous game have a pretty messed up release order. Timed exclusive to PS4, then a late port to EGS before Steam. And STILL not on Xbox or Switch (thought Switch is understandable due to power).

They can still make amend by releasing a FF7 full package on Xbox and Switch 2.

 

[The artful mincer]

Funny how this game is going to outsell both FFXVI and FF7 Rebirth despite budget differences between those games.

My sales estimation
Switch - 3.5m
PS5 - 1.5m
PC and XSS - 1m
Total - 6m

FFXVI
PS5 - 3.5m
PC - 0.5m
Total - 4m

FF7 Rebirth
PS5 - 2.5m
PC - 0.5m
Total - 3m

If they played their card right, the next mainline Dragon Quest game is going to be bigger than ever with Switch version alone could potentially sell over 5m units.

FF rebirth is almost 100% above 2.5 million already. Someone apparently in "the know" at install base said it was over 4 million already.

 

[pulicat]

FF rebirth is almost 100% above 2.5 million already. Someone apparently in "the know" at install base said it was over 4 million already.

That was from resetera, and it was bs anyway as you can see on this year NPD and GSD chart where DD2 that sold 3m is sitting comfortably above Rebirth.

In Japan without including steam sales only 250k difference between Rebirth and DD2.

Square Enix didn't announce 3m milestone like previous FF game for Rebirth and that was further confirmed by Square Enix themselves during FY report.



2.5m is definitely a logical estimation for Rebirth.

 

[daxgame]

very happy about this. I'm yet to snatch it for Switch, will do it at the first discount chance

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

New CCU peak achieved at 13:00 UTC:

Edit: It also narrowly managed to beat P3R:

 

[The artful mincer]

That was from resetera, and it was bs anyway as you can see on this year NPD and GSD chart where DD2 that sold 3m is sitting comfortably above Rebirth.

In Japan without including steam sales only 250k difference between Rebirth and DD2.

Square Enix didn't announce 3m milestone like previous FF game for Rebirth and that was further confirmed by Square Enix themselves during FY report.



2.5m is definitely a logical estimation for Rebirth.

Fair enough do you have a link to that resetera post being BS please?

 

[Kacho]

Solid debut for Dragon Quest 3. It's likely selling phenomenally on Switch as well.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

That was from resetera, and it was bs anyway as you can see on this year NPD and GSD chart where DD2 that sold 3m is sitting comfortably above Rebirth.

In Japan without including steam sales only 250k difference between Rebirth and DD2.

Square Enix didn't announce 3m milestone like previous FF game for Rebirth and that was further confirmed by Square Enix themselves during FY report.



2.5m is definitely a logical estimation for Rebirth.

Markets outside of America & Japan exist, you know. Like China, South Korea, parts of MENA, Brazil, etc.

Also have to consider that SE may not want to give a 3 million sales update for Rebirth, just because they did for XVI. In any case, the situation with mainline FF games is busted and them being timed exclusive to PlayStation is actually the least of the factors into that.

The IP has a problem with brand image consistency and a way-too-segmented core fanbase, and it's been this way since at least XIII way back on PS3 & 360.

Until SE amend those issues and get the budgets back under control accordingly, multiplatform releases won't do much to increase sales, especially considering one of those platforms (Xbox) is a collapsing market for B2P sales outside of a narrow selection of games, JRPGs not among them.

 

[pulicat]

Markets outside of America & Japan exist, you know. Like China, South Korea, parts of MENA, Brazil, etc.

Also have to consider that SE may not want to give a 3 million sales update for Rebirth, just because they did for XVI. In any case, the situation with mainline FF games is busted and them being timed exclusive to PlayStation is actually the least of the factors into that.

The IP has a problem with brand image consistency and a way-too-segmented core fanbase, and it's been this way since at least XIII way back on PS3 & 360.

Until SE amend those issues and get the budgets back under control accordingly, multiplatform releases won't do much to increase sales, especially considering one of those platforms (Xbox) is a collapsing market for B2P sales outside of a narrow selection of games, JRPGs not among them.

Multiplatforms strategy has increased the sales of 3rd party series like soul and monhun.

Elden Ring Sales by platforms in 2022:

Platform	Sales	Share
PS5	3,64M	22%
PS4	2,67M	16%
XB1/XBS	3,04M	18%
PC	7,49M	44%
Total	16,84M	100%

 

[deriks]

Seeing this do better than FF16 is WILD

Turn based bros, we winning

It's a simpler more loveable game

Also, some traditions are forever

 

[Ozriel]

and? Would that have increased the sales?

Or just shifted them? The latter doesn’t matter for Square

Why wouldn’t that have increased sales?

Shifted them from where?

I think most fans of final fantasy have a PlayStation and after accounting for them there isn’t a huge audience left straggling on pc

The target audience for RPGs continually changes. There are a lot of potential customers that are PC only.

You’re pretty much capturing Square’s headache. They know they should be making games that appeal to folks who like well made AAA RPGs, not just a stagnant ‘Final fantasy fanbase’

 

[Ozriel]

Markets outside of America & Japan exist, you know. Like China, South Korea, parts of MENA, Brazil, etc.

Also have to consider that SE may not want to give a 3 million sales update for Rebirth, just because they did for XVI. In any case, the situation with mainline FF games is busted and them being timed exclusive to PlayStation is actually the least of the factors into that.

The IP has a problem with brand image consistency and a way-too-segmented core fanbase, and it's been this way since at least XIII way back on PS3 & 360.

Until SE amend those issues and get the budgets back under control accordingly, multiplatform releases won't do much to increase sales, especially considering one of those platforms (Xbox) is a collapsing market for B2P sales outside of a narrow selection of games, JRPGs not among them.

The real reason why you didn’t get an update past the 3 million is because people tend to forget that the provided figure was for shipped copies, not sold through.

Like the other recent FF games, sales tends to stagnate after the initial launch flurry.

Timed exclusivity is THE major issue. Brand image consistency is a cop-out argument given that Rebirth also seemingly underwhelmed. Putting the game on multiple platforms at launch is the credible way to expand the audience for the franchise, benefit from better word of mouth and leverage the major PR at launch.

Luckily there are two bright spots.

- Square Enix management has realized they’re getting fucked by signing these deals and so they’re walking it back

- the Switch 2 should provide an excellent outlet for their AAA games.

 

[pulicat]

Most Dragon Quest Remake sold around 2m but with multiplat approach by SE with simultaneous release day one on current gaming platforms, Dragon Quest 3 Remake is likely to sell above 4m.

 

[Shodai]

I assume Dragon Quest games, like Final Fantasy, do not require knowledge of past games to be able to enjoy them?

EG. They are their own narrative.

 

[Danjin44]

I assume Dragon Quest games, like Final Fantasy, do not require knowledge of past games to be able to enjoy them?

Well Dragon Quest 1, 2 and 3 are connected which is know as Erdrick Trilogy and 3rd game is takes before 1&2.

 

[xenosys]

That was from resetera, and it was bs anyway as you can see on this year NPD and GSD chart where DD2 that sold 3m is sitting comfortably above Rebirth.

In Japan without including steam sales only 250k difference between Rebirth and DD2.

Square Enix didn't announce 3m milestone like previous FF game for Rebirth and that was further confirmed by Square Enix themselves during FY report.



2.5m is definitely a logical estimation for Rebirth.

The Japanese sales you are citing are physical-only. If more Japanese people on PS5 have indeed switched to Digital over Physical (50-50 being generous) as has been rumoured over the last few years, then Rebirth will have sold as much as 500k more over there.

I have no idea where it's sitting at currently, but I know for a fact it's well over 2m. It's sitting above Tekken 8 in the US, EU and Japanese charts and that hit the 2m global milestone before Rebirth even launched back in February. if you consider that Tekken 8 will have also accumulated more sales in the last 10 months as well, and Rebirth is still ahead of it, I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the 3m ballpark right now.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

I assume Dragon Quest games, like Final Fantasy, do not require knowledge of past games to be able to enjoy them?

EG. They are their own narrative.

Some of them take place in the same world but you don’t need to play them in any certain order. And anyway 3 takes place before 1 and 2