Square Enix has addressed concerns about the sales of Final Fantasy XVI, asserting that the game's performance has been "extremely strong." The company points to the PlayStation 5's install base as a factor, as the game sold three million copies during its launch week.
The debate on the game's sales was sparked by a Bloomberg article highlighting a significant drop in sales in Japan during the second week after launch. Additionally, it mentioned that initial sales were behind previous games in the long-running role-playing series, leading to concerns about Square Enix's flagship franchise's momentum.
In response, Square Enix provided a statement exclusively to IGN, explaining that Final Fantasy XVI's attach rate is considerable given the size of the PS5 install base, which had reached 38 million consoles shipped globally as of March 31, 2023.
The company emphasized the success of the game relative to the PS5's market conditions and compared it to Final Fantasy VII Remake, which launched on the PS4 with a larger install base at the time.
"Square Enix considers the initial sales results of Final Fantasy XVI to be extremely strong, and we will continue to carry out a wide range of initiatives to encourage even more people to play the game," the company stated.
Despite the sales slowdown after launch, sources familiar with the game's performance indicated that Final Fantasy XVI is not considered a disaster. Some potential indicators of its future success include producer Naoki Yoshida's comments on possible DLC and further investment in development time.
Final Fantasy XVI received mixed reactions from fans due to its departure from traditional role-playing features, opting for a more action-oriented experience inspired by Game of Thrones. However, the game's excellent story, characters, and world-building were well-received.
Data from Ampere Analysis showed that Final Fantasy XVI ranked as the sixth biggest title in terms of monthly active users on PS5 in June, with 13% of PS5 players engaging with it. While initial sales might be lower than expected, considering the game's Mature rating and PS5 exclusivity, the launch environment played a significant role.
In Japan, the game faced challenges due to its darker themes and older cast of characters, which deviate from the typical Japanese RPG style. Despite this, Final Fantasy XVI attracted more daily players than other PS5 games in the country and seemed to appeal more to western audiences.
As the game continues to stay in the charts and perform in the coming months, its true performance will become clearer. Square Enix remains optimistic and will continue its efforts to attract more players to the game.
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