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[Draugoth]

Today Square Enix published the transcripts from the latest financial results briefing, including interesting insight into Final Fantasy XVI's sales.

During the Q&A session, recently appointed CEO Takashi KIryu was asked how initial sales of Final Fantasy XVI (3 million copies in the first week) compared to expectations and how Square Enix plans to expand them further going forward.

Kiryu-san mentioned that sales are in line with the company's expectations, contradicting previous press reports alleging that they may have disappointed.

This achievement was in line with our expectations. To expand sales, we have planned a variety of PR activities and other initiatives to encourage more of the growing PlayStation5 installed base to play the title.

Interestingly, Kiryu-san mentioned that he would like to identify existing IPs that can be upgraded to AAA status rather than relying only on creating new IPs.

I want to improve our profitability. I see ample room for improvement in our operating profit margin and would like to start by working primarily on our HD games.
In addition, rather than solely attempting to create brand‐new IPs, we intend take a nuanced approach to investment whereby we also identify existing IPs with the potential to be upgraded to AAA status, taking ROI into account as well. In so doing, we hope to establish greater depth to the layers of our portfolio.

Transcript

 

[Myths]

Playing that in 4K would be fantastic.

Seriously, find a way to bring back Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story. Shine some light on those IPs left behind in the PS1 era. I could really use the former in 4K.

 

[Dick Jones]

 

[Fabieter]

So the small and aa games are the problem.

 

[GrouchyGamer]

Only Xenogears Remake can save them...

 

[RoboFu]

Then release the numbers if it’s not just pr

 

[Efren is G.O.A.T.]

Chrono Break!!

 

[Madflavor]

3 million for a console exclusive Week 1, is a perfectly respectable number. RE4R did similar numbers, on multiple platforms, but nobody made a peep about that. You know why? Because everyone knows 3 million is fine.

But if it's for a game they have a personal grudge against? Well then 3 mil =/= 5 mil, therefore flop.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Chrono Break!!

I can tell that you're an OG.

 

[Dick Jones]

Square have such great IP. Look at the Capcom model and follow through. Don't Konami this.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Only Xenogears Remake can save them...

Is there much value in remaking Xenogears if you can't continue the franchise? I think the boat has left the harbor on this one.

When you look historically at their IP, they've really missed a lot of opportunities.

I've always thought they could have made Seiken Densetsu into a really big MMORPG.

 

[Lord Panda]

AAA Bushido Blade let's go

And have guest characters from across their range of IPs in the game.

 

[Unknown?]

Uh oh, thrlere goes the FF16 narrative. They tried hard last thread.

3 million for a console exclusive Week 1, is a perfectly respectable number. RE4R did similar numbers, on multiple platforms, but nobody made a peep about that. You know why? Because everyone knows 3 million is fine.

But if it's for a game they have a personal grudge against? Well then 3 mil =/= 5 mil, therefore flop.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

3 million for a console exclusive Week 1, is a perfectly respectable number. RE4R did similar numbers, on multiple platforms, but nobody made a peep about that. You know why? Because everyone knows 3 million is fine.

But if it's for a game they have a personal grudge against? Well then 3 mil =/= 5 mil, therefore flop.

It became a victim of Microsoft's army of influencers and shills trying to fight a console war. In a sane world, the sales of FFXVI would be considered fine considering it was launched on a single platform which was heavily held back in sales volume by a global pandemic. No one expects a Final Fantasy title to sell 10 million in the first week anymore.

 

[German Hops]

Only Xenogears Remake can save them...

They can't do a Xenogears remake without Takahashi.

And there's no way Nintendo is letting him go.

 

[Efren is G.O.A.T.]

I can tell that you're an OG.

 

[BaneIsPain]

Good news and can't wait the dlc.

 

[Lokaum D+]

Just give me Breath of Fire and i dont care if this ip belongs to Capcom, i just want a breath of fire 3/4 remake or a new game

 

[KingT731]

It became a victim of Microsoft's army of influencers and shills trying to fight a console war. In a sane world, the sales of FFXVI would be considered fine considering it was launched on a single platform which was heavily held back in sales volume by a global pandemic. No one expects a Final Fantasy title to sell 10 million in the first week anymore.

anymore? They never did...even the runaway success that was FF7 took 8 years to get near 10M

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

Bring back Vagrant Story, Xenogears and Parasite Eve with AAA budgets and I'll be a happy man indeed. I'll also settle for remakes/remasters

 

[Minsc]

It's about time for the 4 billion dollar AAA Final Fantasy Tactics sequel.

 

[Klayzer]

Next week's headline: Square CEO says FFXVI sales are dissapointing. You can never tell with this company.

 

[yurinka]

I want a Chrono Trigger remake or direct sequel with FFXVI/FFVII Rebirth level visuals but still keeping the Akira Toriyama style.

Also, Square owns Taito, so I'd ask them to make:

• High budget 2D Bubble Bobble, Arkanoid, Darius, Parasol Stars sequels
• New Zealand Story, Rainbow Islands, Toki AAA 3D platformer sequels
• Real AAA Operation Wolf, Chase H.Q. VR sequels

 

[Nubulax]

There goes that narrative out the window

 

[Madflavor]

It's about time for the 4 billion dollar AAA Final Fantasy Tactics sequel.

You joke but with the recent huge success of Baldur's Gate 3, now is arguably the best time for them to make FFT2.

They won't though.

 

[cash_longfellow]

Stop being such a Dick

 

[cash_longfellow]

Just give me Breath of Fire and i dont care if this ip belongs to Capcom, i just want a breath of fire 3/4 remake or a new game

This!!!

 

[adamsapple]

Fuckin' Square.

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

Fuckin' Square.

3.4 million in 4 weeks for TR multiplatform, 3 million in 3 days FFXVI only on PlayStation. Keep up the good work though, you're making Papa Phil *mighty* proud

Tomb Raider has sold 3.4 million copies, failed to hit expectations

3.4 million copies of Tomb Raider have been sold in four weeks, publisher Square Enix has revealed, which is not enough…

www.eurogamer.net

 

[adamsapple]

3.4 million in 4 weeks for TR multiplatform, 3 million in 3 days FFXIV only on PlayStation. Keep up the good work though, you're making Papa Phil *mighty* proud

Tomb Raider has sold 3.4 million copies, failed to hit expectations

3.4 million copies of Tomb Raider have been sold in four weeks, publisher Square Enix has revealed, which is not enough…

www.eurogamer.net

Their own estimate doesn't include digital sales. Regardless, Square being needlessly disappointed in their Western divisions sales is a pretty well known meme at this point.

Also, it's a third party game, what does Phil have to do with this?

 

[ArtHands]

What if their expectation is that it will be a disappointment

 

[Madflavor]

Fuckin' Square.

3.4 million in 4 weeks for TR multiplatform, 3 million in 3 days FFXIV only on PlayStation. Keep up the good work though, you're making Papa Phil *mighty* proud

Tomb Raider has sold 3.4 million copies, failed to hit expectations

3.4 million copies of Tomb Raider have been sold in four weeks, publisher Square Enix has revealed, which is not enough…

www.eurogamer.net

Wasn't Square's disappointment in TR2013 ten years ago? I know people love to bring that up, but it's not outside the realm of reality that a company would re-evaluate their outlook on sales expectations over the course of a decade.

 

[Arsic]

Playing that in 4K would be fantastic.

Seriously, find a way to bring back Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story. Shine some light on those IPs left behind in the PS1 era. I could really use the former in 4K.

A AAA parasite Eve would be insane.

Looking at Squares massive portfolio the easiest AAAs , if they don’t consider them AAA already would be Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts.

I’d personally love seeing them make more games of the quality of triangle strategy and octopath 2 since that’s been their best releases lately.

They’ve failed making star ocean relevant at all because tri ace gets a shoe string budget.

Time to release The Bouncer 2 to save their sinking stock prices.

 

[Little Chicken]

Only Xenogears Remake can save them...

Honestly don't know why this hasn't happened. It has an interesting story unlike 95% of their other stuff.

 

[Madflavor]

A AAA parasite Eve would be insane.

Looking at Squares massive portfolio the easiest AAAs , if they don’t consider them AAA already would be Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts.

I’d personally love seeing them make more games of the quality of triangle strategy and octopath 2 since that’s been their best releases lately.

They’ve failed making star ocean relevant at all because tri ace gets a shoe string budget.

Time to release The Bouncer 2 to save their sinking stock prices.

Playing that in 4K would be fantastic.

Seriously, find a way to bring back Parasite Eve and Vagrant Story. Shine some light on those IPs left behind in the PS1 era. I could really use the former in 4K.

Do we even want Square to bring back Parasite Eve? Didn't the completely and utterly assassinate Aya Brea as a character in the last entry, which wasn't even a good game to begin with?

 

[Mister Wolf]

Parasite Eve Remake.

 

[graywolf323]

Wasn't Square's disappointment in TR2013 ten years ago? I know people love to bring that up, but it's not outside the realm of reality that a company would re-evaluate their outlook on sales expectations over the course of a decade.

you gotta understand, a publisher having expectations 10 years ago is relevant to today

a console manufacturer saying things in internal emails as recently as 2-3 years ago however isn’t relevant at all

edit: /s

 

[Fbh]

Good for FFXVI but overall I think Square is in a catch 22 scenario.

Their best quality stuff are these HD-2D games like Octopath 2 and Triangle Strategy. But they struggle to find a bigger audience because of their relatively simple presentation and high price.

But they can't make games like that with AAA production values because 18 years after the launch of the 360 they still seem to struggle with HD game development.

With Square its either good and consistent quality or high production values. They can't do both.

 

[adamsapple]

a console manufacturer saying things in internal emails as recently as 2-3 years ago however isn’t relevant at all

You're right, it's not relevant at all to this topic.

 

[Boss Man]

Thank you for being excited

 

[Kakax11]

Sounds like a guy trying to get outta trouble

 

[Astral Dog]

It should surpass FFXV sales and reputation