Fans are panicking over Final Fantasy 16 sales slump in Japan

As noted by Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Toyo Securities, Final Fantasy 16's sales nosedived by a staggering 90% the week after coming out - a staggering drop compared to its illustrious predecessors, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and the much-maligned Final Fantasy 15.

According to Yasuda the sales slump is a "very poor result," adding that it'd be nearly impossible for Square Enix to revive the sales without a significant drop in price. He suggested that the game's departure from the quintessential "Final Fantasy" vibe, the very same reason why it's arguably the best entry in the franchise in a while, is leaving consumers disoriented.

The controversy surrounding the sales isn't the only drama FF16 has triggered albeit it reignited the earlier debate about its nature. Is FF16 really a Final Fantasy game? What even constitutes a Final Fantasy game, in the first place? FF16's deliberate divergence from traditional features like the series' signature turn-based battles, complex upgrade systems, skill trees, and more, coupled with taking inspiration from Game of Thrones and a battle system that's more akin to Devil May Cry, has left some fans feeling alienated and worried about the future of the beloved franchise.

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However, amidst this kerfuffle, we should bear in mind one thing - FF16 is exclusive to the PS5, a console that holds a much smaller consumer base compared to its predecessor, the PS4, which enjoyed a much broader audience when FF15 came out (2016) and FF7 Remake (2020).

Furthermore, the sales data only accounts for the physical copies sold, leaving out potentially substantial digital sales. In an era where digital purchases have become the norm, the physical sales slump is potentially misleading.

Of course, FF16 was and still is touted as a console seller - not just a console exclusive. It's a game that, after extensive marketing, including a well-received demo, should've helped move the needle for both Square Enix and Sony. It remains to be seen if this is the case, so we'll have to wait for the next quarterly report from both companies to know more about the tale of the numbers. Still, the game's 3 million copies shipped worldwide in the first week offer a promising counterpoint. The sales numbers aren't mind-blowing, by any means, but it's a strong return to form for Square Enix, and proof that whatever it's doing works.

Mind you, Square Enix doesn't plan on resting on its laurels. While all eyes are on FF7 Rebirth, which comes out early next year, FF16's producer, Naoki Yoshida, has revealed an "18-month plan" to help maintain the game's sales and popularity. The eventual release of the game on PC, which may or may not happen next year as well, could be part of this strategy. It remains to be seen if the inclusion on the Xbox Series S/X is on the horizon, but we doubt it. Finally, there's a chance that Square Enix might revisit plans to do post-launch content for FF16 despite saying earlier that it's not a priority.

Ultimately, Square Enix can hold their heads high knowing it released a critically acclaimed game that may be nominated for Game of the Year in December, alongside Diablo 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as well as possibly other incoming games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield.

Some fans might have expressed their disappointment and even raged at the changes made for FF16, but, at the end of the day, it's a solid if remarkable outing.

For now, though, fans can put their calculators away, put the discourse on pause, and immerse themselves in the fantastical world that Square Enix has so painstakingly crafted. After all, the true joy of gaming lies not in sales numbers, but in the escape it provides from the humdrum of everyday life.