What if FFX/FFX-2 HD Remasters Outsell Lightning Returns?

Being a lifelong Final Fantasy follower, I haven’t been pleased with the franchise’s direction over the past six or seven years.  That’s a wicked understatement.

I’m one of many – or so it seems – that are anxiously anticipating the upcoming Final Fantasy/Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remasters that are coming our way in March. About a month before these arrive, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII launches. I’m not sure I care in the slightest.

It would be one thing if Square Enix ignored fan feedback.  Lots of publishers and developers do, regardless of what they may say.  But why they ignore numbers is beyond me.  

The downward spiral

Final Fantasy XIII sold 3 million copies in its opening weeks when it debuted in Japan in December 2009. Please also note that at that time, there weren’t anywhere near as many PS3 owners, so that 3 million is greatly magnified.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 released in 2011 in Japan, and it launched simultaneously for multiple platforms.  Yet, it sold only half what its predecessor sold, coming in at 1.5 million in the opening two weeks.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII debuted in Japan last month and during its initial weeks at market, it sold a paltry 277,000 units.  We’re at a time when there are many, many more PS3 owners when compared to 2009 and 2011.

These are only Japanese numbers, but I use those to illustrate that FF is floundering in its home country, and it’s an indication of what to expect in other regions when Lightning Returns releases next year.

Now, given those numbers, what makes Square Enix think this franchise is healthy?  Could there be a wake-up call coming?  What if those HD Remasters actually outsell the latest series entry?  What if fans of this iconic IP would rather play updated versions of old installments, as opposed to the supposed latest and greatest?  Just to clarify, Final Fantasy X launched way back in 2001 and Final Fantasy X-2 released a couple of years later.

If it does outsell Lightning Returns, my guess is that Square Enix will be uber-confused.  They proudly unveil each new FF and every time, they somehow misinterpret the millions of catcalls that came their way.  You thought all Westerners wanted games to be a certain way.  In reading interviews with Square Enix executives throughout the past generation, I couldn’t find one where the interviewee didn’t mention Call of Duty at least once.  How is that relevant?

Here’s hoping that a wake-up call is coming, and it’s coming in the form of HD upgrades of two old – yet still amazing – games.  I’m not holding my breath that Square Enix will actually hear that call but hey, at least it’ll be vindication for all those bitter, disenfranchised FF loyalists out there.