Final Fantasy XIII-2 Sales Show A Series In Decline?
Final Fantasy XIII-2Recently, we heard the first Japanese shipment of Final Fantasy XIII-2 would be about half the size of the initial Final Fantasy XIII shipment.
And now, despite what can only be viewed as relatively decent sales numbers, it seems FFXIII-2 is marking the franchise's perceived popularity decline. Check it out:
Everyone is talking about the latest tallied sales figures; the long-time fans have noticed that thus far, FFXIII-2 hasn't even outsold Final Fantasy III on the SNES. The industry was considerably smaller back then, ya know. Furthermore, if you compare the sales of FFXIII-2 to some of the more popular installments during the PS1 and PS2 eras, the picture starts to get clearer... We're making no judgments on this; we'll let the readers hash it out.
By the way, does anyone else find it supremely hilarious that the Xbox 360 version of FFXIII-2 has sold around 10,000 copies compared to the 525k the PS3 version sold? Why even bother to release the 360 version in Japan?
Seriously?
Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIII-2
Tags: ffxiii2, final fantasy xiii-2, ffxiii-2 sales, final fantasy xiii 2 sales
12/22/2011 9:04:42 PM John Shepard
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Comments (54 posts)
Bonampak
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 10:02:05 AM
First Week Launch Numbers (Japan):
FF XIII-2......... 524,217 Units
FF XIII.......... 1,516,532 Units
FF XII........... 1,840,397 Units
FF X-2........... 1,472,914 Units
FF X............. 1,749,737 Units
FF IX............ 1,954,421 Units
FF VIII.......... 2,504,044 Units
FF VII........... 2,034,879 Units
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 10:24:25 AM
If I was a business man looking at those numbers, I'd be really worried. Especially in the full knowledge that the sales lives of games are much more concentrated in the 1st week & 1st month than before with relatively lower long term sales than in the PS2 days.
0 up, 0 down
Arvis
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 11:09:15 AM
-Arvis
3 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 5:29:22 PM
FFVII: 9.8 million (includes international ed.)
FFVIII: 6 million
FFX: 6.6 million
FFX-2: 3 million
FFXIII: 6.2 million
I have a feeling that XIII-2 isn't going to sell nearly as well as its predecessor, but FFX-2 sold less than half of what FFX did in its lifetime as well, coming in at only about 3 million.
0 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 5:44:04 PM
0 up, 0 down
Bonampak
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 12:30:23 AM
Then how do you explain other games selling quite well during their first week in Japan?
How do you explain Monster Hunter 3G selling 471,055 in two days?
Let's face it... S-E is solely responsible for those lackluster numbers. Not Japanese gamers. They had good reason to avoid XIII-2. And boy, did they...
1 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 11:46:39 AM
0 up, 0 down
Mamills
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 10:16:44 PM
Reply
im sure they made improvements in the gameplay but as i said, without good story and good character development it gets no purchase.
will i play this game? maybe but i will not pay for it.
(sorry but the cast sucks they lack character, completely)
the story of the 1st was pretty stupid and i have no interest, so this one (if they are similar which i think they are from what ive seen. so ill try it out if a friend buys it) but for the most part, ill be skipping.
sorry square, but they have lost me until they start listening
7 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 10:18:36 PM
Reply
Now...where in the hell is Versus XIII?!
10 up, 3 down
Mamills
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 10:24:46 PM
1 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:29:30 PM
5 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:33:50 PM
I'm cautiously optimistic about Versus.
6 up, 0 down
gunblademaster
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 2:22:10 AM
its almost 2012......
It better be as good as ff 7,8,9,or 10 but knowing SE's current state, I doubt it.
3 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 3:51:23 AM
3 up, 0 down
Mamills
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 6:09:18 AM
vs13 will not come out unless they can go multiplat.
its called business, too much time and money has been spent already.
i mean you are optimistic, but im pretty sure this is what is happening.
0 up, 2 down
Jutter
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 6:59:33 AM
1 up, 0 down
Mamills
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 9:11:20 AM
let me explain,
versus has been in development for too long and that means too much money has been spent.
now with that being said they will not be able to release it exclusively on PS3.
(I know it sux but thinking with a business mind, which they are. it does not make sense, they need to reach the largest audience possible)
so there are a few options of what is going to happen:
A. it goes multiplat
B. it is canned
C. it will be renamed and announced for the next gen of consoles. (AKA PS4 & xbox 720) (This may also be the reason why the engine may have been dropped or replaced.)
thus the reason as i say, it is not coming out this gen and if it does it will be multiplatform.
its quite obvious at this point.
remember guys, we are just the fans, we want it to be exclusive because we want it to kick ass on our console of choice, but looking at their point of view, they screwed up and they need to make money to keep afloat.
sorry, but its business... it sux sometimes
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 9:12:07 AM
Oh you don't? Okay then...
0 up, 0 down
Mamills
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 9:17:52 AM
keep up yur optimism buddy.
but remember i said this,
i see this happening too often and we will see
0 up, 0 down
Arvis
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 10:13:00 AM
Second of all, if the rumor is true, they won't even be "unveiling" ANYTHING until 6 months from now!
Third of all, in regards to the "have to make it multiplat for money" idea: it's that kind of thinking that got them where they are now! They "had to release a sequel to to FF13 for money," and now we have articles like this one.
Back in the day, Square would release something "Final Fantasy" in the name and everyone would get excited and sales would be good.
Now, everyone kind of groans and grimaces and wonders if it will be worth buying used.
Back in the day, Square would release something that DIDN'T have "Final Fantasy" in the title, hardly anybody would buy it, but it would review really well and pull in a loyal fanbase of grateful gamers who would get their friends into the game, giving it a long tail sales-wise. Games like Chrono Cross, Front Mission, and Radiata Stories are perfect examples.
Now, Square releases a non-FF title and nobody pays any attention. Kane & Lynch, really? That's what Square has for us these days? Even Deus Ex has become relegated to "just another sci-fi action game," even though it's quite good and reviewed well.
The point?
The Past: Final Fantasy raked in the cash, while exclusive, high quality games and RPGs catered to a loyal (and growing) fanbase.
The Present: Final Fantasy sales dwindle after becoming multiplatform, while multiplat action/shooter titles flounder in retail, killing off their established customer base rapidly.
The Moral: Loyalty equals good business. And Square has sold their loyalty this gen.
-Arvis
4 up, 0 down
Jutter
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 1:13:50 AM
Most exclusive PS3 games use specific engines for the console. We have no idea that this engine isn't multi-plat but it would make sense. The PS3 is harder to develop for when using Multi-plat engines. Unless the game is lead on PS3 it will look and run better on the 360. I'd even say the same if Crystal Tools lead on 360.
0 up, 0 down
ZettaiSeigi
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 10:30:37 PM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
VampDeLeon
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 10:55:38 PM
Reply
Last edited by VampDeLeon on 12/22/2011 10:56:16 PM
6 up, 0 down
tes37
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:10:36 PM
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I'm starting to get used to the fact that we may never see another Final Fantasy rpg.
6 up, 0 down
Phoenix
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:18:07 PM
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The 2nd reason is because it's a sequel..... I for 1 will prolly not buy this because of how bad X-2 was, sure it's a different game, but X-2 scared me for life.... one could also say that despite a different story, the game will feel a lot like XIII did, so why pay for it again.
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:18:44 PM
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As for the 360 version, I know why SE bothers, and so does everyone else, it's called a contractual obligation linked to a dumptruck of money.
8 up, 1 down
Phoenix
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:28:17 PM
2 up, 1 down
Highlander
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 12:12:22 AM
6 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 2:36:47 AM
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 3:34:15 AM
1 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:28:51 PM
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3 up, 0 down
rainrox
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 11:30:41 PM
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4 up, 2 down
Phoenix
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 11:54:47 AM
While I agree that more characters is a good thing, aswell as being much more intresting than in XIII, I gotta tell ya dont knock the new pet system until you've tried it. I played FFXI ( MMO ), and my fav class in that game was called Beastmaster, the job allowed you to charm wild monsters and to use them in combat along side you, it was fun as hell. Dont get me wrong, I'm not saying go buy this game because of it, I'm just saying give the pet thing a chance ..... in another game, or until this hits the cheapy bin =P.
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 6:45:30 PM
0 up, 0 down
BigBoss4ever
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 12:40:54 AM
Reply
Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 12/23/2011 12:42:21 AM
3 up, 3 down
Fane1024
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 2:39:52 AM
Last edited by Fane1024 on 12/23/2011 2:40:28 AM
2 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 2:21:23 AM
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XIII sold so well because 1 it was the first FF in a new generation, 2 it was the first FF in such a long time, and 3 it was the first game to use the crystal tools engine.
its not exactly surprising to see its predecessor sell less, especially when its only 2 years later, and was originally suppose to be DLC.
0 up, 1 down
Snaaaake
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 3:39:22 AM
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FFXIII-2 is only 2 years after FFXIII and there's not as much hype, not to mention FFXIII was the first main FF this gen.
1 up, 1 down
raptassassin
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 6:23:58 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 6:46:58 PM
I am probably 92% likely to get this game. But I am 100% likely not getting it in the first week. I remain.... cautiously optimistic.
0 up, 0 down
evilmunkie
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 6:42:02 AM
Reply
Last edited by evilmunkie on 12/23/2011 6:45:49 AM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 6:50:04 PM
I bet most of the Japanese that like FF will get it eventually. I would think that they are likely like us here.... waiting and seeing before they make a purchase. After FFXIII (which broke records for how quickly it was sold back to game stores), I'm willing to bet most people over there want to be sure about what they're getting this time around.
SE no longer has blind faith purchasers as they once had. But you're right. Those numbers will likely rise significantly with time.
0 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 6:50:31 AM
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If FF15 comes out and struggles then I would say the series is in decline for sure. I don't think anybody, including Square themselves, expected 13-2 to light up the sales charts. Square only shipped about half as many copies out.
From a quality viewpoint I think the series has been in decline since after FFX.
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 12/23/2011 6:53:47 AM
5 up, 0 down
DrRockso87
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 9:08:46 AM
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Christmas has come early!! Now I wonder if my wish for a pony with sacks full of money will come true?
4 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 5:38:23 PM
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Anyways, this is a lose-lose situation for fans anyways, so whatever. Here's how it is:
We think it should happen like this: SE makes big sales on sequel, it shows continued brand loyalty and people will complain. SE makes bad sales then HA they learn their lesson and go back to the old ways.
BUT, it was NEVER going to work that way. HERE is the way it actually happens and will happen. And it's why it's best to just roll with the punches and accept FF for what it has become (as wishing for old days won't help). As promised... here's the way it is:
SE makes great sales, that means people obviously like the NEW way FF is made! SE makes poor sales, then it isn't because of the changes... it's because people don't like FF anymore. (From SE's persepctive, of course)
SE, guaranteed, will not see this as fans wanting them to go back to their old ways. They will see this as a reason to move even further away from it in order to boost sales. They truly believe the old mechanic is archaic. There's no way, even if consumers speak with their wallets, that SE will go back to their old ways.
My friends... we either need to accept that FF is no longer our favorite franchise and just enjoy them for what they are and BUY, or like Japan, stop buying into it and be prepared for the FINAL final fantasy.
2 up, 0 down
AntDC
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 5:55:00 PM
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If I were an employee of SE I'd being feeling very uncomfortable and embarrassed for the future of the company right now.
0 up, 0 down
Warrior Poet
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 6:54:34 PM
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0 up, 0 down
homura
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 11:20:21 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Ludakriss
Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 8:22:11 AM
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No intellectual comments, no clever, bullshit quips.
Square enix had hurt me. As a fan, yes. By going multiplatform - yes. Sorry, might be a very "childish" thing to say but it comes genuine and from the heart. Do what you will with it.
And god damn it, yes, I'm hurt as a fan because all the fuckin 48 gig or whatever exists on the Blue Ray and they had to CUT?! yeah, let me repeat, CUT THE CONTENT!!!!
Do you even understand how painful this is? With all the the expectation of, deep, creative people just "enhancing" and "extending" the already, sublime experience of FF world with the newly given tech?
So yes. Excuse me while I express my utmost F***KIN satisfaction of their product, selling bad. I want them to fail, man. I do. And it pains me.
1 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Reply
Thursday, December 22, 2011 @ 10:07:34 PM
A) After lukewarm reviews, the price drops.
or
B) The game ends up getting a great aggregate review score, so people buy it full price some time after it releases.
The thing that helped FFXIII's sales so much was the sheer hype for it. Even though disappointment followed after the game was actually played, the people that were lining up for their day 1 purchase had no idea. I'm not saying it was a bad game, but the general consensus on XIII is that it's a disappointing Final Fantasy experience.
With XIII-2, they used the same engine and have less pre-rendered cutscenes, so it's not like they're going to be losing a profit on this one regardless.