What Will Square Enix Do If FFXIII-2 Is A Sales Failure?

You know, this is a very, very interesting question.

Most indications are that Final Fantasy XIII-2 isn't selling well in Japan; at least, nowhere near as well as its predecessor. Furthermore, we have often wondered if the Japanese industry's assessment of the Western gaming audience is exaggerated and flawed.

Square Enix changed Final Fantasy to "keep up," so-to-speak. We don't need to go into any further detail; the long-time fans know exactly what we're talking about. Square Enix was shocked when they asked if everyone was actually interested in a FFVII remake and the publisher's Twitter page exploded. Other Japanese developers have weighed in with their views on the current state of the industry, and they really seem to think everybody in the West wants only fast action. I.e., watered down RPG Lite adventures for the sake of casual/mainstream accessibility.

So they quickly churned out a sequel - it's what the Western pubs do, right? - and it isn't even selling well in their home country. Chances are, it won't do anywhere near as well as FFXIII in North America or Europe, either. So if FFXIII-2 can eventually be considered a sales failure from the lofty standpoint of the franchise, what is Square Enix going to do? They thought they were doing the right thing. But now what? Are they just so confused that all the top executives are going to sit around the boardroom, staring at each other with wide eyes and baffled faces?

And won't it be exceedingly hilarious if Final Fantasy X HD sells more than FFXIII-2? It probably won't but even if it gets close, wouldn't that cause Square Enix to blow some sort of gasket? Does...not...compute. Right? Of course, it would probably compute for everyone else, but whatever. As the next generation looms large and Western designers continue to dominate, it'll be interesting to see how companies like Square Enix alter their approach...maybe it's time to change back.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIII-2

Tags: ffxiii-2, final fantasy xiii-2, square enix, final fantasy series

1/5/2012 9:03:40 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (64 posts)

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bigrailer19
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 9:27:50 PM
Reply

If it doesn't sell well, they will probably try to "westernize" it even more, trying to find some excuse. But they probably should start listening to the long time fans! It's well over due!

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 1/5/2012 9:29:07 PM

4 up, 0 down

bebestorm
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 9:43:28 PM
Reply

I actually I expect Final Fantsy X to stomp every jrpg on the PS3. If xiii2 fail sales wise perhaps they will carefully plan FF 15. There are other games coming so they will be ok in the long run.

8 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:01:03 PM

not if square enix actually changes things in final fantasy xhd. they've been calling it a remake and the way square enix its possible that they'll screw it up.

0 up, 1 down

SmokeyPSD
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:08:24 PM
Reply

I don't care anymore about modern Final Fantasy but I'm sure there are people out there who think it's ridiculous that this came out before Versus.

9 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 8:34:25 AM

yup. lol

3 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:48:30 PM

Yeah, I was extremely happy when they said they started working on Versus again after they finished XIII but then they announce XIII-2, AND THEN a release date.

1 up, 0 down

Dancemachine55
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:13:20 PM
Reply

Sorry Ben, but am starting to get tired of the word "whatever" being thrown around. There's just something about that word I truly hate, like as if it describes the shrugging off of responsibility or care when it clearly exists.

Anyways, back to my main point.

Would not surprise me if FF X HD outsells XIII-2, there's a lot of fans out there, and it will also be cheaper on PSN and Live, and the kids these days love to download their games than buy them. Plus, all the fan love might make some curious to check out an old classic.

Like many argued here before, it's not that turn-based RPG's aren't popular anymore, they were taken away in exchange for something faster and narrower, an attempt to try to capture the CoD crowd, which of course is just a failure in the eyes of Westerners.

12 up, 0 down

TGSA
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 10:34:07 AM

Personally, I'd love if FF X sold well and XIII-2 was a major flop. It might just teach them that they're heading in the wrong direction. Wait, this is SE and they might interpret it as "Let's make our games more linear." Hopefully that's not the case, but I'll try to keep my hopes up.

1 up, 0 down

PHOENIXZERO
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 3:17:40 PM

Here's the problem though.... FFX was that start of the direction that XIII went in. Besides that, supposedly it's going to be a remake which might scrap the original battle system (borderline criminal thing to do IMO) and go with something along the line of FFXIII's. If they do that then I'm sure a lot of people will tell SE where they can stick it. Personally I have no interest in this since I played the original version enough.

0 up, 1 down

tes37
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:18:06 PM
Reply

I'm sure whatever SE does, it won't make any sense.

They should take fan feedback a lot more seriously.

4 up, 0 down

JLB1
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:18:43 PM
Reply

This is a seriously tough question, seeing as how Square Enix is sort of in the desperation phase to begin with. If this title isn't a success, I'm not sure anyone knows what's to become of SE. Not even SE themselves. Some serious changes on the inside my best bet. What changes? Only time will tell!

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 8:36:43 AM

Fire Wada would be a good start. Then kick Kitase in the pants for some of his more recent comments.

And finally, put Final Fantasy in the hands of Nomura and leave it there. Pay him whatever it takes.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 1/6/2012 8:37:14 AM

6 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:22:54 AM

Square should handle development over to FF creator Sakaguchi who is at Mistwalker. With Lost Oddyssey he proved he still has what it takes to make truly amazing JRPG's.

1 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:25:51 AM

He hates Sony now, though.

3 up, 0 down

Vitron
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:26:56 PM
Reply

Honestly, I don't know.
I don't know where get their ideas...
I don't know why they do this, do that...
I don't know them anymore...
And I don't want to know what their crappy next move after a failed FFXIII-2

2 up, 0 down

Oyashiro
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:30:47 PM
Reply

Of course they well realize what they have been doing wrong all this time and apply the necessary corrections in FFXIII-3.

Last edited by Oyashiro on 1/5/2012 10:30:56 PM

8 up, 1 down

ZenChichiri
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:37:15 PM

Yup. FFXIII-3 already has registered domains on the Internet. I think they're planning some sort of trilogy, which doesn't surprise me.

And if they mess up XIII-3 as well, they'll still keep it within the trilogy and come out with FFXIII-3-2.

2 up, 0 down

SmokeyPSD
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 10:40:25 PM

Bwaahahaha nice Oyashiro.

SE is dead, long live Squaresoft.

1 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 11:12:03 AM

Zen that was brutal xD

0 up, 0 down

kokoro
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 11:19:37 PM
Reply

In the words of Marlo (Uncharted 3) during online play- "what a bunch of losers".

1 up, 1 down

Gamer Girl Gemo
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 11:45:58 PM
Reply

They will hopefully...
Get a clue.

3 up, 1 down

Russell Burrows
Thursday, January 05, 2012 @ 11:54:39 PM
Reply

Hopefully they fire the idiots in charge who goofed and reinstate folks who have the same vision as the Square Soft of yesteryear.

3 up, 1 down

dbyzforce
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:02:21 AM

@ Russell Burrows Especially get rid of Wada....

3 up, 0 down

Jed
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 12:34:18 AM
Reply

Hopefully they will keep heading west and end up back in the east.

8 up, 0 down

DemonNeno
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 12:41:29 AM
Reply

I'm not sure what they'll do. It seems like the most feasible solution would be to hire a bunch of westerners to finish off the final round with a fatality into the Pit.. Kind of like Mortal Kombat, but much more Westernerized.

FINISH IT!

Ok, maybe I'm a tad bit drunk.

1 up, 1 down

Ultimadream
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 1:21:23 AM
Reply

I for one enjoyed Final Fantasy XIII and look forward to XIII-2. I hope sales don't effect the next game, it would be an awful same say if Versus was cancelled due to it. Besides half a million within 4 days is not bad, especially now we live in a gaming community where the majority just want to shoot everything insight.

I have pre-ordered XIII-2 and will gladly contribute to the sales of what will hopefully restore faith to fans who were let down by XIII.

3 up, 7 down

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 8:41:50 AM

What if it still doesn't feel like a FF? I'll buy it if it proves itself. I'm not in this "buy it now and hope for the best" mentality. I made that mistake before.

If it's a good game but still not FF-y, I'll get it eventually, but it won't be a full price sale.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 1/6/2012 8:43:10 AM

3 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 2:42:57 AM
Reply

absolutley nothing!
they will continue believing its a voodoo against them, and continue to turn their franchises into something there not.
despite how loud fans scream trying to get through to them!
you would think plummeting sales would raise alarm bells but you would think wrong!
hell i remember the EB expo last year, every single game there had a line.
even sonic generations, or the dance or medievil move games had a small line.
FFXIII-2 was the ONLY game there that had no one at the booth, the whole time EB staff were playing the demos because no one wanted to touch it.
what does that say?
even when they had a presentation in the arena, ACR was before it once that finished everyone upped and left.
there was about 10 people sitting in a thousand seater stadium!
i only stayed because i could not be f*cked getting up.

1 up, 0 down

Mamills
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 6:39:29 AM
Reply

the title should be changed to:

"What wil square enix do WHEN they realise FF13-2 is a failure?"

ahh well, maybe one day they'll learn.
until then on to the many other much more amazing games out there.

0 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:31:19 AM
Reply

I probably won't buy FFXIII-2, as I didn't buy FFXIII. FFX on the other hand, if they keep everything the same, just update the graphics and audio, will be a D1P.

2 up, 0 down

Looking Glass
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:40:33 AM
Reply

I like to think that Square Enix will de-value itself so much that Sony can purchase it with relative ease and subsequently start to fix things. Executive meddling is ruining the company and I'm glad to say that Sony isn't big on executive meddling. Wishful thinking I know. But with things being how they are I'd say it's a distinct possibility.

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:59:26 AM

Not impossible, IIRC Sony already has a 5% stake in SE.

0 up, 0 down

Excelsior1
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 8:26:32 AM
Reply

They will do nothing based off of the sales of 13-2. Much like FF10 HD it's an attmempt to generate some revenue at low costs.

FF15 will be a full blown action rpg.

3 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:25:35 AM

I'm afraid you might be right about FFXV.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 8:45:40 AM
Reply

I won't be getting FFXIII-2 day one. I will be waiting to hear what the community says. In particular, I'll be listening to intelligent comments made by long-time fans.

As for FFX.... well.... it might not say it on the box, but I -STILL- will buy anything made by Squaresoft. That's a D1P, no questions asked.

2 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:07:00 PM

i'm in the same boat. unless i hear they changed a bunch of things for the final fantasy X remake, which is highly probably considering its square enix, then final fantasy X hd is a day 1 purchase.

0 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:16:44 AM
Reply

Hopefully realize their failure to cater the western market and go back to make genuine JRPGS and get their niche fans back (Hopefully the niche sales will be higher than the westernized games sales).

0 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:35:11 AM
Reply

Dunno, but I'm not going to buy it and I hope it fail I'm starting to hate this company more than Activision, at least they make happy their fandom.

0 up, 0 down

gungrave
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 2:16:27 PM

that is soo true. You have people hating on activision for doing a copy and paste with all their COD games yet it sells like crazy, they give their fans what they want. Isn't that what Square used to do? sure they would tweek it here and there, just like COD tweeks their online game.

I see Activision in a new light now, however they should stop releasing an annual game, It might go the route of guitar hero...I passed on the last COD game, got tired of it.

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:09:40 PM

i cant believe i'm defending activision but they actually make their game according to what their fans wanted. it maybe the same every year but most of their fans dont know better so they dont care if its the same game since COD4. square enix on the other hand completely disregarded their fans and went for the 360 fans they believe existed, but were miniscule compared to the number of series fans.

1 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:45:15 PM

Yep they milk to the death, but looks like that's what their fans wants no wonder it sells so much,SE just doesn't know what to do FFXIII and FFXIV aren't what I wanted, XIII-2 looks like have some cool stuff but the pokemon antics and the characters of that verse? no thanks.

I want Versus, a next gen similar KH game that isn't a portable without Disney characters? day one for me.

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:56:11 AM
Reply

What will they do?
They'll just think that they're not doing well enough so they'll keep on doing what they're doing.

Seriously but I never thought I'd see this kind of people.

0 up, 0 down

shadowpal2
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 11:45:25 AM
Reply

What will they do?

Well hopefully the answer is they'll straighten themselves the fu** up, realize that they have been performing poorly this generation - do better the next and MAKE FF VERSUS XIII the most EPIC of an experience possible.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 12:39:07 PM
Reply

Take Final Fantasy characters, insert them into Lost Odyssey game engine, include cockamamie story and pouting heroes and you're done.

Why can't they get that through their heads?

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 1:13:37 PM

hahaha

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 1:40:08 PM

Because they no longer know or understand who they are making games for.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 1:39:37 PM
Reply

I think the phrase "blunder onwards" is an applicable answer.

0 up, 0 down

gungrave
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 2:07:44 PM
Reply

FF13 is now $20 and I still won't buy it. I felt that sting at e3 when you announced it for xbox. My wallet will continue to do the talking.

ps-stop trying to cater to the west, Japan is starting to speak with their wallet as well.

2 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:11:11 PM

i think its $10 now.

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:16:01 PM

...and FFX is still $20.

:P

0 up, 0 down

PHOENIXZERO
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 3:23:28 PM
Reply

Compared to FFXIII the sales might not be great but let's not pretend that it bombed. It's still sold well over 500k copies at this point. Obviously not great for a game with Final Fantasy in the title but still way more than what most games sell in Japan.

It's not going to "bomb" hard enough for SE to rethink their direction unfortunately.

I'm 100% certainly only reason X is the one getting the HD "Remake" treatment is it's the easiest one from them to do since most if not all of the assets were likely already created at much higher quality and then scaled down for the PS2..

Last edited by PHOENIXZERO on 1/6/2012 3:27:48 PM

0 up, 0 down

Warrior Poet
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:04:24 PM
Reply

They just don't understand Western gamers at all. The ones who only want fast action already have enough games. They're not going to Final Fantasy no matter what it becomes.

The Final Fantasy fans, on the other hand, want something specific. A certain kind of gameplay, a certain kind of atmosphere. Combat that's relaxing rather than twitchy and lots of new places to explore.

I actually always thought FF exploration was weak when compared to Metroid or something. An old-school FF with lots of things to explore and lots of things to see would be great.

If they insist on doing something different, they could do it Legend of Mana style. If they remember that game, that is :P

2 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:12:54 PM
Reply

well, its square enix. they'll just think its not westernized enough. next step is muscle bound, gun wielding, foul mouthed, first person shooter final fantasy.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 4:19:40 PM

Why is it that games that fit the stereotype you mentioned - "muscle bound, gun wielding, foul mouthed, first person" - really are so popular?

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 5:57:48 PM

i dunno, its basically what shooters model themselves. its pretty weird though that the game that they're modeled in is practically made for male customers, hahaha. also, i kinda liked how they toned rico down in killzone 3. i rather enjoy the story than constant f bombs with every line. nathan drakes one liners beat any fbomb dialog any day.

Last edited by johnld on 1/6/2012 5:58:24 PM

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:18:36 PM

@ Highlander

Homoerotic tendencies?

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 2:21:07 PM

Fane, I've thought that before. People laugh at my use of female avatars, but really, which kind of avatar and character would you expect a guy to like watching for hours on end?

0 up, 0 down

SuMtOnE
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 5:49:21 PM
Reply

Square Enix = Fail
Square Soft = WIN

0 up, 0 down

Orion_Pax
Saturday, January 07, 2012 @ 2:31:26 PM
Reply

I can tell you what they should do - fold. Sell everything to Konami and let Kojima make FF!:D
OR, they could quit being dumba$$es and worrying about the FPS crowd and go back to actually makingFINAL FANTASY games!

0 up, 0 down

Mystearica
Saturday, January 07, 2012 @ 11:52:34 PM
Reply

I hope it does (still buying it)... so they're learn (doubt it) and unwesternize their games... make them memorable like they used to be (doubt that again)

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:05:02 AM
Reply

All the FFXIII hate is astounding! If FFXIII was named something different it would be loved by all. I am almost done, 45 hours in and since I am able to separate this FF from others I am in love with this game. It's a new game and entirely different.

Do I want a turn based PS3 FF YES! But it's not going to happen until FFXIII-2 bombs which will soon happen. Even then I doubt SE will understand. So, moving on, I am just enjoying a high quality game with astronomical production values and loving every minute of it. I am starting to feel sad that it's going to end very soon.

What SE needs to do is make both types of games. First make a paradigm FF which they now have 2. Then, make a turn based FF game which could be FFXV. Then go back to the paradigm system. That way everyone gets what they really want. Or just include both turn based and paradigm CHOICES in FFXV!!! Now I enjoy both combat systems so I would be fine with this idea. Not to mention the replay value! Eventually they would see that the turn based game would out sell the paradigm games 10:1 and probably do away with the paradigm system.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 12:22:19 PM

Who hates FFXIII?

I don't hate it.

But an average 10/100 lower than past FF's says something. Any hate isn't for the game. It's for SE who sees that 10 point decline and blame it on everything else BUT their own decisions.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 2:22:37 PM

I hate several key omissions from the game, like turn based combat options, world map, freedom, towns, exploration, sidequests and a tutorial section that lasts only an hour...

Last edited by Highlander on 1/9/2012 2:22:48 PM

0 up, 0 down

Ludakriss
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 3:11:34 PM
Reply

These articles are getting so old it's...painful.

0 up, 0 down

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