Square Enix Revises Earnings Forecasts For Major Loss

[Jamel-Irief]

The fact is FFXIII followed the recipe for Final Fantasy almost to the T. and FFXIII-2 will end up resolving the issues most people had. They already said they were taking the negative media against XIII to heart for its internal sequel. Again it'll probably sell at least another 3 million units and they didn't have the first time investment cost of creating the in game world and assets as a huge number of assets can simply be reused.

I agree with this very much. Although FFXIII is probably my least favorite FF title, it really isn't that bad a game. Of all the PS3 games I bought in 2010, FFXIII is probably the only one I feel like playing again. And I will no doubt buy FFXIII-2, I will just use the money saved from FFXIV being free.

The only reason the Chrono Trigger series never got further then Cross was because of bad sales (http://www.rpgsite.net/news/342/squa...-buy-more.html). No doubt the FF series would have followed same destiny if they weren't succesful.

So, to say FFXIII is a MASSIVE FAILURE (which is often said) is just wrong.

[Anty]

I was under the assumption that even though the majority of people disliked XIII, it was still a financial success. Besides, the other XIII games (Agito which is now Type-0, and Versus XIII) are not sequels, but merely based off the fabula nova engine. XIII-2 is likely proof enough that XIII turned a profit, no? And although I've not seen figures for the units sold/shipped for Dissidia, its a huge stretch to say they detracted players by including ONE character from XIII.

And I'm pretty sure that this article is not anything new. Didn't they revise their earnings for the last fiscal year shortly after XIV's release, noting they would take a major loss? Yoshi-P himself discussed this in a letter, saying XIV's near future is safe because SE independently funds this (maybe all?) project rather than seek investments externally.

EDIT: Here's some financial info pulled from wiki:

In March 2010, Square Enix stated that Final Fantasy XIII was the fastest-selling title in the franchise's history.By April of the same year, American game sales for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 reached an estimated 800,000 and 500,000 units respectively. As of May 18, 2010, Final Fantasy XIII had shipped 5.5 million copies worldwide.

I wouldn't call that a failure

I also don't know why so many people call ffxiii a failure... but many do and the numbers are extremly high, as far as i know ffxiii was one of the biggest success they had in the ff-series....
- i liked ffxiii tbh, wasnt the best game i played but i had fun -

Its like people saying ffxi wasnt successful.

[Jennestia]

This is so unrelated to FFXIV it's actually a little funny.

@FFXIII:

It sold well, on both ends of the globe, and no one can say "we didn't know the game was bad!" or whatever excuse can be given, as the game was released 3-4 months in Japan before the western release and there were tons of Jtv streams, youtube playthroughs and importer reviews and despite those, it still sold well.

Square also said recently that Chrono series would return and were testing the waters with the DS remake.

@Anty

People DO says XI wasn't successful, they also say XI was a failure and a horrible MMORPG, yet I guarantee they played the games XI alone funded.

[Adol]

I also don't know why so many people call ffxiii a failure... but many do and the numbers are extremly high, as far as i know ffxiii was one of the biggest success they had in the ff-series....
- i liked ffxiii tbh, wasnt the best game i played but i had fun -

Its like people saying ffxi wasnt successful.

Indeed.

It's astounding how so many people can confuse numerical facts with shallow opinions.

[Anty]

This is so unrelated to FFXIV it's actually a little funny.

@FFXIII:

It sold well, on both ends of the globe, and no one can say "we didn't know the game was bad!" or whatever excuse can be given, as the game was released 3-4 months in Japan before the western release and there were tons of Jtv streams, youtube playthroughs and importer reviews and despite those, it still sold well.

Square also said recently that Chrono series would return and were testing the waters with the DS remake.

@Anty

People DO says XI wasn't successful, they also say XI was a failure and a horrible MMORPG, yet I guarantee they played the games XI alone funded.

i think it was (wow excluded) one of the most successful mmos out there, considering how long it is on the market and that for many years the subscriptions increased year by year. The only other mmo that managed to do so was/and is EVE online,
but most other games (wow excluded) didnt manage that. Im not sure how it is today, my numbers are from 2010 i think but that doesnt change the facts in that matter.

[Anty]

This is so unrelated to FFXIV it's actually a little funny.

@FFXIII:

It sold well, on both ends of the globe, and no one can say "we didn't know the game was bad!" or whatever excuse can be given, as the game was released 3-4 months in Japan before the western release and there were tons of Jtv streams, youtube playthroughs and importer reviews and despite those, it still sold well.

Square also said recently that Chrono series would return and were testing the waters with the DS remake.

@Anty

People DO says XI wasn't successful, they also say XI was a failure and a horrible MMORPG, yet I guarantee they played the games XI alone funded.

oh sorry, im no native speaker, i wanted to point out that its silly how many people call ffxi unsuccesseful... well my bad

[Vackashken]

Its funny to see the forum hens squawking in defense of this game and attacking a guy who made a perfectly legitimate post meant to bring forth queries rather then slander.

This debacle has cost tens of millions to produce. It's been free to play for over 7 months costing them substantial losses in wages, server fees, etc etc. If any of you think this monstrous FUBAR of a game will turn around for before a year or more you're out of your minds. Does this mean I nessisarily think its going to be thrown into a dumpter? No, but thinking it won't be - or its impossible - for it to be touched by their bad financial year (and saying bad it putting it kindly) remind me how laughably blind and defensive people are in all things referencing this game.

The guy brought to light a very valid and concerning situation to this already belligerent game. He gets greeted by digital pitchforks and torches.

[Jennestia]

The guy brought to light a very valid and concerning situation to this already belligerent game. He gets greeted by digital pitchforks and torches.

People also said the first time someone posted financial information without being properly informed was that XIV's release was why they adjusted it.

Protip: Every JP studio directly or indirectly affected by the earthquake and tsunami had a loss and readjusted their forecasts as well.

If any of you think this monstrous FUBAR of a game will turn around for before a year or more you're out of your minds.

I think this is something you created, as most people who aren't overly pessimistic agree it will take a long time for XIV to finish it's redesign, whereas others feel it should be finished in weeks if not 1 month or "SE is too slow."

[Cairdeas]

Actually to be honest the Posted losses are probably a result of PSN being down as SE has TONS of content on PSN that you can not use or download with PSN being down.

[Totobi]

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!