Quote Originally Posted by aveyond-dreams View Post
No, but they sure do help. The simple fact of the matter is that it is easier to sell European/Asian fantasy games to the Final Fantasy audience than whatever falls under the umbrella you describe as "unusual fantasy locales."

You have to consider the target audience here. You will have an easier time retaining and attracting players by doing new takes on locations that people have consistently expressed interest in seeing as opposing to ticking off cultures and regions like a checklist to fit some sort of quota.
Bruh, what?

Final Fantasy X, a FF game that was specifically modeled on far eastern cultures and aesthetics, is one of the highest-selling FF games ever. I don't think gamers are so simple that having one or two less European castles or aesthetics is going to lower sales. I don't even want to get into the "quota" thing, because that smells like politics waiting to happen.