Why Square Enix's Final Fantasy 16 Pre-Orders Are Keeping Fans on the Edge of Their Seats
Square Enix is allegedly worried about the pre-order numbers for Final Fantasy 16, according to reports The company is said to be concerned about the game's reception among fans and its potential impact on sales
According to a gaming insider, Square Enix is reportedly feeling anxious about the number of pre-orders for Final Fantasy 16 in comparison to its predecessor, Final Fantasy 15. Despite the extensive promotional efforts through various mediums such as previews, interviews, and videos, pre-orders are apparently falling short of the company's expectations. The much-awaited sixteenth installment of the franchise is set to release exclusively on Sony's PS5 later this month. The information was revealed in a recent gaming newsletter titled "Everything Everywhere Once A Week" by Imran Khan, which provides updates on industry news and recent releases, including Square Enix's upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the recently announced 1-2 Switch sequel. The newsletter also speculates on the possible reasons behind the game's release date announcement.
Reports suggest that Square Enix is experiencing some level of panic over the pre-order numbers for Final Fantasy 16, as they are currently tracking below the numbers that Final Fantasy 15 had at the time of its release. However, it's important to note that Final Fantasy 15 had much more time in the public eye, including multiple worldwide event appearances, demos, and media coverage, which could have contributed to its higher pre-order numbers. Additionally, the PS4's install base was much larger than the PS5's at the time of Final Fantasy 15's release. While pre-order numbers are a useful way to track guaranteed day-one sales, it's possible that FF16's pre-order numbers could increase after the release of its demo and through word-of-mouth promotion after its launch.
According to Khan's newsletter, the latest figures for FF16 may have prompted Square Enix to release an update on the much-awaited release date of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Khan also delves into the sales statistics of the game's remake, noting that while it had a strong initial launch, its sales slowed down faster than expected. He speculates that Square Enix is hoping to generate a significant increase in Rebirth's sales and maximize its potential. In other news, Final Fantasy 16 is set to be released on June 22, exclusively for PS5.
Source: Patreon
