Square Enix has claimed that sales of Final Fantasy XVI, the latest installment in its popular franchise, have been “extremely strong”.
The PlayStation 5 exclusive sold three million copies worldwide in less than a week. However, it has been discussed on forums and social networks that these results were lower than the last two previously released parts, Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
In a message to IGNSquare Enix explains that these differences are explained by something as simple as the difference in installed console base between PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
“With 38 million PS5 consoles shipped worldwide as of March 31, 2023, Final Fantasy 16 sales surpassed three million units worldwide days after release on June 22, 2023.”
“Considering the sales numbers of the acclaimed Final Fantasy 7 Remake and the difference between the PlayStation 4 installed base at the time of this title’s release, we can see that Final Fantasy 16’s adoption rate is considerably high given the PS5 installed base.”
“Square Enix is extremely positive about the early sales results for Final Fantasy 16 and we will continue to take numerous initiatives to encourage more people to play the game.”
Final Fantasy VII Remake sold three and a half million copies in four days and reached five million copies after four months, but was released at the end of the PlayStation 4 life cycle, with a much larger number of consoles than FFXVI. In the case of Final Fantasy XV, five million copies were sold on day one, but in this case it’s a multiplatform title.
It’s also important to note that Final Fantasy XVI is the first game in the series to be age-rated, which may have impacted sales as well.
