Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida has sparked discussions within Square Enix about the potential elimination of numbering from upcoming games in the acclaimed Final Fantasy series.
Traditionally, each installment stands as an individual story, with only a few exceptions featuring direct sequels. However, Yoshida acknowledges that this approach poses challenges in terms of marketing, as players often wonder if the narrative continues from previous entries.
Square Enix Considers Dropping Numbering System for Future Final Fantasy Titles
“A lot of players are going to come in and they’re going to look at it like a comic book where you have to read from the beginning to know what’s going on now,” Yoshida shared in an interview with GQ.
The burden falls on the marketing team to reassure fans that each numbered title is accessible without requiring prior experience with the series. In response to these challenges, Square Enix has contemplated abandoning the numbering convention altogether, as Yoshida revealed in his conversation.
“Maybe it’s about time we removed the numbers from the title,” Yoshida pondered. ‘Final Fantasy Online’ could be an alternative. By eliminating the number entirely, it would make the games easier to understand, especially for newcomers.”
While Yoshida recognizes that the final decision lies with the higher-ups at Square Enix, he emphasizes that the unique character stories and settings of each Final Fantasy game have been integral to the series’ enduring popularity over the past 35 years.
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“I definitely believe that because the Final Fantasies all have their unique character stories and settings, that’s the reason that has endured for 35 years,” Yoshida expressed. ‘If this was like a story that had been continuing for 35 years, you’d think we’d run out of ideas.'”
The potential departure from numbered titles is not unprecedented in the gaming industry. Franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Mass Effect have abandoned numbering conventions after a few entries, opting for alternative naming schemes. However, the shift can sometimes introduce confusion among fans, as evidenced by recent instances with Call of Duty and Mortal Kombat.
While some gamers are wary of departing from the established numbering system, arguing that it would overlook the series’ rich legacy spanning three and a half decades, Final Fantasy 14 stands as a unique exception. As an evolving platform for future expansions, renaming it as Final Fantasy Online would be a logical choice.
Final Fantasy 16 is scheduled for release on June 22nd, exclusively for the PlayStation 5. As for the future of the series, whether Final Fantasy 17 or Final Fantasy 18 will feature a numbered title remains to be seen, dependent on the development team and branding decisions.
