Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, despite receiving stellar reviews and positive praise, seems to be underperforming in terms of sales, according to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad. He stated that the game is selling about half of what its predecessor, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, sold in the same timeframe. This could be attributed to various factors, including the fact that Remake was released at the start of the pandemic when gaming sales were at a high.
Another factor that might be impacting Rebirth’s sales is the nature of the game itself. Being a direct sequel connected to the first part, it may require players to have played the previous installment to fully appreciate it. This could potentially be a barrier for new players looking to jump into the game without prior experience. Despite both games receiving positive reviews, with Rebirth earning even higher scores from critics and fans, this requirement to have played the first game could be hindering its sales.
Another point of contention is Square Enix’s decision to exclusively partner with PlayStation for Rebirth’s release. While this may have benefited PlayStation, it could have limited the game’s reach and potential sales. In contrast, Final Fantasy 7 Remake was available on multiple platforms, including PS5, PS4, and PC, potentially reaching a wider audience. With the PS5 having a limited number of units in circulation, this partnership could be restricting Rebirth’s sales potential.
Final Fantasy remains a beloved and iconic IP in the gaming industry, but Square Enix seems to be facing challenges in expanding its reach and sales figures. Previous discussions about Final Fantasy 16 being “underperforming” also spark similar concerns, although the details were less clear. In the case of Rebirth, the direct comparison to Remake highlights a clear difference in sales performance. It is clear that Rebirth has not been able to match the sales figures of its predecessor, underscoring potential ongoing challenges for Square Enix.
There is anticipation for Square Enix to provide further details on the sales performance of Rebirth in upcoming earnings briefs. The company’s decision to partner exclusively with PlayStation for the game’s release, along with the requirement for players to have experienced the previous installment, could be contributing factors to its underperformance in sales. With the gaming community eagerly awaiting updates on the game’s sales figures, it remains to be seen how Square Enix will address these challenges and potentially expand the reach of the Final Fantasy franchise in the future. Additionally, fans can look forward to hearing more from industry analyst Daniel Ahmad on his various platforms for further insights and discussions on gaming trends.
