A Realm Reborn Sales Better than Expected
The history of Final Fantasy XIV is a little rough. It had to basically be remade from scratch after it released to terrible reviews and financial ruin. It would have been the first truly bad Final Fantasy game ever released, if not for A Realm Reborn, which was significantly better than the original release.
Thankfully, the hard work has paid off. Not only did A Realm Reborn do very well with critics, but it’s sold better than expected as well. They had originally expected to make at least $598 million and have no revised this to $626 million. There was also going to be a $20 million operating loss, now a $48 million operating profit.
Considering how badly Final Fantasy XIV was originally received, Square Enix are likely still a way from profitability on this project, but they’re playing the long game. Final Fantasy XI – released in 2002 – is still receiving updates. A subscription MMO has high earning potential, especially one attached to a huge brand and which is now doing so well.
If you’re playing A Realm Reborn, you still have a lot to look forward to as well. Square hope to release consistent major updates, alongside traditional expansion packs. It seems this time – by almost any measure – Square Enix have done it right.
Source: Siliconera
Article By Mat Growcott
Mat Growcott has been a long-time member of the gaming press. He's written two books and a web series, and doesn't have nearly enough time to play the games he writes about.
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