This may come as a shock to Final Fantasy fans. But Square Enix is purportedly considering the removal of numbered titles from the franchise. In a recent interview with GQ, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida said that Square Enix is considering removing the numbered titles from the Final Fantasy franchise.
It seems that Final Fantasy XVI may indeed be the true stepping-off point for the franchise. It has since become clear as day that they are off to a brand new path. As a matter of fact, it may just be the last Final Fantasy entrant to have a number on its title as well.
Final Fantasy XVI could just be the final numbered game in the series. Make sure you have it in your collection by following the link here.
Why Square Enix May Remove the Numbered Titles
Yoshida said that the numbered titles can be confusing for newcomers to the series. They may think that they need to play the previous games in order to understand the new ones. This is not true. And considering that there are now 16 mainline entries in the franchise, the very prospect of playing them all is definitely intimidating.
Furthermore, Yoshida noted that the numbered titles can also be a burden on the marketing team, who have to constantly explain to people that they don’t need to play the previous games.
Here are a few more reasons why Square Enix might consider removing the numbered titles from the Final Fantasy franchise:
- To make the series more accessible to new players. The numbered titles can sometimes be downright intimidating to new players. They may worry that they need to play previous games in the series in order to understand the latest one. By removing the numbers, Square Enix could make it clear that Final Fantasy games are a standalone experience. It will ultimately make things much easier to understand.
- To allow for more creative freedom. The numbered titles can sometimes constrain the developers’ creativity, as they may feel the need to make each game feel like a natural progression from the previous one. By removing the numbers, Square Enix could give the developers more freedom to experiment with new ideas.
- To reflect the changing nature of the series. The Final Fantasy franchise has evolved a great deal over the past few years. Sad as it may be for series fans to hear it, but the numbered titles no longer accurately reflect the diversity of the series. By removing the numbers, Square Enix could create a more unified brand for the series.
The Studio’s Plans for the Franchise Moving Forward
Yoshida said that there is no decision yet about whether or not to remove the numbered titles, but that it is something that the company is considering. He said that they are still in the early stages of planning for Final Fantasy XVII and that they will make a decision about the numbering system once they have a better idea of what the game is going to be like.
If Square Enix does decide to remove the numbered titles, it would be a major change for the Final Fantasy franchise. The numbered titles have been a part of the series since the very beginning. They helped to make Final Fantasy one of the most popular video game franchises in the world. While it may indeed welcome a wider set of audience, It could also risk alienating the longtime fans of the series who grew up loving the numbered titles.
My Personal Take on the Matter
I, myself, am a Final Fantasy series diehard. For me, it will be sad to see Square Enix get rid of the number system on their mainline entries. Some may think that they are merely numbers from the title, but they somehow represent something much deeper for us longtime fans. Seeing Final Fantasy almost reach XX reminds us of how far the series has gone from its humble roots in the original NES.
That said, I can understand why Square Enix is considering it. Change is a part of everything. And sometimes, a major one is needed in order to survive let alone thrive in the ever-changing gaming landscape. Perhaps this is what Square Enix sees as the best move possible for them.
Ultimately, I trust that Square Enix will make the best decision for the franchise. If they decide to remove the numbered titles, yes, it would first be unsettling. But I believe my excitement for the game will not diminish even one bit.
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