Final Fantasy XIV’s fourth expansion, Endwalker, is set for release next month, and director Naoki Yoshida has revealed that the game has now become the most profitable in Final Fantasy history. It’s also accrued more than 24 million players since its initial release 11 years ago.
Although it’s hardly surprising a game that has been actively played throughout its 11-year lifetime has become the most profitable in series history, the sustained health of the community is impressive to say the least. Per Square Enix, the game had 4 million players in 2015. By the time Stormblood, the game’s third expansion, arrived in 2017, FFXIV had reached 10 million players. It’s since more than doubled.
Final Fantasy XIV has been on quite the journey.
Producer Naoki Yoshida discusses the online adventure’s rebirth through to incoming expansion Endwalker: https://t.co/5x8GuvTGx7 pic.twitter.com/gqfNjtvE01
— PlayStation Europe (@PlayStationEU) October 13, 2021
When Final Fantasy XIV was first released in 2010, it flopped both critically and commercially. Square Enix launched a rescue effort with Yoshida at the helm, releasing a replacement FFXIV in 2012.
“You all know just how hard things were for us with the original Final Fantasy XIV,” Yoshida said, referring to that initial launch. “Since then, we were able to transform the title into one that provides a major contribution to our company’s profits.”
“It’s perhaps unbecoming of me to say but in terms of our business, we’ve been able to achieve great success,” he continued. “Moving forward, we’re going to spare no expense with our investments to ensure that this game continues to be one which our players can enjoy.”
Endwalker will conclude a major storyline for the game and further solidify its success when it launches Nov. 23.
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