Final Fantasy may lower the numbers for future installments

One of the things we’ve noticed during recent preview events is how keen Square Enix is ​​to underline that Final Fantasy 16 is a standalone game. While enthusiasts will already know that each mainline Final Fantasy features its own cast of characters and story, it’s easy to imagine how more casual players might be put off by the prospect of purchasing. 16th Installment in a long-running series.

talked to GQ Magazine, producer Naoki Yoshida admitted that this is something he mentioned to his bosses: “Maybe it’s time we remove the numbers from the title,” he observed. “For example, you have Final Fantasy 14. You have a new player coming in and it’s like, ‘Wait a minute, why do I have to play Final Fantasy 14 if 16 is out?’ Why don’t we call it Final Fantasy Online – just get rid of the number altogether, and it’ll make it easier to understand.”

Yoshida said, however, that nothing has been decided for the franchise’s future — and it won’t be his decision. “Whether or not Final Fantasy 17 or Final Fantasy 18 should have a number — that’s going to depend on who’s going to develop that game and whoever’s in charge of branding, so that’s their problem, ours. No,” he laughed.

How would you feel about pushing Final Fantasy’s numbers? We think this will benefit Square Enix from a branding perspective, but since the franchise already has so many spin-offs, it could make it more difficult to distinguish the main line entries from the side projects. We’re a little torn on this one: Numbers seem like they’re part of every major Final Fantasy identity. But from a marketing perspective, there’s no doubt it would help if they weren’t there!