Square Enix could abandon the Final Fantasy numbering system in order to appeal to new gamers, the developer has confirmed.
According to Yubi Abe, Game Design Director on Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix is looking to reassess the rather complex numbering system for the series in the future.
“We’re going to have to look at reassessing [the numbering system] in the near future”, Abe said in an interview with TrustedReviews. “Looking at the new generation of light casual users who come to games starting with playing mobile games and that kind of game, obviously we’re going to have to start addressing and try to focus things towards them in the near future”,
Of course, Square Enix is retaining the numbering system for games launching in the foreseeable future, including Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn for PS4 which will be released on April 14.
“Certainly the numbered Final Fantasy series so far is still being very much supported by the old fans who have been with it since the Super Nintendo days. Obviously they’ve come along and they understand and are quite familiar and happy with the numbering system.”
However, Abe identified that in order to entice new gamers to play Final Fantasy titles, Square Enix may well need to address making the series more accessible.
“The new generation is something that we’re maybe not quite as clear or as aware of as we should be – and we’re going to look into that – is how much that new generation who weren’t with the series from the start has grown now. If they’re at a reasonable level and they’re going to be the main generation who continue supporting Final Fantasy, then we’re going to have to look at addressing them and maybe throwing them something soon.”
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