Old FFs not selling well

[Ted Zanarukando]

It is not that I do not like old school Final Fantasy games that I post this thread. It is that old school Final Fantasy games have not been selling well outside Japan. It seems that Final Fantasy I, II, and IV have not been selling well on the Gameboy Advance. However, the old school Final Fantasy games have a cult status.

Why have old Final Fantasy games not sold well?

It seems that most gamers cannot grasp at 2D graphics well.

[TheHasteChocobo]

Well as much as I hate saying this about Final Fantasy, after playing I, II, and IV it got kinda boring. The games are very similar and those 2D graphics don't help. I didn't like IV's story either. Don't fret though, when III releases for the DS graphic whores won't have an excuse not to buy it.

[Flo]

You have to differentiate between sales when the games were new, and current sales.

Back when the games were released, role playing games weren't very popular in the US and Europe, so not many computer/console RPGs were released in those markets.

Nowadays the market for RPGs is huge, but now those old Final Fantasy games are just exactly that.. old. Once again, the market is pretty small because very few people (compared to the gaming market as a whole) are interested in classic games.

I expect that the latter might change with the Nintendo Wii giving classic games a wider exposure.

[Rikkuffx]

2D graphics aren't "bad" but I didn't like them.Things were just "har to see" in a way.I guess that could be part of why they don't sell.Also people may not want older games they tend to lean toward newer ones more.

[The Welsh Paddy]

I, myself, aren't bothered about graphics. FFVII will forever be my favourite Final Fantasy. The reason I think the older games aren't selling as good, is because the Final Fantasy games have been constantly evolving. Some people may not have played the older ones, so they could very well say that X is their favourite, or XI, even. So, obviously, with each new game they make, SE aim to attract more fans. People who have started off playing FFX or whatever, would most likely find it really difficult to switch to playing any of the previous versions, from VII down, unless they're more of a retro gamer themselves.

Hell, you wouldn't really find any 10 year old who's just gottan into Final Fantasy wanting to buy any of the SNES versions of the game. They'd wanna buy the new, more flashy games, with better graphics, etc. That's what I think, anyways.

[Deicide]

I beleive the problem is most likely to do with the difficulty in getting the attention of new gamers with old games, especially ones with poorer graphical and musical quality. Its like this - the games do have a lot of fans, thats undeniable, but to be fans those people have clearly played the games already which means they most likely OWN the games, albiet it on an older system. Now, how many people does anyone here know that are likely to shell out $30-$40 for a game they already own just so they can play it on a different system? I have to say the financial factor has definatly proved the clincher in my own case, that and this constant lessening of difficulty levels. Its just.. Well.. Rediculous in my honest opinion.
That out of the way we get to the point where Square need to bring a new generation into the old skool fold, and it isnt working well for them because they are simply reselling the same games with horribly minor changes and not much oomph behind the marketing campaign. Newer gamers are often used to easier, better looking games, plus I think a fair few of them may have cottoned on to the fact Square are asking new-game prices for very old games simply because 'o look! its on a shiney new system!' and, again, thats just not going to fly because its asking way too much from the average consumer. A few people have bought the games based on there curiosity at the series origins or maybe even there ability to see past the dated graphics and such, I applaud those people for there good taste, but to expect everyone to follow that example when SquEnix is giving so little incentive, especially in the way of changes or REAL remakes? Nah. Aint gonna happen.

:..2-2-7..:

[Flo]

but to be fans those people have clearly played the games already which means they most likely OWN the games, albiet it on an older system. Now, how many people does anyone here know that are likely to shell out $30-$40 for a game they already own just so they can play it on a different system?

I think the PSX conversions of the classic Final Fantasy titles are more targetted at people who used to have those games on other systems and would like to play them again without having to track down old second hand consoles and cartridges. Also, most of those re-releases are sets of 2 games, so that makes the price a little more reasonable.

That out of the way we get to the point where Square need to bring a new generation into the old skool fold, and it isnt working well for them because they are simply reselling the same games with horribly minor changes and not much oomph behind the marketing campaign.

That's a catch 22. Change too much and you risk alienating the people who loved the originals. I'm actually curious how Final Fantasy III DS will turn out in this regard, as this is the most major revamp of a Final Fantasy game to date.

[Bryan]

I'll admit it. I don't enjoy the first handful of FF games as much as the newer ones. It's a bit difficult to get past the graphics and focus on the storyline. Not that this is the game designer's fault.

[Kinky Laughter]

I think it's because it's harder to find here, especially where I live, I have to hunt them down and I have most all game stores and the sort call me whenever a final fantasy comes in so I can grab it if I don't already have it. I know a lot of people who love the classic games, they're just hard to get a hold of.

[Anomaly]

People want new shit. It can be just that, shit, but if you wrap it up in a pretty bow most people will just grumble and complain, but they'll still buy it. It's got nothing to do with the graphics being 2D or 3D, its got to do with them being marketed as 'OMGNEW!' or as 'Er...Remake! Same as before, but with Extra's! YAY!'

It doesn't catch the eyes as well as 'NEW!'

See, if they remaid the classic story of FF4 with updated 2-D graphics (think the anime style of Guilty Gear X) it would sell like mad. Hell I'd buy it.

[Angantyr]

Well why would they sell well? They are old games remade for the new fans who wanted to experiance the origins OR to the people who played them back in the days who want to relive them. I doubt SquareEnix even though some of the Hard core new school FF fans would buy them, and they are right.

Being from the first example, I started off with VII then went onwards till X then along came the FF:Anthology and VI so I thought this would be a perfect oppertunity to check them out. The graphics never bothered me one bit, what bothered me was the fact the Game play was differant but after a while I got use to it and I completed them all. I use to be a huge fan of the series and I would of shell out a lot for the Nintendo versions back then and thats precisely why the re-released them. I look foward to seeing what happens with FFIII and wish I had the chance they would re-release Tactics to PAL systems

[dirka dirka]

I've just finished FFI and nearly FFII on the GBA, and I've got to say, the storylines are not great. I onlt played FFII because I felt I should do really. Got to say, I am looking forward to playing FFIV on GBA and think i'll HAVE to buy a DS when FFIII comes out!