In a recent conversation with Automaton, Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, provided reassuring insights into the game’s performance and future developments. Following a 2024 financial report from Square Enix that indicated some underwhelming sales figures, Hamaguchi emphasized a positive shift in the game’s reception, stating, “The second entry, FFVII Rebirth, has been doing very well on both PS5 and PC.” He acknowledged the concerns expressed by fans but confidently assured them of the team’s commitment to delivering a high-quality third installment in the Remake trilogy.
Sales Performance and Future Plans
The internal report released in May 2024, which became public last September, was drafted prior to the launch of the PC versions of both FFVII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XVI. Notably, FF16 made its PC debut in September 2024, 15 months after its PS5 release, while Rebirth is set to arrive on PC in January 2025, nearly a year following its initial console launch.
Square Enix stands out as one of the few non-first-party companies still engaging in timed console exclusivity. Unlike industry giants like Rockstar, which have cultivated a strong, immediate demand for their titles, Square Enix has faced challenges in commanding similar attention. Reflecting on past strategies, the decision to make FF7 Remake an Epic Store exclusive—arriving 20 months post-PS4 launch—was seen as a misstep, with its Steam release following another six months later.
However, it appears that Square Enix is recalibrating its approach to the gaming landscape. In May, the company announced its intention to “aggressively pursue” a new strategy aimed at winning over the PC gaming community. The prospect of launching the next installment, tentatively titled Final Fantasy 7: Revengeance, simultaneously on PC and PS5 (or perhaps even PS6) would signify a bold and forward-thinking move in this evolving market.
