Turns Out Your Mum Probably Played Final Fantasy: Study Shows Series' Surprisingly Vintage Fanbase
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
A recent study suggests the average Final Fantasy fan is surprisingly mature, hinting that while the series keeps older players engaged, attracting new, younger gamers is proving to be a bit of a challenge. Square Enix might need to pull a rabbit (or a Moogle) out of its hat to shake things up.
Right, buckle up, because I've just seen some data that's made me spill my tea (again). According to a new study by GEM Partners (cheers, Game Rant, for spotting this), the average Final Fantasy fan in Japan is… wait for it… 42 years old. Forty-bloody-two!
Now, before you start picturing your nan wielding a Buster Sword (though, fair play if she does), let's unpack this. December marks 38 years since the first Final Fantasy graced our screens. That's practically ancient in gaming terms, making it one of the longest-running JRPG franchises out there. It's like finding out Gandalf secretly played chocobo races.
The survey, which quizzed a rather hefty 180,000 people, mainly tells us two things. Firstly, Square Enix has done a cracking job of keeping its older fans hooked. Think of it like a comfort blanket woven from summons and spiky hair. Once you're in, you're in for the long haul. Secondly – and this is where it gets a bit spicy – it suggests that drawing in new blood is proving trickier than summoning Bahamut on a bad hair day.
Despite all the mobile spin-offs and re-releases aimed at reeling in the younger crowd, the fanbase is still leaning towards the… ahem… more experienced gamer. You know, the ones who remember when save points were an actual luxury.
Sales figures back this up. While Final Fantasy XIV (originally released in 2010) is the best-selling title overall (thanks to its revival and continued support), the OG single-player champion remains Final Fantasy VII from way back in '97. That's like finding out your dad's still listening to the same cassette tape he had in high school.
Lately, there's been grumbling about newer Final Fantasy games struggling to meet sales targets, with both FF7 Rebirth and FF16 feeling the heat. Is this a disaster? Not necessarily. Most franchises eventually plateau, and after almost four decades, Final Fantasy has probably reached most of its potential audience. It’s like expecting everyone to suddenly start collecting Beanie Babies again.
But Square Enix probably isn't thrilled, especially with the ever-rising costs of AAA game development. They're likely aiming to nudge that average fan age down a bit closer to the average gamer age, which some reckon is around 35 (at least in the States).
So, what's the solution? More TikTok dances featuring Cloud? A Final Fantasy dating sim? A crossover with Fortnite (please, no)? Or is it time to accept that Final Fantasy is the gaming equivalent of a fine wine – best appreciated by those with a bit of life experience under their belts? Personally, I'm hoping for a Final Fantasy-themed escape room. Now *that's* something both young and old could get behind.
Tags: Final Fantasy, JRPG, Gaming Demographics, Square Enix, Fanbase
Original article: Game Rant