Final Fantasy xiv Online released on September 22, 2010 on PC and has been a major flop for Square Enix. The game recieved horrible reviews everywhere and the player base plummeted even during an extended free subscription plan. If the game is struggling to keep PC players playing while cutting out the subscription for the time being, will Square be able to make Final Fantasy xiv successful on the PlayStation 3 which doesn't have as much competition in the MMORPG genre as the PC does?
Square recently announced a list of changes that are being implemented to Final Fantasy xiv in the coming months. These range from short term fixes to the existing game such as combat and additional quests to long term changes that would drastically alter the game such as the addition of an auction house. But is this enough for the tough PlayStation 3 crowd?
The Hard Target of Console Gamers
Console gamers aren't used to monthly payments for a game like PC gamers are. That alone turns off a lot of potential customers that don't understand why a game may be pay-to-play. But Final Fanatsy xi performed well on PS2 and Xbox 360, so the chance for success still looms in the distance for Square. That is, if they can make enough changes to satisfy gamers.
Console gamers are also typically more action oriented. While slower paced single player games do generally do well, fast paced shooters and action games tend to have the most success. Final Fantasy xiv is a slow game, there's no denying that. Even with the addition of an auction house (a must if the game stands a chance to survive on the console), the gameplay is still slow. Battles are slow-paced, travel is slow, and leveling is a tedious grind.
I have full confidence that Square doesn't want to risk losing PS3 gamers, and so they won't release the console version until they have made as many tweaks and additions to the gameplay as possible. They may be going against a ticking clock if they can't hold their current PC player base though.
Competition for Final Fantasy xiv Online
Although consoles typically don't have many MMORPG options, DC Universe Online by Sony Online Entertainment recently released in January 2011 to high success. DC Universe is a high paced, action oriented combat MMORPG seeing success on both the PC and PS3 versions. DC Universe is also the complete opposite of Final Fantasy xiv gameplay-wise. But with the astounding success DC Universe has seen, does that spell trouble for Final Fanasy xiv? Square now has to deal with strong competition on consoles as well as PC.
DC Universe Online may be the new kid in town, but its making a huge commotion. Square needs to be able to compete with it on the PS3. To do so they need to make Final Fantasy faster paced. Not just with travel and battles, but with grouping up and soloing. The grind for leveling needs to be halved. The ingredients for crafting need to be streamlined. And there needs to be loads of quests inviting the player into Eorzea and making them care about their character and the world if they intend to keep the PS3 gamers' attention- and money.
Has Bad PC Reviews and Gamers' Word-of-Mouth Hurt Square's Potential for Success on PS3?
The answer is yes, most likely. For any gamer who wanted to play Final Fantasy on the PS3 they probably looked around at forums and gaming sites when the game released on PC to see what they were missing out on. They would have seen at least some of the many complaints all throughout the internet and the myraid of terrible reviews. But is that enough to deter them from buying it when it comes out on PS3 months later with numerous fixes having been implemented? Some gamers may have forgot about the game already if they were only mildly interested, others might be optimistic and pick the game up anyways, while others will probably be caustious and wait to see the reviews of the PS3 version before they commit to buying the game. Either way, Square has lost potential customers by all the negativity surrounding the PC version and they need a strong advertising campaign to help the PS3 verrsion sell well.
If the game can really improve before it releases on PS3, and if it can hold enough of the current PC player base, there's still hope for it.
The bottom line is if Square doesn't pull out all the stops and have the most spectacular PS3 release ever, then Final Fantasy xiv is doomed to a life of a mediocre game with dwindling numbers in its first year leading to desolate servers over time.
