What If Square Enix Abandoned Final Fantasy 14 Instead Of Creating A Realm Reborn
Back in 2010, Final Fantasy 14 launched to a rough start. It was buggy, poorly designed, and a letdown for fans of the franchise. Square Enix had two options: fix it or walk away. They chose to fix it, releasing Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn in 2013, which turned the game into a massive success. But what if they had abandoned Final Fantasy 14 entirely? Let’s see how that decision might have reshaped the company and the gaming world.
The Financial Fallout
Developing the original Final Fantasy 14 was a huge investment. According to estimates from ExpertBeacon. If Square Enix had given up, that money would have been lost with no chance of recovery. Instead, A Realm Reborn made Final Fantasy 14 a financial powerhouse. By 2021, it had over 24 million players and became the most profitable game in the series, as reported by PC Gamer. Without the revenue, Square Enix might have faced serious financial strain, especially with other titles like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy underperforming, per Eurogamer.
Brand Reputation at Risk
The initial Final Fantasy 14 flop hurt the Final Fantasy brand. Fans were upset, and Square Enix’s reputation took a hit. Abandoning the game could have made things worse. It would’ve left a permanent mark on the franchise’s legacy for sure. Future releases like Final Fantasy 15 or Final Fantasy 7 Remake might have suffered from lower trust and sales. The successful reboot, however, rebuilt confidence, as noted by Rock Paper Shotgun. Without it, the company’s standing in the industry could have weakened significantly.
Development Team Impact
The original Final Fantasy 14 team faced a crisis, but Naoki Yoshida stepped in to lead the reboot. Which saved the project and jobs. If Square Enix had abandoned it, layoffs or reassignments might have followed, hurting morale and future projects. The success of A Realm Reborn not only secured the team but also set a new standard for development as detailed on the Final Fantasy Wiki.
Strategic Shifts
Without Final Fantasy 14, Square Enix might have shifted focus to other projects, like the Final Fantasy 13 series, or attempted another MMORPG. But competing with giants like World of Warcraft would have been tough. The steady income from Final Fantasy 14 has supported riskier ventures, and losing it could have forced a more cautious approach.
Community and Industry Effects
Final Fantasy 14 now boasts over 30 million registered players, per Steam Revenue Calculator. Without it, those players might have boosted rival MMOs, which would have altered the market. The reboot also showed that failed games can be saved, which in turn influenced the industry. Abandoning it could have left a gap in that narrative.
Conclusion
Choosing to reboot Final Fantasy 14 was a game-changer for Square Enix. It avoided a $400 million loss, restored the brand, and built a thriving community. The alternative could have been grim. For more gaming insights, visit and catch up on news at Total Apex Gaming.
