Square Enix’s reimagining of the classic has sold fewer physical copies than expected, but the digital business has grown stronger.
In the first days since its launch, Square Enix announced that they had sold more than 3.5 million copies of Final Fantasy VII Remake (including units shipped to stores). The Japanese company has updated its figures and confirmed that this number has multiplied to more than 5 million units sold digitally and distributed. This has been revealed by the Japanese in a message published on social networks.
“We want to send a thank you the size of Midgar to all of you who have supported Final Fantasy VII Remake,” they comment in a tweet. “We have digitally distributed and sold over 5 million copies worldwide, making this video game the best-selling digital title on PlayStation in Square Enix history.” The celebratory message does not silence the problems caused by the coronavirus. In the report of financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, which began on April 1, the company has made it clear that physical sales have performed below expectations.
We’d like to share a Midgar-sized THANK YOU to everyone who has supported #FinalFantasy VII Remake.
We shipped and digitally sold over five million copies worldwide, which has made # FF7R the highest selling digital release on the PlayStation platform in #SquareEnix history! pic.twitter.com/f6vaDSHukD
– FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (@finalfantasyvii) August 7, 2020
The Square Enix interpretation
“Sales of physical copies of the game have been lower than initially expected” due to the action of COVID-19, which has slowed down the distribution process. “In contrast, digital sales grew significantly, which has helped drive profitability. This, combined with the launch of Trials of Mana and license revenues, have resulted in an increase in net sales and operating income compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. ”
Final Fantasy VII Remake is available temporarily exclusively for PlayStation 4. Those who have not yet enjoyed the adventure of Cloud and company have the opportunity to get the game at a discount, as reported by Square Enix itself. This temporary discount applies to digital and physical copies.
Source | Square Enix
