Final Fantasy could be about to change its name
Final Fantasy is nothing short of iconic, that much we can't dispute. Whether you're a fan or not, everyone has heard of the franchise that practically revolutionised how immersive an experience players can have on relatively archaic hardware - bringing the JRPG across the Pacific and helping it to nestle in Western Society.
Even though we're some time from the most iconic titles in the series, the games still maintain their numbered instalments, with Final Fantasy XVI peering around the corner at us. And it turns out that some higher-ups are considering putting this trend to an end.
Final Fantasy could soon drop its numbers
Click to enlargeSpeaking in an interview with GQ, Final Fantasy producer Naoki Yoshida has suggested that the numbering system of the series could be coming to a close.
Final Fantasy's number is admittedly pretty confusing, with Final Fantasy X-2 serving as the peak of the series feeling inaccessible to players due to its frustrating dedication to Roman numerals, and it looks like Yoshida knows this.
"A lot of players are going to come in and they're going to look at it like a comic book where you have to read from the beginning to know what's going on now," the producer of Final Fantasy XVI says.
He has revealed that the frustration of Roman numerals and there being so many numbered increments of the series has pushed him to raise the problem to a higher level.
"That's actually something that I've discussed with the higher-ups," he added about the potential of making a change. "Maybe it's about time we removed the numbers from the title."
Yoshida - "Why don't we just call it Final Fantasy Online?"
Click to enlargeYoshida has gone on to explain his frustrations, especially as he feels that it'll keep many players out. "For example, you have Final Fantasy XIV. You get a new player coming in and it's like, 'Wait a minute, why do I have to play Final Fantasy XIV if XVI is out?' Why don't we just call it Final Fantasy Online?"
He concluded, "Just get rid of the number altogether, and that'll make it easier to understand." For those who are new to the franchise, it's easy to presume that each new title would be tough to get into - and that's a result of the frustrating naming system. Who knows, maybe it'll spoon be the end of an era.
