Q: Initial sales of “FINAL FANTASY XVI” were three million units. How did that compare to your expectations, and how do you plan to expand sales going forward?
Takashi Kiryu: This achievement was in line with our expectations. To expand sales we have planned a variety of PR activities and other initiatives to encourage more of the growing PlayStation installed base to play the title.
Source: https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/pdf/24q1outline.pdf
This is consistent with the earlier reports that FFXVI met expectations, just not the high end of their expectations.
I don’t see how they can’t be concerned about the Japan numbers, though. When the dust settles, this will likely continue a downward trend for the series over there since the last peak with FFX. Obviously an Xbox release won’t change things much, and I can’t help but wonder if they are crossing their fingers for a strong PC showing over there. Very unusual place for a Japanese publisher to be in.
Impressive. AAA game companies generally have absurd expectations.
To be honest Square Enix aren’t exempt from that, they have absurd expectations for some of their other release and IPs.