Will the Final Fantasy Series Ever End?

Predicting the end of a long-running series like Final Fantasy is challenging. The franchise has been a cornerstone of the gaming industry since its debut in 1987, evolving with each installment while maintaining a dedicated fanbase. As of August 2023, Square Enix continues to develop new titles and spin-offs, including the ongoing success of Final Fantasy XIV and the anticipated Final Fantasy XVI.

Factors Influencing the Future of the Series

Several factors could influence the future of the series:

Market Demand

As long as there is a strong demand for Final Fantasy games, Square Enix is likely to continue producing them. The series has a dedicated fanbase that eagerly awaits new entries, ensuring a steady revenue stream for the publisher.

Innovation

The franchise has a history of innovation and adaptation. If the developers continue to find new ways to engage players, it may extend the series' lifespan. For example, the transition from traditional turn-based battles to real-time combat in various entries has kept the series fresh and accessible to new audiences.

Cultural Impact

Final Fantasy has a significant cultural footprint. Its influence extends beyond the gaming world, with references in movies, television, and other forms of media. Continued investment in the series may be driven by its popularity and cultural significance.

Financial Viability

If the games remain profitable, there is little incentive for Square Enix to end the series. The franchise has consistently delivered successful titles, ensuring that the company can reinvest profits into the development of new projects.

While there may be eventual shifts in how the series is presented or the frequency of releases, it seems probable that Final Fantasy as a franchise will continue for the foreseeable future. However, like any long-running series, it may eventually come to a close, but that could be many years away.

The Independence of Final Fantasy Entries

I doubt the series will ever end. Unlike other series that tell a story that will eventually come to an end or run out of steam, Final Fantasy is a group of RPGs that don't have an overarching storyline or even a common setting. As such, it's not too much of a stretch to say that Square can keep cranking out RPGs with the Final Fantasy name.

Here's the thing about Final Fantasy that I am still surprised many people don't know yet. Every main Final Fantasy entry is completely independent from every other Final Fantasy entry. "Final Fantasy" is really better considered a brand and not a series. It's a brand of games produced by a studio of programmers owned under the larger game studio of Square Enix. If that same studio decided to make a third-person shooter and not an RPG, it would be called "Final Fantasy," specifically FF7: Dirge of Cerberus.

Not only that, but this studio has changed directors and owners just as a brand gets picked up by different companies, and it has still produced games titled "Final Fantasy"

Thinking that Final Fantasy will "end" and there will be a final Final Fantasy is really akin to thinking that Disney will ever end. It's a bit nonsensical. However, I never really answered the question: No, Final Fantasy will most likely never end.