The latest quarterly financial report from Square Enix shows a tough time for its main MMO, Final Fantasy 14. The game experienced a major drop in both sales and player interest. The Q1 2025 financial results, released on August 8, revealed a large loss in both gross sales and operational profits for the MMO division. The ongoing Dawntrail expansion has sparked significant debate among players. The report highlights a troubling trend for one of the company’s most successful titles.
According to a summary of the financial report, the MMO division saw a year-on-year decrease of 2.9 billion yen in gross sales and a 3 billion yen drop in operational profits compared to Q1 2024. This drop is linked to a decline in player retention and widespread criticism of the Dawntrail expansion’s content and pacing. The expansion followed the praised end of the Hydaelyn-Zodiark saga in Endwalker, but it has struggled to keep the previous expansion’s momentum. This has resulted in a noticeable drop in monthly subscribers.
Player dissatisfaction has also grown due to complaints about Final Fantasy 14’s Online Store. Players are concerned about the value and pricing of new cosmetic items, such as the Crystarium Rebel’s and Belt-leather Attires. This tension between the game’s pricing practices and community expectations has added to the issues stemming from the expansion’s reception. The decline in active players was highlighted by the reactivation of the game’s automatic housing demolition system in June, which resulted in hundreds of virtual homes being reset. This clearly indicates a less engaged player base.
Despite the bleak financial outlook and community feelings, there may be some hope ahead. The recent release of Patch 7.3, the next major story update for Dawntrail, received a more positive reaction from players. Only time will reveal if this update and the content that follows will help Square Enix’s top MMORPG regain its footing and overcome this challenging period. The future success of Final Fantasy 14 remains a key part of the company’s overall strategy.
