Dragon Quest XI worldwide shipments tops 4 million

fiendcode · Nov 7, 2018

doragon said:
Exactly. MH4U was the culmination of something that came before.

I think the issue here isn't one of games like DQVIII and DQIX not driving engagement, both certainly did. They reviewed great, sold well and got lots of attention and positive response from western audiences. The issue is more of what happens in the 6 years between each of these mainline Dragon Quests and how SE completely squanders opportunity and loses any momentum.

DQXI isn't unique or accomplishing something different, if anything it appears to have had an arguably softer start. But even if it turns around and starts gaining some real traction it won't matter if SE gives it the same follow through they did the last two times. That's the real western problem for DQ and how it's totally unlike MH.

Mendrox · Nov 7, 2018

Bit surprised cause i couldnt find the game for days and i could even sell it for a win

eseqko · Nov 7, 2018

So Octopath Traveller outsold DQ XI in the West, even though DQXI was on 2 platforms?

doragon · Nov 7, 2018

ItWasMeantToBe19 said:
What is it a stepping stone for? The next game won't come out for 4-5 years and the series intentionally never tries to grow or change.

There are plenty of DQ games coming that are not mainline. Making the IP stronger will benefit all releases, and open doors for the future.

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

eseqko said:
So Octopath Traveller outsold DQ XI in the West, even though DQXI was on 2 platforms?

Even XC2 outsold DQ on the west lol.

doragon said:
There are plenty of DQ games coming that are not mainline. Making the IP stronger will benefit all releases, and open doors for the future.

Based on all previous DQ spin off performance, an improvement over flat out bombs will still be bombs.

Tibarn said:
I think that Nintendo did a solid work with the advertisement of Xc2, they used a lot of Direct time last year to explain the mechanics etc... On the other hand, SE dropped the game and never tried to capture the interest of players. Also, Xc2 looks (and in fact is) a far more modern JRPG, sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad, but it can be appealing to players that are not into JRPGs that much.

What's surprising is that DQ XI was localized (and the localization is really good) to many European languages, which is a thing that at least in Spain can help to boost the sales a lot.

Sure. However considering how much backlash we got for XC2 and love that Era or hardcore gamer poured toward DQ, it is hard to see that happen lol.

Nemesis162 said:
Put it on Switch

The ship has sailed. Switch wont save it bruh.

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 7, 2018

doragon said:
Christmas + Switch version.

Also, my idea is that even less than a million is fine for this game, as a stepping stone.

a stepping stone for what? if their highest budget dq game ever couldn't get past 500k in the west on the combined huge install bases of ps4 and pc, i don't really see anything positive for the future of the series in the west. at best, it'll be around the same whenever the next title comes. if anything, this one did worse than the previous two so if we want to see a trend, it's not a positive one.

casiopao said:
Even XC2 outsold DQ on the west lol.

oh wow, i didn't even realize that.
i don't think the switch version of 11 will do any decent numbers either (outside of japan).

clay_ghost · Nov 7, 2018

fiendcode said:
I think the issue here isn't one of games like DQVIII and DQIX not driving engagement, both certainly did. They reviewed great, sold well and got lots of attention and positive response from western audiences. The issue is more of what happens in the 6 years between each of these mainline Dragon Quests and how SE completely squanders opportunity and loses any momentum.

DQXI isn't unique or accomplishing something different, if anything it appears to have had an arguably softer start. But even if it turns around and starts gaining some real traction it won't matter if SE gives it the same follow through they did the last two times. That's the real western problem for DQ and how it's totally unlike MH.

They already did noting. SE already ported DQ1 - 3 onto the PS4 in asia and had localized the games into English on mobile but it seems like there are no plans to release those games on PS4 in the west. I have no idea how SE is going to keep the momentum up for the west, they built a base on 3DS with 7 and 8 but didn't bother to release XI on 3DS in the west too.

fiendcode · Nov 7, 2018

doragon said:
There are plenty of DQ games coming that are not mainline. Making the IP stronger will benefit all releases, and open doors for the future.

That's nothing new either, we've down this same road before.

Dreamboum · Nov 7, 2018

casiopao said:
The ship has sailed. Switch wont save it bruh.

Why ? Why wouldn't the Switch boster sales ? Makes no sense

Mory Dunz · Nov 7, 2018

doragon said:
There are plenty of DQ games coming that are not mainline. Making the IP stronger will benefit all releases, and open doors for the future.

well theoretically, you would've wanted Dragon Quest Heroes I and II, DQ7, DQ8, DQ Builders to be the buildup to cultivating an audience for DQ11.

DQ11 was supposed to be that culmination you're speaking of

Kanann · Nov 7, 2018

(Laugh)

Not even 500k (LAUGH)

Mory Dunz · Nov 7, 2018

Dreamboum said:
Why ? Why wouldn't the Switch boster sales ? Makes no sense

It'll be old as eff (espcially in Japan), and a port.

unless they add some crazy nintendo specific content lol, the game won't sell much.

RedAhmed · Nov 7, 2018

That doesn't sound so good... It's doing worse than DQIX which was on 1 platform only.

Sadly, I think Square is ruining the series. These results are their own faults, bad release timing, late localisations, no momentum (for other entries at least), little to no marketing. With Japan having moved more towards mobile they can't just rely on the sales from there.

Meanwhile they invest in so much money for Final Fantasy games. DQ should get as much attention.

cw_sasuke · Nov 7, 2018

XI cant really be the culmination of these past titles when they didnt release the title on 3DS/Switch where a big part of their audience is.

Unless you are suggesting that the game would have also only sold 500k if they had manage to deliver XI for PS4/Steam AND Switch in the west.

We already know that plenty of genre fans prefer to play long-ass jrpgs on portables/Switch....they also said that XI S was going to have additional content compared to the OG release - so there is a portion of the market that is just waiting for a Switch release, since there is enough to play right now anyway.

SE misjudged how big of a potential market/sales they would be missing out with the Switch for the initial release

Mory Dunz said:
It'll be old as eff (espcially in Japan), and a port.

unless they add some crazy nintendo specific content lol, the game won't sell much.

We already know that it wont just be a port.
They arent releasing the game two years later without adding anything to it.

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

Dreamboum said:
Why ? Why wouldn't the Switch boster sales ? Makes no sense

Late almost never sold well. As

1. Hard to build hype for not a new and fresh product.

2. Company rarely put huge marketing machine for late port.

3. Late port will always be compared with big shiny new things and Switch is going to have lots of those next year with big guns like FE and Animal Crossing which makes late port not wanted at all.

All these factor made me believe DQ11 ship on selling great on the west building as Global IP have past.

Actually another one. Considering till now we had literally zero pics of DQ11 on switch. I dont even believe that DQ11 switch will ship next year lol.

Zedark · Nov 7, 2018

500k or less is a rather poor performance. Mat Piscatella mentioned once that JRPGs sell about 95% of their lifetime sales in their first month, so 500k after two months doesn't give much confidence in a 1 million performance or anywhere close without the Switch version. Hopefully DQXI sees the dame effect as YS VIII where Switch more than doubles the Western sales numbers.

casiopao said:
The ship has sailed. Switch wont save it bruh.

I believe they were talking about DQXII, not XI.

Dreamboum · Nov 7, 2018

Mory Dunz said:
It'll be old as eff (espcially in Japan), and a port.

unless they add some crazy nintendo specific content lol, the game won't sell much.

DQ re-releases and ports sells very well in JP. DQXI Switch could have the added benefit of orchestral soundtrack and voice acting on top of it. The added marketing from top tier and popular voice actors in Japan would make sure it remains on the radar.

No one cares it's « old », it'll still be one of the most beautiful games on the Switch and a meaty JRPG on the go. It'll sell

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 7, 2018

mrflibble said:
That's worse than I expected. I could see DQXII being a Switch game. After the success of OT worldwide, the cheaper development costs and Nintendo's backing, it would seem the logical choice.

no way. the didn't go to all the trouble of putting so many spin offs on ps4 and steam before releasing 11 to have the next game be nintendo-exclusive. if they're smart, they'll have it be switch/ps4 at launch and then add steam for the western release.

Valkerion · Nov 7, 2018

The amount of people I saw saying they are waiting for the switch version makes me not surprised by the numbers. We always knew it would not blow up, but coupled with that... eh. I know people like to and will, stick to their switch guns. Gonna be getting my copy in December for sure, but I guess it depends what Square was expecting it to do since we know their expectations tend to be entirely too high.

Tibarn · Nov 7, 2018

casiopao said:
Sure. However considering how much backlash we got for XC2 and love that Era or hardcore gamer poured toward DQ, it is hard to see that happen lol.

After trying to discuss why I didn't enjoy that much DQ XI in the OT, I reached the conclusion that most of the DQ western fanbase will be happy with the same game for another 30 years. They're a really conservative (and small, considering the sales) fanbase, and if DQ wants to get bigger in the west, it needs to appeal too to the other players. You know a series is not going to evolve when more than half the responses you get from the fanbase when criticizing are like "DQ has been this way since the beginning and maybe it's not for you".

Subconian Dreamer · Nov 7, 2018

Despite having a PS4 I didn't buy DQXI at launch because apart from VIII every numbered game released in Australia has been on 3/DS or mobile so it's a handheld series in my mind and I prefer to be able to play them that way to get in a bit of grinding while I'm watching telly or screwing around on my computer or whatever. If they'd had the 3DS version localised I'd have been there, instead I'm left waiting for Switch.

It's a shame to see this attempt at a paradigm shift not really move the needle compared to the numbers they were already hitting. Would be sad to see them stop translating games

fiendcode · Nov 7, 2018

Tibarn said:
After trying to discuss why I didn't enjoy that much DQ XI in the OT, I reached the conclusion that most of the DQ western fanbase will be happy with the same game for another 30 years. They're a really conservative (and small, considering the sales) fanbase, and if DQ wants to get bigger in the west, it needs to appeal too to the other players. You know a series is not going to evolve when more than half the responses you get from the fanbase when criticizing are like "DQ has been this way since the beginning and maybe it's not for you".

A new composer would probably help.

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

Dreamboum said:
DQ re-releases and ports sells very well in JP. DQXI Switch could have the added benefit of orchestral soundtrack and voice acting on top of it. The added marketing from top tier and popular voice actors in Japan would make sure it remains on the radar.

No one cares it's « old », it'll still be one of the most beautiful games on the Switch and a meaty JRPG on the go. It'll sell

We are talking about west market sales though not jp???

Tibarn said:
After trying to discuss why I didn't enjoy that much DQ XI in the OT, I reached the conclusion that most of the DQ western fanbase will be happy with the same game for another 30 years. They're a really conservative (and small, considering the sales) fanbase, and if DQ wants to get bigger in the west, it needs to appeal too to the other players. You know a series is not going to evolve when more than half the responses you get from the fanbase when criticizing are like "DQ has been this way since the beginning and maybe it's not for you".

Lol. I actually still believe if they improve on DQ9 formula and add multiplayer aspect it will do much better but alas they took DQ8 formula which is my most hated DQ. What can i say?

cw_sasuke · Nov 7, 2018

casiopao said:
Late almost never sold well. As

1. Hard to build hype for not a new and fresh product.

2. Company rarely put huge marketing machine for late port.

3. Late port will always be compared with big shiny new things and Switch is going to have lots of those next year with big guns like FE and Animal Crossing which makes late port not wanted at all.

All these factor made me believe DQ11 ship on selling great on the west building as Global IP have past.

Actually another one. Considering till now we had literally zero pics of DQ11 on switch. I dont even believe that DQ11 switch will ship next year lol.

XI S on Switch will sell just fine.
It doesnt have to set the world on fire to big up the overall western sales by quite a bit. Its a great game and will a great addition to the Switch libary. Even more niche titles like Disgaea or YS performed well on Switch ages after their initial releases because they were quality titles.

Your first point doesnt make alot of sense considering that many of the great performing Switch titles are in fact titles that have been released before on other systems - latest example is Diablo 3.

fiendcode said:
A new composer would probably help.

I doubt the composer had any impact on whatever western sales the series had in the past.

Deleted member 5535 · Nov 7, 2018

casiopao said:
Even XC2 outsold DQ on the west lol.

Based on all previous DQ spin off performance, an improvement over flat out bombs will still be bombs.

Sure. However considering how much backlash we got for XC2 and love that Era or hardcore gamer poured toward DQ, it is hard to see that happen lol.

The ship has sailed. Switch wont save it bruh.

DQ12, not DQ11. A game for the console could do much better on Japan.

Kanann · Nov 7, 2018

Save this post.

DQXII will still be multiplatform (release WW or not I don't care)
Rehash musics and characters model like hell as XI
More of the same as before include waifus and husbandos element

Still not 10 million seller franchise, but why need to?

Regulus Tera · Nov 7, 2018

that's... kinda bad when you considering how much it sells on Japan alone

fiendcode · Nov 7, 2018

I don't expect XI S to be big but I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up the best selling version in the west anyway.

cw_sasuke · Nov 7, 2018

Kanann said:
Save this post.

DQXII will still be multiplatform (release WW or not I don't care)
Rehash musics and characters model like hell as XI
More of the same as before include waifus and husbandos element

Still not 10 million seller franchise, but why need to?

For all we know it might be mobile only....XII is ways off and not even worth talking about right now.
But in general...yeah i doubt they are going back to console exclusives.

fiendcode said:
I don't expect XI S to be big but I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up the best selling version in the west anyway.

It being the best selling version in the west would require it sell at least +500k.
Which would be quite big for a late "port" of a jrpg already available on PS4 and Steam.

Oregano · Nov 7, 2018

Looks like DQIX will remain undefeated.

SolicitorPirate · Nov 7, 2018

Dreamboum said:
Why ? Why wouldn't the Switch boster sales ? Makes no sense

The Switch would help, but the fundamentals restricting DQ11's success in the West would remain the same.

There'll be a nice boost, but I just don't see how the Switch would change DQ11's path

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

Nemesis162 said:
DQ12, not DQ11. A game for the console could do much better on Japan.

Umm... are u not confusing urself there? Console DQ would do much better on jp???

cw_sasuke said:
XI S on Switch will sell just fine.
It doesnt have to set the world on fire to big up the overall western sales by quite a bit. Its a great game and will a great addition to the Switch libary. Even more niche titles like Disgaea or YS performed well on Switch ages after their initial releases because they were quality titles.

Your first point doesnt make alot of sense considering that many of the great performing Switch titles are in fact titles that have been released before on other systems - latest example is Diablo 3.

I doubt the composer had any impact on whatever western sales the series had in the past.

For the first factor i had some question too but i feel DQ11S position is different vs other late port there. The timing is seems to not be helpful at at all. But lets see there.

On not being a big hit. I am just following SE goals on growing DQ into global IP. If the switch port last punch failed it means they failed their objectives.

clay_ghost · Nov 7, 2018

Kanann said:
Save this post.

DQXII will still be multiplatform (release WW or not I don't care)
Rehash musics and characters model like hell as XI
More of the same as before include waifus and husbandos element

Still not 10 million seller franchise, but why need to?

DQ5 and 8 remakes didn't do that great even with those elements.

Unless you mean more creepy fan services?

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 7, 2018

cw_sasuke said:
We already know that it wont just be a port.
They arent releasing the game two years later without adding anything to it.

it won't be just a port, sure, but it's still dragon quest 11. it's not a brand new title.

Dreamboum said:
DQ re-releases and ports sells very well in JP.

sure, when they're titles like 4, 5, 6 or 7 and they're releasing YEARS after the original release, being practically new games to the younger generations or being titles of high nostalgic value for the older audience. 11 on switch will be two year old port of a game that most of the DQ fans in japan have played. very few people would want to replay a lengthy jrpg after such a short time.

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

clay_ghost said:
DQ5 and 8 remakes didn't do that great even with those elements.

Unless you mean more creepy fan services?

The western fanbase dont care about remake lol. Which is why i had zero faith that this late port will do great.

Kanann · Nov 7, 2018

clay_ghost said:
DQ5 and 8 remakes didn't do that great even with those elements.

Unless you mean more creepy fan services?

Look at all Doujins both vanilla and yaoi DQXI produces. I count and it's already surpass hundred books.

V was just Bianca and that horse monster, VIII was all pure Jescica plus Yangus (yaoi market).

XII will double down it. And every horny DQ fans will be the most happiness group of people on earth.

clay_ghost · Nov 7, 2018

Kanann said:
Look at all Doujins both vanilla and yaoi DQXI produces. I count and it's already surpass hundred books

V was just Bianca and that horse monster, VIII was all pure Jescica plus Yangus.

XII will double down it.

I don't need to know this. =(

cw_sasuke · Nov 7, 2018

mazi said:
it won't be just a port, sure, but it's still dragon quest 11. it's not a brand new title.

Sure - but so are many indie titles where people choose to wait for the Switch release because this actually allows them to put mayor hours into it.

My argument is that with that kind of information they made it easier for people who already where more interested in a Switch release..to just wait for the version with the additional content. If we had known before that it would just be a straight port with worse graphics, that audience would just bought it on PS/Steam or on sale later on....but waiting for the Switch release seems more justified with that info.

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

Kanann said:
Look at all Doujins both vanilla and yaoi DQXI produces. I count and it's already surpass hundred books.

V was just Bianca and that horse monster, VIII was all pure Jescica plus Yangus (yaoi market).

XII will double down it. And every horny DQ fans will be the most happiness group of people on earth.

Maybe those people should buy the game more rather than wasting moneys on jerking books.^_^

Hell XC2 hit maximum doujin and the fans still buy lots of the game.^_^

Herb Alpert · Nov 7, 2018

fiendcode said:
I don't expect XI S to be big but I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up the best selling version in the west anyway.

It probably will.
Except if they pull a square and choose a stupid ass release date, few days before Pokemon.
But the game should be descently distributed this time, cause it will surely be handled by Nintendo...

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 7, 2018

cw_sasuke said:
Sure - but so are many indie titles where people choose to wait for the Switch release because this actually allows them to put mayor hours into it.

My argument is that with that kind of information they made it easier for people who already where more interested in a Switch release..to just wait for the version with the additional content. If we had known before that it would just be a straight port with worse graphics, that audience would just bought it on PS/Steam or on sale later on....but waiting for the Switch release seems more justified with that info.

with the japanese fans already having a handheld version of the game from day 1 (i know it's a different version, but it has the same story), i don't see them being as excited for the switch version as the western fans
i agree, outside of japan, there are a lot of people that may want to play such a lengthy jrpg on a handheld system and they're waiting for the switch version, but i don't think those people are enough to turn the game's western performance around. how much do you expect the switch version of 11 to sell outside of japan?

casiopao · Nov 7, 2018

Herb Alpert said:
It probably will.
Except if they pull a square and choose a stupid ass release date, few days before Pokemon.
But the game should be descently distributed this time, cause it will surely be handled by Nintendo...

It wont lol. Whats this high positivity towards late port release???

doragon · Nov 7, 2018

Mory Dunz said:
well theoretically, you would've wanted Dragon Quest Heroes I and II, DQ7, DQ8, DQ Builders to be the buildup to cultivating an audience for DQ11.

DQ11 was supposed to be that culmination you're speaking of

Spinoffs and old remakes can't do that. Or it's pretty unlikely.

mazi said:
a stepping stone for what? if their highest budget dq game ever couldn't get past 500k in the west on the combined huge install bases of ps4 and pc, i don't really see anything positive for the future of the series in the west. at best, it'll be around the same whenever the next title comes. if anything, this one did worse than the previous two so if we want to see a trend, it's not a positive one.

Let's see how they do a year from now before affirming they are going to sell 0 copies, shall we?

casiopao said:
Based on all previous DQ spin off performance, an improvement over flat out bombs will still be bombs.

If I remember correctly, DQ Builders and DQ Monsters haven't been bombs at all in the west. DQ Warriors did ok for what it was.

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 7, 2018

doragon said:
Let's see how they do a year from now before affirming they are going to sell 0 copies, shall we?

i didn't say 0 copies. but almost anyone familiar with game sales will tell you that 500k, for the kind of game that dq is, is 80 or 90% of all it's ever going to sell (on the two already released platforms). unless the switch version is a surprise hit which i don't think it'll be, there's no reason to believe this result is anything positive for the series.

cw_sasuke · Nov 7, 2018

mazi said:
with the japanese fans already having a handheld version of the game from day 1 (i know it's a different version, but it has the same story), i don't see them being as excited for the switch version as the western fans
i agree, outside of japan, there are a lot of people that may want to play such a lengthy jrpg on a handheld system and they're waiting for the switch version, but i don't think those people are enough to turn the game's western performance around. how much do you expect the switch version of 11 to sell outside of japan?

The game will to 90% be published by Nintendo in the west and they likely are gonna push it if its a quality port and has additional content - see what they did for Skyrim or Diablo 3 now. So it could get close to the PS4 numbers, which would be a big portion of the western sales.

Only talking about western sales. Japan is something different, but even there it will sell well enough.

Herb Alpert · Nov 7, 2018

casiopao said:
It wont lol. Whats this high positivity towards late port release???

It's not guaranteed, I agree. But I can see this selling good and maybe better than PS4. Anyway, it's baseless conjecture for now, since we haven't seen anything.

Bulebule · Nov 7, 2018

Shame. It is a great game but no marketing support is largely to blame for it. And it is a turn based JRPG which don't really sell that well with the exception of Pokemon or Final Fantasy.

EarthPainting · Nov 7, 2018

The future of the franchise is not in jeopardy, but I'm not sure if they'll continue to take western preferences into account for the next one. I don't think it's a stretch to assume the western market played a big part in DQXI being on PS4 and especially on Steam. I doubt Square Enix was planning on seeing a downward trend in its western sales after the investments it made in the localisation.

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 7, 2018

cw_sasuke said:
The game will to 90% be published by Nintendo in the west and they likely are gonna push it if its a quality port and has additional content - see what they did for Skyrim or Diablo 3 now. So it could get close to the PS4 numbers, which would be a big portion of the western sales.

Only talking about western sales. Japan is something different, but even there it will sell well enough.

i'm not saying the switch version will sell terribly in the west. the switch version was brought up when it was pointed out that 11 didn't do well outside of japan, as if that will save the performance of 11 in the west. it may sell 200 or 300k, but that would still be a bad result for the combined sales of the three versions since it would be a downgrade from the previous titles, for a game with a bigger budget and a game they explicitly wanted to grow the fanbase outside of japan.

Sasliquid · Nov 7, 2018

I'm sure DQ is too big a franchise to not bring west but I worry this will mean less effort will be given to the localisation such as no voice acting and without the minor improvements they gave XI. Also may impact future platforms again and I know I don't want to wait over a decade again for a console Dragon Quest experience.

Dragon Quest XI worldwide shipments tops 4 million

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