Do you think the end of the Final Fantasy series is near?

[Masamune·1600]

I sincerely doubt that FF is anywhere near over. Unlike other series, the fact that each new numerical installation incorporates a new story, characters, and world would seem to refute any arguments that FF has grown 'old' or 'stale' or anything of that sort. FF is more in the nature of a fundamental concept, and new ideas are certain to appear in each new game. Moreover, FF is supposed to be one of the three financial pillars of SE, so to speak, which suggests that the company has no intention of letting the franchise collect dust.

While many fans vehemently oppose anything and everything about FFX-2 and FFXI, they weren't flops. FFX-2 was an enormous financial success, and FFXI has passed the million mark online. While I personally was not as enamored of either game as past titles, both had strong points which I feel lend to the idea of a positive evolution in terms of game development. Comparing FFXI to other titles is pointless, anyway, since an MMORPG is such a different concept than any previous (or future) FF titles.

FFX-2, meanwhile, was not a disaster. Yes, the story was nowhere near as expansive or moving as previous plots, and yes, the dialogue was painfully (or perhaps Painefully ) banal. As popular as Rikku seems to be among fora goers, I couldn't stand her personality. At all. That being said, FFX-2 introduced a number of new aspects of gameplay, many of which I feel have potential for future series inclusion. I was personally a fan of the more intense and active battles, and many of the minigames were interesting. I would personally rank almost every FF higher than X-2, but that certainly doesn't mean it was a bad game. I enjoyed it, regardless of any criticisms people may hold for it.

Besides, how can any old-school fan not have enjoyed seeing "Whatever you do, don't call him Atma" as part of the description for Ultima Weapon?

But to return to topic, the end of FF is not near. SE has a financial interest in the franchise, obviously, and that alone assures its continuation. I also foresee, however, the series continuing to set a standard for impeccably high quality in all aspects of gaming. As to FFXII, the political strife seems reminiscent of FFT, and I have yet to hear anyone complain about that masterpiece of a story. Until more details are released, we can only speculate about much of FFXII, but I've personally been impressed with what I have seen thus far. I trust the series to astound me again. I won't get another FFVII (my favorite game) or another FFVI (my second favorite) to be sure, but that's because I'll be getting an entirely new experience to marvel at and to enjoy.