Yeah, they mentioned that as an approximate goal about three years back in a financial report. I see that wasn't just corporate puffery.
On the one hand, this is the sort of product that looks like it should be a 10 million copy game based on production values and scope.
On the other hand, I get the feeling it's also going to have enough rough edges and cultural dissonances to end up at 4-6 million instead.
It looks like a game stuck between two worlds (or more specifically, two geographic regions), and also like a first attempt at making an open world action RPG in an effort to be in tune with the market.
I'm expecting a Metacritic average in the 77-83 range, with a lot of people making positive statements about the direction of the series, but having a laundry list of complaints and flaws.
I'm curious to see how Square Enix ends up changing their game development going forward if this ends up hitting around half its target.