Were those people coming for Mother 3, or Etika/Vinny?
I misspoke, but my point still stands.
There have been big JRPGs in the past that have done little to nothing for the popularity of the genre (Pokémon, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X to name a few), Persona 5 and Dragon Quest XI were big popular releases last year, but it remains to be seen if this will have an effect on the genre as a whole.
I mean, haven't we seen the effect already?
The most recent Direct was like half JRPG. Nintendo chose to announce Joker
first for the Fighters Pass to generate hype. Fire Emblem has hit an all-time high in the last five years due to finally becoming popular in the West. Final Fantasy XV sold over eight million copies after FFXIII sold seven million. The Bravely games, the Dragon Quest renaissance, Tales, Valkyria, Xenoblade, Nier Automata, all the Legend of Heroes games, Octopath Traveler, ****ing
Monster Hunter World, which became the best selling game in Capcom's long history in only a couple months. They're all selling and they're making more because of it.
I'm just not sure what "effect to be seen" you're waiting on here. We're in the middle of a JRPG renaissance. And this is coming from a guy that's not even all that into them. I'm just speaking on clear and obvious industry trends.