Square Enix sees game sales drop, but multiplatform strategy continues in earnest

Square Enix sees game sales drop, but multiplatform strategy continues in earnest | Eurogamer.net

Square Enix is continuing with its multiplatform strategy, despite a drop in sales of its games.

eurogamer.net

Square Enix’s latest financials show single-player game sales slipping year-on-year—thanks partly to underwhelming Visions of Mana and Fantasian Neo Dimension—but profits still climbed, buoyed by unexpectedly strong Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake numbers. MMOs like Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail drove revenue up even as mobile titles took a hit (RIP Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link), leaving digital entertainment sales down 18% but operating income up 28%.

Undeterred, the company’s three-year reboot is in full swing, doubling PC game sales by porting console exclusives and pushing multiplatform launches on Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Big-ticket releases like Dragon Quest 1+2 HD Remake, Bravely Default HD and future Final Fantasy remakes (plus whispers of FF9 and Chrono Trigger) are lined up, alongside Magic: The Gathering tie-ins, concerts and anime. Expect a quieter fiscal year without a major Final Fantasy drop, but healthy profit growth looks likely.