Final Fantasy developer Square Enix have released their Financial Results for the end of the Japanese financial year, and it seems they're going through a big change in their strategy.
While they have numerous titles available on PC, plenty of which work great on Linux and Steam Deck thanks to Valve's Proton, they do have a habit of doing exclusives and they publish quite a lot overall. However, they've announced a new "medium-term business plan" which covers the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027 that they're calling "Square Enix Reboots and Awakens" as a plan for long-term growth.
Part of this plan includes the move from "quantity to quality" so they can "strive for a regular launch cadence, focusing its development efforts and investments on titles with substantial potential to be loved by customers for years".
Pictured - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
This plan involves a "Shift to a multiplatform strategy" for HD titles (meaning major consoles and PCs) as they "will aggressively pursue a multiplatform strategy that includes Nintendo platforms, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs". But they also said they will include the "possibility of PC launches" for their SD titles (those meant for mobile and browsers).
For those of us on desktop PCs and handhelds, it's again good news, as they said clearly in regards to expanding digital sales that "the Group will engage in initiatives which focus on the acquisition of PC users".
So the hope is that we should see far more same-day (or close to it) releases on PC for Square Enix games.
Interesting that we have Square Enix just generally looking to expand across more platforms and slow down a little for quality, while EA just want to put adverts in your games.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
QuoteInteresting that we have Square Enix just generally looking to expand across more platforms and slow down a little for quality, while EA just want to put adverts in your games.And don't forget how Microsoft has closed a bunch of award-winning studios and now thinks that focussing on mobile telephones and bringing back Candy Crush Saga will save the Xbox brand.
Mohandevir May 13
Last edited by Mohandevir on 13 May 2024 at 2:01 pm UTC
the issue is that may mean kill niche titles that arent bad but arent as popular as their main franchises
Kimyrielle May 13
Quoting: dpanterWhat exactly do these people consider "quality", I wonder.
Anything that sells.
Quoting: dpanterWhat exactly do these people consider "quality", I wonder.
Yeah every time a AAA company says something like "quality over quantity", what I hear is "we are spending even more on a handful of big franchises in the most popular genres instead of doing anything new or creative or investing in more diverse games".
Quoting: eldakingYeah, I found myself thinking "So, just new iterations of big blockbusters, then."Quoting: dpanterWhat exactly do these people consider "quality", I wonder.
Yeah every time a AAA company says something like "quality over quantity", what I hear is "we are spending even more on a handful of big franchises in the most popular genres instead of doing anything new or creative or investing in more diverse games".
Mohandevir May 13
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: eldakingYeah, I found myself thinking "So, just new iterations of big blockbusters, then."Quoting: dpanterWhat exactly do these people consider "quality", I wonder.
Yeah every time a AAA company says something like "quality over quantity", what I hear is "we are spending even more on a handful of big franchises in the most popular genres instead of doing anything new or creative or investing in more diverse games".
The thing is, aside from FF, I don't know what blockbusters Square Enix has left... Eidos was behind the Deus Ex and Tomb Raider franchises and it was sold, along with the ips...
Last edited by Mohandevir on 13 May 2024 at 5:14 pm UTC
Quoting: KimyrielleQuoting: dpanterWhat exactly do these people consider "quality", I wonder.
Anything that sells.
i wish.
if their mad scientists plan was to sell games, that would be a good thing, nowadays you have to sell dlcs, skins, lootbox, gambling , ads, subscriptions, seasson pass, battlepasses...
Quoting: Mohandevirare you kidding?Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: eldakingYeah, I found myself thinking "So, just new iterations of big blockbusters, then."Quoting: dpanterWhat exactly do these people consider "quality", I wonder.
Yeah every time a AAA company says something like "quality over quantity", what I hear is "we are spending even more on a handful of big franchises in the most popular genres instead of doing anything new or creative or investing in more diverse games".
The thing is, aside from FF, I don't know what blockbusters Square Enix has left... Eidos was behind the Deus Ex and Tomb Raider franchises and it was sold, along with the ips...
dragon quest sell a lot in japan, to the point that i wouldnt be surprised if it sell more on japan alone than final fantasy worldwide.
the day an dragon quest is relased its holiday because no one will work that day.
nier was an niche game, until nier automata made it popular and now even old nier games sell.
monster hunter is another big hit...
im not sure about the rest but im quite miss informed about gaming in general.
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