The times of Sq. Enix making a great deal of medium-budget video games could be over, because it outlines its new medium-term marketing strategy.
Sq. Enix may not be a developer that all the time hits it out of the park, however you possibly can’t say that it would not have a fairly broad portfolio. Solely drawback is, even with its tentpoles like Ultimate Fantasy, its video games by no means fairly appear to satisfy its expectations. Simply final month it was reported that the developer needed to take a $140 million loss because it cancelled a number of video games. Now, Sq. Enix has shared its new medium-term marketing strategy for the fiscal years 2025-2027, and it seems like some large adjustments are being deliberate. For one, as odd a plan as it would sound given it does launch video games on numerous platforms, Sq. Enix can be transferring to a multiplatform technique.
“For HD titles, the Group will aggressively pursue a multiplatform technique that features Nintendo platforms, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs,” writes Sq. Enix. “Particularly, with reference to main franchises and AAA titles together with catalog titles, it should construct an atmosphere the place extra prospects can take pleasure in our titles.” Basically, it sounds prefer it desires to have the ability to carry extra of its titles to numerous platforms, the place at the moment sure video games would possibly solely launch on the Change or PS5. It went on to say cellular titles, writing, “it should additionally devise a platform technique for SD titles that features not solely iOS and Android, but additionally the opportunity of PC launches.”
The most important change seems to be its plans to “shift from amount to high quality.” Sq. Enix explains that it’ll “attempt for an everyday launch cadence, focusing its improvement efforts and investments on titles with substantial potential to be cherished by prospects for years.” This does not imply that the mid-range titles can be fully gone, Sq. Enix does additionally word it should launch “mid-class titles based mostly on methods for particular person lineups,” however that these will prioritise profitability, so do not essentially count on the identical sorts of video games. It additionally intends to “be daring in trying to create new IP,” in addition to tapping into a few of its older IP.
We would not see these adjustments for some time, as this plan was solely simply laid out, however within the subsequent few years we could be seeing fairly a distinct Sq. Enix. Now the one query is, the place the hell is Kingdom Hearts 4?