Square Enix to “make or break” in 2009
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Square Enix is arguably one of the game industries most popular developers. Releasing more games, videos, books and magazines you can collectively shake a stick at, Square Enix has been elevated to arguably the top console role-playing game franchise producer.
Their most famous work includes the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series (published as Dragon Warrior in North America from 1989 until 2005), and the Kingdom Hearts series.
Square Enix at E3 2008 in Los AngelesSpearheaded by President and CEO Yoshinori Kitase, Square Enix has influenced almost every gamer with their blockbuster releases on various platforms across the world.
In 2006, the company won IGN’s award for Best Developer for the PlayStation 2. In many gamers eyes Square Enix is still the best developer for the PlayStation 2 and even overall across all platforms.
Square Enix isn’t without its upsets. Recently Square Enix reported that their net sales and income for the Fiscal year ending March 31st, 2008 was down compared to the previous report in 2007. (Financial Report) Easing the worrying news to the shareholders, Square Enix stressed that they would keep pursuing fundamental research and development activities to obtain advanced information for their products. Determined to strengthen all aspects of the company’s products, fans have flapped in the recent created commotion at E3 and their Private Party.
Square Enix Private Party 2008.Amazingly Square Enix plan to produce and release 9 confirmed products in 2009. These are; Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, Xbox 360), Final Fantasy Versus XIII (PS3), Final Fantasy Agito XIII (PSP), Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP), Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete (Bluray), Parasite Eve - The 3rd Birthday (PSP), Kingdom Hearts: Coded, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days and finally Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.
By the looks of Square Enix’s line up, 2009 will be a make or break year for the company. Looking to make up the disappointment for last year’s finances Square Enix hopes that their forecast of a large increase in net sales and income should continue into the following Fiscal year, 2010. Their Fiscal report also interestingly mentions that Square Enix will spread their influence across all platforms. Their E3 announcement concerning Final Fantasy XIII heading to the Xbox 360 was no doubt fulfilling this aim. Don’t be surprised if Square Enix announces more “shocks” in the future months.
Realistically though, the bad publicity Square Enix received for sharing Final Fantasy XIII should bare no effect on the sales of Final Fantasy XIII. XIII will always sell despite the empty threats from a minority of PS3 fan boys.
Its therefore highly likely Square Enix will succeed in receiving an increase in net sales and income in 2009 and 2010 compared to the previous period between (March 31st) 2007 to (March 31st) 2008. However is producing 9 products in such a short time sustainable in the long term? If not Square Enix will just be in the same position they were a few months ago facing the shareholders.
Time will only tell if they succeed or fail and that decision will be made by the Sales, Shareholders and Fans.
Square Enix Financial Results for Fiscal year ended March 31, 2008
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August 11, 2008 pm31 7:43 pm
Yeah… all of these releases in the same year has me a little worried. If it was half of the announced titles, it would be a good number. However, I don’t think that releasing 9 titles over the course of twelve months is smart at all. I can see one Square-Enix game competing with another despite the fact that it shouldn’t happen. I think Square-Enix is making a mistake with releasing so many titles so quickly.
If I had to say spread them out more over the course of 18 months rather than a single year. Square is treading on thin ice with this move.
August 14, 2008 pm31 12:04 pm
well i think that its not bad that they release there games in such a short amount of time if they can deliver. some of the tittles that are coming out they have ben working on for quite some time. so i wouldnt be to worried. i beleve that it will increase in net sales and income.
August 17, 2008 pm31 5:00 am
Well….looking at its financial position last year, ended 31st March 2008, we could see that the video game industry appears to show its peak. It is time for consolidation.
I do not know how this thing might last. If no improvements are made next financial year, then I think SE should think about having another acquisition to strengthen its foothold.
I went to its website and saw many games. However, I do not see any attempts to maximise the FF franchise. The company should concentrate more in developing FF franchise, be it through remakes and new ones. I think less title should be introduced and more attention should be made on quality.
I think, a successful remake on all FF series for any console (360 or PS3) will seriously boost the company’s performance.
That’s only my personal opinion though.