Square Enix, the renowned Japanese gaming company, has experienced a significant decrease in value following the release of their highly anticipated title, Final Fantasy 16. Since its launch in June, the company’s shares have plummeted by almost 30%, reaching their lowest point in over a year. This decline in value has raised concerns about Square Enix’s ability to recover.
Despite selling three million copies during its launch week, there has been speculation about whether Final Fantasy 16 met the company’s sales targets. Square Enix initially claimed that sales were “extremely strong” and in line with expectations relative to the install base of the PlayStation 5. However, sources familiar with the game’s performance have confirmed that sales have slowed down considerably since its launch.
A recent report from Bloomberg provides a grim outlook for Square Enix, highlighting a sharp decline in profits. Analysts suggest that the underperformance of previous titles, such as Marvel’s Avengers and Forspoken, along with the closure of unsuccessful mobile games, have contributed to the company’s current struggles. According to sources, the root of the problem lies in the lack of oversight given to producers, resulting in volatile project goals and inconsistent final products.
To address these challenges, Square Enix’s new CEO, Takashi Kiryu, plans to focus on big-budget games with a higher potential for success, while reducing the number of smaller projects. This strategic shift is intended to have a positive impact on the company’s financial performance. However, implementing these changes will take time, as they involve a rebuild of development practices across the company.
Despite these setbacks, Square Enix is still moving forward with upcoming projects, including Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Star Ocean: The Second Story R, Foamstars, and a new expansion for Final Fantasy 14 called Dawntrail. With the guidance of its new CEO and a renewed focus on quality and profitability, Square Enix aims to regain its standing in the gaming industry.
Sources:
– Bloomberg
– IGN