Square Enix recently conducted a financial results briefing for Q1 FY2024/3, featuring Takashi Kiryu, the company's President and Representative Director. Kiryu shared insights on the company's performance and future plans.
Final Fantasy XVI has recorded initial sales of three million units. "This achievement was in line with our expectations," Kiryu said. The company plans to expand sales through various PR activities and initiatives, targeting the growing PlayStation 5 user base.
Looking forward to Q2, Kiryu highlighted the potential of Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis. As a free-to-play game, the title could bring substantial earnings if it performs beyond the company's expectations.
Regarding the company's strategic decision to divest multiple overseas studios and concentrate on selected titles, Kiryu explained that this process is under review. Benefits from these efforts are expected to become evident sooner in the Games for Smart Devices/PC Browser sub-segment due to shorter development lead times compared to HD Games.
As the new president, Kiryu's goal is to improve profitability, primarily focusing on HD games. He also emphasized a balanced approach to investment, not just creating new IPs, but also identifying existing IPs with potential for upgrade to AAA status.
Finally, Kiryu expressed a desire to consistently grow the Publication, Amusement, and Merchandising segments as sources of recurring earnings. This strategy is expected to mitigate the volatility of the HD Game sub-segment and enhance its profitability.
Source: hd.square-enix.com