Square Enix Plans to "Aggressively Invest in New IP" As NieR Automata Passes 4 Million Units

Today Square Enix announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2019. NieR: Automata passed four million units, while the publisher is preparing for announcements before E3.

[spambot0815]

i prefer smart over agressive investments but hey...

[fr0sty]

New IP is always a smart investment, especially for Square, who we know will milk each of its cows to the bone. They'll throw out a bunch of new IPs, see which ones stick, and we'll get 20 sequels and spinoffs within 5 years.

[TheCaptainKuchiki]

Couldn't have said it better.

[jbrock11]

They have one of the best franchises in gaming history in Final Fantasy. I don't see why they just don't invest more in making great games in that franchise again. Pay Sakaguchi whatever he wants to get him back on board and let him head up a team with Kitase, Nomura, Nojima and Uematsu and let them create a masterpiece.

[Zeldafan64]

If you want masterpieces go play the Xenoblade Chronicles games.

[pietro1212]

The first is great and X has a fantastic battle system. XBC2 on the other is alright it suffers from bad pacing and the game drags on way too much for no reason whatsoever.

[TheCaptainKuchiki]

But something different from a FF-style RPG please.

[meep316]

Instead of making the best game possible they are trying to cater to an audience who doesn’t like the genre... it might work a few times, but eventually they will kill the series.

[nommers]

It’s been several games after FFX and FFIX (the supposed last traditional main ff games). The sales of the series are still doing just fine.

[meep316]

With ix people are referring to the art style mostly. X still played like a console style rpg, 12 still did as well but with some influence from mmos. 13 was the first time they specifically tried targeting western audiences who don’t even like role playing games. 15 got to the point where most of the gameplay feels pointless, honestly I would have enjoyed the “game” more if it just played like an interactive novel since battles felt like a waste of my time.

[pietro1212]

Remember Sakaguchi left on principle. It would take a lot to get him back on board

[rainslacker]

Some time ago, they said they were going to focus on Final Fantasy projects, because it's about all they were making a lot of money on. That whole time was a pretty dark period for them, and the franchise became stale pretty quick. Square is one of the few publishers out there who can still make meaningful new experiences, so I'd like to do that.

If they want to focus in on established franchises, I think they have a ton of great franchises to explore. I'd say Xenogears, but wouldn't want that without the original creator, and he's off with Nintendo, and the Xeno inspired stuff has several variations....all of which are good.

But Chrono Trigger would be good...or Earthbound.

[pietro1212]

Earthbound is a Nintendo franchise

[rainslacker]

That's true. I don't know why I was thinking SE. Been a long day I guess. Would still like a sequel.:)

[Jls1]

Nier Automata one of my favs this gen

[Casepb]

Nier Automata was okay. Don't see why the story got so much love. But the combat was fun.

[Teflon02]

Because you clearly didn't get it or didn't play all 3 playthroughs to get the whole story. If you've only played 2B's initial story it's whatever story wise. But the ending and Big moment in the third that changes everything made the story too good. I was actually caught so off guard by it because it wasn't spoiled at all by Reviews and such by the time I got through it. Story was great. Not a masterpiece but it's great.

[notachance]

it was unusual in that they separated story into 3 playthroughs not chapters, even though all 3 playthroughs are different

well if you played only the 2B ones the story was just okay I guess

[criticalkare]

Hopeful for new nier announcement for e3 this year

[jznrpg]

Or Drakengard !

[meep316]

Nier could have sold a ton more with a strong marketing campaign. I feel like this is the situation for many platinum games.

[jznrpg]

Good . Get Taro to make one or 2 of these games.

[pietro1212]

Nice! Nier Automata is the best project Square has released in sometime

[nommers]

4 million is amazing for what was going to be considered a niche title.

[CrimsonWing69]

So, mobile games and spin-offs nobody wanted?

Also, Left Alive was a disappointment when people wanted a legitimate Front Mission game.

[neomahi]

Never by faith, they always have to he shown.

[franwex]

Nier is what made me buy a PS4. Turns out it was meh for me, but there’s a ton of other games for the platform. I’m glad for the success it had.

[TheColbertinator]

Watch the next Nier entry end up on mobile.

[Blackcanary]

I hope they do a remaster of Final Fantasy VIII.

[kythlyn]

I wonder if FFXVI will ever exist.

[AK91]

Less mobile games more console games and if PS4/XB1 is too expensive just make games for the Switch.

[Juancho51]

Very few games do it as well as Nier: Automata did. I was so upset when I finished the game, then I realized I wasn't even close to done! Such great voice acting, character development, combat mechanics, BEAUTIFUL musical scores, just a very well put together game all around!

Also, it's so fucking difficult! I love the challenge!

[sssb]

I just want FFVII Remake.