Square Enix probably did not realize how right it was not to give up on the matter with Final Fantasy 14 despite its initial failure. Just as he was smart enough to ask Naoki Yoshida to take control of the successor to Final Fantasy 11, he who had never worked on any Final Fantasy before. More than 10 years after the release of A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy 14 is still the publisher's main reason for satisfaction, as it is every time he goes through a difficult patch.
For the half-year from April to September 2024, Square Enix's Digital Entertainment division, which brings together video games in all their forms, generated revenue of 599 million euros (down 24%) for an operating profit of 102.6 million euros (up 1%). The video game is shared between three segments:
Segment Consoles et PC
➔ Turnover 168 million euros, operating loss of 7.3 million euros
With SaGa Emerald Beyond (April 5) and Visions of Mana (August 29) as the main new releases, Square Enix did not have what it took to compare with last year's releases, namely Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster. The segment, however, deserves credit for having reduced its losses, mainly due to the reduction in the amortization of development costs and advertising expenses compared to the same period of the previous year. Square Enix distributed 10.69 million games between April and September 2024, compared to 12.17 million a year earlier. Note the absence of comments regarding the beginnings of Final Fantasy 16 on PC.
Segment MMO
➔ Turnover of 198 million euros, operating profit of 80 million euros
With an operating profit of 80 million euros, the MMO segment is once again saving the furniture. Normal, the Dawntrail expansion was released on July 2. Final Fantasy 14synonymous with sharply increasing earnings. Dragon Quest 10 Online also continues its success in Japan with update 7.1 released in July.
Segment Mobile
➔ Turnover of 233 million euros, operating profit of 29 million euros
On paper, the mobile gaming segment looks strong, especially when compared to console and PC gaming. However, Square Enix has been witnessing a slow erosion of turnover and profits for several years, which was further confirmed during this half-year. The games that Square Enix has not unplugged in recent months are aging and experiencing a decline. Above all, establishing new lasting successes on mobile in Japan is a more than complex mission. Dragon Quest Walk, Dragon Quest Tact, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Romancing SaGa Re;univerSe et Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis carry these results.
Good to know: Final Fantasy 14 and the until are not the only ones to compensate for the weakness of console and PC games. The cumulative operating profit from Square Enix's other activities (Amusement, Publishing, Merchandising) is still 78 million euros. For the entire fiscal year, Square Enix is targeting revenue of 1.9 billion euros, operating profit of 244 million euros and net profit of 171 million euros. Its major asset in the second half is called Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake (November 14) which is expected to be the biggest success of all of 2024 in Japan. The schedule also includes Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven (October 24), Life is Strange: Double Exposure (October 30), and Fantasian Neo Dimension (December 5).
- Also read | Square Enix has sold 195 million Final Fantasy games and 91 million Dragon Quest games
