We may earn a commission when you buy through links in our articles. Learn more.

Square Enix back in the black thanks to Final Fantasy XIV

Square Enix back in the black thanks to Final Fantasy XIV

Square Enix has published their financial results for March through December. While the publisher’s sales total is marginally less than it was the year prior, its net income has improved substantially. 

Sales amounted to ¥102.5bn, compared with ¥102.8 for the previous year. But net income was up by ¥10.9bn. 2012 saw a loss of ¥5.7bn, but 2013 ended with ¥5.2 in profit. Square Enix cites the release of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn as one of the main reasons for this upswing.

“During the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013, revenues from distribution of console game titles in North America were strong,” the report states. “Software sales and operation of ‘Final Fantasy XIV:A Realm Reborn,’ a massively multiplayer online role playing game released in August 2013, have been making favourable progress.”

This is in stark contrast to the first release of Final Fantasy XIV, which was a complete disaster and led to the game being pulled and rebuilt from the ground up.

In his review of A Realm Reborn, Nick called it the most polished MMO he’s ever played and praised the developers for a job well done. “The completionist in me is nearly overwhelmed with the sheer amount of things to do in A Realm Reborn. Square Enix really do deserve praise for not only fixing the issues of the original game, but far exceeding their goal.”

Square Enix was not in such a steady position this time last year. Tomb Raider sales had failed to meet the publisher’s lofty expectations, and president Yoichi Wada stepped down after “extraordinary losses”. The game has now turned a profit, however, and the publisher farmed out the director’s cut to another studio.

The success of PC browser games such as Sengoku Ixa and mobile titles has also improved the publisher’s situation.

Cheers, GamesIndustry International.