Square Enix's fiscal year report indicates underwhelming sales for major titles such as Final Fantasy 16, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, and Foamstars. Despite launching strong, Final Fantasy 16 couldn't maintain its momentum, and sales figures for Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth and Foamstars also fell short of their targets. As a result of these disappointing performances, Square Enix is shifting its focus from mobile to console and PC, particularly targeting platforms such as Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC. This strategic pivot follows a history of high sales expectations, reminiscent of the pressure placed on the Tomb Raider reboot in 2013. Amidst layoffs across its European and US offices, the gaming giant is navigating through industry uncertainties while trying to recalibrate its sales expectations and strategy for future releases.

Why is Square Enix shifting its focus to console and PC platforms?

Square Enix is shifting its focus to console and PC platforms after its latest financial report showed that major releases failed to meet sales expectations, particularly on mobile. This refocus aims to engage the wide user base across Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC while maximizing the potential of their major franchises and catalog titles.

Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth are two of Square Enix's highly anticipated titles that follow the long-standing and successful Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy 16 aimed to bring new characters and an immersive world to fans, continuing the legacy of action-packed role-playing games. Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is part of the remake series for the beloved Final Fantasy 7, reviving the story for old fans and introducing it to a new generation with updated graphics and gameplay enhancements. Despite these strong heritages, their sales have been underwhelming, prompting the company to reconsider its strategies.