CEO Takashi Kiryu Discusses Shift in Strategy to Ensure Higher Quality and Broad Appeal
In a recent investor call, Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu revealed the company’s intention to focus on releasing fewer but more diverse games in pursuit of higher quality and broader audience appeal. Kiryu acknowledged that the previous strategy of developing a wide variety of titles led to resource splintering and varying degrees of success.
Kiryu stated, “I want to structure our development function so that we are able to ensure higher quality from each title by slimming down our lineup. Because we possess strong IPs like the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy franchises, I believe that we have tended to be overly reliant on certain gameplay styles or genres.”
The CEO emphasized the changing landscape of customer preferences in the gaming market, pointing out the diversification of tastes and the success of indie titles. Square Enix aims to adapt to these shifts by offering a more varied portfolio. Kiryu added, “Moreover, blockbuster titles are not the only ones that enjoy popularity. For example, our title Powerwash Simulator is somewhat of an outlier in our portfolio in that it is a game well suited for casual play, but we have been able to steadily build up our earnings from it.
The upcoming Square Enix lineup for 2024 reflects this diversification, with titles like Foamstars (releasing on February 6) and Visions of Mana (scheduled for later in 2024). While iconic franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are expected to continue their success, Square Enix aims to develop games that appeal to a broader audience, acknowledging the value of niche titles without overly focusing on blockbuster expectations.
This strategic shift signals a potential new direction for Square Enix, emphasizing quality, diversity, and a more inclusive gaming experience.