Square Enix recently released their company’s annual report, revealing some interesting financial statistics on titles that they’ve released and published this fiscal year. While Final Fantasy XV and NieR: Automata did really well, the company has decided to move in a direction that more die hard Square Enix fans may not be too fond of.
In the Square Enix report, the publisher mentions that multiplayer games have taken the “lead” over single-player games, and that the company will “endeavor” to develop titles that won’t be played just once.
“Games as a Service” is a concept that is often mentioned recently in HD game contexts. Gone are the days in which single-player games were of primary status and multiplayer games secondary. Lately, multiplayer games have taken the lead, and it is standard for games to be designed for long-term play. The terms “multiplayer” and “Games as a Service” themselves have existed for some time, but they are now being used in reference to game designs that place a strong emphasis on longer-term user engagement. We will also endeavor to develop games designed not to be played once after launch but that customers can enjoy more and play longer. In so doing, we will increase customer satisfaction and enhance the lifetime value of the games themselves.”
Additionally, Square Enix also mentioned that its targeting gameplay streaming, and intend to “proactively work to turn it into an actual business.”
What are you thoughts on Square Enix’s new approach? Excited? Let us know in the comments below.
