Square Enix wants to speed up the release of games from series like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, and the company is now working on a new “framework” to make that happen.
In its fiscal report published yesterday, Square Enix confirmed it is making “steady progress” on this new system, which is meant to reduce the long waits between games and help release titles more regularly across multiple platforms. The company clearly wants to avoid long gaps like the seven years between Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy XVI, or the almost decade-long wait since Dragon Quest XI.
One of the biggest parts of the strategy is focusing on “quality over quantity.” Instead of releasing many smaller projects, Square Enix wants to focus on fewer games with bigger budgets and better quality. Another big change is the company’s stronger focus on multi-platform releases, moving away from timed exclusives and trying to launch games on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC much faster.
Rather than making players wait years for the next numbered entry, the company wants to fill those long gaps with expansions, remasters, remakes, and spin-offs. Final Fantasy is one example of this approach. The franchise has continued growing with the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, and ongoing support for Final Fantasy XIV Online. Dragon Quest has also relied heavily on HD-2D remakes and remasters while fans continue waiting for Dragon Quest XII.
Nonetheless, making big changes while also committing to high-quality releases will not be easy for Square Enix. Only time will tell if this new strategy can really work. As more information becomes available, we’ll make sure to keep you updated here at GameObserver.
