Square Enix beats expectations as focus is shifted to Western development

The success of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has seen Square Enix easily beat its financial expectations for the six months ending September.

The publisher had forecast an operating loss of 2bn (12.6m) but actually reported a (12.6m) but actually reported a 4.7bn (29.6m) profit.

The publisher has also, according to Polygon, revealed that it is in what it describes as a strategic change” shifting its console game development focus to its North American studios, leaving its Japanese operations to focus on mobile.

It adds that it hopes to transform the fixed-price model of online games into variable earnings models".

The first half results follows successful launches in the West of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix, combined with continued sales of Tomb Raider, Hitman: Absolution and Sleeping Dogs,” Square Enix America and Europe CEO Phil Rogers said the company’s Western achievements.

Year on year we have more than doubled our digital sales across the US and Europe and in the next six months we have key launches in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy X/X-2 and Thief. We’re continuing to progress our alpha and beta programmes for Nosgoth and Heroes & Generals, respectively.

Looking further ahead we’re excited to have recently confirmed that new Tomb Raider and Deus Ex titles are in development for next-generation consoles and we remain fully committed to delivering more great games and services across multiple platforms.”