NieR: Automata may be getting a sequel, according to a cryptic teaser shared by devs during the game’s 9th anniversary stream. Discover why the title remains so successful and why fans are excited about the possibility of a new entry.
NieR: Automata Celebrates Anniversary Stream Ends With Sequel Tease
A New Game Coming Soon?
NieR: Automata’s sequel may be on the table after Square Enix teased fans at the end of its 9th Anniversary stream on February 20, 2026. The teaser showed only the game’s signature typeface alongside the words "NieR: Automata to be continued."
Naturally, fans are curious about what this could mean. The wording suggests the possibility of a new entry in the franchise, but there is also some skepticism. Many believe it could simply be another misdirection from Yoko Taro, the game’s director, given his long history of harmless pranks directed at the community.
One such example was the notorious "secret church" mod where the community spent days solving, only for it to be a fan-made project. Yoko Taro could have intervened since he was actively tweeting about it, but he decided not to. Despite the skepticism, fans remain hopeful that this could point to a direct continuation of its characters, 2B, 9S, and A2, depending on which ending is considered canon.
No additional details were shared. Still, fan theories are already circulating, with some suggesting that the next NieR entry is in development and could be revealed around the franchise’s 10th anniversary next year. Whether this leads to a brand-new game or a remake remains unknown.
Celebrating 10 Million Sales in 9 Years
Before the teaser at the end of the two-hour anniversary stream, Yoko Taro and the rest of the NieR development team announced that NieR: Automata has sold 10 million copies since its launch in early 2017. This marked a monumental achievement for a game like NieR: Automata, a title that quickly rose to mainstream popularity despite its niche roots.
When compared to previous entries such as NieR Replicant and NieR Gestalt, which collectively sold around 500,000 copies worldwide during their original PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 releases. It was not until Replicant’s remastered version that the game saw a significant boost in sales, reaching over 2 million units worldwide, according to Square Enix during the same anniversary stream.
Automata’s massive sales gap proves that it is the most popular NieR entry out there. It remains unclear what Yoko Taro’s next games are, considering he has not been working on new entries but expressed interest in Automata’s future. The cryptic teaser might be the green light Yoko Taro needs for a sequel.
Fan speculation surrounding a potential sequel continues to gain momentum, as seen in strong reactions across social media and online forums. Geoff Keighley, creator and host of The Game Awards, also shared the same teaser image on his X (formerly Twitter) account, prompting some fans to suggest that a reveal at this year’s Summer Games Fest could be possible.
Whether the tease points to a new game, a third-party collaboration, or new merchandise, remains to be seen. Regardless, fans are hoping to see a brand new entry to the acclaimed action-adventure.
Source:
NieR: Automata 9th Anniversary Stream YouTube
Yoko Taro Celebrates NieR: Automata Selling 10 Million Copies on X
