During the Square Enix's shareholders meeting, CEO Takashi Kiryu stated that they are still working on indie games. Read on to learn more about what he said and how this corresponds with the company's current direction.
Square Enix Still Committed to Indie Titles
Balancing Major and Indie Projects
An independent journalist on Twitter (X), @Michsuzuki, shared that during Square Enix's shareholders meeting, CEO Takashi Kiryu confirmed the company's commitment to developing small-scale and indie titles, despite their significant focus on major IPs like Final Fantasy.
Kiryu was asked whether the "quality over quantity" approach in Square Enix's new business plan would come at the expense of indie projects. Kiryu responded, "If we define ‘indie games’ as casual, small-to-medium-scale games, we are working hard on those too. I can’t name specific titles at the moment, but our development pipeline does not only include major titles. Indie game development should not be ruled out."
Kiryu further elaborated on the company's strategy, addressing concerns about how their sales strategy might have led to "cannibalization." He explained that Square Enix had previously launched too many titles simultaneously, leading to internal competition among their own games, which diluted their market impact. This approach scattered their resources thinly across numerous projects, reducing the potential success of each title.
To mitigate this, Square Enix has shifted to a new development system that emphasizes the optimal timing for releasing games. This system aims to ensure that each title receives adequate attention and resources, enhancing overall quality. Kiryu highlighted that the new approach is not about releasing a specific number of titles per year but rather about delivering games when they are ready and can make the most significant impact.
Streamlining for Success
According to a report by Automaton last January, this coincides with Square Enix's plans to narrow down their lineup in the future, focusing on a clear distinction between AAA and indie titles. During a shareholders’ briefing in January, Kiryu commented that the company had been producing too many titles that fell somewhere between AAA and indie games. This overextension led to a scattering of resources, prompting the decision to streamline their portfolio and concentrate on delivering fewer but higher-quality games.
Kiryu also noted that consumer preferences have been growing increasingly diverse, with casual indie games like Square Enix’s 2021 release, PowerWash Simulator, accumulating steady revenue despite being an outlier. To address this diversity, Square Enix plans to strengthen their in-house development system and consider mergers or acquisitions for inorganic growth. Additionally, Kiryu highlighted the increasing competitiveness of AAA titles and the rising significance of indie games, underlining the company's intent to focus more distinctly on both categories.
Square Enix's focus on quality over quantity and their dedication to both major and indie titles also coincides with their strategic shift last May that aimed at optimizing resource allocation and responding to market trends. This approach not only aims to enhance the quality of their game offerings but also seeks to cater to the evolving preferences of their diverse consumer base.
Source:
Independent Journalist on Twitter
Automaton January Article
