Square Enix’s current annual report for 2022 reveals a new file set with full-year web gross sales of ¥365.2 billion (up practically 10 % from 2021’s ¥332.5 billion). While that is good to see, the writer’s online game division (or “digital leisure,” because it’s recognized within the report) had its points, admitted president Yosuke Matsuda. 

“The High-Definition (HD) Games sub-segment struggled, partially
as a result of difficult year-on-year comparability created by the
launch of a number of main titles within the fiscal 12 months ended March,” stated Matsuda. 

That HD sub-section for 2022’s fiscal 12 months (which wrapped on March 31, 2022) was stated to have declining web gross sales in comparison with 2021’s. Square Enix’s 2022 video games in that timeframe included Outriders and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, whereas the 2021 fiscal 12 months featured Marvel’s Avengers and Final Fantasy VII Remake. 

Overall, although, web gross sales for digital leisure for 2022 had been at ¥279.68 million, up 6 % from the earlier 12 months.

Much of that may be attributed to the MMOs Final Fantasy XIV and Dragon Quest X Online. It goes with out saying that Final Fantasy XIV had a giant 12 months because of the discharge of Endwalker, throughout which Square Enix needed to cease promoting the sport in its entirety as a result of it was rising too common. 

Of that exact title, Matsuda stated it made a “huge contribution” to Square’s enterprise for the 12 months. “We stay dedicated to our
engagement with these passionate followers and can proceed to attempt
for even larger heights in our operation of the sport.”

For the general Final Fantasy franchise, it is efficiently bought over 173 million bodily and digital items, as of March 2022’s finish. To date, the Final Fantasy VII sub-franchise has bought 13.9 million items, attributing for 8 % of the general franchise’s gross sales.

Similar to HD video games, Square cellular and PC browser titles failed to achieve expectations. Several older titles, stated Matsuda, have principally hit their peak, whereas newer titles simply did not carry out as anticipated. Even so, some cellular video games equivalent to Dragon Quest Walk had “stable performances.” 

But going ahead, Matsuda stated that Square Enix would revisit its cellular and browser lineup, and “begin growing an
organizational construction that helps improve our growth
capabilities.”

And what about Square Enix and NFTs?

Back in September, Square Enix introduced a partnership with blockchain developer Oasys that will result in the creation of blockchain and NFT titles. 

In the annual report, Matsuda touched on that in outlining the writer’s future. Having beforehand expressed open NFT curiosity prior to now, he made it clear that blockchain is anticipated to be a “key half” within the writer’s development technique going ahead.

“At current, we’re positioning the blockchain
area as our most vital focus,” he defined. And although he acknowledged the know-how might find yourself being a fad, Matsuda was determined in his alternative. 

“I imagine that blockchain gaming holds the potential
to create new types of gaming content material, and that it represents a
new enterprise area value our Group addressing alongside
conventional video games. […] We will
stay aggressive in taking over this new subject.”