Square Enix lowers six-month financial forecast, cuts expected sales by $100M
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It looks like Square Enix characters will have to hold that spiky hair with generic product, as the company lowered its earnings forecast today for the six months (first half of its fiscal year) ending September 30, 2010. The publisher reduced new sales expectations by 10.5 percent to ¥68 billion ($846 million), which is far below the ¥90.6 billion the company took in during the same period last year. Squeenix also lowered its net income expectations for the two quarters to ¥1.7 billion ($21 million), a reduction of just over 29 percent from the original forecast.
The company said that the declining figures were due to the "challenging operating environment" in which new games experienced "relatively slow growth." Squeenix's operating income remains high, however, thanks to "profitable carryover sales of major titles released in March of the previous fiscal year" -- i.e., Final Fantasy 13 et al. Square Enix will release its actual second fiscal quarter results in the near future.
The company said that the declining figures were due to the "challenging operating environment" in which new games experienced "relatively slow growth." Squeenix's operating income remains high, however, thanks to "profitable carryover sales of major titles released in March of the previous fiscal year" -- i.e., Final Fantasy 13 et al. Square Enix will release its actual second fiscal quarter results in the near future.
Reader Comments (50)
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:26PM Angel Mass said
They need to reboot the Final Fantasy franchise (just kidding)
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:31PM rigmutton said
I applaud your *exquisite* choice of accompanying graphic.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:32PM CaptainProtonX said
Seeing FF13 at $20 wasn't a good sign.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:33PM lydonw said
That's a great price for some CVS branded Styling Gel! Not only that, but eligible for free shipping!
This is the kind of hard hitting journalism I come to joystiq for. Now if only I could find a good price on some post-Halloween bulk candy...
This is the kind of hard hitting journalism I come to joystiq for. Now if only I could find a good price on some post-Halloween bulk candy...
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:41PM A Sandwich said
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 5:52PM Special Agent Bob said
@lydonw
Now my hair will be able to defy the laws of physics and gravity all for the low price of 2.99
Reply
Now my hair will be able to defy the laws of physics and gravity all for the low price of 2.99
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:35PM StrikeFear13 said
Ahaha.. oh man. I see what you did there, Joystiq ;)
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:41PM Bjork said
Considering FFXIV's launch (and it seems downhill from there), this comes as no surprise.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:44PM CaptainProtonX said
@Bjork
It's out? Seriously, I haven't tracked this one bit.
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It's out? Seriously, I haven't tracked this one bit.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:23PM Muu said
@Bjork
Only going downhill from here for 14 methinks. I'd be willing to bet most people still playing (on the extended free period) will stick around for another 6months, but it's going to be a hard sell to get new people to come play with the horrid reviews it's gotten. Might get some sales out of the PS3 version that's due out, but I'm sure the negative press for the initial release will make people far more cautious.
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Only going downhill from here for 14 methinks. I'd be willing to bet most people still playing (on the extended free period) will stick around for another 6months, but it's going to be a hard sell to get new people to come play with the horrid reviews it's gotten. Might get some sales out of the PS3 version that's due out, but I'm sure the negative press for the initial release will make people far more cautious.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2010 4:48PM trendscenedental said
@Bewoulf
Yes, exactly this. I wasn't really drawn to it at first, but after playing (gradually more and more) for about a week or two, I felt that familiar urge to play creeping back. Its got its flaws, but I think Squenix is doing a good job of listening to what players want and fixing things accordingly.
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Yes, exactly this. I wasn't really drawn to it at first, but after playing (gradually more and more) for about a week or two, I felt that familiar urge to play creeping back. Its got its flaws, but I think Squenix is doing a good job of listening to what players want and fixing things accordingly.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:41PM den69 said
treseme freezehold.. good stuff
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:42PM A Sandwich said
@Chazzr
If I cross my eyes I can see where you're coming from.
If I cross my eyes I can see where you're coming from.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:43PM den69 said
@Chazzr
Wait a minute... I see him too.
Wait a minute... I see him too.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:44PM Bewoulf said
That wasn't much of a reason to lower operating profit. Usually they lower operating profit because of delays in game releases or something. Sure FFXIV on PS3 was delayed, but would that make a 100M difference?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:10PM SludgeFeast said
@Bewoulf
It's not the delay of XIV thats hurting them, it's the game itself and it's lack of sales performance
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It's not the delay of XIV thats hurting them, it's the game itself and it's lack of sales performance
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:44PM Munny Swirl said
lol over a pound of gel for 3 bucks!
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:48PM greyseal said
I guess this means a few more remakes of FFI - VI are on the horizon.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 5:59PM ThePenIsMightier said
@greyseal
Remake of VI? Did I miss that one? I count SNES, PS1, and GBA. They haven't touched it in years!
Reply
Remake of VI? Did I miss that one? I count SNES, PS1, and GBA. They haven't touched it in years!
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:51PM Faceless Troll said
This better not impact an NA release of the Parasite Eve games on the PS1 classics store.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:53PM Elranzer said
Both FFXIII and FFXIV were duds. I'm the unfortunate owner of both.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:09PM AltairArcanum said
@Elranzer
I must be one of the 3 people out there who didn't think it was that terrible (XIII).
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I must be one of the 3 people out there who didn't think it was that terrible (XIII).
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:55PM ytilanigiroon said
I was confused by the article's image, then I read "Square Enix" and gently clapped as if I were at a golf tournament.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:05PM ennzo said
i can see SE dipping in revenue due to lack luster games yearly... having the title "final fantasy" title thrown on and generic RPG game is starting to kick them in the nuts.. if 14 didnt have the name, it would already be dead
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:06PM Spookimitsu said
@Chazzr
How are you in a drunken stupor already? It's only 3p.m. where I am. (at work)
How are you in a drunken stupor already? It's only 3p.m. where I am. (at work)
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:15PM RogueJedi86 said
Definitely smells like the failure of FFXIV hurt their expectations. They predicted it'd be even bigger than FFXI, then it wasn't, so they lowered their expectations.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:28PM C1 said
Chrono Cross PSN...
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:38PM OptimumEDGE said
The company said that the declining figures were due to the "challenging operating environment" in which new games experienced "relatively half-assed development."
Sounds about right.
Sounds about right.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:43PM Tradio said
please Sq Enix focus soley on releasing epic turn based RPG games with memorable characters and deep story lines. That is your bread and butter
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:43PM ShingoEX said
This is what happens when you acquire a company that keeps thriving off the floundering Final Fantasy series, yet they keep on focusing with the Final Fantasy series. Shit, even Capcom was smart enough to realize they couldn't survive on the Street fighter brand alone.
It's time for S/E to move to something else, before FF tanks BOTH companies, like it almost did with Square TWICE in the past. They'll never learn, will they?
It's time for S/E to move to something else, before FF tanks BOTH companies, like it almost did with Square TWICE in the past. They'll never learn, will they?
Posted: Nov 2nd 2010 9:06AM ShingoEX said
@SirUrza The difference is, Capcom has more than SF to fall back on. It has Marvel Vs. Capcom, Bionic Commando, Devil May Cry, Mega Man, Phoenix Wright, Resident Evil, Lost Planet, Dead Rising, etc...
If Final Fantasy tanks, what other popular series does Square have to fall back on?
Reply
If Final Fantasy tanks, what other popular series does Square have to fall back on?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:09PM pluupy said
Either Joystiq is now in partnership with CVS or Sliwinski just made a inappropriate header for this article.
Uh well I say this because I remember a cashier at Walgreens was giving out those Free Frosty Halloween coupons from Wendy's last Halloween. Just for fun. Walgreens was sued because technically it was advertising for Wendy's. Walgreens would have had to be partnered with Wendy's for this promotion.
Anyway, Square-Enix NA needs to fix thier damn public relations department. They lost thier assistant-manager and manager in the last two months because of XIV.
Uh well I say this because I remember a cashier at Walgreens was giving out those Free Frosty Halloween coupons from Wendy's last Halloween. Just for fun. Walgreens was sued because technically it was advertising for Wendy's. Walgreens would have had to be partnered with Wendy's for this promotion.
Anyway, Square-Enix NA needs to fix thier damn public relations department. They lost thier assistant-manager and manager in the last two months because of XIV.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 6:00PM ThePenIsMightier said
@pluupy
Haven't played an FF game in a while, I take it? ;)
Reply
Haven't played an FF game in a while, I take it? ;)
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:24PM ShadowXIII said
"The company said that the declining figures were due to the "challenging operating environment" "
...it might have been the company completely refusing to listen to their fans...that might have had something to do with it.
Revisit Final Fantasy VI, VII, and maybe VIII.....Nothing.
Crono Trigger sequel (a real one)....Nothing.
Kingdom Hearts (real) sequel....talked about.
Secret of Mana series revisit (online option to play multiplayer could have been cool)....not even thought about.
Major issues with XIV Beta-test....refused to listen and released anyway.
I could go on...they have/had plenty of potential to make money, but I think its their own damn fault that they are in this situation.
Personally, as a fan on the company, I'm sick of their sh!t and I've moved on.
...it might have been the company completely refusing to listen to their fans...that might have had something to do with it.
Revisit Final Fantasy VI, VII, and maybe VIII.....Nothing.
Crono Trigger sequel (a real one)....Nothing.
Kingdom Hearts (real) sequel....talked about.
Secret of Mana series revisit (online option to play multiplayer could have been cool)....not even thought about.
Major issues with XIV Beta-test....refused to listen and released anyway.
I could go on...they have/had plenty of potential to make money, but I think its their own damn fault that they are in this situation.
Personally, as a fan on the company, I'm sick of their sh!t and I've moved on.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 8:46PM ThePenIsMightier said
@Chazzr
FF 6 was on the GBA, and your DS can play those.
FF 6 was on the GBA, and your DS can play those.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 10:24PM Mr Fister said
I wonder if the appreciation of the yen also has something to do with this, just like how it affected Nintendo's half-year report?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 10:44PM xbashingx said
i can haz kh3 on my xbawks?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 11:22PM SirUrza said
@ThePenIsMightier
Unless you have a DSI, XL, (and soon the 3DS.)
Unless you have a DSI, XL, (and soon the 3DS.)
Posted: Nov 2nd 2010 1:11AM Oldtaku said
Is that a "challenging operating environment" where we can't just crap out crap and still rake in the $$$$$? I think you've found your limit of resting on your laurels. Time to get back to making good games.






