Square Enix revises forecasts, sales exceed expectations

Here's something you don't see much in the doom and gloom of financial season: Square Enix is revising its forecasts up because it's posted better sales than expected across the fiscal year. The Japanese publisher said several games recorded positive sales, such as Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, Thief and, yes, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. What a difference a year and 6 million sales overall makes.

The company also cited cost reduction initiatives and exchange gains on the ever-weaker yen as factors contributing to a greater net profit than projected. Square Enix expects now to record a profit for the year ending March 31, 2014 of 6.6 billion yen ($64.9 million). That's up a whopping 88.6 percent from the company's minimum estimates, and a significant 10 percent up from max figures.

We should learn more about Square Enix's finances when the company releases its annual report, but the picture looks rosier than this time last year. After deciding to reform its AAA business in the wake of weak sales on console, the publisher continues to be pleased with the progress of Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn. Registrations surpassed the 2 million mark following last month's PS4 launch, and in today's statement Square Enix called out the MMORPG's software sales as "strong."