Joystiq

Square Enix braces investors for 'extraordinary losses' in last fiscal year

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

On the eve of its quarterly presentation to investors and analysts, Square Enix today sent out a "revised" (uh-oh) forecast for the financial results of the last fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2011. Stakeholders should bring their ponchos -- they're in for stormy weather.

In February, with nine months in the books, the publisher was confident it could hold onto its threadbare profits, forecasting a meager ¥1 billion ($12 million and change) in net income at the close of the fiscal year. While the unforeseen and devastating Great East Japan Earthquake in March knocked out more than half of that forecast income -- costing Square Enix roughly ¥0.6 billion in amusement facility closures and repairs -- other factors contributed more significantly to the company's now bleak outlook.

So how bad is it? Square Enix currently anticipates a ¥12 billion (nearly $150 million) net loss for the 12-month period, a negative 226 percent change from the previous fiscal year (which brought in ¥9.509 billion in income). Further, accounting for additional subtractions from the balance sheet, the company is bracing investors for "total extraordinary losses of approximately ¥16.0 billion during the fiscal year."

If there's a silver lining, it's in the publisher "introducing a tightened selection standard regarding title lineup" -- which cost Square Enix about ¥4.5 billion in the short term due to project cancellations, including a Highlander game and Gun Loco. But, ideally, this quality control will "strengthen" the company's critical video game segment in the long run, and perhaps restore Square Enix to its former glory.

Square Enix braces investors for 'extraordinary losses' in last fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix confirms cancellation of Highlander game we forgot existed

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST

It's usually bad news bears for the fate of a particular game when we go nearly three years without hearing so much as a peep about it from its creators -- hence our general lack of surprise at Square Enix's recent revelation that Highlander: The Game's development has been halted. The project was nearly as old as Mr. MacLeod himself, having been in development since 2005 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC under the wing of publisher Eidos and French developer WideScreen Games.

Though Square confirmed the canning to IGN, it would not share details as to exactly why the project went south. We heard that it was due to the development team's proclivity for decapitating one another with giant broadswords, citing "research," but keep in mind that we just totally made that up.

Square Enix confirms cancellation of Highlander game we forgot existed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Team Fortress 2 update adds Highlander mode

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:30:00 EST

It's indicative of Valve's creativity that we don't play Team Fortress 2, but we still get excited about the game's hilarious updates. In its most recent patch, TF2 received the new "Highlander" mode, in which teams are composed of nine players -- but each team can only have one of each class. In other words, "There can be only one (Spy, Sniper, Heavy, etc.)." This not only sounds like an interesting new mode, but it also gives us occasion to link to the intro for the Highlander television series, which scientists recently concluded is the coolest intro sequence in the history of mankind.

We're also guessing the ultra-Scottish Demoman class gets some sort of intangible benefits while playing in this mode, but that's just pure speculation.

Team Fortress 2 update adds Highlander mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Highlander shots, no screens can be their equal

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

We'd like to promise that we're going to stop making jokes about the upcoming Highlander video game from Eidos, but it ain't gonna happen (we're still frantically trying to find a use for the word "quickening" as a pun). While it may be amusing to poke fun at the aging franchise, we must admit that the recent slew of screenshots to emerge for the game have piqued our interest. Granted, we're not sure if we're seeing actual gameplay or not, but it shows promise, if only conceptually. After all, sword-swinging action that spans multiple centuries sounds like perfect fodder for a video game. You might say these screens are quickening our pulse (there we go). Check them out in the gallery below.

Highlander shots, no screens can be their equal originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See first screens from Highlander game

Justin McElroy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360

When we told you about a new trailer for Highlander Tuesday, we bemoaned the lack of information about the game (or any art that included actual people for that matter). Today, it seems as if our prayers have been answered with some new images from the game giving us a glimpse at the titular Immortal, as well as some of the locations he'll be traveling to like New York City and Pompeii.

What we don't know is if these screens are from in-game footage or if they're just concept art. We've emailed Eidos for more info but, in the meantime, feel free to postulate your theories below.

Gallery: Highlander

See first screens from Highlander game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Highlander game exists, remaining fan excited

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

In our many travels, we have met all manner of geek, nerd, and weirdo. Sure, we all know about Trekkies and Browncoats and Jedi wannabes, but there is another more secret class. We are speaking, of course, of the Highlander nerd. The kind of nerd that swings a replica samurai sword as he screams "there can be only one!" his voice distorted by the rattling of a retainer. It is for this fan (and for all the fans that have successfully grown out of their "awkward phase") that we inform the masses about the impending Highlander video game from Eidos. Not only does the game exist, but there is a trailer for it as well. We should warn you though, the video -- much like all the latest entries in the Highlander franchise -- is of extremely poor quality. Also, the fact that the protagonist has lived for hundreds of years and somehow managed to retain his thick Scottish brogue is a little strange. Still, we're sure these annoyances are mere trifles to the dedicated Highlander fan, so click on to see the trailer for yourself.

Continue reading Highlander game exists, remaining fan excited

Highlander game exists, remaining fan excited originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See first trailer for Highlander game

Justin McElroy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

When you don't know much about a game (definitely the case with Eidos' upcoming Highlander title) you have to kind of go with your gut. After watching this new trailer for the game though, we have to admit that our guts are pretty stymied.

OK, so let's start with the things that make us nervous. 1. This game was announced in 2004. Troublesome. 2. This video doesn't feature any gameplay. 3. The quality is really terrible. 4. No one contacted us to let us know it was up. There's good news too, though: 1. Despite the quality, the backgrounds look pretty good. 2. The voice actor does a fairly solid job. 3. The Quickening!

We guess if we were pressed to give the trailer a passing or failing grade, we'd have to withhold the gold star thanks to the inclusion of the line "Others may lose their head in battle." ... Do you get it? Because you have to cut an Immortal's head off. Really. Someone wrote that. Oh well, we'll keep our fingers crossed.

See first trailer for Highlander game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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