Dragon Quest X 'under consideration' for overseas markets
Square Enix is mulling over bringing Dragon Quest X overseas, although it's unclear if that includes markets in the West. In today's financial results briefing, the company discussed the Wii, Wii U and PC MMO in a section titled "Expansion of Overseas Businesses, primarily in Asia." However, no regions were specified for Dragon Quest X's possible exportation, and Square Enix has brought recent games in the RPG series to North America and Europe.
Despite noting favorable retail performances for a number of recent games, including Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster and Thief, Square Enix didn't note any specific sales numbers in today's briefing. Looking ahead, the company noted plans to start launching "large-scale online titles developed by Western studios" in this fiscal year. Square Enix didn't specify particular games, although browser-based shooter/strategy hybrid Heroes and Generals is currently in open beta. Also, the company reiterated Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is due to launch in China this summer.
As per recent revisions, Square Enix posted an annual net profit of just under 6.6 billion yen ($64.8 million); compare that to the previous year when the company posted more than double that figure, but as a loss. Despite exceeding expectations across the year ending March 31, 2014, Square Enix is forecasting sales and profit performances similar to what it projected last year. For the year ending March 31, 2015, the company expects net sales of around 140 billion to 150 billion yen ($1.37 billion to $1.47 billion), and net profit between 3.5 billion and 6.5 billion yen ($34.3 million and $58.8 million).
Square Enix may have turned loss into a profit this fiscal year, but the Japanese publisher continues to push the reforms it outlined in 2013. In today's statement, the company noted console game markets in the West are dominated by a small number of big-selling games, while smartphone and tablet gaming is "spreading rapidly." This speaks to the changes Square Enix spoke about this time last year, and its response to what it called "weak sales" of AAA console titles in the West. As part of those reforms, Square Enix wants to create a portfolio of games tailored to specific regions, and increase focus on tablets and mobile.
[Image: Square Enix]
