Square Enix shared its financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. We saw how HD Games sales were lower than the previous fiscal year, but the company made improvements in other categories.
The above is a look at comparisons of retail and digital software sales by region, with a comparison between the fiscal year ended March 2018 and the previous fiscal year. As previously mentioned, Square Enix attributes it to a lack of blockbuster titles.
MMO
As seen here, the latest expansions of Final Fantasy XIV and Dragon Quest X contributed to the robust sales and operating income growth by disk sales and increase of paying subscribers.
- Expect a decrease of disc sales in FY2019/3 having no expansion.
- Focus on user retention by taking various operational measures such as large updates.
Smartphone/PC Browser
Games for smart devices and PC browser also saw some strong performance from existing titles and royalty income, which boosted both sales and operating income.
- Royalty income increased in FY2018/3, on top of existing titles’ strong performance.
- New titles launched in the first half underperformed.
Square Enix aims for further grown in FY2019/3 by launches of new titles and overseas expansion. Titles launched in FY2018/3 Q4 made a favorable start.
Amusement (Arcades)
Amusement facility operation, which includes arcade machines, performed steadily while the number of newly-released amusement decreased from the previous fiscal year. This segment saw an overall decrease in both sales and operating income.
- Expect an increase of revenue in FY2019/3 thanks to new store openings and launches of new amusement machines.
Publication
Square Enix saw stable comic book sales sustained by the mixed-media deployment and expanding sales of digital comic book, which resulted in an increase of sales and operating income.
- Promote comic sales through mixed-media (animation and film/TV), and digital books.
Merchandising
Lastly, we have a chart for the merchandising segment, which saw strong sales of established IP-based character goods that resulted in increase of sales. Established IP-based character goods, wide range of goods, and licensing deals in conjunction with the Final Fantasy franchise’s 30th anniversary performed well.
