UNLEASHING THE FUTURE: SQUARE ENIX'S BOLD MULTIPLATFORM ODYSSEY

Even in an industry that never sleeps, gaming colossuses such as Square Enix occasionally lie at the intersection between disruption and renewal. Recently, we’ve seen Square Enix publish a new manifesto that will change its present and future and end up engaging far more new customers in the process. In this feature, we look at Square Enix’s new commitment to multiplatform, the biggest industry shift the company has made since its founding.

THE GENESIS OF TRANSFORMATION

In its most recent earnings report, Square Enix’s vision for its future has been boiled down by management to a document with the perfect title – ‘Square Enix Reboots, and Awakens – 3-years of Foundation-Laying for Long-term Growth’. The company bigwigs promise an ‘aggressive multiplatform platform strategy’ that includes content on Nintendo platforms, as well as PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Its new ‘medium-term business plan’ runs from the period ending 31 March 2025 to the period ending 31 March 2027 and will focus on what its leadership describes as ‘building an environment where more customers can enjoy our titles’.

THE MULTIPLATFORM MANDATE

At the centre of Square Enix’s discourse is, seemingly, the acquisition of its most coveted content – its cornerstone franchises, and AAA hits – and placing them all under the new multiplatform umbrella, not only expanding the world of their catalogue titles but also allowing the new divisions, and new entires to beloved old franchises to be successful on new fronts of devices and consoles alike. The decision to also consider PC launches for new SD exclusives signifies that the company is pushing towards full accessibility, so no gamer – on any platform – should miss out on Square Enix’s magical worlds.

THE LESSONS FROM YESTERYEARS

To get there required a rollercoaster ride. Square Enix’s own statement at the end of the fiscal year before this landmark strategy was announced – the one to 31 March 2024 – demonstrates how far the company had gotten from its former glory, illustrating the victories and pitfalls along the way. For example, even though the ‘expansion of the MMO sub-segment’ – a subtle nod to the Xbox launch of Final Fantasy 14 – was going well, the company had run into ’profitability-related issues’ in the HD Games sub-segment and a definite slowdown in the Games for Smart Devices/PC Browser (SD) sub-segment. Square Enix’s own internal assessment of ‘insufficient franchise by-franchise portfolio management’ and its own ‘gaps in the Group’s management infrastructure’ doubly reinforced the need for something new.

NAVIGATING THE HIGH SEAS OF HD GAMING

The history of Square Enix is a plot of near misses and spectacles of grand win In the face of these profitability issues with HD games (realised thumpingly again in weak sales of their two current behemoths, Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth) and for continued underperformance on a catalogue of titles, fuelling a few years of flamboyant spending in a desperate attempt to secure continued shareholder approval, selling a multiplatform strategy full of hybrid, limiting and transformative statements makes sense. It’s a tale of global interconnecting and a hopeful pathway of opening and embracing difference, all couched in ever-higher promises of profit.

THE ROAD AHEAD

And in a moment that could usher in one of the most seismic shifts in gaming history, that is exactly what is happening as the Square Enix behemoth sits right on that cusp. Embracing multiplatform is more than a strategy, it’s more than eking out titles, it’s about busting open IP barriers, enlarging the circle of gamers, and creating a path where the next kid doesn’t need to own an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 to explore wonderful adventures. Square Enix is reassuring its ongoing massive fanfare while promising new recruits that a future of possibilities, adventures and unexplored lands lie in its promise.

UNDERSTANDING THE SQUARE ENIX MULTIPLATFORM STRATEGY

Ultimately, the Square Enix multiplatform strategy is a widely ambitious attempt by a company to open up its respected first-party IP to a larger audience than before. Merging the line between platform exclusivity, Square Enix hopes to add to their audience by making nearly all of their relevant games accessible for more players. And while this could be the easy and obvious reason behind the multiplatform release of Final Fantasy VII: Remake, it goes beyond that too as well. Opening up the games of Square Enix is also a way to broaden what gaming looks like to people everywhere. And in 2022, that is something we should all be for.

FAQS ABOUT SELLING YOUR SUB WITH GIZMOGO

Can I sell my used gaming console to Gizmogo?

So, if you want to sell your old games (onsuited for playing Square Enix titles), come on over at Gizmogo: they make it easy to do just that! Regardless of the latest multiplatform games released from Square Enix that you want to play on the new hardware, rest assured that our easy-to-use service will help you appraise and sell your gadget.

How does the sales process work with Gizmogo?

To sell your old gaming console or other electronic devices to Gizmogo, you simply describe your gadget’s condition and you receive an instant quote, ship for free, and get paid instantly once they validate your device’s condition. They make dusting off your space from your once cherished tech easy with the least resistance.

What types of devices can I sell on Gizmogo?

Gizmogo buys a range of electronic equipment, including smart phones, tablets, laptops, and, of course, gaming consoles, bringing in a versatility that allows you to unload them when upgrading (because of Square Enix’s forthcoming multiplatform experience).

How quickly do I get paid after selling to Gizmogo?

After inspecting the device and confirming that it is as described, Gizmogo sends your payment within 24 hours. By that time, you’ll have accumulated the funds to buy the next generation of gaming platforms on which Square Enix plans to release its multiplatform titles.

Is selling to Gizmogo environmentally friendly?

Certainly selling your used dream-crushing electronic devices to Gizmogo helps the planet. Rather than having your dust-covered cast-offs accumulate in a drawer or far worse, burry itself in a landfill, Gizmogo efficiently recycles, repurposes or safely disposes of your unwanted devices and do their little bit to make this planet a little greener.

In conclusion, with this multiplatform transition by Square Enix, the possibilities for gamers are infinite. This shift in strategy is not only set to take the gaming industry to the next level but also puts emphasis on the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in digital entertainment. With this understanding, it is safe to say that Square Enix’s innovation, which also encourages a multiplatform strategy, is set to bring a new era of gaming to the world.