So Square Enix continues to lose money, even though the "losses aren't as bad as before." When one tries to spin their bad news with words like those, you know the company isn't exactly bringing in the dough. Their years of poor decisions, constant delays, and inability to truly touch upon what gamers want is beginning to catch on them in the same way that the evolving wave of gaming is quietly affecting most Japanese gaming companies.
Kingdom Hearts has run its course (We STILL don't have an official 3rd one with a release date). Final Fantasy needs a total refresher course on how to tell a good story and deliver a decent presentation that will age like the greats--after all, not a single Final Fantasy has been memorable in the slightest bit since part 10. And Final Fantasy X is a PS2 game. Dragon Quest, their usual biggest cash cow, has been quieted down for inexplicable reasons. A calm Wii and WiiU release with minimal fanfare and no United States release? This is a total contrast from all the excitement that had occurred after first announcement. Combine the sales of the Wii and WiiU versions of DQX and they still won't match the sales of the NES version of Dragon Quest II back in 1987.
But the difference between most of the Japanese companies struggling and Square Enix is the history. Nintendo's ability to tap into history to try to replenish sales and bring up reputation has saved them time and time again. On the other hand, Square Enix continues to totally dodge their history, resulting in millions in potential sales and money that remains in their reach but unattained.
I once wrote that perhaps the art of the JRPG is dying. But on the other hand, maybe its because Square Enix isn't looking back at the classics that put them on the map in the first place.
Square Enix owns:
The SaGa series (Which includes the Final Fantasy Legend games on the original Game Boy), Chrono series (Which includes Chrono Trigger, one of the greatest games ever), the Crystal Chronicles series, the Mana series, parts of the Super Mario RPG series (You owe us another Geno and Mallow game), the ActRaiser series, the Gaia series (Which consists of just one classic), the Star Ocean series, and even the widely-forgotten franchise of the Dragon Warrior Monsters.
Now, all of the franchises I have recently mentioned have whether not had new, original installments in years, or they have been quietly being released with minimal effort to the extent of the Final Fantasy games in recent years. These are all great franchises back in its heyday with lots of creativity. It is not like Square Enix JUST has one major game to depend on--they have an extremely rich lineup of games that spanned from the Game Boy through the latter PSX days to re-release, re-do, or follow up to. I can promise you the gaming industry will buzz with a Super Mario RPG 2, an ActRaiser 3, and/or a Chrono Trigger 3.
But much like Nintendo's dependance on the Big 3 (Mario, Pokemon, Zelda) in its lineup, Square has put all their eggs in just one or two baskets (Final Fantasy) with every once in a while branching off to strange territory (Tomb Raider....really?), when they can diversify so much more without worrying about restrictions. This company is sitting on multiple ideas, worlds, characters, franchises that have a chance to breathe some life to its industry. JRPGs can make a rise if they are willing to bend its rules a little and refresh their SNES/PSX glory days for a new generation of gamers.
Then lastly, try to remember that gamers exist on the Western Hemisphere. Despite JRPGs not being as big to Americans and the Europeans as they used to, there is still an audience. Game Freak and their Pokemon franchise is right now smiling profusely. Dragon Quest X has been out for over a year and STILL no word on a release outside of Japan. And not even attempting to make it a 3DS game? What are you all thinking? Dragon Quest used to be the biggest and baddest franchise in all of Japan. Why mistreat it so badly?
Newsflash Square Enix, your company is slowly dying because you are allowing it to die slowly. You have a wealth of franchises and video games that can make good sales, follow with good reception, and can bring you the money necessary to advance your craft. I don't quite know how and why your company has slipped into a coma of Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy Delays, but none of this has to occur.
Square Enix can be saved. You just have to look back, and be willing to expand your horizons a little.
....and find a way to do that gosh darn remake too....you know the one......
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