As part of its recently issued 2015 annual report for shareholders, publisher Square Enix announced that it will focus on remaking many of its classic games for consoles, mobile devices, and virtual reality in the coming years.
The company’s shift in focus follows up on the recent announcement that a remake of the classic Square Enix RPG Final Fantasy VII is in the works for the PlayStation 4.
“We maintain a constant goal: to deliver content of consistently high quality to customers around the world under the best conditions possible,” the report states. “We will continue to strive to attain that goal by engaging in research into the latest content and technologies, developing new business models, and cultivating new sales channels and regions.”
The report indicates that “Revitalizing existing IPs” is a top priority that will define Square Enix’s plans going forward.
“We will revitalize some of our strong IPs in ways that meet the needs of the modern gaming market,” Square Enix’s annual report reads. “For example, we will take an IP developed for earlier generations of game consoles and recreate it for the latest consoles, while also proactively developing versions for play on smart devices. In addition, we will also explore possibilities involving VR (virtual reality) and other new platforms.”
While the company did not announce specific plans to remake its past games beyond Final Fantasy VII, it notes that new technology can inject “freshness” into established conventions, attracting new audiences while satisfying its existing fanbase. Remakes for many classic entries in the Final Fantasy series have hit PCs and mobile platforms in recent months, including this year’s Final Fantasy V.
The report additionally reveals that Square Enix will devote resources to developing new IP, collaborating with its partner companies, and expanding its business geographically. Square Enix predicts that its smartphone apps, PC games, and MMORPGs will drive earnings for the remainder of the fiscal year ending in March of 2016.
