Square Enix is shaking up its game release strategy, signaling a departure from exclusive launches in favor of multiplatform releases. This shift comes amid a turbulent period for the company, marked by underperforming titles and management shake-ups.

The new approach, outlined in the three-year business plan titled “Square Enix Reboots and Awakens,” aims to revitalize the company’s fortunes by diversifying its game releases across various platforms. Notably, flagship titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XVI, previously exclusive to PS5, will now see wider availability on platforms including Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Under the leadership of Square Enix’s new president, Takashi Kiryu, the company is moving away from a quantity-driven release strategy, prioritizing quality and consistency in its game offerings. This shift involves streamlining development teams and consolidating operations into a more integrated structure, bidding farewell to the previous business unit-based organization.

Furthermore, Square Enix is ramping up efforts to bolster its overseas operations, with a focus on optimizing costs and strengthening development capabilities, particularly at its London site. This strategic overhaul reflects a broader industry trend away from platform exclusivity, with companies recognizing the limitations and drawbacks of such practices.

In essence, Square Enix’s pivot represents a long-awaited acknowledgment of changing industry dynamics, with a renewed emphasis on delivering high-quality experiences to gamers across a variety of platforms. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Square Enix is positioning itself to adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.