Square Enix console game sales fall short of target

Publisher Square Enix reports sales of console games fell short of their initial target during the six-month period ending Sept. 30.

While titles for platforms such as PC, smartphones and SNS, including Sengoku Ixa and Final Fantasy Brigade, posted favorable results, the expense of development has caused stagnating profitability.

Sales of Nintendo 3DS game Dragon Quest Monsters Terry No Wonderland 3D were also favorable, while the number of registered paying users for Wii title Dragon Quest X has grown since its launch in August of this year.

However, the performance of arcade game machines released in the six month period ended Sept. 30, 2012 led to unfavorable sales and earnings. Last week Square Enix revised its consolidated results forecast to account for losses as a result of "sluggish sales" of arcade machines. This revealed an expected loss of over $13 million.

Square Enix is making efforts toward a "substantial earnings recovery" in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. The expansion of content and services, as well the launch of services for MMO titles is said to establish its profit base.