Square Enix Reports Record Profits

Developer and publisher Square Enix has reported that last year's profits were the highest it has recorded since being formed by the merger of Square and Enix in 2003.

Profits for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, were a stonking 27.8 billion Japanese yen (roughly $300 million US), beating the previous best year of 2007 by 1.6 billion yen.

Top titles Batman: Arkham Asylum and Final Fantasy XIII.

Final Fantasy XIII, Dragon Quest IX and Batman: Arkham Asylum were credited as large contributors, selling 5.55, 4.26 and 3.24 million copies respectively. Dragon Quest IX's achievement is even more respectable considering it was only available in Japan.

The records also reveal Just Cause 2 sold an impressive 0.92 million copies in its first eight days after its release on March 23, rising to 1.19 million by the end of April.

Moving forward, Square Enix identifies three "key success factors" for continued growth. The first is "globalisation"--courting foreign markets more, aided by its acquisition of Eidos. The second is to become "network centric" with attention to online games including MMOs, online distribution and community management.

The last key factor for growth is to "strengthen" its intellectual properties, which include Final Fantasy, Kane & Lynch, Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex and Space Invaders. A Kane & Lynch sequel and movie are currently in production, while Deus Ex has finally been dusted off for Deus Ex 3 and the stodgy Tomb Raider franchise is now branching out into arcade-y lands with the spin-off Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.