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Takashi Kiryu, the president of Square Enix, shared his plans for the new year in a letter. While he didn’t announce any major changes, he expressed his interest in investing in the company’s core business and exploring new areas like films, TV, XR, and AI.
Square Enix, one of Japan’s leading game companies, usually outlines its future direction in a New Year message. This is Kiryu’s first message since becoming president in June 2023.
He mentioned that although COVID-19 eased in 2023, the world faced increased geopolitical risks and sharp inflation, adding to the uncertainty in digital entertainment. To address this, Kiryu noted that XR technologies advanced during the year, and he expects more applications that blend the real and virtual worlds in the future.
Kiryu also highlighted the rapid development of generative AI, which expanded beyond text to include images, video, and music. He believes generative AI has the potential to reshape creation processes, including programming.
In Square Enix’s digital entertainment business, the company is working to enhance both content development and publishing capabilities. This includes reviving older franchises and investing in AI tools to boost productivity. The goal is to better target global fans and provide development teams with early data on fan preferences.
Kiryu emphasized the importance of the company’s comics and arcade businesses in promoting Square Enix franchises across various media. These areas contribute to the company’s growth and will continue to be a focus.
Square Enix is also investing in blockchain entertainment, Web3, AI, and the cloud, aiming to diversify its revenue sources. Kiryu stated that 2024 will be a pivotal year for the company, with a new corporate strategy and a commitment to driving business forward with a challenger’s mindset.
In his New Year’s letter, Kiryu reflected on the changes and challenges of 2023, including the rise of XR and generative AI technologies. He outlined the company’s efforts to strengthen content development and publishing, optimize resource allocation, and enhance global collaboration. The focus is on creating content that meets customer expectations and leveraging new technologies for future growth.
Kiryu also highlighted the value of the company’s comics and amusement businesses in reaching broader audiences and promoting their content. He reiterated the company’s commitment to investing in blockchain, AI, and cloud technologies, and diversifying revenue sources to adapt to a changing business environment.
Looking ahead, Kiryu expressed optimism for 2024, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach to creating high-quality content and driving business growth. He wished everyone a happy New Year and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.