Part 11/13:
This restructuring follows a pattern of strategic blunders, notably the failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, which drained resources and damaged the brand’s credibility during the early 2000s. Since then, Square Enix has struggled to find a consistently successful formula, especially as it pivoted toward Western markets and modern AAA trends.
The company's focus on chasing Western tastes, including the push for heavily marketed multiplayer titles and their alignment with modern social trends, has often been at odds with core fans' preferences for authentic Japanese RPG experiences. The current layoffs and office closures suggest that Square Enix acknowledges these missteps and is perhaps retreating to what it does best: creating memorable Japanese RPGs rooted in tradition.