A new financial report from the legendary publisher reveals a dramatic pivot towards simultaneous multi-platform releases is already paying off, though questions remain about the final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake saga.
TOKYO – In a gaming landscape increasingly defined by platform accessibility, Square Enix is making its new direction crystal clear. A newly released progress report from the company details a significant strategic shift towards releasing its games on multiple platforms simultaneously, a move that has already begun to reverse its recent financial fortunes and is set to define its release schedule for years to come.
The comprehensive HD Games Sector Progress Report highlights how early cross-platform experiments have boosted profitability, providing a clear validation of the aggressive new stance the publisher announced earlier in 2024 to address operating losses. This new roadmap, which stretches all the way to 2028, confirms that day-one releases on PC, Xbox, and Nintendo systems are now a top priority. However, one titan is conspicuously absent from the planned slate: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3.
A Strategy Validated by Profits and Player Growth
The report leaves little room for doubt about the efficacy of Square Enix's new direction. After a period of financial strain, the company decided to pivot away from timed console exclusivity deals, a model that had long been a staple of its biggest releases. The goal was simple: cast a wider net to grow the fanbase for each of its intellectual properties and maximize sales potential from day one.
The results, according to the document, have been promising. Titles like the recently released *Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake* are cited as key examples, having proven highly profitable thanks to their availability across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC from launch. This approach has not only stabilized the HD Games division but has also successfully introduced iconic franchises to new audiences who may not have owned a single specific console.
As outlined in a recent GamesIndustry.biz analysis, this "aggressive multiplatform strategy" is now the central pillar of Square Enix's business model moving forward. The newly published roadmap solidifies this, confirming that all upcoming major titles are planned to debut on all available systems at the same time.
The 2028 Roadmap: Final Fantasy 7 Leads the Charge, But Part 3 is Missing
The provided schedule offers exciting concrete details for fans. Most notably, it lists Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade for a confirmed release on the yet-to-be-released Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S on January 22, 2026. This will finally bring the first chapter of the remake saga to a much broader audience. The roadmap also includes Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the critically acclaimed second part, for the same platforms, though a specific release date for that port is still absent.
The elephant in the room, however, is the complete omission of the trilogy's conclusion, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. While its absence is not entirely surprising given the game has not yet had a formal trailer or official title reveal, it immediately raises questions about its potential release strategy.
This has led to speculation within the community, with fans and industry observers alike voicing their theories on social media about whether the title might still be subject to a period of PS5 exclusivity, much like its predecessors.
Could the PS5 Still Have an Advantage for Final Fantasy Fans?
The debate is now raging: will a PlayStation console see Part 3 before PC, Xbox, and Switch 2? While Sony's stance on exclusivity appears to be softening—evidenced by recent leaks surrounding a potential PS5 and PC cross-buy program—history is on the side of a timed exclusive. Both Remake and Rebirth were locked to the PS5 for a considerable period before their PC releases.
However, there is a strong case for a simultaneous launch. Game director Naoki Hamaguchi has previously reassured players that development on the final installment is "progressing rapidly." More importantly, he has explicitly described putting a development structure in place to support a day-one cross-platform launch. In past interviews, he mentioned assigning specific platform versions to dedicated development teams, a strategy aimed at optimizing the game for systems with vastly different technical requirements, such as the Nintendo Switch 2.
The hope is that this forward-thinking approach will prevent any delays for any segment of the fanbase, ensuring that no one is left waiting to experience the epic conclusion to Cloud Strife's reimagined journey. For now, while the roadmap through 2028 is filled with multi-platform promises, the fate of gaming's most anticipated finale remains the sector's biggest unanswered question.
Square Enix shares table for their Multi-platform strategy, in effect since Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
— HazzadorGamin, Dragon of Dojima (@HazzadorGamin) November 6, 2025
• Future games to launch on PS5/Switch2/Xbox Series and PC Platforms at the same time
• FF VII Rebirth is also officially shown for Switch2 & XboxSeries pic.twitter.com/ZrRYyXkPQa
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