Square Enix's 88% profit-bump financial report gives me hope for FF14, suggesting the MMO's finally not having to carry the company for once

Square Enix, the developer behind the Final Fantasy series, has announced an impressive 88.6% increase in operating profit for the fiscal year ending 2025. This growth is largely attributed to the success of their videogame business, which saw a 91.8% rise in operating profit and a 51.8% increase in revenue. The company attributes this success to the popular Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, which has finally met market expectations.

However, the report also sheds light on the situation of Final Fantasy 14, a game that has faced declining popularity due to the stagnant formula of Dawntrail. Surprisingly, the game's player base experienced a rise in June 2025, according to a census. Several factors contribute to this uptick, including the improved content provided by Creative Studio 3.

They have shifted away from a traditional casual/hardcore divide and adopted a more modern, scalable difficulty approach. Games like the deep dungeon Pilgrim's Traverse and the expanded expansion's midcore difficulty options have been updated, making the game more accessible and engaging.

Additionally, the introduction of Evercold has brought new evolved jobs, a restructured raid series, and a seasonal stone system. These changes aim to maintain interest in the long-running title. Despite these improvements, Square Enix has admitted that FF14 required a slight increase in its profit margins due to the significant investment in its upcoming Evercold update.

This revelation offers a glimmer of hope for the game's future, as it suggests that Square Enix recognizes the need for innovation to keep the game thriving.