Square Enix blames “huge slump” in US sales for western title failures

The European market is soft but its poor sales in North America that really surprised Square Enix this past year, resulting in an expected extraordinary loss out of its next financial report.

Tomb Raider misses sales targets; Rogers in contention for board election

Square Enix’s big console releases are not performing as desired in the West.

As part of the publisher’s latest financial report, the company described sales of Tomb Raider, Hitman: Absolution and Sleeping Dogs as “weak” in both North America and Europe.

Square Enix makes console games 'free' online

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19409211

Square Enix's CoreOnline makes console games 'free' online

Developer Square Enix has launched a service allowing gamers to play high definition full console-quality titles through their web browser.

CoreOnline streams games from the firm's back catalogue for free, with users encouraged to watch advertising in order to "earn" more playing time.

Titles that are on offer include Hitman and, soon, Tomb Raider.

The launch followed news that OnLive, another streaming service, was struggling.

The company was forced to sell its assets to a venture capital firm - a controversial move which wiped out investors' stakes and staff's share rights.