Square Enix Shareholders Question Nier Reincarnation Shutdown & Game Preservation

During Square Enix’s recent annual shareholder meeting, investors raised concerns about the company’s handling of online game shutdowns and long-term preservation, specifically pointing to Nier Reincarnation.

One shareholder asked whether Square Enix has a preservation policy for games that reach end of service, noting that Nier Reincarnation became completely unplayable after its servers shut down in April 2024. The shareholder argued that even if a live-service title must end, players can lose access not only to gameplay, but also story content, music, character materials, and other creative work tied to the game.

Square Enix president Takashi Kiryu responded by saying that online service titles are generally built around the assumption that they will operate over a certain service period and then eventually end.

According to Kiryu, Square Enix tries to preserve elements that should remain available to players whenever possible, such as by releasing soundtracks, art books, or other related materials.

However, he suggested that maintaining games themselves after service ends is difficult due to operating costs, technical issues, and the nature of server-based titles.

The shareholder also raised a broader concern about Square Enix’s reputation, arguing that repeated shutdowns can damage user trust and make players less willing to spend money on future live-service projects.

Kiryu acknowledged that trust is important and said the company will continue considering how to handle online games responsibly while balancing business realities.

The exchange comes amid growing industry discussion around game preservation, particularly for mobile and live-service games that become permanently inaccessible once servers are closed.