Falcom, the Japanese developer behind the renowned Ys and Legend of Heroes series, faced a rocky start to its fiscal year. In the first quarter, the company reported a net profit of only ¥6.6 million, with sales from its game development division dropping significantly.
The downturn stems from a limited number of new releases during the period. In July 2016, Falcom launched Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana for PlayStation Vita, followed by Tokyo Xanadu eX+ for PlayStation 4 in September. However, aside from these two titles, no other major new games hit the market. As a result, the division’s revenue plunged by 84.3% year-over-year, totaling just ¥23 million.
Looking ahead, Falcom has several titles in the pipeline. The enhanced PS4 edition of Ys VIII is scheduled for release on May 25. Meanwhile, development is in full swing on The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III, which remains on track for its planned launch. While development earnings lagged, the company’s licensing segment painted a brighter picture—a classic case of putting all your eggs in more than one basket.
Falcom’s licensing revenue surged 39% year-over-year to ¥262 million. This growth was driven by the Korean release of Ys VIII for PSV and the multilingual rollout of Gurumin 3D on Nintendo 3DS, available in both Japanese and English. Additionally, several older PC titles received downloadable English versions for international audiences. The company also began operations of The Legend of Heroes: Akatsuki no Kiseki, including a PSV version.
Strategic partnerships helped boost revenue as well. Falcom granted licenses to prominent games like Taiko no Tatsujin V and Seven Knights, contributing significantly to licensing income. These collaborations underline the company’s shift toward leveraging its IP across different platforms and regions—a smart move given the stagnation in new development.
February will see the PS4 launch of Ys Origin, previously available on PC, now including a multilingual version with Japanese support. March will bring the traditional Chinese editions of Tokyo Xanadu (PSV) and Tokyo Xanadu eX+ (PS4). In May, the PS4 traditional Chinese edition of Ys VIII will also debut. This localization push reflects Falcom’s commitment to expanding its global footprint.
Crickex Login users interested in Japanese RPGs should keep an eye on these upcoming releases, especially as Falcom aims to turn the tide with strong second-half performance. According to the company’s full-year forecast (October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017), total sales are projected at ¥1.8 billion. Operating profit is expected to hit ¥750 million, with recurring and net profits also targeted at ¥750 million and ¥500 million respectively.
Given the anticipated release of Trails of Cold Steel III, Falcom is banking on its flagship franchises to restore momentum. For fans tracking game industry developments or using Crickex Login to stay updated, these financial projections reveal both caution and ambition from one of Japan’s most iconic mid-tier studios. As the saying goes, even the best stumble sometimes—but Falcom seems ready to get back on its feet. Crickex Login users can look forward to more international launches and potential surprises as the year unfolds.