After the success of Nier Automata and the remake of Nier Replicant, the future of the license seemed clear, but things have changed since then.
If there is one thing that characterizes director Yoko Taro’s work on the NieR license, it is his ability to expand his universe across several titles and consoles. It’s certain Drakengard, in 2003 on PS2, that the man lays the foundations of his scenario; three dark-fantasy games, which take place in a world infested by a mysterious disease. If he does not meet the expected success with these software, that does not prevent him from starting to develop the indirect suite: Deny. Unfortunately, it was once again a mixed result for the Japanese, until the release of NieR Automata in 2017, which gave a second wind to the license and which promised it a bright future.
An uncertain future
NieR Automata has been a real success with nearly 8 million copies sold, notably thanks to the release of its Nintendo Switch version in 2022. In this title which takes place in the distant future, where humans have left an earth that has become unlivable. We play two automatons, supposed to protect the planet from an army of robots. This success quickly pushed publishers to look into a remake of NieR which gave NieR RepliCantbut also on the development of several mobile games: NieR Re[in]skin tone and a second unannounced, produced by Tencent.
Only, for this mysterious software, which will remain nameless, everything is now over. While it had been in development for almost two years, everything stopped last December, reports Reuters. The team “struggled to find a compelling monetization model to offset the high costs of mobile entry”, we can read. The studio would not have been inclined to pay royalties above 10% for intellectual property. These generally amount to between 15 and 20%, which is too expensive for the Chinese group. However, development seemed well advanced, since there was a playable internal demo, which showed some of the combat and story.
The end of Nier?
If the road seems to be over for this title, mobile players can still catch up on the other mobile game: NieR Ré[in]complexion. However, he will have to act quickly, because he is also preparing to say goodbye to the fans. In April 2024, he will end his service. “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our players for your support over the two and a half years since our launch on July 28, 2021”, can we read on the official website. Yoko Taro, on the other hand, is far from having completed her universe. Producer Yosuke Saito has stated that NieR will continue as long as the latter is alive.