NieR: Automata performed better than expected, and this prompted questions on how the publisher allocates its internal development resources. During the latest investor Q&A CEO Yosuke Matsuda outlined the plans for the future.

"In terms of the balance between in-house efforts and outsourcing, we intend to primarily develop our major franchises in-house and to outsource mid-sized titles. It is also important to cultivate new titles, and for that reason we are also thinking about how tie-ups with external companies can help balance our mix."

Looks like the alliance with PlatinumGames for Yoko Taro's game won't be an isolated occurrence, but we might not see this kind of outsourcing happen with the biggest games of Square Enix's main franchises.

Outsourcing often tends to be seen as negative among the fans of a series, but when the studio doing the work is as good as PlatinumGames, it can definitely bring a positive influence on a franchise.