NieR: Automata just hit 10 million sales — and Square Enix teased “to be continued”

Why this matters: a nine-year-old game just reminded the industry it’s not done

This caught my attention because a nearly decade-old action RPG breaking 10 million sales is not just a numbers story – it’s proof the NieR brand still moves people and that Square Enix is willing to use a milestone to hint something bigger. On Feb. 20, 2026, the publisher and PlatinumGames marked NieR: Automata’s ninth anniversary with a celebratory video, new artwork and a single line that sent forums into meltdown: “NieR: Automata to be continued.”

• Sales milestone: 10 million shipments + digital, up from 9 million in Dec 2024.
• Anniversary recap video highlights ports, concerts, stage plays and crossovers.
• Trailer ends with a deliberate tease – “to be continued” – but no concrete project details yet.

Breaking down the announcement

Square Enix posted a tightly edited retrospective that walks through Automata’s lifecycle — PS4 and PC launch in 2017, an Xbox One release in 2018 and a Switch port in 2022 — then lists the usual extenders of franchise life: orchestral concerts, stage productions, anime and frequent crossovers where 2B pops up in other games. The company paired the video with fresh celebration artwork (featuring 2B, 9S and company) and a “10 Million Sales” trailer. Multiple outlets (GamesRadar+, Steam’s news feed, Nintendo Life and 3DJuegos) note the same two headline points: the milestone and the closing tease.

Numbers are straightforward across reports: Automata passed the 10 million mark in total shipments and digital sales — an increase of roughly one million units since Square Enix announced nine million in December 2024. No platform-by-platform breakdown was provided, which is typical: the publisher gave an aggregate figure and left the digging to the data sites and community sleuths.

“To be continued” — marketing flourish or real sequel confirmation?

Here’s where we separate the hopeful from the realistic. The phrase “to be continued” is intentionally vague. GamesRadar and Nintendo Life both flagged how that wording is the closest thing to a semi-confirmation Square Enix has offered so far, but it’s far from a formal sequel reveal. This studio and series have a history of turning teasing language into a whole spectrum of follow-ups: spin-offs, remasters, anime seasons, or just more merch and collaborations. 3DJuegos noted the trailer strings together those franchise touchpoints — the company has options other than a full-blown NieR 3.

PlatinumGames is credited in the announcement materials, and the studio retweeted the news without elaborating. Yoko Taro — whose oddball interviews and offbeat public persona have become part of NieR lore — hasn’t issued a clarifying statement yet. That silence keeps speculation alive but means we shouldn’t bank on concrete details until an official dev or publisher communication lands.

What this actually means for players

For players, the immediate takeaway is simple: NieR’s commercial life is healthy. A steady sales climb more than eight years after release means continued support is financially sensible for Square Enix. Practically, that could mean a few realistic outcomes: a true sequel or major new title (the fans’ dream), enhanced ports/remasters for newer hardware, more cross-media projects (anime, stage plays, concerts), or ongoing DLC-style tie-ins and collaborations.

If you’re someone who still misses the game’s blend of philosophical weirdness and razor-sharp combat, the hint should be treated as encouragement — not a promise. The safest bet is that Square Enix will leverage the momentum: watch for announcements at major events (Summer Game Fest, a Sony or Microsoft showcase, or a dedicated Square Enix showcase).

What to watch next

• Official NieR/X account and Square Enix channels for follow-ups — big reveals usually come with press slots.
• Interviews with Yoko Taro or PlatinumGames — a single quote can shift “tease” into “confirmed project.”
• Community signals (SteamDB, Reddit, Discord) for early leaks or publisher job postings hinting at new NieR projects.

Community reaction split between excited and cautious — Reddit and Twitter threads blew up after the trailer — which is accurate: this is cause for optimism, not unreserved celebration. Square Enix just proved NieR still sells; whether that cash translates into the sequel you want or a different kind of continuation is still an open question.

TL;DR

NieR: Automata has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and Square Enix used the anniversary trailer to tease “to be continued.” It’s the clearest sign yet the franchise is active, but expect ambiguity until the publisher or Yoko Taro spells out whether that continuation is a sequel, spin-off, port or media project.