Square Enix just teased NieR: Automata’s future — and it actually matters

Why one short line changed the conversation about NieR: Automata

This caught my attention because Square Enix didn’t tease with vague optimism – it ended its 9th‑anniversary reel on February 20, 2026, with the literal on‑screen text “NieR: Automata to be continued….” That line, paired with a confirmation the game has cleared 10 million copies worldwide, is the clearest company‑level signal yet that the Automata era isn’t over (reports from Gematsu, Steam, Nintendo Life and others covered the reveal).

• 10 million sales and a public “to be continued” are Square Enix’s strongest public hints yet that new Automata projects are coming.
• The trailer’s wording is deliberately broad – it could mean a sequel, spin‑off, anime/stage project, or continued crossovers.
• For players, this reignites hopes for PlatinumGames involvement, next‑gen upgrades, or the kind of story continuation only Yoko Taro can pull off.

Breaking down the trailer – “to be continued” is a big deal, even if it’s vague

The trailer itself is a nostalgia trip: highlights of the original 2017 release, ports (PC, Xbox One, Switch), concerts, stage plays and collaborations that kept 2B visible across other games and events. Then, as the video fades to black, text appears — in English in the international cut and as “continuará” in the Japanese/Spanish coverage — telling fans the journey will continue (3DJuegos translated and noted the wording).

That phrasing matters because, until now, hints about new NieR projects have come from creators and producers in interviews or concerts. This is Square Enix writing the sentence. It doesn’t name a sequel, a platform or a release window, so reasonable caution applies — Nintendo Life and other outlets sensibly remind readers that “to be continued” could mean anything from merch and crossovers to a full sequel.

Why now: the sales milestone and momentum

Square Enix also confirmed total shipments and digital sales have topped 10 million units worldwide, up roughly one million since December 2024 (Gematsu). For a near‑decade‑old action game that’s been ported and celebrated in concerts and crossovers, that’s not just a vanity stat — it’s justification for further investment. Publishers don’t casually append “to be continued” to a title that isn’t still profitable or culturally relevant.

Sources across our synthesis note the same pattern: renewed sales, continued visibility through collaborations, and public interest — all the ingredients that make sequels or expanded media viable propositions. Steam’s community posts amplified the message, and high‑profile reposts on social media (noted in the coverage) sent the teaser into wider circulation almost immediately.

What this might actually mean for players

There are a few realistic possibilities, ranked by how much evidence we have for them:

• Direct sequel or major game: The most exciting option. Yoko Taro’s narrative voice and PlatinumGames’ action sensibilities are an obvious pairing again, and press coverage has seeded that expectation — though any concrete team or timeline hasn’t been confirmed.
• New NieR entry or spin‑off: Square Enix could expand the universe without committing to Automata 2 — mobile, console spin‑offs, or a different style of game are all on the table.
• Non‑game media and collaborations: Stage plays, anime, concerts and crossovers have been staples of the franchise’s ecosystem; “to be continued” could point to new transmedia projects.

Fans are already split: some Reddit and Discord threads are celebrating the strongest sign yet of a sequel, others are cautious, remembering previous teases that produced merch or events rather than new flagship releases (Nintendo Life highlighted that history). That healthy skepticism is warranted — Square Enix has a habit of teasing and then spacing out major reveals.

How to watch the situation

Watch for statements at major summer shows (Summer Game Fest in June is a logical candidate) or comments from Yoko Taro and producer Yosuke Saito. Industry reporting has hinted at developer activity in 2025 that would make a sequel plausible, but those claims remain unverified; treat them as rumor until Square Enix or the development teams confirm details.

In short: Square Enix just changed the baseline. “To be continued” is not a promise of a release date, but it’s more than empty PR — it’s an open door. For players, that means hope is back on the table. Now the real test is whether the company will follow the tease with the kind of bold creative move NieR fans actually want.

TL;DR

Square Enix’s 9th‑anniversary trailer and 10 million sales announcement ended with “NieR: Automata to be continued…,” the clearest company‑level hint yet that new Automata projects are coming. It could be a full sequel, spin‑off, or non‑game media — but either way, the franchise’s momentum makes any of those options more likely than they were a year ago.