The Nier series quietly marked its 15th anniversary this year, and while Square Enix didn't announce a new game, there's a growing sense that something is happening behind the scenes.
The first Nier was released in 2010, but it was 2017's Nier Automata that propelled the series into worldwide recognition. Since then, fans have taken a trip back with Nier Replicant and checked outside stories in Nier Reincarnation, though it was sadly shut down in 2024.
click to enlargeSo with a major milestone now here, the question is no longer if something new is coming — but when. The two-hour live stream from the publisher recently was more about legacy than what's coming next.
Square Enix launched an anniversary website and revealed an online novel titled Undecided Option. They also revealed upcoming Nier: Orchestra concert dates and closed the stream with a 20-minute musical tribute to the series' unforgettable soundtrack.
Despite the emotional celebration, many viewers left with a sense that something was off, especially with the rumors swirling around a new project. That excitement comes from several confirmed hints.
Series producer Yosuke Saito revealed that the original core team behind Nier: Automata — director Yoko Taro, composer Keiichi Okabe, and designer Takahisa Taura — are officially collaborating on a new unannounced title.
During an interview with Famitsu, when asked whether that project was still on track, Saito replied, "Nothing has changed" (thanks to translation via Genki on X). He didn't outright confirm its place in the Nier franchise, but the link is obvious.
Taura's role is pretty interesting, especially since he left PlatinumGames and started his own studio, Eel Game Studio. Though the focus has shifted, his ongoing involvement with this project hints at Square Enix possibly supporting a Nier-related game under this new label.
With Square still holding the rights to both Drakengard and Nier, this would be a natural fit — though nothing is official yet. Should this be the start of a new Nier title, it's likely still in the very early phases of development. Eel Game Studio is likely still assembling its team, so any release is probably quite far off.
With that in mind, a short teaser is exactly how this series tends to handle its reveals. Fans of the franchise are used to the cryptic build-ups, hidden lore spread across novels and plays, and slow-burn storytelling that comes long before any full trailer is released.
At first, the 15th anniversary might have seemed low-key, but there's more going on beneath the surface. The creative trio is back, Square Enix is listening, and the future of Nier — even if unnamed — might already be taking shape. All that's left now is to wait for the next move.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Gaming News and Nier page.