Square Enix has returned to profitability, thanks to a combination of strong software sales and content sales in "growth areas such as the web and smartphones."

For the financial year ending March 31st 2012, the Japanese publishing giant posted net income of 6.06 billion Yen ($76m/£47m), compared with a 12.04 billion Yen ($150m/£94.14m) loss the year before.

Net sales for the 12 months to March 31st 2012 rose by 2.1 percent year-on-year, reaching 127.9 billion Yen ($1.6b/ £998.18m).

Although strong worldwide sales of HD titles such as Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Final Fantasy XIII: 2 boosted the Group's results, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada also credited the "continued expansion of content from growth areas such as the web and smartphones".

Breaking out sales of 'Digital Entertainment' (i.e. games) from the group's overall figures, the firm recorded net sales of 71.9 billion Yen ($901m/£560m) and an operating income of 12.6 billion Yen ($157m/£98.2m) – up 11.9 per cent and 11.7 percent year-on-year, respectively.

Pointedly higher prices

Key mobile performers during the year included iOS versions of Final Fantasy Tactics, Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light, Chaos Rings, and Chrono Trigger.

Unlike many of its competitors, Square Enix has doggedly held firm on its pricing strategy, with its iPad offerings typically priced over the £10 mark.

For the year to March 31st 2013, the Japanese publishing veteran is targeting "a substantial earnings improvement," with key new releases including Hitman: Absolution, Sleeping Dogs, Tomb Raider, and Final Fantasy 14.

The firm is forecasting a strong financial year ahead, with sales of 'digital entertainment' expected to rise 31.1 per cent to 103 billion Yen ($1.3b/£800m).