🎮 Nine years after its debut, NieR:Automata has crossed the monumental 10 million copies mark. During the official 9th anniversary livestream, a commemorative video ended with a tantalizing message: "NieR:Automata to be continued…" With the 10th anniversary on the horizon, the world of NieR is far from over.

NieR:Automata Crosses 10 Million Copies: A Nine-Year Journey

On February 20, 2026, Square Enix announced that the action RPG NieR:Automata has surpassed 10 million copies in worldwide shipments and digital sales. Originally released for PlayStation 4 on February 23, 2017, in Japan, the game reached this milestone approximately nine years after launch.

Alongside this, Square Enix also revealed that NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., the 2021 remake of the original NieR, has surpassed 2 million copies worldwide.

What makes this achievement remarkable is the trajectory. The game sold roughly 200,000 copies in its first week in Japan, but through steady expansion to PC (Steam), Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch (2022), combined with regular sales events and cross-media collaborations, it maintained an astonishing pace of roughly 1 million copies per year. It hit 9 million in late 2024 and now, just over a year later, has reached the 10 million mark.

The game's unique post-apocalyptic world, its uncompromising narrative, Keiichi Okabe's breathtaking soundtrack, and PlatinumGames' signature fluid combat combined to create an experience that continued to attract new players years after launch. In Japan, this kind of sustained sales growth is called "jiwa-ure" (じわ売れ), a slow, steady burn rather than a front-loaded blockbuster.

The 9th Anniversary Livestream: Developer Gratitude and Honest Reflections

The announcement was made during the "NieR:Automata 9th Anniversary Relaxed Celebration Livestream," broadcast on the same day. The show featured Producer Yosuke Saito, Creative Director Yoko Taro, Composer Keiichi Okabe, and Senior Game Designer Takahisa Taura.

The broadcast opened with a congratulatory video message from Natsuki Hanae, the voice of 9S, who expressed hope that the game would continue to be loved "for 10, 20, even 30 more years."

When the 10 million milestone was revealed, the development team shared candid reactions.

Yoko Taro, ever the unconventional creator, joked: "Honestly, I've been working on plenty of other things, but because this game just keeps selling, everyone thinks it's all I've ever done," before adding with sincerity, "I spend every day looking at people and feeling nothing but gratitude."

Takahisa Taura reflected: "The fact that I'm still able to make games today is because NieR:Automata was accepted by so many people. I'm grateful beyond words."

Mid-broadcast, Yui Ishikawa, the voice of protagonist 2B, sent a message that delighted fans: "Next year is the 10th anniversary, so I hope something special happens. People in charge, I'm counting on you!", a charmingly direct appeal that felt like she was speaking for the entire fanbase.

"NieR:Automata to be continued…": A Message That Shook the Gaming World

The biggest talking point from the broadcast was the final frame of a newly released commemorative promotional video.

"NieR:Automata to be continued…"

This simple phrase instantly made headlines across gaming media worldwide. Fans erupted with speculation: is it a sequel? A new game announcement? The buzz fueled rumors of a potential reveal at Summer Game Fest 2026 in June.

Others took a more cautious view, speculating it might refer to an offline version of the discontinued mobile game NieR Re[in]carnation, similar to what Square Enix did with Octopath Traveler 0.

Producer Saito addressed the message directly at the end of the broadcast: "I deliberately included those words, 'to be continued.' It's not a lie or an exaggeration, it's meant to convey that the world of NieR:Automata will continue." He then added, "Starting tomorrow, we'll begin preparations for the 10th anniversary."

New Merchandise and Collaborations

The broadcast's "Shopping Channel" segment unveiled a wave of new products.

A commemorative statue marking the 10 million sales milestone was revealed in prototype form, featuring an intricate design based on the game's iconic package art. A special illustration by artist Kazuma Koda was also unveiled.

A Pixio collaboration gaming monitor (27-inch) featuring original artwork by DK was announced for pre-order starting fall/winter 2026. An NZXT collaboration PC case, also featuring DK's artwork, was revealed alongside it.

The NieR: Piano Concert - Journeys 12026 - was confirmed for Japan, with ticket lottery registration now open.

There was even an impromptu discussion about potentially restaging the "YoRHa Boys" theatrical play, with Saito enthusiastically saying he'd push for it, joking that he might not have a job on Monday after making the promise on air without company approval.

The Anime: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a: How Was It Received Overseas?

No discussion of NieR's global expansion would be complete without mentioning the anime adaptation NieR:Automata Ver1.1a. Produced by A-1 Pictures with Yoko Taro himself co-writing the scripts, the 24-episode series aired from 2023 to 2024 and was streamed globally via Crunchyroll.

International reception was mixed but generally positive. On IMDb, the series holds a 7.3 user rating, while Anime News Network users rated it "Good" on average. Game fans particularly praised the faithful recreation of the game's atmosphere, the returning Japanese voice cast, and Keiichi Okabe's adapted soundtrack.

However, repeated production delays significantly hampered the show's momentum. Just three weeks into its initial broadcast, the series went on hiatus. The remaining episodes of the first half didn't air until six months later, and the complete 24-episode run took nearly two years to finish. In today's streaming landscape where weekly engagement drives success, these interruptions proved costly.

Reviews also diverged sharply based on viewers' familiarity with the game. Players who had completed the game appreciated the incorporation of content from the YoRHa stage plays and the "Ver1.1a" alternate timeline approach. Newcomers, however, sometimes found the narrative confusing, noting that the game's interactive storytelling style didn't always translate smoothly to a passive viewing experience.

Despite these challenges, the anime served as an important gateway, introducing NieR's world to audiences who might never pick up a controller.

Looking Ahead to the 10th Anniversary

What began as a passion project from an unconventional Japanese game studio has grown into a 10 million-copy global phenomenon. The universal themes of NieR:Automata, what it means to be human, the nature of emotions, and the search for purpose in a seemingly meaningless world, continue to resonate across cultures and languages.

With Producer Saito explicitly stating that preparations for the 10th anniversary are underway, and the "to be continued" message fueling worldwide excitement, the NieR community has plenty of reasons to look forward.

Whether it's a sequel, a new media project, or one of Yoko Taro's trademark unpredictable surprises, one thing is clear: the story of NieR:Automata is not over yet.

Is NieR popular in your country? What was your first experience with the game, and what are you hoping for from the 10th anniversary? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

References