NieR: Automata Sequel Teased by Square Enix - What the New Hint Could Mean for the Future of the Series

We just got our first real hint that the NieR story isn’t over yet. And yeah — it’s a super small teaser. No gameplay. No trailer. Just a few words.

But those words came directly from Square Enix, and that’s what makes it important.

For the first time officially, they’ve said that NieR: Automata will continue.

That alone tells us a new game is coming at some point.

Why Fans Are Paying Attention

For years, people have believed Yoko Taro has been working on a new project in secret. But he also said some of his recent projects were cancelled, which explains why we haven’t seen much from him lately.

Still, it’s hard to imagine Square Enix abandoning NieR after how successful Automata became.

That game turned the series from something niche into something huge.

Automata Changed Everything

The first NieR game from 2010 had a small but loyal fanbase. It wasn’t mainstream.

Automata was different.

When it released in 2017, it blew up. It sold millions, reached new audiences, and became one of Square Enix’s most talked-about games in years.

Now it’s been almost a decade… and we still don’t have a proper sequel on console.

Sure, we got the Replicant remaster and the mobile game. But fans have been waiting for something bigger.

This teaser feels like the first real step toward that.

The Message That Started All This

Square Enix released the teaser as part of a celebration for Automata passing 10 million copies sold.

The artwork showed 2B, A2, and 9S in the ruined city, with Emil floating above them. And if you look closely, Emil’s face is made from copies of the game itself — a clever way to celebrate sales.

But the real moment came at the end.

It said:

“NieR: Automata — to be continued.”

Not just “NieR.”

Specifically Automata.

That wording might be a clue.

Could the Next Game Be a Direct Sequel?

Normally, NieR games are set thousands of years apart. Replicant and Automata are separated by nearly 9,000 years.

So if Square Enix is saying Automata continues, it might mean:

• A direct sequel
• A story set close to its timeline
• Or something tied very closely to those events

From a marketing angle, this also makes sense. Automata is the name most players recognize. Keeping it in the title would help bring in a bigger audience.

Hardcore fans will play anything NieR. But casual players know Automata.

When Could We Hear More?

We probably won’t see the game soon. A release several years away wouldn’t be surprising.

But announcements usually come long before launch. Big summer gaming events would be perfect for a reveal.

If a new NieR game shows up on stage, it would easily be one of the biggest surprises of the show.

Where NieR Fits in Square Enix’s Plans

Square Enix has a lot of major games in development right now:

• Kingdom Hearts IV
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3
• Dragon Quest XII
• And the next NieR game

Any of those could release first. But here’s the interesting part:

Automata has sold more than many recent entries in those series.

That makes the next NieR game a very big deal for them.

Bigger Budget, Bigger Expectations

Because Automata sold so well, the next game will almost certainly get a larger budget.

That means we could see:

• Better visuals
• Bigger environments
• More ambitious storytelling

There’s a real chance the next game could be even more impressive than Automata, which is a wild thought.

Fans Are Tired of Crossovers

One thing players are starting to feel worn out by is constant collaborations.

Since Automata released, its characters have shown up in tons of other games. At first it was fun. Now it just feels like filler while we wait for a real sequel.

Fans don’t want another costume pack.

They want the next story.

The Wait Isn’t Over — But It Finally Feels Worth It

It’s been a long time since Automata launched. Almost ten years without a true follow-up is rough for any popular series.

But this teaser confirms one thing:

NieR isn’t done yet.

Now we just wait to see what comes next.