Tabris
Jiyuu Tenshi
The makers of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest become one.
November 25, 2002 - Japanese RPG giants Square and Enix announced today (11/26 in Tokyo) a merger which will see the two companies operate as one starting April 1, 2003 (the start of the next business term).
The resulting company will be known as Square Enix, a name which we presume will be given any number of one word, shortened "cute" forms by Japanese game fans. Current Enix chairman Yasuhiro Fukushima will serve as the new chairman with current Square president Wada Youchi assuming the new president role. Current Enix president Keiji Honda will be new firm's vice president.
The purpose of the merger, according to statements released by the firms, is to fight off the threat of heightened development costs and competition from foreign developers and to increase development power and earnings. How this will affect games in the near or far future from the two companies is anyone's guess at this point.
Together, the two effectively dominate the Japanese role playing market, with Enix having sold 2.75 million games in Japan last year and Square 4.37 million. In addition to controling strong licenses such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, the two also have ties with well known RPG development houses such as tri-Ace, Chun Soft and Game Arts.
On an interesting note, Square's Final Fantasy X-2 sequel is scheduled for release in March of next year, at the same time as Enix's Star Ocean 3, both titles ranking, respectively, at numbers 1 and 2 on the most wanted charts from Japan's Famitsu game magazine, and both likely to sell in the millions. It's unclear if this announcement will affect the release of either title.
A press conference will be held in Tokyo at 3:30 PM Japanese time and should shed more light on the announcement. Stay tuned for more then.
Quelle: IGN PS2
November 25, 2002 - Japanese RPG giants Square and Enix announced today (11/26 in Tokyo) a merger which will see the two companies operate as one starting April 1, 2003 (the start of the next business term).
The resulting company will be known as Square Enix, a name which we presume will be given any number of one word, shortened "cute" forms by Japanese game fans. Current Enix chairman Yasuhiro Fukushima will serve as the new chairman with current Square president Wada Youchi assuming the new president role. Current Enix president Keiji Honda will be new firm's vice president.
The purpose of the merger, according to statements released by the firms, is to fight off the threat of heightened development costs and competition from foreign developers and to increase development power and earnings. How this will affect games in the near or far future from the two companies is anyone's guess at this point.
Together, the two effectively dominate the Japanese role playing market, with Enix having sold 2.75 million games in Japan last year and Square 4.37 million. In addition to controling strong licenses such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, the two also have ties with well known RPG development houses such as tri-Ace, Chun Soft and Game Arts.
On an interesting note, Square's Final Fantasy X-2 sequel is scheduled for release in March of next year, at the same time as Enix's Star Ocean 3, both titles ranking, respectively, at numbers 1 and 2 on the most wanted charts from Japan's Famitsu game magazine, and both likely to sell in the millions. It's unclear if this announcement will affect the release of either title.
A press conference will be held in Tokyo at 3:30 PM Japanese time and should shed more light on the announcement. Stay tuned for more then.
Quelle: IGN PS2
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