What Is Square Enix?

Hey there! Are you curious about what is Square Enix? Well, you’re in the right place!

Square Enix is a video game and entertainment company that has been around since 1975 and 1983 as two separate companies at first. They are known for creating some of the most popular and beloved video games of all time, and their influence is still felt in the gaming industry today.

From their early days crafting classic games like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, to their modern offerings like Life is Strange and Kingdom Hearts, Square Enix has established themselves as a leader in the industry.

So, let’s take a deeper look at Square Enix and what they have to offer!

What is Square Enix?

Square Enix is a renowned Japanese video game developer, publisher, and distribution company that is best known for its role-playing video games, including the highly acclaimed series such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts.

Here’s an overview of Square Enix:

History: Square Enix was formed as a result of the merger of two companies, Square and Enix, in 2003. Both companies were prominent players in the video game industry, with Square being particularly famous for the Final Fantasy series, and Enix known for the Dragon Quest series.
Headquarters and Operations: The company’s headquarters are located in Tokyo, Japan. Square Enix operates globally with subsidiaries and affiliates across the world, including North America and Europe.
Notable Game Series:

Final Fantasy: One of the most successful and influential role-playing game series of all time, known for its intricate plots, expansive worlds, and innovative gameplay.
Dragon Quest: A cornerstone in the RPG genre, especially in Japan, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest video game series of all time.
Kingdom Hearts: A crossover action RPG series that incorporates characters and settings from Disney and Final Fantasy.

Diversified Business: Besides video games, Square Enix is also involved in other media. They have a division dedicated to publishing manga, and they have been involved in the production of films and anime, often related to their video game franchises.
Acquisitions and Subsidiaries: In 2005, Square Enix acquired Taito Corporation, known for arcade games like Space Invaders. In 2009, it acquired British game publisher Eidos Interactive, which was then merged with Square Enix’s European publishing wing to form what is now known as Square Enix Europe. This acquisition brought series like Tomb Raider, Hitman, and Deus Ex into Square Enix’s portfolio.
Technological Innovations: Square Enix has been known for pushing the boundaries of technology in their games, especially in terms of graphics and cinematic quality.
Financial Performance: Like many video game companies, Square Enix’s financial performance can be variable, often depending on the release of major titles. However, they have been generally successful, particularly with major game releases.
Cultural Impact: Square Enix has had a significant cultural impact, especially in Japan where series like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are cultural phenomena. Their games are known for their quality storytelling, character development, and world-building, and have inspired other media and merchandise.
Global Presence: While its roots are firmly in Japan, Square Enix has successfully expanded globally. The Final Fantasy series, in particular, has found a broad international audience.

Square Enix continues to be a significant player in the video game industry, and its impact and legacy are uncontested. Through innovation, acquisition, and consistent quality, it has built a diverse and influential portfolio.

History of Square Enix

Witnessing the evolution of a company from its humble beginnings to a global powerhouse is a remarkable journey. Square Enix is no exception, having risen to the top of the gaming industry through its founding story.

The company was established in Tokyo in 1975 by two entrepreneurs, Masashi Miyamoto and Yasuhiro Fukushima. They named their new venture after the first two words of their names, Square and Enix.

From its inception, Square Enix focused on developing video games, both for the gaming console and the arcades. In 1985, Enix released its first hit game, Dragon Quest, in Japan, and it soon became a cultural phenomenon. This was followed up by the release of their second major success, Final Fantasy, in 1987.

In the years that followed, Square Enix released numerous sequels and spin-offs of their popular franchises. Square Enix’s gaming legacy has continued to grow in recent years, with the company producing hit games such as Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger, and the Dragon Quest series.

Square Enix’s success has also extended to the mobile gaming market, with the company’s mobile games becoming some of the most popular on the market. In addition, Square Enix has also developed its own online gaming platform, PlayOnline, which allows players to access their games on any device.

Square Enix has become a gaming powerhouse, with a diverse portfolio of games and platforms that appeal to all types of gamers. As the company continues to develop and expand its gaming offerings, it’s clear that it will continue to be a major player in the gaming industry for years to come.

Square Enix, as it is known today, is the result of the merger between two gaming companies, Square Co., Ltd. and Enix Corporation. Here’s a detailed history of Square Enix:

1975-1986: Early Days of Enix and Square

1975: Enix was established as Eidansha Boshu Service Center and was initially not involved in the gaming industry.
1982: Enix sponsored a national programming contest in Japan which led to the creation of its first game, ‘Door Door’. This success led Enix to switch its focus to video game publishing.
1983: Square Co., Ltd. was established by Masafumi Miyamoto as a software division of Den-Yu-Sha, his father’s power line construction company. Square became an independent company in 1986.
1986: Square released its first commercially successful game, ‘The Death Trap’. Enix, on the other hand, released ‘Dragon Quest’, which would go on to become one of its most successful franchises.

1987-2002: The Rise of Square and Enix

1987: Square released ‘Final Fantasy’, which was initially thought to be the company’s last game due to financial troubles. It became a massive hit and saved the company.
1990s: Both Square and Enix enjoyed success throughout the 90s. Square’s ‘Final Fantasy’ series continued to gain popularity and Enix’s ‘Dragon Quest’ series remained strong.
1997: Square reached new heights of success with the release of ‘Final Fantasy VII’ for the PlayStation. This game in particular was instrumental in popularizing Japanese RPGs in the West.

2003: The Merger

2003: Square and Enix merged to form Square Enix Co., Ltd. The merger was partly facilitated to combine resources and face competition, especially from western gaming companies.

2003-Now: Square Enix as a Gaming Giant

2004-2005: Square Enix acquired the gaming developer Taito Corporation, known for classic arcade titles such as ‘Space Invaders’ and ‘Bubble Bobble’.
2009: Square Enix acquired British game publisher Eidos Interactive, the publisher behind popular gaming franchises like ‘Tomb Raider’, ‘Hitman’, and ‘Deus Ex’. Eidos became part of Square Enix Europe.
2010s: Square Enix continued to release titles in its main franchises, including ‘Final Fantasy’ and ‘Dragon Quest’, while also experimenting with new IP such as ‘NieR: Automata’. They also delved into mobile and online gaming.
2015: Square Enix announced the highly anticipated remake of ‘Final Fantasy VII’, which was eventually released in 2020.
2020s: The company continues to be a major player in the gaming industry, with ongoing releases in their flagship series, new IP, and expansions into other media such as films and manga.

Square Enix’s history is one of growth, adaptation, and success in the highly competitive gaming industry. Through its historical roots as two separate companies, and through mergers and acquisitions, Square Enix has become one of the most influential gaming companies in the world.

Notable Titles

Through its many years of success, Square Enix has released some of the most iconic titles in gaming history. From the earliest days of the Final Fantasy series to the modern-day releases of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, Square Enix has produced a wide variety of acclaimed titles.

With a long and storied franchise history, Square Enix has gained a reputation for producing some of the most beloved video games of all time. The Final Fantasy series, in particular, has been a major success for Square Enix. Starting with the original game in 1987, the Final Fantasy series has come to be seen as one of the most influential video game franchises of all time. With its mixture of engaging stories, captivating characters, and stunning visuals, the Final Fantasy series has made a lasting impact on the gaming industry.

The Kingdom Hearts franchise is another critically acclaimed title from Square Enix. The series has become synonymous with the Disney brand, as it combines elements from some of the company’s most iconic films with classic role-playing game mechanics. Since the original title’s release in 2002, the series has become one of the most popular and beloved video game franchises in the world.

Square Enix has also produced some of the most successful and beloved spin-offs of their major franchises. With titles such as Final Fantasy Tactics, Dissidia Final Fantasy, and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Square Enix has continued to create captivating experiences that appeal to a wide variety of audiences. From strategic turn-based combat to rhythm-based action, Square Enix has a wide range of titles to offer.

Other Media

Experiencing Square Enix’s beloved franchises in other media is a great way to explore the company’s iconic characters and stories. Square Enix has been bringing its franchises to other gaming systems and video platforms for years. Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest have all been featured on multiple platforms, from the Nintendo DS and PlayStation to iOS and Android.

Additionally, Square Enix has released various games on the Xbox and Nintendo Switch consoles. They’ve also released a number of soundtracks, books, and manga based on their franchises. Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest all have extensive discographies of soundtracks and scores, while their print media has included books and manga series such as the Final Fantasy Ultimania and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.

Square Enix has also released a number of movies and TV shows based on its franchises. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, and Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV are some of the company’s most popular movies. Meanwhile, they have also released several anime series such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater Not!, and The Irregular at Magic High School.

Furthermore, Square Enix’s franchises have been featured in theme park attractions and stage shows. The Final Fantasy: Symphony of the Goddesses tour has been traveling around the world for several years, while the Kingdom Hearts and Dragon Quest franchises have all been featured in various theme park attractions in Japan. Additionally, the company has also released a number of art books that showcase their impressive designs and artwork.

Expansion of Square Enix

You may think of Square Enix as a video game company, but it’s so much more than that.

Through a series of global offices, acquisitions, and mergers, Square Enix has grown into a huge entertainment juggernaut.

With its offices around the world, the company has become a global force, while its acquisitions and mergers have allowed it to expand into different areas and create an even bigger network of fans.

By combining its various strengths, Square Enix has created a powerful presence in the entertainment industry.

Global Offices

From Tokyo to Los Angeles, Square Enix has offices around the world, connecting its fans to its games and services on a global scale. This expansion of the company has allowed for the development of a global culture, with partnerships formed in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Each office is fueled by the passion of their local teams, reflecting the unique culture of each country. From the Tokyo Headquarters, where the latest games and services are developed, to the Los Angeles branch, which focuses on marketing and localization, each office contributes to the Square Enix legacy.

From its culture of innovation to its commitment to global partnerships, Square Enix has become one of the world’s leading entertainment companies.

Acquisitions and Mergers

Moving on from Square Enix’s global offices, it’s important to talk about their acquisition and merger strategies.

Square Enix has been involved in a lot of mergers and acquisitions over the years, and they are always looking for new ways to leverage the benefits of mergers and acquisitions. They understand that in order to stay competitive in the global market, they need to continue to innovate and find new ways to make money

Square Enix has been able to use their acquisitions to strengthen their presence in the gaming industry, allowing them to acquire new franchises and expand their portfolio of games.

Square Enix is also known for their strategic approach to mergers and acquisitions. By combining their resources with those of other companies, Square Enix is able to increase their competitive edge and expand their presence in the gaming market.

Their acquisition strategies are also designed to bring in new talent and technology, allowing them to stay ahead of the competition. By leveraging the benefits of mergers and acquisitions, Square Enix is able to stay ahead of the competition and remain a major player in the gaming industry.