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Square Enix dabbles in casual, still expects more money from core
In a recent interview with CasualGaming.biz, Square Enix CEO John Yamamoto expressed that the company's recent entry into the casual market is an attempt to stay flexible and get a piece of the growing pie. The publisher, best known for RPG series like Final Fantasy, recently went down the casual path with My Pet Shop for DS and -- a little less so, but still noteworthy -- Crystal Defenders.Yamamoto thinks there is "large potential" in the casual market, but he believes that its core RPG titles will still bring in the big bucks to the house of gunblades. He also states that Square Enix is "actively pursuing providing content away from the core RPG titles." Although Yamamoto could be talking about some internal development -- given recent events -- he's probably talking about the company's likely acquisition of Eidos, publisher of the Tomb Raider and Hitman series, this May.
Square Enix (still) eying Western developers for purchase
For over a year, Square Enix CEO John Yamamoto has been saying that the future of the company's enterprises lies in Europe, expressing interest in acquiring at least one Western studio to assist in broadening Square Enix's mass-market appeal.MCV reports that Yamamoto is reiterating his earlier statements, but that this time he really means it. As part of a new worldwide focus, MCV asserts that Square Enix will most likely be buying up a European developer sometime in 2008. In addition to including Western-developed titles under the umbrella of Square Enix, Yamamoto also promises to fully localize more titles for international distribution than in previous years. It's a neat idea, but we'll have to wait and see if Square Enix follows through this time.
Square-Enix shifts around some management arbitrarily
This is turning into some kind of Square-Enix day. However, this bit of news is a little more managerial and mundane. Still worth noting. Yoichi Wada used to be the American CEO of Squeenix, but that's changed. Now the torch has been passed on to John Yamamoto. He's also the new company president, replacing Daishiro Okada. Don't get us wrong -- Wada is still involved, he's just been moved to president and representative director for the global operation of Square-Enix. Sounds important!With all this talk about America and Square-Enix, it makes an old school RPG'er think back to the days of Squaresoft, USA. Does anyone remember those days? They're best known (in my heart/mind) for using the Secret of Mana engine and tweaking it to release an incredibly fun, but understated and overshadowed by poor localization, title known as Secret of Evermore. Loved it. People hated it because they thought it was a Mana sequel. No, fools. It wasn't. The point is -- will the American side of Square-Enix ever release anything again? Or will they continue to sit back and let Japan flex its muscles? I, for one, would like to see some stateside Squeenix action.
