Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational entertainment conglomerate known for publishing popular role-playing game (RPG) franchises like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts. Beyond video games, the company engages in merchandise production, arcade management, and manga publication through its Gangan Comics brand.
September 22, 1975: Enix Founded
Enix was established on September 22, 1975, by Yasuhiro Fukushima, who transitioned from an architect to an entrepreneur. This marked the beginning of a company that would become a major player in the video game industry, renowned for its role-playing game franchises.
October 1983: Square Founded as a Game Division Within Den-Yu-Sha
Square's journey began in October 1983 as a computer game software division within Den-Yu-Sha, a power line construction company owned by Masafumi Miyamoto's father. Miyamoto, envisioning a more collaborative approach to game development, assembled a team of graphic designers, programmers, and story writers, a novel concept at the time.
September 1986: Square Becomes Independent, Led by Masafumi Miyamoto
In September 1986, Square was spun off from Den-Yu-Sha, becoming an independent company officially named Square Co., Ltd. This pivotal moment granted Square the autonomy to pursue its own creative vision and establish itself as a major force in the gaming world.
1986: Debut of the Dragon Quest Franchise
In 1986, Square Enix introduced the Dragon Quest series, a franchise that would become immensely popular in Japan, consistently topping sales charts with each new release.
1986: Dragon Warrior Launches, Becomes Enix's Flagship Franchise
The year 1986 marked the debut of Dragon Warrior, a Famicom-based RPG that would become synonymous with Enix. The game's success, selling over 1.5 million copies in Japan, established Dragon Quest as a cornerstone franchise for Enix, laying the foundation for its future growth.
1987: Final Fantasy is Released, Propelling Square to Success
After releasing several unsuccessful games, Square, now relocated to Ueno, Tokyo, released Final Fantasy in 1987. Inspired by the success of Enix's Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy became a runaway hit, selling over 400,000 copies and establishing itself as Square's flagship franchise.
1987: Launch of the Final Fantasy Franchise
The year 1987 marked the birth of the iconic Final Fantasy franchise, which would go on to become a cornerstone of Square Enix's success and a beloved series among gamers worldwide.
1989: Launch of the SaGa Series
Square Enix expanded its RPG portfolio in 1989 with the launch of the SaGa series, a franchise known for its non-linear gameplay and experimental mechanics.
1991: Birth of the Mana Series
In 1991, Square Enix introduced the Mana series, a franchise celebrated for its action-oriented gameplay, colorful worlds, and enchanting musical scores.
1994: Square Earns Reputation for High-Quality RPGs
By late 1994, Square had cultivated a reputation as a developer of exceptional role-playing games (RPGs). Franchises like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and Secret of Mana, known for their compelling stories, innovative gameplay, and high production values, solidified Square's position as a leading RPG developer.
1995: Square Enix Unveils the Chrono Series
The Chrono series, known for its captivating storytelling, memorable characters, and innovative time-travel mechanics, was launched by Square Enix in 1995.
January 1997: Enix Embraces Multi-Platform Strategy
In a significant move in January 1997, Enix announced its decision to develop and release games for both Nintendo and Sony consoles. This departure from its previous approach of partnering exclusively with Nintendo reflected the company's evolving strategy in a changing gaming landscape.
1997: Final Fantasy VII Influences Square Enix's Development Model
The success of Final Fantasy VII in 1997 had a lasting impact on Square Enix's game development approach. The company adopted a model where plot, characters, and art are prioritized in the initial stages, followed by battle systems, maps, and cutscenes.
2000: Merger Between Square and Enix Considered
Discussions about a potential merger between Square and Enix surfaced as early as 2000. However, initial talks were met with hesitation from Enix due to concerns over Square's financial stability at the time.
2000: Square Enix Launches PlayOnline Merchandise Store
Starting in 2000, Square Enix used its online gaming portal, PlayOnline, to sell merchandise from its game franchises, capitalizing on the popularity of its characters and games.
October 8, 2001: Sony Invests in Square
On October 8, 2001, Sony made a strategic investment by acquiring an 18.6% stake in Square. This investment came after Square faced financial difficulties following the box office failure of its CGI film, "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." Sony's investment helped stabilize Square's finances and enabled them to continue developing high-quality games.
2001: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within Releases
Square Pictures, a subsidiary of Square, released the CGI-animated film "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" in 2001. The film's poor box office performance had significant repercussions for the company.
November 25, 2002: Square and Enix Announce Merger Plans
After years of speculation, it was officially announced on November 25, 2002, that Square and Enix would merge. This monumental decision aimed to reduce development costs, enhance competitiveness against international developers, and combine the strengths of two of Japan's most prominent game developers.
2002: Final Fantasy XI Launches in Japan
Square launched Final Fantasy XI in Japan in 2002, marking the company's venture into the world of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Initially released for the PlayStation 2, the game later saw a release on PC.
2002: Square Enix Partners with Disney for Kingdom Hearts
The year 2002 saw the launch of the Kingdom Hearts series, a collaboration between Square Enix and Disney, captivating gamers with its blend of Disney magic and action RPG gameplay.
April 1, 2003: Square Enix Merger Completed
The merger between Square and Enix was officially completed on April 1, 2003, resulting in the formation of Square Enix Co., Ltd. Yoichi Wada, former president of Square, assumed the role of president for the newly formed company, while Keiji Honda, former president of Enix, became vice president. Yasuhiro Fukushima, founder of Enix, took on the position of honorary chairman. Notably, the majority of Square Enix's workforce, about 80%, was composed of former Square employees.
April 2003: Square Enix Formed from Merger
In a significant event in the gaming industry, Square and Enix merged in April 2003, with Enix being the surviving entity. The merger brought together two prominent Japanese game developers, known for iconic franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
2003: Square Enix Implements Product Development Division System
Following the 2003 merger, Square Enix structured its development department into ten Product Development Divisions, eight from Square and two from Enix, each focusing on different game categories.
March 2004: Square Enix Acquires UIEvolution
In March 2004, Square Enix acquired UIEvolution, a developer specializing in mobile applications. This acquisition reflected Square Enix's interest in expanding into the growing mobile gaming market.
2004: Square Enix Ventures into Mobile Gaming
Expanding into the emerging mobile gaming market, Square Enix made its games available on the Vodafone network in select European countries in 2004, a strategic move that foreshadowed the company's future endeavors in the mobile space.
2004: Square Enix Begins Development of Crystal Tools Engine
Aiming for development efficiency, Square Enix started work on a universal 3D format in 2004, leading to the creation of the Crystal Tools game engine. This engine was designed for cross-platform compatibility, supporting PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows PCs, and partially the Wii.
January 2005: Square Enix Expands into China
Continuing its global expansion strategy, Square Enix established Square Enix China in January 2005. This move allowed them to tap into the rapidly growing Chinese gaming market and establish a presence in one of the world's largest gaming communities.
September 2005: Square Enix Acquires Taito
In September 2005, Square Enix expanded its arcade presence by acquiring Taito, known for classic games like Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble.
2005: Square Enix Acquires Arcade Giant Taito
Expanding its portfolio, Square Enix acquired the renowned arcade game company Taito in 2005. This strategic move granted Square Enix access to Taito's extensive library of classic arcade titles and expertise in the arcade gaming market.
2005: Square Enix Enters Arcade Market
With the integration of Taito businesses into Square Enix, the company inherited Taito's arcade infrastructure, leading to their entry into the arcade gaming market in 2005.
2005: Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Releases
Square Enix released "Final Fantasy VII Advent Children," a CGI-animated film continuing the story of the popular game "Final Fantasy VII," in 2005. The film was set two years after the events of the game and catered to the large fanbase of the franchise.
2005: Crystal Tools Engine Unveiled at E3
Square Enix showcased their Crystal Tools engine at E3 2005 through a tech demo. The positive reception paved the way for its use in upcoming titles, including Final Fantasy XIII.
2006: Square Enix Drops Fantasy Earth Zero
Despite initial plans, Square Enix ceased development of "Fantasy Earth Zero" in 2006, selling the project to GamePot.
2006: Square Enix Receives Critical Acclaim
Square Enix's exceptional game development prowess earned significant recognition in 2006. A testament to its legacy, 27 of its titles were featured in Famitsu magazine's prestigious "Top 100 Games Ever" list.
March 2007: Square Enix Shifts to Project-Based Development
By March 2007, Square Enix transitioned from the Product Development Division System to a more flexible project-based development structure, as stated by Yoichi Wada.
April 2007: John Yamamoto Leads Square Enix Ltd. and Inc.
April 2007 saw John Yamamoto assume the role of CEO for both Square Enix Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc., solidifying leadership across regions.
December 2007: Square Enix Sells UIEvolution
In December 2007, Square Enix decided to sell UIEvolution. The decision suggests a shift in strategy, potentially indicating a move away from external mobile development and a focus on internal mobile game development.
2007: Square Enix Reiterates Multi-Platform Support
In 2007, Square Enix expressed a commitment to multi-platform publishing, aiming to support various gaming markets, particularly in North America and Europe where console diversity was more common.
2007: Concerto Gate, the Sequel to Cross Gate, is Released
Building upon the success of "Cross Gate," Square Enix released its sequel, "Concerto Gate," in 2007.
January 2008: Square Enix MobileStudio Established
Following the sale of UIEvolution, Square Enix founded its own mobile gaming division, Square Enix MobileStudio, in January 2008. This strategic decision demonstrated the company's commitment to developing and publishing mobile games internally.
August 2008: Square Enix's Attempted Tecmo Takeover
In August 2008, Square Enix's attempt to take over Tecmo, another prominent Japanese game developer, was rejected.
October 1, 2008: Square Enix Restructures into Holding Company
On October 1, 2008, Square Enix underwent a significant restructuring, transforming into a holding company known as Square Enix Holdings. A new, separate entity also named Square Enix, took over the development and publishing operations.
October 2008: Square Enix Restructures, Forms Holding Company
In October 2008, Square Enix underwent a major restructuring to separate its corporate functions from its video game development. This resulted in the formation of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. as the holding company, while the video game operations were reorganized under a subsidiary also named Square Enix Co., Ltd.
2008: Final Fantasy XIII Goes Multi-Platform
Solidifying their commitment to multi-platform development, Square Enix announced in 2008 that Final Fantasy XIII, initially planned as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, would also be released on the Xbox 360.
2008: Square Enix Ventures into New Markets and Demographics
The year 2008 saw Square Enix expanding its reach with the release of "Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes," their first game for the iPod. They also established "Pure Dreams," a new brand targeting younger audiences with games such as "Snoopy DS" and "Pingu's Wonderful Carnival."
February 2009: Square Enix Announces Eidos Acquisition
Square Enix made a significant move in February 2009 by announcing its plan to acquire Eidos, the company behind franchises like Tomb Raider and Hitman.
April 2009: Eidos Acquisition Completed
In April 2009, Square Enix finalized its acquisition of Eidos, expanding its portfolio with renowned gaming IPs and studios.
April 2009: Tecmo and Koei Merge
Tecmo, having rejected Square Enix's offer, merged with Koei in April 2009, forming Koei Tecmo.
2009: Square Enix Acquires Eidos and Expands Publishing Reach
Following the acquisition of Eidos in 2009, Square Enix merged it with their European publishing arm, creating Square Enix Europe. This strategic move brought popular Eidos franchises like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, and Thief under their umbrella. The same year, they also became the Japanese publisher for Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft titles.
2009: Square Enix's Strategic Partnerships with Bandai Namco and Ubisoft
In 2009, Square Enix formed strategic alliances with Japanese and French gaming giants Bandai Namco Entertainment and Ubisoft, solidifying its position in the global gaming market.
2009: Square Enix Acquires Eidos plc
In a move that expanded its global presence, Square Enix acquired Eidos plc, the parent company of British game publisher Eidos Interactive, in 2009. Eidos Interactive was known for franchises such as Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, and its integration bolstered Square Enix's western development capabilities.
2009: Final Fantasy XIV Announced
Square Enix unveiled their new MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV, at E3 2009. The game was developed using the company's Crystal Tools engine and was initially slated for release on PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows.
March 2010: Taito's Console Divisions Merged into Square Enix
Further integrating Taito, Square Enix merged its console game development divisions into its own operations in March 2010.
April 2010: Square Enix Extreme Edges Label Launched
April 2010 marked the launch of Square Enix Extreme Edges, a Japanese label dedicated to Western games with specific CERO ratings.
July 2010: Mike Fischer Appointed CEO of Square Enix, Inc.
Mike Fischer took the helm of Square Enix, Inc. as CEO in July 2010.
September 30, 2010: Final Fantasy XIV Releases
Final Fantasy XIV was released on September 30, 2010, for PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows.
2010: Square Enix Launches Digital Manga Store
In 2010, Square Enix launched a digital manga store for North American audiences through its Members services, offering titles like Fullmetal Alchemist and Soul Eater.
2010: Taito Introduces NESiCAxLive System
In 2010, Taito, a subsidiary of Square Enix, introduced NESiCAxLive, a cloud-based system designed for arcade games. This system revolutionized game distribution in arcades by allowing for digital downloads and updates instead of relying on physical cartridges.
2010: Dragon Quest Slime Buns Released in Japan
In 2010, Square Enix embraced a unique form of merchandise by releasing pork-filled steam buns shaped like Slimes from the Dragon Quest series in Japan, showcasing the cultural impact of the franchise.
2010: Square Enix Merges Tokyo and Osaka Studios into 1st Production Department
In 2010, Square Enix consolidated its development studios in Tokyo and Osaka, forming the 1st Production Department, led by Shinji Hashimoto, to streamline game development.
March 2011: Hippos Lab Founded
Expanding into mobile gaming, Square Enix established the mobile development studio Hippos Lab in March 2011.
June 2011: Stainless Games Acquires Carmageddon Rights
Square Enix sold the rights to the Carmageddon franchise to Stainless Games in June 2011.
July 2011: Closure of Square Enix's Los Angeles Studio
In July 2011, reports surfaced indicating the closure of Square Enix's studio in Los Angeles.
September 2011: Dragon Quest X Announced
Square Enix announced "Dragon Quest X" in September 2011, marking another entry in their growing MMORPG portfolio. The game, developed using the Crystal Tools engine, was intended for release on Nintendo's Wii and Wii U consoles.
January 2012: Square Enix North America Explores Niche Markets
Leveraging its existing revenue, Square Enix's North American branch shifted focus towards niche, mobile, and social media games in January 2012.
May 8, 2012: Square Enix Announces Partnership with Bigpoint Games
Square Enix announced a collaboration with Bigpoint Games on May 8, 2012, with the aim of creating a free-to-play cloud gaming platform. This platform was intended to provide players with access to vast game worlds directly through their web browsers.
August 2, 2012: Dragon Quest X Releases on Wii
Dragon Quest X was released on August 2, 2012, for the Nintendo Wii.
August 2012: Square Enix Launches CoreOnline
The cloud gaming service developed in partnership with Bigpoint Games was launched under the name CoreOnline in August 2012.
October 2012: Square Enix Recognized for Mobile Gaming Presence
By October 2012, Square Enix had established itself as a prominent player in the mobile gaming sphere, as noted by Kotaku.
2012: Luminous Engine Unveiled at E3
At E3 2012, Square Enix revealed their next-generation game engine, Luminous Engine, through a tech demo called "Agni's Philosophy." This engine was designed for eighth-generation consoles and was used in the development of Final Fantasy XV.
2012: Square Enix Opens First "Square Enix Cafe" and Expands Merchandise to Include Third-Party Series
In 2012, Square Enix opened the first "Square Enix Cafe" in Tokyo, offering merchandise and themed food. Additionally, they expanded their merchandise production to include figures from third-party series like Mass Effect and Halo.
2012: Deus Ex Film Enters Pre-Production
A film adaptation of the popular video game "Deus Ex" entered pre-production in 2012, signaling Square Enix's interest in expanding their video game franchises into other media.
March 2013: Square Enix Opens and Closes Offices in India and Latin America
In March 2013, Square Enix expanded its global presence by opening an office in Mumbai, India, but this office was closed in April 2014 and later reopened in 2019. Similarly, a Latin American office established in Mexico was closed in 2015.
March 2013: Square Enix Acknowledges Sales Challenges and Explores New Business Models
In March 2013, Square Enix addressed the weak sales of critically acclaimed titles like Tomb Raider and Hitman: Absolution, attributing them to factors such as an ineffective North American sales force and pricing pressures. Yosuke Matsuda, the company's president, highlighted the need for a business model that emphasizes frequent customer interaction, citing Kickstarter as an example.
March 26, 2013: Square Enix Announces Restructuring and Leadership Changes
Citing disappointing sales of major Western titles, Square Enix announced a major restructuring plan on March 26, 2013, leading to significant financial losses and leadership changes, including the resignation of President Yoichi Wada and the appointment of Yosuke Matsuda as his successor.
March 30, 2013: Dragon Quest X Releases on Wii U
On March 30, 2013, Dragon Quest X was released for the Nintendo Wii U, expanding the game's reach to a wider Nintendo audience.
June 2013: Smileworks Studio Established in Indonesia
June 2013 saw the establishment of Smileworks, a mobile game development studio based in Indonesia.
September 2013: Layoffs at Square Enix Europe and Ian Livingstone's Departure
As part of the restructuring, Square Enix Europe underwent layoffs, and Life President Ian Livingstone left the company in September 2013.
November 29, 2013: Square Enix Cancels CoreOnline
Despite initial hopes, Square Enix discontinued the CoreOnline service on November 29, 2013, citing "limited commercial take-up."
December 2013: Square Enix Restructures into Twelve Business Divisions
In December 2013, Square Enix further reorganized its development operations, dividing them into twelve distinct Business Divisions to improve focus and efficiency.
2013: End of the 1st Production Department
By 2013, the 1st Production Department, known for handling major franchises like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, was dissolved as part of Square Enix's ongoing organizational changes.
2013: Dragon Quest X Expands to Mobile Devices in Japan
In 2013, Dragon Quest X was made available on iOS and Android devices in Japan, leveraging NTT DoCoMo as the release platform and Ubitus for streaming technology. This marked Square Enix's foray into the burgeoning mobile gaming market.
March 2014: Square Enix Shifts Focus to Core Audience and Karl Stewart Departs
Influenced by the success of Bravely Default, Square Enix announced its intention to prioritize its core audience in March 2014. The same month saw the departure of Karl Stewart, the vice president of strategic marketing for North America and Europe.
April 2014: Square Enix India Office Closure
Square Enix's Mumbai office, opened just a year prior, closed down in April 2014.
September 2014: Square Enix Establishes Shinra Technologies for Cloud Gaming
In September 2014, Square Enix founded Shinra Technologies, a cloud gaming company previously known as Project Flare.
October 9, 2014: Square Enix Launches Dive In Streaming Service
Expanding their presence in the cloud gaming domain, Square Enix launched Dive In, a new online game streaming service in Japan, on October 9, 2014. This service enabled players to stream console games to their iOS or Android devices, offering a free 30-minute trial for each game and charging based on playtime.
2014: Deus Ex Film Undergoes Rewrites
The "Deus Ex" film adaptation underwent script rewrites in 2014, indicating potential challenges in translating the game's narrative to the big screen.
January 2015: Smileworks Studio Closure
Smileworks, Square Enix's mobile studio in Indonesia, ceased operations in January 2015.
September 13, 2015: Dive In Service Discontinued
Square Enix discontinued their Dive In streaming service on September 13, 2015, marking another attempt at cloud gaming that didn't gain significant traction.
2015: Square Enix Acknowledges Dedicated Arcade Fanbase
Square Enix producers acknowledged the company's dedicated arcade game fanbase in 2015, highlighting the enduring appeal of the arcade gaming experience.
January 2016: Shinra Technologies Closes
Shinra Technologies, the cloud gaming company established by Square Enix, ceased operations in January 2016.
2016: Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV and Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV are Released
Square Enix expanded the world of "Final Fantasy XV" in 2016 with the release of "Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV," a CGI film, and "Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV," a web series. These multimedia releases aimed to provide a richer and more immersive experience for fans of the game.
January 2017: Artplant Acquires Project I.G.I. Franchise
In January 2017, Norwegian studio Artplant acquired the rights to the Project I.G.I. franchise from Square Enix.
February 21, 2017: Studio Istolia Formation Announced
On February 21, 2017, Square Enix announced the formation of Studio Istolia, a new studio headed by Hideo Baba, to work on Project Prelude Rune, a new RPG.
November 2017: IO Interactive Becomes Independent, Retains Hitman IP
IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman franchise, completed a management buyout from Square Enix in November 2017, retaining the rights to the Hitman IP.
2017: Square Enix Consolidates Business Divisions
Continuing its organizational adjustments, Square Enix streamlined its structure in 2017 by merging some of its Business Divisions, aiming for better resource allocation and project management.
September 2018: Mike Sherlock, COO, Passes Away
In September 2018, Square Enix's COO, Mike Sherlock, passed away. His responsibilities were immediately assumed by the executive team.
October 2018: John Heinecke Appointed CMO for Americas and Europe
John Heinecke joined Square Enix in October 2018 as the CMO for the Americas and Europe.
2019: Square Enix Expands English Manga Publication
In late 2019, Square Enix began publishing some of its manga series in English, expanding its reach to a wider audience.
2019: Square Enix Announces Consolidation into Creative Business Units
In 2019, Square Enix revealed its plan to consolidate its eleven Business Divisions into four larger Creative Business Units by 2020, aiming to foster greater collaboration and innovation.
June 2020: Square Enix Donates $2.4 Million to Charity
In June 2020, Square Enix demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by donating $2.4 million to various charities. The funds were raised in part from the sales of a discounted Square Enix Eidos Anthology bundle.
2020: Square Enix Completes Transition to Creative Business Units
By 2020, Square Enix finalized the consolidation of its development divisions into four Creative Business Units, marking a significant shift in the company's approach to game creation.
2020: Square Enix Franchises Achieve Massive Sales Milestones
By 2020, several of Square Enix's franchises had achieved extraordinary sales figures, highlighting the company's global impact. Final Fantasy led the charge with a staggering 173 million copies sold, followed by Dragon Quest with 85 million, and Kingdom Hearts with 36 million, solidifying their status as flagship franchises.
March 2021: Forever Entertainment to Revitalize Square Enix Properties
Reports in March 2021 indicated that Forever Entertainment, a Polish studio, was collaborating with Square Enix to bring some of its classic titles to modern platforms.
October 2021: Square Enix London Mobile Established, Working on Tomb Raider and Avatar Titles
Square Enix expanded its mobile gaming division with the establishment of Square Enix London Mobile in October 2021. This new studio is working on Tomb Raider Reloaded and an unannounced mobile title based on Avatar: The Last Airbender, in partnership with Navigator Games.
March 2022: Final Fantasy Remains Square Enix's Best-Selling Franchise
As of March 2022, the Final Fantasy series, originating in 1987, continues to be Square Enix's top-performing franchise, achieving remarkable global sales exceeding 173 million units.
May 1, 2022: Square Enix Announces Sale of Assets to Embracer Group
On May 1, 2022, Square Enix revealed its decision to sell significant assets, including studios like Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal, and popular IPs such as Deus Ex and Tomb Raider, to Embracer Group for $300 million.
May 2022: Square Enix Sells Eidos Assets to Embracer Group
In May 2022, Square Enix made a significant move by selling a portion of Square Enix Europe, including Eidos franchises like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, and Thief, to Embracer Group for $300 million.
July 25, 2022: Square Enix Launches Manga Up! in English
Expanding its reach to English-speaking audiences, Square Enix launched the English version of its manga platform, Manga Up!, on July 25, 2022.
August 26, 2022: Embracer Group Finalizes Acquisition of Square Enix Assets
The acquisition deal between Square Enix and Embracer Group reached its conclusion on August 26, 2022, with the transferred assets being placed under CDE Entertainment, headed by Phil Rogers.
September 2022: Square Enix Shifts Away from Owning Studios
In September 2022, following the sale to Embracer Group, Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda announced a strategic shift away from wholly owning studios due to the escalating costs of game development.
February 28, 2023: Square Enix Announces Merger of Luminous Productions
Square Enix Holdings announced on February 28, 2023, that Luminous Productions would merge back into Square Enix, effective May 1, 2023, as part of the company's 20th anniversary.
March 3, 2023: Square Enix Announces Leadership Change
Square Enix initiated a leadership transition on March 3, 2023, with the announcement that Yosuke Matsuda would step down as president and representative director, to be succeeded by Takashi Kiryu.
May 1, 2023: Luminous Productions Merges with Square Enix
On May 1, 2023, as previously announced, Luminous Productions was absorbed back into Square Enix, aiming to bolster the company's capabilities in HD game development.
June 2023: Takashi Kiryu's Appointment as President to be Confirmed
The official confirmation of Takashi Kiryu as Square Enix's new president and representative director is expected at the company's annual shareholders' meeting scheduled for June 2023.