Square Enix

Square_Enix_logo

Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. (commonly referred to as Square Enix) is a Japanese video game developer, publisher, and distribution company. It is best known for its role-playing video game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts series. The company is headquartered in the Shinjuku Eastside Square Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

History[edit | edit source]

Square Enix was formed as the result of a merger between two companies: Square Co., Ltd. and Enix. The merger was announced on November 25, 2002, and was completed on April 1, 2003. The merger was intended to combine Square's expertise in game development with Enix's financial stability and publishing capabilities.

Square Co., Ltd.[edit | edit source]

Square Co., Ltd. was founded in September 1986 by Masafumi Miyamoto. The company gained international fame with the release of Final Fantasy in 1987, which became a major success and established Square as a leading developer of role-playing games.

Enix[edit | edit source]

Enix was founded on September 22, 1975, by Yasuhiro Fukushima. The company is best known for its Dragon Quest series, which debuted in 1986 and became one of the most popular and influential video game franchises in Japan.

Major Franchises[edit | edit source]

Square Enix is known for several major video game franchises:

Final Fantasy: A series of role-playing games that began in 1987. The series is known for its turn-based combat, intricate storylines, and high-quality graphics.
Dragon Quest: Another long-running role-playing game series that started in 1986. It is particularly popular in Japan and is known for its traditional RPG mechanics and art design by Akira Toriyama.
Kingdom Hearts: A crossover action role-playing game series that combines characters from Disney and Square Enix properties. The first game was released in 2002.

Other Ventures[edit | edit source]

In addition to video games, Square Enix has expanded into other forms of media and entertainment:

Manga and Anime: The company publishes manga through its subsidiary Gangan Comics and has produced several anime adaptations of its games.
Merchandising: Square Enix produces a wide range of merchandise, including action figures, clothing, and other collectibles based on its game franchises.
Film and Television: The company has produced several films and television series, including Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV.