In a recent update in the gaming industry, Kadokawa Corporation, the owner of FromSoftware, has bought Acquire, the developer of the popular Octopath Traveler series. The deal, which was completed for an undisclosed amount of money, shows that Kadokawa Corporation is making a big strategic move to strengthen its position in the gaming market.
Acquire, which was started in 1994, has previously worked with other companies owned by Kadokawa Corporation on successful games like Tenchu (with FromSoftware) and Way of the Samurai (with Spike Chunsoft). The Octopath Traveler games, which were well-liked for their unique gameplay and look, were published by Square Enix.
In its latest financial report, Kadokawa Corporation explained that buying Acquire is aimed at making the company better at coming up with new ideas for games in the gaming industry (thanks, Gematsu)
“By acquiring the company, which has produced million-seller hit titles, we expect to generate synergies with our existing game related subsidiaries, strengthen our planning and development capabilities Groupwide, and enhance our lineup of console games.”
Slide in financial presentation
The Octopath Traveler series is known for making the HD-2D visual style popular, which has since been used by Square Enix in other games. Square Enix has even given this unique visual approach to legal protection.
This is just one piece of a big push by the Kadokawa Corporation. The companies under them, including FromSoftware, are getting ready to put more effort into making money in the medium to long term, focusing on plans like making DLC for Elden Ring. Even though overall sales went down from the year before because Elden Ring did so well, the report said that the game keeps selling well. Additionally, the release of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon has done better than expected, which has helped the company do well.
Buying Aquire feels out of nowhere, but it’s a profitable studio, so who wouldn’t want them? We’ll have to wait and see where it all goes.
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