:Square Enix

{{main|Enix#History}}

Enix was founded on September 22, 1975, as Eidansha Boshu Service Center by Japanese architect-turned-entrepreneur Yasuhiro Fukushima.{{Cite book |title=Japan on the Upswing: Why the Bubble Burst and Japan's Economic Renewal |date=April 2, 2006 |publisher=Algora Publishing |isbn=978-0-87586-461-7 |page=199 |author1=Gotemba, Goro |author2=Iwamoto, Yoshiyuki }} Enix focused on publishing games, often by companies who exclusively partnered with the company. In the 1980s, in a partnership with developers Chunsoft, the company began publishing the Dragon Quest series of console games.

Key members of the developer's staff consisted of director Koichi Nakamura, writer Yuji Horii, artist Akira Toriyama, and composer Koichi Sugiyama, among others. The first game, Dragon Warrior, in the Famicom-based RPG series, was released in 1986 and would eventually sell 1.5 million copies in Japan, establishing Dragon Quest as the company's most profitable franchise.{{Cite book |last=Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson |title=High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games |date=2004 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional |isbn=0-07-223172-6 |edition=2nd |page=374 |chapter=Across the Pacific}}{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2004 |title=Square Enix: February 2, 2004 – February 4, 2004 |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/explanatory/download/0404-200402090000-01.pdf#page=27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213144948/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/explanatory/download/0404-200402090000-01.pdf |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=July 31, 2008 |publisher=Square Enix |page=27 |format=PDF}} Despite the announcement that Enix's long-time competitor Square would develop exclusively for PlayStation, Enix announced in January 1997 that it would release games for both Nintendo and Sony consoles.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 1997 |title=Enix To Develop Titles for the PlayStation |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/062/062196p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313145518/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/10/enix-to-develop-titles-for-the-playstation |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |website=IGN}} This caused a significant rise in stock for both Enix and Sony.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 1997 |title=Enix/Sony Update |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/062/062208p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218114556/http://psx.ign.com/articles/062/062208p1.html |archive-date=February 18, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |website=IGN}} By November 1999, Enix was listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange's first section, indicating it as a "large company".{{Cite web |last=Square Enix |title=Square Enix History (timeline) |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/e/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530053804/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/e/history/#top |archive-date=May 30, 2007 |access-date=August 20, 2007 |publisher=Square Enix}}{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2008 |title=Transfers to first section |url=http://www.tse.or.jp/english/rules/transfers/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928014908/http://www.tse.or.jp/english/rules/transfers/index.html |archive-date=September 28, 2008 |access-date=July 29, 2008 |publisher=Tokyo Stock Exchange}}

{{main|Square (video game company)#History}}

Square was started in October 1983 by Masafumi Miyamoto as a computer game software division of Den-Yu-Sha, a power line construction company owned by his father. While at the time, game development was usually conducted by only one programmer, Miyamoto believed that it would be more efficient to have graphic designers, programmers and professional story writers working together.{{Cite report |url=http://www.e.okayama-u.ac.jp/~dfujii/Option.pdf |title=Entrepreneurial choices of strategic options in Japan's RPG development |last=Fujii |first=Daiji |date=January 2006 |publisher=Faculty of Economics, Okayama University |access-date=April 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008024010/http://www.e.okayama-u.ac.jp/~dfujii/Option.pdf |archive-date=October 8, 2006}}

In September 1986, the division was spun off into an independent company led by Miyamoto, officially named Square Co., Ltd.{{Cite web |title=History |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/company/history3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301061430/http://www.square-enix.com/eng/company/history3.html |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=December 4, 2009 |publisher=Square Enix Holdings}} After releasing several unsuccessful games for the Famicom, Square relocated to Ueno, Tokyo in 1987 and developed a role-playing video game titled Final Fantasy, which was inspired by Enix's success in the genre with the 1986 Dragon Quest.{{Cite web |title=Square Enix Company Timeline |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/e/history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207221933/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/e/history/ |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2009}} Final Fantasy was a success with over 400,000 copies sold, and it became Square's leading franchise, spawning dozens of games in a series that continues to the present.

Buoyed by the success of their Final Fantasy franchise, Square developed notable games and franchises such as Chrono, Mana, Kingdom Hearts (in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company), and Super Mario RPG (under the guidance of Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto). By late 1994 they had developed a reputation as a producer of high-quality role-playing video games.{{Cite magazine |date=January 1995 |title=Chrono Trigger |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=66 |page=22}} Square was one of the many companies that had planned to develop and publish their games for the Nintendo 64, but with the cheaper costs associated with developing games on CD-based consoles such as the Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation, Square decided to develop titles for the latter system.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 1996 |title=Sony Officially Announces Alignment With Square |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/062/062158p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606111510/http://psx.ign.com/articles/062/062158p1.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |website=IGN}} Final Fantasy VII was one of these games, and it sold 9.8 million copies, making it the second-best-selling game for the PlayStation.

A merger between Square and Enix was considered since at least 2000; the financial failure in 2001 of Square's first movie, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, made Enix reluctant to proceed while Square was losing money.{{Cite web |last=Long, Andrew |date=October 13, 2008 |title=RPGamer > Square-Enix Gives Chrono Break Trademark Some Playmates |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113044027/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |access-date=May 15, 2016 |publisher=RPGamer}}{{Cite web |last=Long, Andrew |year=2003 |title=Square-Enix Gives Chrono Break Trademark Some Playmates |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113044027/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2008 |publisher=RPGamer}} With the company facing its second year of financial losses, Square approached Sony for a capital injection, and on October 8, 2001, Sony purchased an 18.6% stake in Square.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2001 |title=Sony buys stake in Square |url=http://m.ca.ign.com/articles/2001/10/08/sony-buys-stake-in-square-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228055840/http://m.ign.com/articles/2001/10/08/sony-buys-stake-in-square-2 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |website=IGN}} Following the success of both Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts, the company's finances stabilized, and it recorded the highest operating margin in its history in the fiscal year 2002.{{Cite web |last=Winkler, Chris |date=November 13, 2002 |title=Square Expects Strong Financial Results |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2002/2162.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226121656/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2002/2162.html |archive-date=December 26, 2013 |access-date=December 25, 2013 |publisher=RPG Fan}}{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2003 |title=Square Enix Financial data |url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/ir/e/explanatory/download/0404-200308040000-01.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109063548/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/ir/e/explanatory/download/0404-200308040000-01.pdf |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |access-date=December 28, 2013 |publisher=Square Enix}} It was announced on November 25, 2002, that Square and Enix's previous plans to merge were to officially proceed, intending to decrease development costs and to compete with foreign developers.{{Cite web |last=Anoop Gantayat |date=November 25, 2002 |title=Square and Enix Merge |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378635p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517102726/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378635p1.html |archive-date=May 17, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |website=IGN}} As described by Square's president and CEO Yoichi Wada: "Square has also fully recovered, meaning this merger is occurring at a time when both companies are at their height."{{Cite web |title=Square and Enix to merge |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2002/11/25/square-and-enix-merge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124034916/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/25/square-and-enix-merge |archive-date=November 24, 2013 |access-date=December 25, 2013 |website=IGN.com|date=November 25, 2002 }}

Some shareholders expressed concerns about the merger, notably Miyamoto (the founder and largest shareholder of Square), who would find himself holding a significantly smaller percentage of the combined companies.{{Cite web |last=Stone, Courtney |date=January 11, 2003 |title=Trouble in paradise |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2003/011103a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222164919/https://archive.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2003/011103a.html |archive-date=December 22, 2018 |access-date=December 25, 2013 |publisher=RPGamer}} Other criticism came from Takashi Oya of Deutsche Securities, who expressed doubts about the benefits of such a merger: "Enix outsources game development and has few in-house creators, while Square does everything by itself. The combination of the two provides no negative factors but would bring little in the way of operational synergies."{{Cite web |last=Jim |date=November 26, 2002 |title=Japan Game Software Firms Square, Enix to Merge |url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/news-nintendo_gamecube_square_enix_merger.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060205062924/http://www.gamecubicle.com/news-nintendo_gamecube_square_enix_merger.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2006 |access-date=December 28, 2013 |publisher=GameCubicle.com}} Miyamoto's concerns were eventually resolved by altering the exchange ratio of the merger so that each Square share would be exchanged for 0.85 Enix shares rather than 0.81 shares, and the merger was greenlit.{{Cite web |last=Winkler, Chris |date=January 14, 2003 |title=Square Enix Merger gets greenlight |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/1034.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030213173938/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/1034.html |archive-date=February 13, 2003 |access-date=December 25, 2013 |publisher=RPGFan}}{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2004 |title=Square Enix: 2004 Annual Report |url=http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/ar_20040806_01.pdf#page=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307072446/http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/ar_20040806_01.pdf |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=December 3, 2011 |publisher=Square Enix |page=12 |format=PDF}} The merger was set for April 1, 2003, on which date the newly merged entity Square Enix came into being.{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2004 |title=Square Enix: 2004 Annual Report |url=http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/ar_20040806_01.pdf#page=17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307072446/http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/ar_20040806_01.pdf |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=December 3, 2011 |publisher=Square Enix |page=15 |format=PDF}} At the time of the merger, 80% of Square Enix staff were made up of former Square employees.{{Cite web |last=Winkler, Chris |date=April 23, 2004 |title=Square Enix – One Year After the Merger |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/editorials/2004/04-23.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040620062343/http://www.rpgfan.com/editorials/2004/04-23.html |archive-date=June 20, 2004 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |publisher=RPGFan}} As part of the merger, former Square president Yoichi Wada was appointed the president of the new corporation, while former Enix president Keiji Honda became its vice president.{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2002 |title=Square and Enix Merge |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378635p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119164915/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378635p1.html |archive-date=January 19, 2008 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |website=IGN}} The founder of Enix and the largest shareholder of the newly combined corporation, Yasuhiro Fukushima, was made its honorary chairman.{{Cite web |title=Shareholder Information |url=http://www.square-enix.com/eng/ir/stockholder.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323151308/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/stock/shareholder.html |archive-date=March 23, 2013 |access-date=February 15, 2010 |publisher=Square Enix Holdings}}

As a result of the merger, Enix was the surviving company and Square Co., Ltd. was dissolved.{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2002 |title=Game software firms Enix, Square to merge on April 1 |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2002/11/27/business/game-software-firms-enix-square-to-merge-on-april-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713015547/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2002/11/27/business/game-software-firms-enix-square-to-merge-on-april-1/ |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |website=Japan Times}}{{Cite web |title=Corporate Profile – Corporate Information – Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/company/outline.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725212927/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/company/outline.html |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=September 3, 2017 |website=Hd.square-enix.com}} In July of that year, the Square Enix headquarters were moved to Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo, to help combine the two companies.

To strengthen its wireless market, Square Enix acquired mobile application developer UIEvolution in March 2004, which was sold in December 2007, and the company instead founded its own Square Enix MobileStudio in January 2008 to focus on mobile products.{{Cite web|title=Group Companies|url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/company/group.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516152638/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/company/group.html|archive-date=May 16, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2016|publisher=Square Enix}} In January 2005, Square Enix founded Square Enix China, expanding their interests in the People's Republic of China.

In September 2005, Square Enix bought the gaming developer and publisher Taito, renowned for their arcade hits such as Space Invaders and the Bubble Bobble series; Taito's home and portable console games divisions were merged into Square Enix itself by March 2010.{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=Taito Corporation – Notice of Inquiry Change |url=https://www.taito.co.jp/corporate/topics/news/1370 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012535/https://www.taito.co.jp/corporate/topics/news/1370 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |access-date=March 11, 2010 |publisher=Taito Corporation}} In August 2008, Square Enix made plans for a similar expansion by way of a friendly takeover of video game developer Tecmo by purchasing shares at a 30 percent premium, but Tecmo rejected the proposed takeover.{{Cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=August 29, 2008 |title=Report: Square Enix makes $200M Tecmo bid |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6196996.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110073755/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6196996.html |archive-date=January 10, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2008 |publisher=Gamespot}}{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=September 4, 2008 |title=Report: Square Enix Takes "No" For An Answer, Withdraws Takeover Offer |url=http://m.kotaku.com/5045705/square-enix-takes-no-for-an-answer-withdraws-takeover-offer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607050958/http://m.kotaku.com/5045705/square-enix-takes-no-for-an-answer-withdraws-takeover-offer |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |access-date=September 4, 2008 |website=Kotaku}} Tecmo would later merge with Koei in April 2009 to form Koei Tecmo. In April 2007, Square Enix Ltd. CEO John Yamamoto also became CEO of Square Enix, Inc.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Matt|date=17 April 2007|title=Square Enix promotes Yamamoto to North American CEO|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/square-enix-promotes-yamamoto-to-north-american-ceo|access-date=2021-07-11|website=GamesIndustry.biz|language=en|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711172441/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/square-enix-promotes-yamamoto-to-north-american-ceo|url-status=live}} In 2008–2009, Square Enix was reportedly working with Grin on a Final Fantasy spin-off codenamed Fortress.{{Cite web|title=GRIN's Final Fantasy spin-off still in development|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/grins-final-fantasy-spin-off-still-in-development|access-date=2021-09-28|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=September 21, 2009|language=en|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928213306/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/grins-final-fantasy-spin-off-still-in-development|url-status=live}} The project was allegedly canceled by Square Enix after introducing seemingly impossible milestones and without payments made, resulting in Grin declaring bankruptcy and its co-founders blaming Square Enix for being "betrayed".{{Cite web|title=GRIN founders say Square Enix turned their smiles upside down|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-05-29-grin-founders-say-square-enix-turned-their-smiles-upside-down.html|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Engadget|date=May 29, 2011 |language=en-US|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928213300/https://www.engadget.com/2011-05-29-grin-founders-say-square-enix-turned-their-smiles-upside-down.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2009, Square Enix announced a takeover deal for Eidos (formerly SCi Entertainment), the holding company for Eidos Interactive. The UK-based publisher's assets include Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex, Thief, and Legacy of Kain franchises, along with subsidiary development studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal and IO Interactive that developed the games.{{Cite magazine |last=Andy Chalk |date=October 27, 2014 |title=The $200 Eidos Anthology arrives on Steam |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-200-eidos-anthology-arrives-on-steam/ |url-status=live |magazine=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504075325/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-200-eidos-anthology-arrives-on-steam/ |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2016}} The acquisition of Eidos was completed in April 2009, and in November it was merged with Square Enix's European publishing organization, business unit Square Enix Europe. Eidos' US operations were merged with Square Enix Incorporated.{{cite web |last=Elliott |first=Phil |date=7 July 2009 |title=Square Enix revamps Europe operation |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/square-enix-revamps-europe-operation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902052825/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/square-enix-revamps-europe-operation |archive-date=2 September 2012 |access-date=29 October 2017 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}} In April 2010, a new Japanese label for Western games bearing CERO restrictions called Square Enix Extreme Edges was announced.{{Cite web|last=Fletcher|first=J.|date=27 April 2010|title=Square Enix 'Extreme Edges' is new label for publisher's violent games in Japan|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-04-27-square-enix-extreme-edges-is-new-label-for-violent-games.html|access-date=2022-02-24|website=Joystiq|language=en-US|archive-date=February 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224234202/https://www.engadget.com/2010-04-27-square-enix-extreme-edges-is-new-label-for-violent-games.html|url-status=live}} In July 2010, Mike Fischer was appointed CEO of Square Enix, Inc.{{Cite web|last=Graft|first=Kris|date=July 21, 2010|title=New President For Square Enix U.S. Division|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/120386/New_President_For_Square_Enix_US_Division.php|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Gamasutra|language=en|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711172439/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/120386/New_President_For_Square_Enix_US_Division.php|url-status=dead}}{{Cite journal|date=2010-10-26|title=INTERVIEW: Square Enix|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/interview-square-enix/|access-date=2021-07-11|journal=MCV|language=en-GB|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928210554/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/interview-square-enix/|url-status=live}} Square Enix founded the mobile development studio Hippos Lab in March 2011{{Cite web |last=Rose, Mike |date=March 23, 2011 |title=Square Enix Forms New Japanese Mobile Studio Hippos Lab |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/square-enix-forms-new-japanese-mobile-studio-hippos-lab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210325/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33668/Square_Enix_Forms_New_Japanese_Mobile_Studio_Hippos_Lab.php |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |website=Gamasutra}} and Square Enix Montréal in 2012. In June 2011, Stainless Games had purchased the rights to Carmageddon from Square Enix.{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=JC |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Carmageddon: Reincarnation coming next year as a downloadable game |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-06-01-carmageddon-reincarnation-coming-next-year-as-a-downloadable-ga.html |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}} In July 2011, it was reported that Square Enix closed their Los Angeles Studio.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2011 |title=Report: Square Enix Los Angeles Studio Closed |url=https://www.siliconera.com/report-square-enix-los-angeles-studio-closed/ |access-date=August 15, 2020 |website=Siliconera |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026061131/https://www.siliconera.com/report-square-enix-los-angeles-studio-closed/ |url-status=live }} In January 2012, Square Enix North American office could pursue smaller niche, mobile and social media games due to its existing revenue streams.{{Cite web |last=Karlin |first=Susan |date=2012-01-30 |title=Square Enix: A Tale Of Two Gaming Cultures |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1679515/square-enix-a-tale-of-two-gaming-cultures |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531094218/https://www.fastcompany.com/1679515/square-enix-a-tale-of-two-gaming-cultures |url-status=live }} In October 2012, Square Enix was perceived as a "force in mobile" games by Kotaku. The price of Final Fantasy Dimensions and Demons' Score, $30 and $44 respectively, was criticized.{{Cite web |title=Square Enix Defends The Surprisingly High Pricing of Their iOS/Android Games |url=https://kotaku.com/square-enix-defends-the-surprisingly-high-pricing-of-th-5950253 |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=Kotaku |date=October 9, 2012 |language=en-us |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224175827/https://kotaku.com/square-enix-defends-the-surprisingly-high-pricing-of-th-5950253 |url-status=live }}

On March 26, 2013, citing sluggish sales of major Western games, Square Enix announced major restructuring, expected loss of ¥10 billion and resignation of President Yoichi Wada, whom Yosuke Matsuda replaced.{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2013 |title=Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada resigns (update) |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/3/26/4148094/square-enix-ceo-yoichi-wada-resigns |website=Polygon |language=en |access-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129032844/https://www.polygon.com/2013/3/26/4148094/square-enix-ceo-yoichi-wada-resigns |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kubba |first=Sinan |title=Square Enix president Wada to step down, $106M 'restructuring' loss [update] |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-03-26-square-enix-president-wada-to-step-down-106m-restructuring-l.html |website=Engadget |date=March 26, 2013 |language=en |access-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131094117/https://www.engadget.com/2013-03-26-square-enix-president-wada-to-step-down-106m-restructuring-l.html |url-status=live }} Phil Rogers was elected as a new Director, among others.{{Cite web |title=Notice of Resolutions Adopted at the 33rd Annual Shareholders' Meeting |url=https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/stock/pdf/meeting_20130626_01.pdf |access-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124084549/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/stock/pdf/meeting_20130626_01.pdf |url-status=live }} With the restructuring, Square Enix of America CEO Mike Fischer left the company in May, with former Square Enix Europe CEO Phil Rogers becoming CEO of Americas and Europe.{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=May 23, 2013 |title=President of Square Enix of America leaves company (update) |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/5/23/4358542/president-of-square-enix-of-america-leaves-company |access-date=August 16, 2020 |website=Polygon |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195647/https://www.polygon.com/2013/5/23/4358542/president-of-square-enix-of-america-leaves-company |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Weber |first1=Rachel |title=Square Roots: The man in charge of Square Enix's Western future |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-15-square-roots-the-man-in-charge-of-square-enixs-western-future |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827192744/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-15-square-roots-the-man-in-charge-of-square-enixs-western-future |archive-date=27 August 2019 |access-date=15 August 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=May 15, 2014 |language=en}} Further executive changes at Square Enix Western studios were mentioned in a statement.{{Cite web|last=Futter|first=Mike|date=July 23, 2013|title=Eidos Montreal General Manager Stephan D'Astous Resigns|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/07/23/report-stephane-d-astous%2C-eidos-montreal-general-manager-resigns.aspx|access-date=2021-07-11|website=GameInformer|language=en|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711172440/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/07/23/report-stephane-d-astous,-eidos-montreal-general-manager-resigns.aspx|url-status=live}} Square Enix Europe was hit with layoffs{{cite web |last1=Corriea |first1=Alexa Ray |date=29 April 2013 |title=Square Enix Europe hit with layoffs as company-wide restructuring continues |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/29/4281986/square-enix-europe-layoffs-restructuring-continues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019101449/https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/29/4281986/square-enix-europe-layoffs-restructuring-continues |archive-date=19 October 2021 |access-date=20 September 2020 |website=Polygon |language=en}} and Life President Ian Livingstone departed from the company in September 2013.{{cite web |last=Corriea |first=Alexa Ray |date=30 September 2013 |title=Eidos President and CEO Ian Livingstone departs after 20 years |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/9/30/4787344/eidos-president-and-ceo-ian-livingstone-departs-after-20-years |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029012943/https://www.polygon.com/2013/9/30/4787344/eidos-president-and-ceo-ian-livingstone-departs-after-20-years |archive-date=29 October 2017 |access-date=29 October 2017 |website=Polygon}}{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=30 September 2013 |title=Ian Livingstone leaves Eidos |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-30-ian-livingstone-leaves-eidos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029013104/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-30-ian-livingstone-leaves-eidos |archive-date=29 October 2017 |access-date=29 October 2017 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}}

It said with the fiscal year report in March 2013, sales of Tomb Raider (2013) and Hitman: Absolution were weak, despite critical acclaim. The North American sales force was said to be ineffective and price pressure was intense.{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|title=Square Enix president steps down following terrible year for the company|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/square-enix-president-steps-down-following-terrible-year-for-the-company|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=March 26, 2013|language=en|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125035325/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/189285/Square_Enix_president_steps_down_following_terrible_year_for_the_company.php|url-status=live}} Matsuda noted the long development time of their important games and said they need to shift to a business model with frequent customer interactions, noting Kickstarter as an example.{{Cite web |last=Sahev |first=Ishaan |date=May 27, 2013 |title=Square Enix Feel They Have Something To Learn From Kickstarter |url=https://www.siliconera.com/square-enix-feel-they-have-something-to-learn-from-kickstarter/ |website=Siliconera |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202005802/https://www.siliconera.com/square-enix-feel-they-have-something-to-learn-from-kickstarter/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2013, Square Enix India opened in Mumbai; however the office was closed in April 2014 and reopened five years later.{{Cite web|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|date=April 14, 2014|title=Square Enix India shutters after one year|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/4/14/5613222/square-enix-india-shutters-after-one-year|access-date=August 15, 2020|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730021146/https://www.polygon.com/2014/4/14/5613222/square-enix-india-shutters-after-one-year|url-status=live}} As well as Square Enix Latin America in Mexico,{{Cite web|last=Pearson|first=Dan|date=7 March 2013|title=New offices in Mexico, India for Square Enix|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-07-new-offices-in-mexico-india-for-square-enix|access-date=|website=GamesIndustry.biz|language=en|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205203/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-07-new-offices-in-mexico-india-for-square-enix|url-status=live}} which was closed in 2015.{{Cite web|last=Garst|first=Aron|date=30 October 2018|title=The Story Behind Square Enix's Failed Latin America Video Game Division|url=https://kotaku.com/the-story-behind-square-enixs-failed-latin-america-vide-1830085992|access-date=|website=Kotaku|language=en-us|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203016/https://kotaku.com/the-story-behind-square-enixs-failed-latin-america-vide-1830085992|url-status=live}} A mobile studio called Smileworks was founded in Indonesia in June 2013; however it was closed in January 2015.{{Cite web|title=Square Enix shutters Indonesian mobile studio|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-01-14-square-enix-shutters-indonesian-mobile-studio|access-date=August 15, 2020|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=January 14, 2015|language=en|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827062932/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-01-14-square-enix-shutters-indonesian-mobile-studio|url-status=live}} In 2014, Square Enix Collective launched, an indie developer service provider headed by Phil Elliot.{{cite web |last1=Weber |first1=Rachel |title=Square Enix Collective launches |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-27-square-enix-collective-launches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030050457/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-27-square-enix-collective-launches |archive-date=30 October 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=January 27, 2014 |language=en}} Also in 2014, Square Enix signed a strategic alliance and cooperation with Japanese and French video game companies, Bandai Namco Entertainment and Ubisoft; it has served as the Japanese publisher of video games and crossover productions since 2009.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

In March 2014, following the success of Bravely Default, Square Enix said it will "go back to their roots" and focus on creating content that will appeal to their core audience.{{Cite web|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|date=2014-03-31|title=Square Enix to renew focus on core gamers, 'heavy JRPGs' thanks to Bravely Default|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/31/5566388/square-enix-renew-focus-on-core-gamers-heavy-jrpgs-bravely-default|access-date=|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204544/https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/31/5566388/square-enix-renew-focus-on-core-gamers-heavy-jrpgs-bravely-default|url-status=live}} Karl Stewart, vice president of strategic marketing at Square Enix for North America and Europe, left the company that month.{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=2014-03-20 |title=Square Enix marketing VP Karl Stewart leaves the company |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/20/5530542/square-enix-karl-stewart-leaves-the-company-crystal-dynamics |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2014-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323225856/https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/20/5530542/square-enix-karl-stewart-leaves-the-company-crystal-dynamics |url-status=live}} In 2015, Square created a new studio known as Tokyo RPG Factory to develop what was then dubbed Project Setsuna.{{Cite magazine |last=Brian Shea |date=June 15, 2015 |title=New Studio Tokyo RPG Factory Announces Project Setsuna |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/06/16/new-studio-tokyo-rpg-factory-announces-project-setsuna.aspx |url-status=live |magazine=Game Informer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425235428/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/06/16/new-studio-tokyo-rpg-factory-announces-project-setsuna.aspx |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Own S. Good |date=June 16, 2015 |title=Square Enix creates new studio to handle new RPG: Project Setsuna |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/16/8790589/square-enix-creates-new-studio-to-handle-new-rpg-project-setsuna |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929002142/http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/16/8790589/square-enix-creates-new-studio-to-handle-new-rpg-project-setsuna |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=June 21, 2016 |website=Polygon}} Around 2015, Square Enix's Western divisions began "officially working across LA and London".{{cite magazine |date=4 September 2015 |title=Hip to be Square: US and EU boss Phil Rogers on the publisher's huge line-up |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/hip-to-be-square-us-and-eu-boss-phil-rogers-on-the-publishers-huge-line-up/ |url-status=live |magazine=MCV/DEVELOP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614052511/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/hip-to-be-square-us-and-eu-boss-phil-rogers-on-the-publishers-huge-line-up/ |archive-date=14 June 2021 |access-date=15 August 2020 |quote=The industry changes and one of the big things over the last couple of the years has been the European team working hand-in-hand with the American team, and since March this year we've had them working officially across LA and London}}

In January 2017, Norwegian studio Artplant purchased former Eidos franchise Project I.G.I.{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Jake |date=2019-05-15 |title=Norwegian studio Artplant buy Project IGI brand from Square Enix |language=en |work=MCV |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/norwegian-studio-artplant-buy-project-igi-brand-from-square-enix/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929175519/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/norwegian-studio-artplant-buy-project-igi-brand-from-square-enix/ |archive-date=29 September 2022 |issn=1469-4832}} On February 21, 2017, the formation of a new studio Studio Istolia was announced. The studio, headed by Hideo Baba, would be working on the new RPG Project Prelude Rune.{{Cite web |last=WESLEY COPELAND |date=February 21, 2017 |title=SQUARE ENIX LAUNCHES NEW STUDIO, ANNOUNCES NEW RPG |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/21/square-enix-launches-new-studio-announces-new-rpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222080824/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/21/square-enix-launches-new-studio-announces-new-rpg |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=February 21, 2017 |website=IGN}} In November 2017, IO Interactive conducted a management buyout from Square Enix and the Hitman IP was transferred to the studio.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Batchelor |date=2017-11-22 |title="It's not Hitman without IO": Why Square Enix set the franchise free |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/its-not-hitman-without-io-why-square-enix-set-the-franchise-free |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524212316/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/its-not-hitman-without-io-why-square-enix-set-the-franchise-free |url-status=live }} In September 2018, COO Mike Sherlock died, with Square Enix's executive team assuming his immediate responsibilities.{{cite web |last1=Kerr |first1=Chris |date=7 September 2018 |title=Obituary: Square Enix America and Europe COO Mike Sherlock |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/obituary-square-enix-america-and-europe-coo-mike-sherlock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031342/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/326003/Obituary_Square_Enix_America_and_Europe_COO_Mike_Sherlock.php |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=15 August 2020 |website=www.gamasutra.com |language=en}} In 2018, Square Enix branded their third party publishing division Square Enix External Studios, which is headed by Jon Brooke and Lee Singleton.{{cite web |last1=McCaffrey |first1=Ryan |date=18 August 2020 |title=Outriders Bosses Discuss Working on Hitman, Just Cause, Sleeping Dogs, and More – IGN Unfiltered #52 – IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/outriders-bosses-discuss-working-on-hitman-just-cause-sleeping-dogs-and-more-ign-unfiltered-52 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821005206/https://www.ign.com/articles/outriders-bosses-discuss-working-on-hitman-just-cause-sleeping-dogs-and-more-ign-unfiltered-52 |archive-date=21 August 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=2018-09-20 |title='Life Is Strange: Before the Storm' Dev Making New Square Enix Game |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/deck-nine-square-enix-project-1202951623/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306232026/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/deck-nine-square-enix-project-1202951623/ |archive-date=6 March 2021 |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} John Heinecke was appointed as CMO for Americas and Europe in October 2018.{{cite magazine |date=11 October 2018 |title=Square Enix announces John Heinecke as new CMO |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/square-enix-announces-john-heinecke-as-new-cmo/ |url-status=live |magazine=MCV/DEVELOP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023901/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/square-enix-announces-john-heinecke-as-new-cmo/ |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=15 August 2020}}

Baba departed the studio in early 2019, and shortly after this, Studio Istolia was closed, and Project Prelude Rune cancelled following an assessment of the project, with its staff being reassigned to different projects within the company. In 2019, Square Enix opened an Indian office again, now in Bangalore,{{Cite web |last=Desai |first=Sameer |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Square Enix takes second crack at India |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sci-tech/square-enix-takes-second-crack-at-india/articleshow/72353152.cms |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en |access-date=April 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126130149/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sci-tech/square-enix-takes-second-crack-at-india/articleshow/72353152.cms |url-status=live }} which expanded into publishing mobile games for the Indian market in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Alwani |first=Rishi |date=February 3, 2021 |title=This Is Square Enix India's First Game |url=https://in.ign.com/square-enix-unreal-engine-project-untitled-tba/154611/news/square-enix-india-ludo-zenith-download-apk-jetsynthesys |website=IGN India |language=en-in |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203132558/https://in.ign.com/square-enix-unreal-engine-project-untitled-tba/154611/news/square-enix-india-ludo-zenith-download-apk-jetsynthesys |url-status=live }} In June 2020, Square Enix donated $2.4 million to charities around their Western studios and offices for the Black Lives Matter cause and COVID-19, which were partially raised from sales of its discounted Square Enix Eidos Anthology bundle.{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Chris |date=11 May 2020 |title=Square Enix Eidos Anthology: Get 54 Games for $39, for Charity |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/square-enix-eidos-anthology-get-54-games-for-39-for-charity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711153151/https://www.ign.com/articles/square-enix-eidos-anthology-get-54-games-for-39-for-charity |archive-date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Kratky |first=Otto |date=18 June 2020 |title=Square Enix Raises $2.4 Million With Stay Home & Play Campaign |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/square-enix-stay-home-campaign/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182914/https://www.dualshockers.com/square-enix-stay-home-campaign/ |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=3 July 2021 |website=DualShockers |language=en-US}} In March 2021, Forever Entertainment, a Polish studio, was reported to be working to bring several of Square Enix's properties to modern systems.{{Cite web |last=Peppiatt |first=Dom |date=March 1, 2021 |title=Looks like many more Square Enix remakes are on the way |url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/03/01/square-enix-remakes-forever-entertainment/ |access-date=March 1, 2021 |website=VG247 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301170427/https://www.vg247.com/2021/03/01/square-enix-remakes-forever-entertainment/ |url-status=live }} A new mobile studio called Square Enix London Mobile, working on Tomb Raider Reloaded and an unannounced title based on Avatar: The Last Airbender with Navigator Games, was announced on 20 October 2021.{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=20 October 2021 |title=Square Enix opens London mobile studio |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-20-square-enix-opens-london-mobile-studio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030155817/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-20-square-enix-opens-london-mobile-studio |archive-date=30 October 2021 |access-date=30 October 2021 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

In March 2022, Square Enix announced that they would donate $500,000 to the United Nations fund for Ukrainian refugees in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Square Enix donates $500k to UN's Ukraine refugee fund |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-donates-usd500k-to-uns-ukraine-refugee-fund |website=Eurogamer}}

On May 1, 2022, Square Enix announced that it would sell several assets of subsidiary Square Enix Limited to Swedish games holding company Embracer Group for $300 million. This included studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, and Square Enix Montreal, IPs Deus Ex, Legacy of Kain, Thief, and Tomb Raider and rights to "over 50 games". Square Enix stated that the sale will further help it in investment into blockchain and other technologies, and to "assist the company in adapting to the changes underway in the global business environment by establishing a more efficient allocation of resources". Square Enix also stated that it would retain the Life Is Strange, Outriders, and Just Cause franchises.{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2022-05-02 |title=Square-Enix sells all of its Western game studios—and their games—to Embracer |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/embracer-acquires-tomb-raider-deus-ex-and-all-western-square-enix-game-studios/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502155324/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/embracer-acquires-tomb-raider-deus-ex-and-all-western-square-enix-game-studios/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Square Enix Says Embracer Sale Will Help Fund Its Blockchain Investment |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-says-embracer-sale-will-help-fund-its-blockchain-investment/1100-6502978/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502163121/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-says-embracer-sale-will-help-fund-its-blockchain-investment/1100-6502978/ |url-status=live }} However, during the Japanese publisher's full-year financial results briefing on May 13, president Yosuke Matsuda clarified the past statement and said the money from the sale will be used to strengthen the company's core games business.{{cite web | last=Ivan | first=Tom | title=Square Enix says Crystal Dynamics and Eidos sale won't be invested in NFTs and blockchain | url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enix-says-crystal-dynamics-and-eidos-sale-wont-be-invested-in-nfts-and-blockchain/ | website=Video Games Chronicle | date=June 6, 2022 | access-date=June 17, 2022 | archive-date=June 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617084530/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enix-says-crystal-dynamics-and-eidos-sale-wont-be-invested-in-nfts-and-blockchain/ | url-status=live }} On July 25, 2022, Square Enix launched the English version of Manga Up!.{{cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=July 25, 2022 |title=Square Enix Launches Official English Version of Manga UP! App, Website |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/07/25-1/square-enix-launches-official-english-version-of-manga-up-app-website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725123447/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/07/25-1/square-enix-launches-official-english-version-of-manga-up-app-website |archive-date=July 25, 2022 |access-date=July 25, 2022 |website=Crunchyroll}} The acquisition was closed by August 26, 2022, with the assets being held under CDE Entertainment which is headed from London by Phil Rogers, former CEO of Square Enix Americas and Europe.{{cite news |date= August 26, 2022|title=Embracer Group completes acquisition of Square Enix's western studios |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/embracer-group-completes-acquisition-of-square-enixs-western-studios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123115319/https://www.eurogamer.net/embracer-group-completes-acquisition-of-square-enixs-western-studios |archive-date=23 November 2022 |accessdate=2022-08-26 |newspaper=Eurogamer.net}}

In the company's financial statement for the following quarter, released in September 2022, Matsuda said they were moving away from outright owning studios due to rising costs of development, but were looking at means to invest in studios such as joint ventures or investment opportunities.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-plans-to-move-away-from-fully-owning-studios-because-of-rising-development-costs/1100-6507511/ | title = Square Enix Plans To Move Away From Fully Owning Studios Because Of Rising Development Costs | first = Jenny | last = Zheng | date = September 14, 2022 | accessdate = September 14, 2022 | work = GameSpot | archive-date = September 15, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220915000459/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-plans-to-move-away-from-fully-owning-studios-because-of-rising-development-costs/1100-6507511/ | url-status = live }} In 2022, Square Enix invested in seven business strategic cooperations in the blockchain and cloud services such as Zebedee (United States), Blocklords (Estonia), Cross The Ages (France), Blacknut (France), Animoca Brands-owned The Sandbox (Australia and Hong Kong), and Ubitus (Japan).{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2022 |title=2022 Financial Results Briefing Session |url=https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/pdf/23q2slides.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107092329/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/pdf/23q2slides.pdf |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |publisher=Square Enix}}

On February 28, 2023, Square Enix Holdings announced that on May 1, Luminous Productions would reorganize and merge with Square Enix internally, citing the merging of the two would "enhanced the group's abilities to develop HD games" for the 20th anniversary.{{Cite web |title=Reorganization within the SQUARE ENIX GROUP {{!}} SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS |url=https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/2023/html/20230228_announcement_EN.html |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=www.hd.square-enix.com |language=en |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228112816/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/2023/html/20230228_announcement_EN.html |url-status=live }} On March 3, Square Enix issued a statement announcing a proposed change to the position of its president and representative director that, if implemented, would result in Yosuke Matsuda stepping down and being succeeded by Takashi Kiryu, who is presently the company's director. The change will become effective upon approval at the company's 43rd annual shareholders' meeting, which is planned for June 2023, and the board meeting which will follow ahead on the 20th anniversary of the merger.{{Cite web |title=Notification of Changes in the Representative Director of the Company and a Consolidated Subsidiary |url=https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/pdf/web_Notification%20of%20Changes%20in%20the%20Representative%20Director%20of%20the%20Company%20and%20a%20Consolidated%20Subsidiary.pdf |website=www.hd.square-enix.com |access-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303085419/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/pdf/web_Notification%20of%20Changes%20in%20the%20Representative%20Director%20of%20the%20Company%20and%20a%20Consolidated%20Subsidiary.pdf |url-status=live }} Kiryu succeeded on May 18 and was seen as part of the Final Fantasy XVI launch event as one of his first appearances in public.{{Cite web |title=Announcement of Executive Appointment {{!}} SQUARE ENIX |url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |archive-date=May 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513075216/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |author1=Rich Stanton |date=2023-06-13 |title=New Square Enix CEO dunks on the teachers who told him to stop playing games: 'They would be very surprised!' |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/new-square-enix-ceo-uses-debut-to-dunk-on-the-teachers-who-told-him-to-stop-playing-games-they-would-be-very-surprised/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615225245/https://www.pcgamer.com/new-square-enix-ceo-uses-debut-to-dunk-on-the-teachers-who-told-him-to-stop-playing-games-they-would-be-very-surprised/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2024, Square Enix announced it would be more selective with the games it develops, resulting in numerous unannounced titles being cancelled. The company lost ¥22.1 billion (approximately $140 million) due to "content abandonment", they are now making the third installment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake their full focus after the release of Rebirth.{{Cite web |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=2024-04-30 |title=Square Enix canceled $140 million-worth of games earlier this year as it looks to be "more selective" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/square-enix-canceled-dollar140-million-worth-of-games-earlier-this-year-as-it-looks-to-be-more-selective/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430111609/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/square-enix-canceled-dollar140-million-worth-of-games-earlier-this-year-as-it-looks-to-be-more-selective/ |url-status=live}}

On October 1, 2008, Square Enix transformed into a holding company and was renamed Square Enix Holdings. At the same time, the development and publishing businesses were transferred to a spin-off company named Square Enix, sharing the same corporate leadership and offices with the holding company.{{Cite web |title=Corporate Profile |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/company/outline.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410051611/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/finance/financial_highlights.html |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |access-date=September 8, 2016 |publisher=Square Enix Holdings}}{{Cite web |script-title=ja:会社概要 |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/j/outline/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514024624/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/j/outline/ |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |access-date=May 10, 2011 |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja}} The primary offices for Square Enix and Square Enix Holdings are in the Shinjuku Eastside Square Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo.{{Cite web |title=Map |url=http://www.square-enix.com/eng/company/access.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307060537/http://www.square-enix.com/eng/company/access.html |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=September 3, 2013 |publisher=Square Enix}}

Currently, focusing in different industries, the company is divided as the following: Five Creative Business Units for game development and production in Square Enix Co., Ltd; a dedicated publishing business unit for manga and books publishing; a digital storefront business division for their e-Store and merchandise production; their media and arts business unit for music production, concert and live performance coordination, and visual contents production (live action, animation, and CG for TV, movies, and games); and a blockchain business division.{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |date=2024 |title=中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224055130/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/ |archive-date=February 24, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=出版事業本部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/pubbu/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226163738/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/pubbu/index.html |archive-date=February 26, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=デジタルビジネス事業本部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/dbbd/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302041316/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/dbbd/index.html |archive-date=March 2, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=メディア・アーツ事業部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/mabd/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119113333/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/mabd/index.html |archive-date=January 19, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=ブロックチェーン・エンタテインメント事業部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/bebd/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228203557/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/bebd/index.html |archive-date=February 28, 2024}}

After the merger in 2003, Square Enix's development department was organized into eight Square and two Enix {{nihongo|Product Development Divisions|開発事業部|kaihatsu jigyōbu}}, each focused on different groupings of games.{{Cite magazine |date=September 20, 2003 |title=スクウェアエニックス、合併後の事業部の様子と開発中ソフト |url=http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nanko/news.cgi?id=2003092011 |magazine=V Jump |publisher=Shueisha Inc. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20031227093329/http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nanko/news.cgi?id=2003092011 |archive-date=December 27, 2003}}{{Cite web |last=Winkler, Chris |year=2003 |title=Square Enix Talks Current Status |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/1934.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031009104611/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/1934.html |archive-date=October 9, 2003 |access-date=August 1, 2007 |website=RPGFan}}{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2003 |title=(TGS)スクエニ第1開発事業部新規タイトル発表会、詳細レポート！ |url=http://dol.dengeki.com/data/news/2003/9/26/7eebeedd61ad754327406658d0626da4.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904034429/http://dol.dengeki.com/data/news/2003/9/26/7eebeedd61ad754327406658d0626da4.html |archive-date=September 4, 2010 |access-date=January 20, 2011 |website=Dengeki Online |publisher=ASCII Media Works Inc. |language=ja}} The divisions were spread around different offices; for example, Product Development Division 5 had offices both in Osaka and Tokyo.

According to Yoichi Wada, the development department was reorganized away from the Product Development Division System by March 2007 into a project-based system.{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2003 |title=29 May 2003 開催スクウェア・エニックス戦略説明会概要 |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/jpn/pdf/explanatory_20030605_01.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212143825/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/jpn/pdf/explanatory_20030605_01.pdf |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2013 |publisher=Square Enix}}{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2007 |title=PS3向けタイトル開発に向けた準備も万全（スクウェア・エニックス 代表取締役社長 和田洋一氏） |work=Nikkei Trendy |url=http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/special/20070528/1000240/?P=5 |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507040451/http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/special/20070528/1000240/?P=5 |archive-date=May 7, 2013}} Until 2013, the teams in charge of the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series were still collectively referred to as the {{nihongo|1st Production Department|第1制作部|dai-ichi seisakubu}}.{{Cite web |last=Gantayat, Anoop |date=December 4, 2011 |title=Square Enix 1st Production Dept. Developing Action RPG For PS3 and Vita |url=http://andriasang.com/comz6n/squenix_ps3_and_vita_arpt/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610202700/http://andriasang.com/comz6n/squenix_ps3_and_vita_arpt/ |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=May 22, 2016 |website=Andraisang}}{{Cite web |last=4Gamer.net |date=January 18, 2011 |script-title=ja:「Final Fantasy XIII-2」が2011年発売予定，「Agito」は「Final Fantasy 零式」と名称変更して2011年夏発売。「Square Enix 1st Production Department Premiere」をTwitterで実況 |url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012012/20110118006/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120204607/http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012012/20110118006/ |archive-date=January 20, 2011 |access-date=January 19, 2011 |language=ja}}{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole, Wesley |date=February 19, 2014 |title=Square Enix 'definitely interested' in bringing future Final Fantasy games to PC |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-19-square-enix-definitely-interested-in-bringing-future-final-fantasy-games-to-pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219125732/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-19-square-enix-definitely-interested-in-bringing-future-final-fantasy-games-to-pc |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2016 |website=Eurogamer}} The 1st Production Department was formed from the fall 2010 combination of Square Enix's Tokyo and Osaka development studios, with Shinji Hashimoto as its corporate executive.{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2011 |title=「Final Fantasy XIII-2」が2011年発売予定，「Agito」は「Final Fantasy 零式」と名称変更して2011年夏発売。「Square Enix 1st Production Department Premiere」をTwitterで実況 |url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012012/20110118006/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120204607/http://www.4gamer.net/games/120/G012012/20110118006/ |archive-date=January 20, 2011 |access-date=January 19, 2011 |website=4Gamer.net |publisher=Aetas, Inc. |language=ja}}

In December 2013, Square Enix's development was restructured into 12 Business Divisions. In 2017, Business Division 9 was merged into Business Division 8, while Business Divisions 11 and 12 merged to become the new Business Division 9, while a new Business Division 11 was created with some staff from Business Division 6.{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2018 |title=Is Square Enix teasing Bravely Default 3? |url=https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/square-enix-teasing-bravely-default-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406202750/https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/square-enix-teasing-bravely-default-3/ |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=April 6, 2020}}{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2013 |title=『ライトニング リターンズ ファイナルファンタジーXIII』開発者・宣伝担当インタビュー |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201312/28045984.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622095225/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201312/28045984.html |archive-date=June 22, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2016 |publisher=Famitsu.com}}{{Cite web |date=December 2016 |title=第8–12ビジネス・ディビジョン |url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/group/8-12bd/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220203959/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/group/8-12bd/ |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |publisher=Square Enix}}

In 2019, Square Enix announced that their eleven Business Divisions would be consolidated into four units by 2020 with a new title, Creative Business Unit.{{Cite web |title=Square Enix consolidating its business divisions |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-02-19-square-enix-consolidating-its-business-divisions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824054319/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-02-19-square-enix-consolidating-its-business-divisions |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=February 19, 2019 }} Naoki Yoshida, who was previously the head of Business Division 5, became the head of Creative Business Unit III.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |title=Final Fantasy VII Remake project lead now co-director; Naoki Yoshida division developing large-scale next-gen project |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/04/final-fantasy-vii-remake-project-lead-now-co-director-naoki-yoshida-division-developing-large-scale-next-gen-project |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401083216/https://gematsu.com/2019/04/final-fantasy-vii-remake-project-lead-now-co-director-naoki-yoshida-division-developing-large-scale-next-gen-project |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |access-date=April 1, 2019 |website=Gematsu|date=April 2019 }} Creative Business Unit III was renamed Creative Studio III in May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Adam |first=Khayl |date=2024-05-17 |title=Square Enix Bestows New Name on Creative Business Unit 3 |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/05/square-enix-bestows-new-name-on-creative-business-unit-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517041639/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/05/square-enix-bestows-new-name-on-creative-business-unit-3 |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Bueno |first=Daniel |date=2024-05-17 |title=Creative Business Unit III Name and Naoki Yoshida Job Title Changed |url=https://www.siliconera.com/creative-business-unit-iii-name-and-naoki-yoshida-job-title-changed/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502012521/https://www.siliconera.com/creative-business-unit-iii-name-and-naoki-yoshida-job-title-changed/ |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024|website=Siliconera |language=en}} The current structure for the development and production division called Creative Business Unit is as follows:{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2019 |title=Square Enix's development restructure sees Yoshinori Kitase overseeing majority of FF series |url=https://www.finalfantasyunion.com/news/4104/square-enixs-development-restructure-sees-yoshinori-kitase-overseeing-majority-of-ff-series/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406202751/https://www.finalfantasyunion.com/news/4104/square-enixs-development-restructure-sees-yoshinori-kitase-overseeing-majority-of-ff-series/ |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=April 6, 2020 |website=Final Fantasy Union}}{{cite web |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/en/officer/ |title=Executive Biographies: Board of Directors |publisher=Square Enix |access-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807105140/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/en/officer/ |url-status=live }}

{{anchor|Creative Business Unit}}

• Creative Business Unit I is led by Yoshinori Kitase, who was the head of Business Division 1 and focuses on Final Fantasy single-player titles and some of its spin-offs, SaGa and Kingdom Hearts series. The department comprises the former Business Division 1 (Mainline single-player Final Fantasy such as Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy VII Remake), Business Division 3 (Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy spin-offs, The World Ends with You, SaGa series), and Business Division 4 (Final Fantasy spin-offs produced with external companies, e.g., Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Record Keeper). Currently, the titles developed internally by the group are SaGa: Emerald Beyond and Kingdom Hearts IV, outside of titles overseen and produced by the division and developed by contracted studios.{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=第一開発事業本部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/1bu/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103104157/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/1bu/index.html |archive-date=January 3, 2024}}
• Creative Business Unit II is led by Yuu Miyake, who was the head of Business Division 6 and focuses on the Dragon Quest, Nier, Octopath Traveler and Bravely series, as well as arcade games. The department comprises the former Business Division 6 (Dragon Quest series, Nier series), Business Division 7 (Lord of Vermilion, Gunslinger Stratos) and Business Division 11 aka "Team Asano" (Bravely series, Octopath Traveler series); since 2023, it also comprises employees from the defunct Luminous Productions (Forspoken), a Square Enix subsidiary made of employees from the former Business Division 2 (Final Fantasy XV).{{Cite web |title=セッション一覧 |url=https://cedec.cesa.or.jp/2023/session |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=CEDEC2023 |language=ja |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601205753/https://cedec.cesa.or.jp/2023/session |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=第二開発事業本部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/2bu/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107131204/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/2bu/index.html |archive-date=January 7, 2024}} Currently, the known title developed internally by the group is Dragon Quest XII, outside of titles overseen and produced by the division and developed by contracted studios.
• Creative Studio III is led by Naoki Yoshida, who was the head of Business Division 5 and focused primarily on MMORPGs. It expanded into single-player titles in 2023 with Final Fantasy XVI. It mainly comprises the former Business Division 5 (Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIV, Dragon Quest Builders series).{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=第三開発事業本部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/3bu/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107131204/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/3bu/index.html |archive-date=January 7, 2024}}
• Creative Business Unit IV is led by Kei Hirono and focuses primarily in the Mana series along with co-development and production of remasters, ports and mobile titles such as Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. It comprises the former Business Division 8 (Mana series, along with remasters and ports of different franchises).{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=SQUARE ENIX CO |title=第四開発事業本部・第五開発事業本部 {{!}} 中途採用 SQUARE ENIX -RECRUITING- |url=https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/4bu/index.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.jp.square-enix.com |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203205026/https://www.jp.square-enix.com/recruit/career/bu-bd/4bu/index.html |archive-date=February 3, 2023}}
• Creative Business Unit V is led by Kei Hirono and focuses on Million Arthur, Schoolgirl Strikers and Grimms Notes series, alongside mobile titles. It comprises the former Business Division 9 (Schoolgirl Strikers, Grimms Notes), and Business Division 10 (Million Arthur series, Chaos Rings series).

In those five divisions, most of the development is done outside of Square Enix under contracted development companies, while Creative Business Unit produces and oversee the title done by those developers. All of the internal development done by Creative Business Units are for titles such as mainline Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, while their mid-size and smaller titles have the development outsourced to other companies for most of the cases such as "Team Asano" led by Tomoya Asano, a team of producers from Creative Business II who had Artdink and Netchubiyori developing Triangle Strategy or Historia developing the remake of Live A Live, while the team was mainly present to oversee, produce, concept, while the studios do the bulk of the project under their direction.{{Cite web |last=Nelva |first= Giuseppe |date=May 26, 2017 |title=Square Enix Intends to Develop Major Franchises in-House and Outsource Mid-Size Games|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/square-enix-intends-develop-major-franchises-house-outsource-mid-size-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527125502/https://www.dualshockers.com/square-enix-intends-develop-major-franchises-house-outsource-mid-size-games/ |archive-date=May 27, 2017 |access-date=May 27, 2017 |website=DualShockers}}

{{See also|Localization of Square Enix video games}}

The business model of post-merger Square Enix is centered on the idea of "polymorphic content", which consists of developing franchises on multiple potential media rather than being restricted by a single gaming platform.{{Cite web |last=Fahey, Rob |date=July 16, 2004 |title=Square Peg, European Hole |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_squareenix_july04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605031932/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_squareenix_july04 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |access-date=May 13, 2016 |website=Eurogamer}}{{Cite web|last=Tochen|first=Dan|date=May 17, 2005|title=Square Enix sticks to its strengths|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-sticks-to-its-strengths/1100-6124957/|access-date=2021-08-29|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829200605/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-sticks-to-its-strengths/1100-6124957/|url-status=live}} An early example of this strategy is Enix's Fullmetal Alchemist manga series, which has been adapted into two anime television series, five movies (two animated, three live-action), and several novels and video games.Fullmetal Alchemist adaptation information:

• TV Series ending: {{cite news | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-06/fma-irie-confirms-animating-manga-end-in-2-months | title=FMA's Irie Confirms Animating Manga's End in 2 Months | work=Anime News Network | date=May 6, 2010 | access-date=May 7, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509094811/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-06/fma-irie-confirms-animating-manga-end-in-2-months | archive-date=May 9, 2010 | url-status=live }}
• TV Series announced: {{cite news |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-20/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-anime-series-confirmed |title=New Fullmetal Alchemist TV Anime Series Confirmed |work=Anime News Network |date=August 20, 2008 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821122420/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-20/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-anime-series-confirmed |archive-date=August 21, 2008 |url-status=live }}
• Manga UK: {{cite news |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-09/manga-uk-adds-new-fullmetal-alchemist-sengoku-basara |title=Manga UK Adds New Fullmetal Alchemist, Sengoku Basara |work=Anime News Network |date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210211147/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-09/manga-uk-adds-new-fullmetal-alchemist-sengoku-basara |archive-date=February 10, 2010 |url-status=live }}
• Japanese Box Office: {{cite news | title=Japanese Box Office | work=Anime News Network | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-27/japanese-box-office | date=July 27, 2005 | access-date=April 2, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411100722/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-27/japanese-box-office | archive-date=April 11, 2009 | url-status=live }}
• Brotherhood Movie: {{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-11-14/fullmetal-alchemist/brotherhood-film-teaser-streamed|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Movie Teaser Streamed|work=Anime News Network|date=November 14, 2010|access-date=November 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116083611/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-11-14/fullmetal-alchemist/brotherhood-film-teaser-streamed|archive-date=November 16, 2010|url-status=live}}
• Japanese novels: {{Cite web |script-title=ja:原作/荒川 弘 著者/井上 真 |url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305051659/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/ |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |access-date=April 11, 2008 |publisher=Square Enix |language=ja}}
• DS: {{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/fullmetalalchemistds/news.html?sid=6120244|title=Fullmetal Alchemist DS-bound|website=GameSpot|access-date=September 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930175532/http://uk.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/fullmetalalchemistds/news.html?sid=6120244|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}
• Video games: {{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/hagaren/1st/game/index.html|title=Fullmetal Alchemist video games|language=ja|publisher=Sony|access-date=August 5, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424043131/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/hagaren/1st/game/index.html|archive-date=April 24, 2013}} Other polymorphic projects include the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, Code Age, World of Mana, Ivalice Alliance, and Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy subseries.{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2007 |title=2007 Profile |url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/common/images/sqex_07profile_e.pdf#page=6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009082117/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/common/images/sqex_07profile_e.pdf#page=6 |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=May 19, 2016 |website=Square Enix}} According to Yoichi Wada, "It's very difficult to hit the jackpot, as it were. Once we've hit it, we have to get all the juice possible out of it".{{Cite web |last=Welsh, Oli |date=January 15, 2008 |title=Square Dance |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/square-dance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200051/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/square-dance |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=May 13, 2016 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}} Similar to Sony's Greatest Hits program, Square Enix also re-releases their best-selling games at a reduced price under a label designated "Ultimate Hits".{{Cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=July 1, 2005 |title=SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES ULTIMATE HITS COLLECTION |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/01/square-enix-announces-ultimate-hits-collection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610102015/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/01/square-enix-announces-ultimate-hits-collection |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=May 12, 2016 |website=IGN}}

The standard game design model Square Enix employs is to establish the plot, characters, and art of the game first. Battle systems, field maps, and cutscenes are created next. According to Taku Murata, this process became the company's model for development after the success of Square's Final Fantasy VII in 1997.{{Cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2008 |title=How WiiWare Changed Square Enix |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/02/how-final-fanta/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629020331/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/02/how-final-fanta/ |archive-date=June 29, 2011}} The team size for Final Fantasy XIII peaked at 180 artists, 30 programmers, and 36 game designers, but analysis and restructuring were done to outsource large-scale development in the future.{{Cite web |last=Sheffield |first=Brandon |date=June 27, 2012 |title=Square Enix to avoid large-scale internal development after Final Fantasy XIII-2 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/173093/Square_Enix_to_avoid_largescale_internal_development_after_Final_Fantasy_XIII2.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416223232/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/173093/Square_Enix_to_avoid_largescale_internal_development_after_Final_Fantasy_XIII2.php |archive-date=April 16, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2016 |website=Gamasutra}}

{{Main|List of Square Enix video games|List of Square Enix Europe games|List of Square Enix mobile games|List of Taito games|List of Square Enix video game franchises}}

Square Enix's primary concentration is on video gaming, and it is primarily known for its role-playing video game franchises.{{Cite news |last=Bertschy, Zac |date=August 3, 2008 |title=Interview: Square Enix's National Manager of Merchandise, Kanji Tashiro |work=Anime News Network |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2008-08-03/square-enix-national-manager-of-merchandise-kanji-tashiro |url-status=live |access-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805125234/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2008-08-03/square-enix-national-manager-of-merchandise-kanji-tashiro |archive-date=August 5, 2008}} Of its properties, the Final Fantasy franchise, begun in 1987, is the best-selling, with a total worldwide sales of over 173 million units as of March 2022. The Dragon Quest franchise, begun in 1986, is also the best-selling; it is considered one of the most popular game series in Japan and new installments regularly outsell other games at the times of their release, with a total worldwide sale of over 85 million units. More recently, the Kingdom Hearts series (developed in collaboration with Disney beginning in 2002) has become popular, with 36 million units shipped as of March 2022. Other popular series developed by Square Enix include the SaGa series with nearly 10 million copies sold since 1989, the Mana series with over 6 million sales since 1991, and the Chrono series with over 5 million sold since 1995.{{Cite web |title=Square Enix franchises and businesses |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629183514/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/ |archive-date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=September 22, 2015 |publisher=Square Enix}} In addition to their sales numbers, many Square Enix games have been highly reviewed; 27 Square Enix games were included in Famitsu magazine's 2006 "Top 100 Games Ever", with 7 in the top 10 and Final Fantasy X claiming the number 1 position.{{Cite web |last=Wollenschlaeger, Alex |date=March 6, 2006 |title=Japan Picks the Best Games Ever |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200603/020.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009175019/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200603/020.asp |archive-date=October 9, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2007 |website=Kikizo}} The company also won IGN's award for Best Developer of 2006 for the PlayStation 2.{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=IGN presents Best of 2006 |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/38.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618042620/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/38.html |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |website=IGN}}

Square and Enix initially targeted Nintendo home consoles with their games, but Square Enix currently develops games for a wide variety of systems.{{Cite web |title=Corporate History – 1975 – 2002 |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/e/history/page2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213145200/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/company/e/history/page2.html |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |publisher=Square Enix}} In the seventh generation of video game consoles, Square Enix released new installments from its major series across all three major systems, including Final Fantasy XIII on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and Dragon Quest X on the Wii.{{Cite web |last=Shreier, Jason |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Final Fantasy XIII Is Coming To PC |url=http://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-xiii-is-coming-to-pc-1636365421 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918171021/http://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-xiii-is-coming-to-pc-1636365421 |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=September 18, 2014 |website=Kotaku}}{{Cite web |last=Agnello |first=Anthony John |date=April 26, 2012 |title=Dragon Quest X begins the unusual transition from Wii to Wii U in Japan this August |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/dragon-quest-x-begins-the-unusual-transition-from-wii-to-wii-u-in-japan-this-august/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121111151/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/dragon-quest-x-begins-the-unusual-transition-from-wii-to-wii-u-in-japan-this-august/ |archive-date=November 21, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2012 |publisher=Digital Trends}}{{Cite web |last=Gann |first=Patrick |date=December 12, 2009 |title=Sayuri Sugawara – Because You're Here |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff13-single/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230091447/http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff13-single/index.html |archive-date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2010 |publisher=RPGFan}} Square Enix has also developed titles for handheld game consoles, including the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation Vita.{{Cite web |title=Square Enix Game List |url=http://www.ign.com/companies/square-enix |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905095647/http://www.ign.com/companies/square-enix |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=May 22, 2016 |website=IGN}} Also, they have published games for Microsoft Windows-based personal computers and various models of mobile phones and modern smartphones.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2009 |title=2015 Annual Report |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/ar_2015en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106012438/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/ar_2015en.pdf |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |publisher=Square Enix}} Square Enix mobile phone games became available in 2004 on the Vodafone network in some European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.{{Cite web |last=Jenkins, David |date=July 8, 2004 |title=Square Enix Sign Euro Mobile Deal |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/square-enix-sign-euro-mobile-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921051527/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/94964/Square_Enix_Sign_Euro_Mobile_Deal.php |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016 |website=Gamasutra}}

Before its launch, Michihiro Sasaki, senior vice president of Square Enix, spoke about the PlayStation 3, saying, "We don't want the PlayStation 3 to be the overwhelming loser, so we want to support them, but we don't want them to be the overwhelming winner either, so we can't support them too much."{{Cite web |last=Sinclair, Brian |year=2006 |title=Square Enix wants a three-way race |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasy13/news.html?sid=6158660 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070122221405/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasy13/news.html?sid=6158660 |archive-date=January 22, 2007 |access-date=August 1, 2007 |website=GameSpot}} Square Enix continued to reiterate their devotion to multi-platform publishing in 2007, promising more support for the North American and European gaming markets where console pluralism is generally more prevalent than in Japan.{{Cite web |last=Berti, Matt |year=2007 |title=Square Enix to devote more attention to U.S., European markets |url=http://squarehaven.com/news/2007/09/25/Square-Enix-to-devote-more-attention-to-US-European-markets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011100351/http://squarehaven.com/news/2007/09/25/Square-Enix-to-devote-more-attention-to-US-European-markets/ |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=September 25, 2007 |website=SquareHaven}} Their interest in multi-platform development was made evident in 2008 when the previously PlayStation 3-exclusive game Final Fantasy XIII was announced for release on the Xbox 360.{{Cite web |last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |date=March 5, 2010 |title=Digital Foundry: Face-Off: Final Fantasy XIII |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-final-fantasy-xiii-face-off |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508172955/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-final-fantasy-xiii-face-off |archive-date=May 8, 2011 |access-date=March 5, 2010 |website=Eurogamer}}

In 2008, Square Enix released their first game for the iPod, Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes.{{Cite web |last=Bailey, Kat |date=July 7, 2008 |title=Square's First iPod Game Uses Music to Fight |url=http://www.1up.com/news/square-ipod-game-music-fight |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616202526/http://www.1up.com/news/square-ipod-game-music-fight |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2016 |website=1UP.com}} Square Enix made a new brand for younger children gaming that same year, known as Pure Dreams. Pure Dreams' first two games, Snoopy DS: Let's Go Meet Snoopy and His Friends! and Pingu's Wonderful Carnival, were released that year.{{Cite web |last=JC Fletcher |date=August 1, 2008 |title=Square Enix launches new label casual, family-oriented games. |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/square-enix-launches-new-label-for-nontraditional-gamers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128065135/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/square-enix-launches-new-label-for-nontraditional-gamers/ |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |access-date=January 24, 2013 |publisher=joystiq}} After acquiring Eidos in 2009, Square Enix combined it with its European publishing wing to create Square Enix Europe, which continues to publish Eidos franchises such as Tomb Raider (88 million sales), Deus Ex (4 million), Thief and Legacy of Kain (3.5 million).{{Cite web |last=Burnes |first=Andrew |date=April 23, 2009 |title=Eidos & Square Enix Sales Figures Revealed |url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/46400/Eidos-Square-Enix-Sales-Figures-Revealed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427222317/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/46400/Eidos-Square-Enix-Sales-Figures-Revealed |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2011 |website=Voodoo Extreme |url-status=dead |publisher=IGN}}{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2011 |title=Deus Ex: Human Revolution sells 2.18 million |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-04-deus-ex-human-revolution-sells-2-18-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923060008/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-04-deus-ex-human-revolution-sells-2-18-million |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=November 7, 2011 |website=Eurogamer}}{{cite web |title="SQUARE ENIX REVEALS OUTRIDERS WORLDSLAYER" – Square Enix North America Press Hub |url=https://press.na.square-enix.com/SQUARE-ENIX-REVEALS-OUTRIDERS-WORLDSLAYER |website=press.na.square-enix.com |access-date=29 April 2022 |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422173548/https://press.na.square-enix.com/SQUARE-ENIX-REVEALS-OUTRIDERS-WORLDSLAYER |url-status=live }} Square Enix has also served as the Japanese publisher for Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft games since 2009.{{Cite web |last=Fahey, Mike |date=January 8, 2009 |title=Square Enix To Deliver Ubisoft Games To Japan |url=http://kotaku.com/5126173/square-enix-to-deliver-ubisoft-games-to-japan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233307/http://kotaku.com/5126173/square-enix-to-deliver-ubisoft-games-to-japan |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=May 15, 2016 |website=Kotaku}} In May 2022, Square Enix sold several assets of Square Enix Europe {{USD|300 million|long=no}} to Embracer Group, including former Eidos Interactive franchises such as Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, Legacy of Kain and more than 50 others.{{cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2 May 2022 |title=Embracer Group Enters Agreement to Acquire Eidos, Crystal Dynamics, and Square Enix Montreal for $300 Million |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/embracer-group-enters-agreement-to-acquire-eidos-crystal-dynamics-square-enix-montreal-and-more-tomb-raider-deus-ex |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503103040/https://www.ign.com/articles/embracer-group-enters-agreement-to-acquire-eidos-crystal-dynamics-square-enix-montreal-and-more-tomb-raider-deus-ex |archive-date=3 May 2022 |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=IGN}}

Square Enix owned franchises and games include:

• former Square franchises, such as Mana;
• former Enix franchises, such as Star Ocean;
• Square Enix created franchises, such as Drakengard;
• Taito franchises, such as Space Invaders;
• Quest franchises, such as Ogre;
• Retained former Eidos Interactive franchise Just Cause;
• Square Enix America created games, such as Quantum Conundrum, Motley Blocks;
• Square Enix Europe created franchises, such as Life Is Strange.

In 2004, Square Enix began to work on a "common 3D format" that would allow the entire company to develop titles without being restricted to a specific platform: this led to the creation of a game engine named Crystal Tools, which is compatible with the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360, Windows-based PCs, and to some extent the Wii.{{Cite web |last=Nakamura, Seiji |date=February 25, 2008 |title=スクエニ村田琢氏、「ホワイトエンジン」改め「Crystal Tools」を正式発表 「The Technology of FINAL FANTASY」、質疑応答も全文収録!! |url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20080225/gdc_cry.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524182719/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20080225/gdc_cry.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=December 7, 2013 |publisher=Game Watch}}{{Cite web |title=GDC08: Square Enix unveils Crystal Tools engine |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-square-enix-unveils-crystal-tools-engine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128151342/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-square-enix-unveils-crystal-tools-engine/ |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |website=Engadget}} It was first shown off at a tech demo shown off at E3 2005 and was later used for Final Fantasy XIII based on the demo's reception.{{Cite web |last=Cook, Dave |date=October 3, 2012 |title=Final Fantasy anniversary interview: Toriyama speaks |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/03/final-fantasy-anniversary-interview-toryiama-speaks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410110032/http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/03/final-fantasy-anniversary-interview-toryiama-speaks/ |archive-date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2012 |website=VG247}}{{Cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=November 8, 2006 |title=Final Fantasy XIII Update |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/11/08/final-fantasy-xiii-update-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227025201/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/744/744822p1.html |archive-date=December 27, 2007 |access-date=November 10, 2006 |website=IGN}} Crystal Tools was also used for Final Fantasy Versus XIII before its re-branding as Final Fantasy XV and its shift onto next-gen platforms.{{Cite web |last=Gantayat, Anoop |date=September 21, 2011 |title=Why is Final Fantasy Versus XIII Using the Luminous Engine? |url=http://andriasang.com/comy9x/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713055351/http://andriasang.com/comy9x/ |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=Andriasang}} Refinement of the engine continued through the development of Final Fantasy XIII-2, and it underwent a major overhaul for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.{{Cite web |last=Leo, Jon |date=June 14, 2011 |title=Final Fantasy XIII-2 Q&A: Yoshinori Kitase and Motomu Toriyama |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-xiii-2-qanda-yoshinori-kitase-and-motomu-toriyama/1100-6319278/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321143330/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-xiii-2-qanda-yoshinori-kitase-and-motomu-toriyama/1100-6319278/ |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |access-date=December 7, 2013 |website=GameSpot}}{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2013 |title=【E3 2013】2013年はいろいろな形で「FF」を盛り上げたい―「ファイナルファンタジー」シリーズを手がける北瀬佳範氏、鳥山求氏にインタビュー |url=http://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/201306130063/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719102354/http://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/201306130063 |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=December 7, 2013 |publisher=Gamer}} Since that release, no new titles have been announced using Crystal Tools, and it is believed that the development of the engine has halted permanently.{{Cite web |last=Heemsbergen, Derek |date=November 2, 2014 |title=Review – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Lightning_Returns_Final_Fantasy_XIII/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223030551/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Lightning_Returns_Final_Fantasy_XIII/index.html |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |publisher=RPGFan}}

Luminous Engine was originally intended for eighth-generation consoles and unveiled at E3 2012 through a tech demo titled Agni's Philosophy.{{Cite web |last=Chan, Leo |date=August 26, 2011 |title=Square Enix shines light on new in-house HD game engine |url=http://www.neoseeker.com/news/17247-square-enix-shines-light-on-new-in-house-hd-game-engine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502103405/https://www.neoseeker.com/news/17247-square-enix-shines-light-on-new-in-house-hd-game-engine/ |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |publisher=Neoseeker}}{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2013 |title=Agni's Philosophy – FINAL FANTASY REALTIME TECH DEMO |url=http://www.agnisphilosophy.com/en/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607114757/http://www.agnisphilosophy.com/en/index.html |archive-date=June 7, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2012}}{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2012 |title=Square Enix Releases AGNI'S PHILOSOPHY, A Real Time Tech Demo [VIDEO] |url=http://zoknowsgaming.com/2012/06/06/square-enix-releases-agnis-philosophy-real-time-tech-demo-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608021249/http://zoknowsgaming.com/2012/06/06/square-enix-releases-agnis-philosophy-real-time-tech-demo-video/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2016 |publisher=Zoknowsgaming}} The first major console title to be developed with Luminous Engine was Final Fantasy XV; the engine's development was done in tandem with the game, and the game's development helped the programming team optimize the engine.{{Cite magazine |date=June 20, 2013 |title=今週のスクープ ファイナルファンタジーXV |magazine=Weekly Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |issue=1281 |pages=11ff}}

In addition to Luminous Engine and custom engines made for individual games and platforms before and since Square Enix often uses other companies' engines and programming languages for their video game properties. Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 was used for games such as The Last Remnant, and more recently, Unreal Engine 4 has been used for projects including Dragon Quest XI, Kingdom Hearts III, and the most recent Final Fantasy VII Remake. Unity has also been used internally for titles including I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear, and SaGa: Scarlet Grace. The Squirrel language had also been used for the WiiWare title Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.{{Cite web |last=Boyer, Brandon |title=Gamasutra – GDC 2008 Event Coverage |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/gdc2008/index.php?id=17560 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227085908/http://www.gamasutra.com/gdc2008/index.php?id=17560 |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |website=Gamasutra}}{{Cite web |last=Tomer |year=2007 |title=Square Enix Acquires Unreal Engine 3 License |url=http://www.forever-fantasy.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=147&mode=&order=0&thold=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927081751/http://www.forever-fantasy.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=147&mode=&order=0&thold=0 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=January 25, 2007 |website=Forever Fantasy}}

Before the merger, Enix published its first online game Cross Gate in Japan, mainland China, and Taiwan in 2001, and Square released Final Fantasy XI in Japan in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and later the personal computer.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2008 |title=Gamers Meet Square Enix for Free in Concerto Gate |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/01/gamers-meet-square-enix-for-free-in-concerto-gate |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109065739/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/01/gamers-meet-square-enix-for-free-in-concerto-gate |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Thorsen, Tor |date=April 17, 2006 |title=Shippin' Out 4/17-4/21: Final Fantasy XI Online, Brain Age |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/shippin-out-4-17-4-21-final-fantasy-xi-online-brain-age-6147765 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106043846/http://www.gamespot.com/news/shippin-out-4-17-4-21-final-fantasy-xi-online-brain-age-6147765 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=December 20, 2006 |website=GameSpot}} With the huge success of Final Fantasy XI, the game was ported to the Xbox 360 two years later and was the first MMORPG on the console.{{Cite web |title=The Most Profitable Final Fantasy of All-Time is... |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/06/24/the-most-profitable-final-fantasy-of-all-time-is |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114023400/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/06/24/the-most-profitable-final-fantasy-of-all-time-is |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2012 |website=IGN|date=June 24, 2012 }} All versions of the game used PlayOnline, a cross-platform internet gaming platform and internet service developed by Square Enix.{{Cite web |last=Gabe Wollenburg |title=Square Announces Pay-Online Play Online |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2000/071800a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202144831/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q3-2000/071800a.html |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |access-date=March 3, 2013 |website=RPGamer}} The platform was used as the online service for many games Square Enix developed and published throughout the decade.{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2005 |title='Final Fantasy XI' under attack |url=http://news.cnet.com/Final-Fantasy-XI-under-attack/2100-1043_3-5675514.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211155801/http://news.cnet.com/Final-Fantasy-XI-under-attack/2100-1043_3-5675514.html |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2013 |publisher=CNET}} Due to the success of their MMORPG, Square Enix began a new project called Fantasy Earth: The Ring of Dominion.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2004 |title=Square Enix developing new MMORPG |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-developing-new-mmorpg/1100-6107531/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525221431/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-developing-new-mmorpg/1100-6107531/ |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016 |website=GameSpot}} GamePot, a Japanese game portal, received the license to publish Fantasy Earth in Japan, and it was released in Japan as "Fantasy Earth ZERO".{{Cite web |last=Lefebvre, Eliot |date=January 14, 2010 |title=Gamepot Partners with Square-Enix for Fantasy Earth Zero |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/01/14/gamepot-partners-with-square-enix-for-fantasy-earth-zero/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609214446/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/14/gamepot-partners-with-square-enix-for-fantasy-earth-zero/ |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2016 |website=Engadget}} In 2006, however, Square Enix dropped the Fantasy Earth Zero project and sold it to GamePot. Square Enix released Concerto Gate, the sequel to Cross Gate, in 2007.{{Cite web |last=Spencer |date=January 24, 2007 |title=Introducing Square-Enix's new online game: Concerto Gate |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2007/01/24/introducing-square-enixs-new-online-game-concerto-gate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525221431/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-developing-new-mmorpg/1100-6107531/ |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=March 28, 2013 |publisher=Siliconera}}

A next-gen MMORPG code named Rapture was developed by the Final Fantasy XI team using the company's Crystal Tools engine.{{Cite magazine |last=Juba, Joe |date=March 10, 2010 |title=The Making of Final Fantasy XIII |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/10/the-making-of-final-fantasy-xiii.aspx |url-status=live |magazine=Game Informer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224045329/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/10/the-making-of-final-fantasy-xiii.aspx |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=December 7, 2013}} It was unveiled at E3 2009 as Final Fantasy XIV for PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows and would be released on September 30, 2010.{{Cite web |last=Tong, Sophia |date=June 3, 2009 |title=Square Enix 'considering' FFXIV Online for 'Microsoft hardware' |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/square-enix-considering-ffxiv-online-for-microsoft-hardware-6210518 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002234318/http://www.gamespot.com/news/square-enix-considering-ffxiv-online-for-microsoft-hardware-6210518 |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=March 1, 2013 |website=GameSpot}} Dragon Quest X was announced in September 2011 as an MMORPG being developed for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U consoles, which released on August 2, 2012, and March 30, 2013, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Brown, Nathan |title=Square Enix to launch Dragon Quest X for Wii U |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/dragon-quest-x-confirmed-wii-u |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527150732/http://www.edge-online.com/news/dragon-quest-x-confirmed-wii-u |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2011 |publisher=EDGE Online}} Like XIV, it used Crystal Tools.{{Cite web |last=Ould Braham, Idir Alexander |date=July 14, 2012 |title=Notre interview vidéo exclusive de Julien Merceron |url=http://www.ffdream.com/news-13855.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214023934/http://ffdream.com/news-13855.html |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=December 7, 2013 |publisher=FFDream.com}}

Square Enix also made browser games and Facebook games, like Legend World, Chocobo's Crystal Tower and Knights of the Crystals, and online games for Yahoo! Japan, such as Monster x Dragon, Sengoku Ixa, Bravely Default: Praying Brage, Star Galaxy, and Crystal Conquest.{{Cite web |title=Chocobo's Crystal Tower |url=http://pc.ign.com/objects/101/101561.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817173835/http://pc.ign.com/objects/101/101561.html |archive-date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |title=Knights of the Crystals |url=http://www.gamespot.com/webonly/rpg/knightsofthecrystals/tech_info.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817173952/http://www.gamespot.com/webonly/rpg/knightsofthecrystals/tech_info.html |archive-date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |website=GameSpot}}{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft, Brian |date=October 6, 2011 |title=It's Square Enix x Yahoo! Monster x Dragon |url=http://kotaku.com/5847222/its-square-enix-x-yahoo-monster-x-dragon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603022824/http://kotaku.com/5847222/its-square-enix-x-yahoo-monster-x-dragon |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=May 13, 2016 |website=Kotaku}}{{Cite web |last=Spencer |date=March 30, 2012 |title=Crystal Conquest Is A Massively Multiplayer Strategy Game… With Summon Monsters |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/03/30/crystal-conquest-is-a-massively-multiplayer-strategy-game-with-summon-monsters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513233145/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/03/30/crystal-conquest-is-a-massively-multiplayer-strategy-game-with-summon-monsters/ |archive-date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |website=Siliconera}}

In 2013, Dragon Quest X was brought to iOS and Android in Japan using NTT DoCoMo as the release platform and Ubitus for the streaming technology.{{Cite web|last=North|first=Dale|date=2013-09-30|title=Dragon Quest X is coming to iOS and Android|url=https://www.destructoid.com/dragon-quest-x-is-coming-to-ios-and-android/|access-date=2021-10-06|website=Destructoid|language=en-CA|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006175901/https://www.destructoid.com/dragon-quest-x-is-coming-to-ios-and-android/|url-status=live}} In 2014, it was also brought to 3DS in Japan using Ubitus.{{Cite web|last=Pereira|first=Chris|date=2014-07-08|title=Dragon Quest X Uses Streaming Tech to Come to 3DS in Japan|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-quest-x-uses-streaming-tech-to-come-to-3ds-/1100-6420972/|access-date=2021-10-06|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=July 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709230859/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-quest-x-uses-streaming-tech-to-come-to-3ds-/1100-6420972/|url-status=live}}

On May 8, 2012, Square Enix announced a collaboration with Bigpoint Games to create a free-to-play Cloud gaming platform that "throws players into 'limitless game worlds' directly through their web browser".{{Cite web |last=Rose, Mike |date=May 8, 2012 |title=Square Enix, Bigpoint partner for player-powered Gameglobe |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/square-enix-bigpoint-partner-for-player-powered-i-gameglobe-i- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205848/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/169863/Square_Enix_Bigpoint_partner_for_playerpowered_Gameglobe.php |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=May 15, 2016 |website=Gamasutra}} The service was launched under the name CoreOnline in August 2012.{{Cite news |last=Lee, Dave |date=August 29, 2012 |title=Square Enix's CoreOnline makes console games 'free' online |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19409211 |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310150122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19409211 |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=August 29, 2012 |title=Goodbye, OnLive. Hello, Square Enix. Core Online service brings high-def games to browsers |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/08/29/square-enixs-core-online-service-lets-you-play-high-definition-games-in-your-browser/ |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=VentureBeat |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810223703/https://venturebeat.com/2012/08/29/square-enixs-core-online-service-lets-you-play-high-definition-games-in-your-browser/ |url-status=live }} Stating "limited commercial take-up", the service was cancelled on November 29, 2013.{{Cite web |last=Handrahan, Matthew |date=January 17, 2014 |title=Square Enix shutters CoreOnline |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-17-square-enix-shutters-coreonline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921070205/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-17-square-enix-shutters-coreonline |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2016 |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz}}

In September 2014, a cloud gaming company called Shinra Technologies (previously Project Flare{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=September 19, 2014 |title=Final Fantasy creator Square Enix unveils Shinra Technologies to make 'revolutionary' cloud game tech |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/09/18/final-fantasy-creator-square-enix-creates-shinra-technologies-to-develop-revolutionary-cloud-gaming-technology/ |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=VentureBeat |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111191721/http://venturebeat.com/2014/09/18/final-fantasy-creator-square-enix-creates-shinra-technologies-to-develop-revolutionary-cloud-gaming-technology/ |url-status=live }}) was created; however, it was closed in January 2016. On October 9, 2014, Square Enix launched another online game service in Japan called Dive In, which allowed players to stream console games to their iOS or Android devices.{{Cite web |last=Eisenbeis, Richard |date=September 19, 2014 |title=Hands On with Square Enix's New Streaming Service |url=http://kotaku.com/hands-on-with-square-enixs-new-streaming-service-1636704722 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602122201/http://kotaku.com/hands-on-with-square-enixs-new-streaming-service-1636704722 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=May 11, 2016 |website=Kotaku}} The service was monetized by the amount of time the players spent playing, with each game offered for free for thirty minutes.{{Cite news |last=Alvarez, Edgar |date=August 14, 2015 |title=Square Enix is killing its game-streaming service in Japan |work=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/14/square-enix-dive-in-dead/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602211106/http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/14/square-enix-dive-in-dead/ |archive-date=June 2, 2016}} The service was cancelled on September 13, 2015. Some Square Enix games are available in Japan on the G-cluster streaming service.{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2013 |title=Final Fantasy VII Streaming On Cloud Gaming Services In Japan |url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-streaming-cloud-gaming-services-japan/ |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=Siliconera |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924205228/https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-vii-streaming-cloud-gaming-services-japan/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=SQUARE ENIX in G-cluster App |url=https://gcluster.jp/app/sqex/index.html |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=gcluster.jp |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926114513/https://gcluster.jp/app/sqex/index.html |url-status=live }}

With the merger of Taito businesses into Square Enix, the company gained possession of Taito's arcade infrastructure and facilities and entered the arcade market in 2005.{{Cite web |last=Jenkins, David |date=December 12, 2005 |title=Square Enix To Complete Taito Takeover |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/square-enix-to-complete-taito-takeover |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921050404/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/98431/Square_Enix_To_Complete_Taito_Takeover.php |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016 |website=Gamasutra}} In 2010 Taito revealed NESiCAxLive, a cloud-based system of storing games and changing them through the internet instead of acquiring physical copies.{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2010 |title=Taito Announces Digital Download System For Arcades |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/taito-announces-digital-download-system-for-arcades |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811163109/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/121139/Taito_Announces_Digital_Download_System_For_Arcades.php |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=July 28, 2014 |website=Gamasutra }} This system was added to its many arcade gaming locations. The company continues to cater to the arcade audience in Japan with arcade-only titles, with game producers in 2015 stating that Square Enix has a loyal fan base that values the arcade gaming experience.{{Cite news |last=Sato |date=May 7, 2015 |title=Square Enix Developers On Why They Make Arcade Games |publisher=Siliconera |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/07/square-enix-developers-on-why-they-make-arcade-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513065749/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/07/square-enix-developers-on-why-they-make-arcade-games/ |archive-date=May 13, 2016}} In November 2019, Square Enix announced a "Ninja Tower Tokyo" theme park by its newly established Live Interactive Works division.{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Square Enix Announces Ninja Theme Park, Reveals New Innovative Digital Attractions |url=https://kotaku.com/square-enix-announces-ninja-theme-park-reveals-new-inn-1840230783 |website=Kotaku |language=en-us |access-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501134253/https://kotaku.com/square-enix-announces-ninja-theme-park-reveals-new-inn-1840230783 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2019 |title=「ゲームのような世界を現実に」をコンセプトとするスクウェア・エニックス・LIVE INTERACTIVE WORKS，第5回テーマパークEXPOに出展へ |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20191128134/ |website=www.4gamer.net |language=ja |access-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501134252/https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20191128134/ |url-status=live }}

The company has made three forays into the film industry. The first, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001), was produced by Square subsidiary Square Pictures before the Enix merger; Square Pictures is now a consolidated subsidiary of Square Enix.{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2007 |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/data/ar/download/20070831en.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325013141/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/data/ar/download/20070831en.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=May 11, 2016 |publisher=Square Enix |page=31}} Its box-office failure caused Enix to delay the merger, which was already under consideration before the creation of the film until Square became profitable once again.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Andrew |title=Square-Enix Gives Chrono Break Trademark Some Playmates |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113044027/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |publisher=RPGamer}} In 2005, Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, a CGI-animation film based on the PlayStation game Final Fantasy VII, set two years after the events of the game.{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2006 |title=Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Review |url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2006/04/18/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418232304/http://m.ign.com/articles/2006/04/18/final-fantasy-vii-advent-children |archive-date=April 18, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016 |website=IGN}} A Deus Ex film was in pre-production in 2012 and, as of 2014, was undergoing rewrites.{{Cite web |last=Tilly, Chris |date=July 10, 2012 |title=Deus Ex Movie in the Works |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/07/10/deus-ex-movie-in-the-works |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713003340/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/10/deus-ex-movie-in-the-works |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=September 21, 2012 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh, Megan |date=March 21, 2014 |title=Deus Ex film 'still alive,' undergoing rewrites |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5637306/deus-ex-film-still-alive-rewrites |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530133202/http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5637306/deus-ex-film-still-alive-rewrites |archive-date=May 30, 2016 |access-date=May 13, 2016 |website=Polygon}} In 2016 Square Enix revealed a film called Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV based in the world of Final Fantasy XV and a new web series released on YouTube and Crunchyroll entitled Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV.{{Cite web |last=Sato |date=March 30, 2016 |title=Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV Revealed As An Advent Children-Style CGI Film |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/03/30/kingsglaive-final-fantasy-xv-revealed-advent-children-style-cgi-film/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331145520/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/03/30/kingsglaive-final-fantasy-xv-revealed-advent-children-style-cgi-film/ |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=March 31, 2016 |publisher=Siliconera}}

{{main|List of Gangan Comics manga franchises|List of Square Enix companion books}}

The company has a manga publishing division in Japan (originally from Enix) called Gangan Comics, which publishes content for the Japanese market only. In 2010, however, Square Enix launched a digital manga store for North American audiences via its Members services, which contains several notable series published in Gangan anthologies.{{Cite web |title=Square Enix to Launch Digital Manga Store in North America and France |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-07-21/square-enix-to-launch-digital-manga-store-in-north-america-and-france |website=Anime News Network |access-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125014401/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-07-21/square-enix-to-launch-digital-manga-store-in-north-america-and-france |url-status=live }} Titles published by Gangan Comics include Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and many others. Other titles include manga adaptations of various Square Enix games, like Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts and Star Ocean.{{Cite book |publisher=Shueisha |year=1989 |volume=45 |location=Japan |page=72 |language=ja |script-title=ja:週刊少年ジャンプ |trans-title=Weekly Shōnen Jump}}{{Cite news |title=USA Today Best-Selling Books Database – Top 150 best sellers |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/life/books/booksdatabase/default.aspx?sortBy=&lastValue=90&date=10/20/2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405200008/http://books.usatoday.com/list/index?sortBy=&lastValue=90&date=10%2F20%2F2005 |archive-date=April 5, 2012}}{{Cite book |last1=Clements |first1=Jonathan |title=The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese animation since 1917 |last2=Helen McCarthy |date=September 1, 2001 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=1-880656-64-7 |location=Berkeley, California |page=375 |oclc=47255331 |author-link=Jonathan Clements |author-link2=Helen McCarthy}} Some of these titles have also been adapted into anime series.{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft, Brian |date=April 1, 2011 |title=Manga From Square Enix Coming To TV And Film |url=http://kotaku.com/5787935/manga-from-square-enix-coming-to-tv-and-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604200849/http://kotaku.com/5787935/manga-from-square-enix-coming-to-tv-and-film |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2016 |website=Kotaku}} Fullmetal Alchemist is the most successful title of Square Enix's manga branch, with more than 64 million volumes sold worldwide.{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2015 |title=Businesses |url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/index.html#comic1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922134825/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/index.html#comic1 |archive-date=September 22, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |publisher=Square Enix}} It is licensed in North America by Viz Media, while its two anime adaptations were licensed by Funimation (now known as Crunchyroll) in North America.{{Cite web |title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1 |url=http://www.viz.com/manga/print/fullmetal-alchemist-volume-1/5102 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314021944/http://www.viz.com/manga/print/fullmetal-alchemist-volume-1/5102 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=September 5, 2013}}{{Cite web |title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1: The Curse (Episodes 1–4) (2004) |website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006H325C/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916164924/http://www.amazon.com/Fullmetal-Alchemist-Curse-Episodes-1-4/dp/B0006H325C |archive-date=September 16, 2009 |access-date=October 10, 2008}} Starting in Q4 2019, Square Enix began publishing some of its manga series in English.{{cite web|title=Square Enix Launches English Manga Imprint in Fall 2019|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-17/square-enix-launches-english-manga-imprint-in-fall-2019/.146835|website=Anime News Network|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|date=May 17, 2019|access-date=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420044030/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-17/square-enix-launches-english-manga-imprint-in-fall-2019/.146835|url-status=live}}

Square Enix has created merchandise for virtually all of their video game franchises, many items are available only in Japan. Starting in 2000, Square Enix's former online gaming portal PlayOnline sold merchandise from game franchises including Parasite Eve, Vagrant Story, Chocobo Racing, Front Mission, Chrono Cross, and Final Fantasy.{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2000 |title=PlayOnline Displays Cool Square Stuff |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/19/playonline-displays-cool-square-stuff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006154827/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/19/playonline-displays-cool-square-stuff |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |website=IGN}} Mascots from game franchises are a popular focus for merchandise, such as the Chocobo from Final Fantasy, which has been seen as a rubber duck,{{Cite web |last=Michael McWhertor |date=January 22, 2008 |title=Final Fantasy's Chocobo Goes Rubbery, Ducky |url=http://kotaku.com/347724/final-fantasys-chocobo-goes-rubbery-ducky |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123223320/http://kotaku.com/347724/final-fantasys-chocobo-goes-rubbery-ducky |archive-date=January 23, 2008 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |website=Kotaku}}{{Cite web |last=SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS |date=April 24, 2008 |title=NY Comic Con Event Diary: Day 2 |url=http://na.square-enix.com/news?no_redir=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630090100/http://na.square-enix.com/news?no_redir=1 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2008 |publisher=Square Enix}} a plush baby Chocobo,"PlayStation: The Official Magazine Holiday Gift Guide '08," PlayStation: The Official Magazine 13 (Holiday 2008): 37. and on coffee mugs.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=May 16, 2007 |title=Chocobo Coffee Mugs |url=http://kotaku.com/261023/chocobo-coffee-mugs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426055716/http://kotaku.com/261023/chocobo-coffee-mugs |archive-date=April 26, 2009 |access-date=February 17, 2009 |website=Kotaku}} Square Enix also designed a Chocobo character costume for the release of Chocobo Tales.{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=December 14, 2006 |title=Chocobos in the Wild |url=http://kotaku.com/221766/chocobos-in-the-wild |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012084423/http://kotaku.com/221766/chocobos-in-the-wild |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |access-date=February 18, 2009 |website=Kotaku}} The Slime character from Dragon Quest has also been frequently used in Square Enix merchandise, especially in Japan.{{Cite web |last=Henry Gilbert |date=July 11, 2010 |title=Everything you need to know about Dragon Quest |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dragon-quest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013235638/http://www.gamesradar.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dragon-quest/ |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=March 1, 2013 |website=GamesRadar}} On the Japanese Square Enix shopping website, there is also a Slime-focused section called "Smile Slime". Slime merchandise includes plush toys, game controllers, figurines, and several board games, including one titled Dragon Quest Slime Racing.{{Cite web |last=Mike Schramm |date=June 19, 2011 |title=Dragon Quest 25th anniversary merch features plushie slimes, business card cases |url=http://m.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/dragon-quest-25th-anniversary-merch-features-plushie-slimes-bus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308095042/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/dragon-quest-25th-anniversary-merch-features-plushie-slimes-bus/ |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2012 |website=Joystiq |publisher=AOL}}{{Cite web |last=Joshua Fruhlinger |date=October 28, 2004 |title=Dragon Quest Slime PS2 controller from Hori |url=https://www.engadget.com/2004/10/28/dragon-quest-slime-ps2-controller-from-hori/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205064429/http://www.engadget.com/2004/10/28/dragon-quest-slime-ps2-controller-from-hori/ |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL}}{{Cite web |last=Candace Savino |date=November 26, 2007 |title=Dragon Quest board game out in Japan, looks like good times |url=http://m.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/dragon-quest-board-game-out-in-japan-looks-like-good-times/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525222225/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/26/dragon-quest-board-game-out-in-japan-looks-like-good-times/ |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |website=Joystiq |publisher=AOL}}{{Cite web |last=Jasmine Maleficent Rea |date=July 29, 2012 |title=Dragon Quest slime racing is now a board game |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/07/29/which-dragon-quest-slime-is-the-fastest-it-doesnt-matter-theyre-all-precious/ |website=Games Beat |publisher=Venture Beat |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414085636/https://venturebeat.com/community/2012/07/29/which-dragon-quest-slime-is-the-fastest-it-doesnt-matter-theyre-all-precious/ |url-status=live }} In Japan, pork-filled steam buns shaped like slimes have been sold in 2010.{{Cite magazine |last=Chris Kohler |date=April 27, 2010 |title=Eating Slime Buns at Tokyo's Dragon QuestBar |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/04/dragon-quest-bar/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324165813/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/04/dragon-quest-bar |archive-date=March 24, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2013 |magazine=Wired}} For Dragon Quest's 25th anniversary, special items were sold, including business cards, tote bags, and crystal figurines. Rabites from the Mana series have appeared in several pieces of Square Enix merchandise, including plush dolls, cushions, lighters, mousepads, straps, telephone cards, and T-shirts.{{Cite web |title=Legend of Mana Products |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/seiken4/products.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908024538/http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/seiken4/products.html |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2007 |publisher=RPGFan}} Square Enix has also made merchandise for third party series, including figures Mass Effect and Halo in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft, Brian |date=September 22, 2012 |title=From Mass Effect to Metal Gear, This is a Symphony in Plastic |url=http://kotaku.com/5945485/from-mass-effect-to-metal-gear-this-is-a-symphony-in-plastic/gallery/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128071919/http://kotaku.com/5945485/from-mass-effect-to-metal-gear-this-is-a-symphony-in-plastic/gallery/1 |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |website=Kotaku}} Beginning in 2012, it operates shops called "Square Enix Cafe" in Tokyo, Osaka and Shanghai, which display and sell merchandise, as well as serve café food.{{cite web |last1=Ashcraft |first1=Brian |title=A Look Inside The Brand New Square Enix Cafe |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/12/a-look-inside-the-brand-new-square-enix-cafe/ |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU |date=2012-12-20 |access-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201731/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/12/a-look-inside-the-brand-new-square-enix-cafe/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Square Enix Cafe Osaka Will Have A Grand Opening Event On October 13 With Kingdom Hearts Art |url=https://www.siliconera.com/square-enix-cafe-osaka-will-have-a-grand-opening-event-on-october-13-with-kingdom-hearts-art/ |website=Siliconera |date=2017-10-04 |access-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202711/https://www.siliconera.com/square-enix-cafe-osaka-will-have-a-grand-opening-event-on-october-13-with-kingdom-hearts-art/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Square Enix Cafe Expands To Shanghai, China |url=https://www.siliconera.com/square-enix-cafe-expands-shanghai-china/ |website=Siliconera |date=2017-10-31 |access-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201950/https://www.siliconera.com/square-enix-cafe-expands-shanghai-china/ |url-status=live }}

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