Update: Square-Enix issued a statement on reports that several companies are looking to buy it, saying it “does not consider selling the company.”
The short reply also states that they have not yet received any offers from third parties. You can see the full answer below.
Square Enix dispelled rumors of a purchase after reports from CTFN and Bloomberg Japan suggested that “several potential buyers have shown interest in Square Enix” https://t.co/ICHL86wmFY pic.twitter.com/7XOqpAZeu6April 16, 2021
Original: A Square Enix acquisition could be in the works according to a new report.
The news comes from Bloomberg Japan, the relatively short and quick post claiming that several companies are currently interested in acquiring Square Enix, although the report does not mention any of the companies currently pursuing the potential acquisition.
However, do not take this as a guarantee that Square Enix will be purchased by another company. As Mat Piscatella of the NPD Group notes in the tweet below, almost every reputable publisher in the gaming industry looks at potential partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, but it’s incredibly rare that this goes any further.
Almost every major publisher continuously conducts evaluations of potential acquisitions, mergers or partnerships. I would do dozens of slate and income scenarios every year. Sometimes something happens, almost always not. Shoulder lift.April 16, 2021
That being said, the video game industry has been shaken by successful acquisitions in recent years. In September last year, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Bethesda, including each individual developer that the Maryland company oversaw, such as Arkane, Tango Gameworks and more.
Just last month, at the beginning of March 2021, the commercial body of the European Union officially gave its consent to the acquisition of Bethesda by Microsoft, and Xbox then announced the acquisition of the company on March 9.
It is certainly an interesting and exciting prospect for both companies. Arkane gaming director Harvey Smith, for example, said the two companies “fit together perfectly,” while Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that Bethesda will run “semi-independently” of Microsoft after the acquisition.
However, whether or not Square-Enix is the next company on the acquisition list, it has a year ahead of it with the release of Final Fantasy 7: Intergrade, as well as several other upcoming titles in the form of Final Fantasy 16 and Forspoken.
For a complete list of each game coming out next year, go to our page new games 2021 guide for more.