The video game industry, now more than ever, is in a state of flux, and it doesn’t look like it will be “settling down” anytime soon! We say that because it seems developers and publishers of all sizes are trying to “get bigger” or “expand their IP ranks” to the point where almost every big and small team that makes games could be a target of acquisition. This is scaring some gamers because many groups who have been bought recently have been laid off. So when you hear that the Octopath Traveler studio has been acquired, it might make your eyes go wide because of what it could mean down the road.
So, who bought them? That would be Kadokawa, who happens to be the owner of From Software. You know, THAT From Software? The team behind some of the most successful and brutal video games of the last decade? Yeah, that group. The studio made a statement, as noted by VGC that they bought Acquire, who made the hit RPG series, among others, to help further expand their ability to create gaming IPs:
“To strengthen the ability to create IP in games as part of our game business strategy, we have made Acquire Corp. into a wholly owned subsidiary. By acquiring the company, which has produced million-seller hit titles, we expect to generate synergies with our existing game-related subsidiaries, strengthen our planning and development capabilities groupwide, and enhance our line-up of console games.”
Now, some of you might think, “But didn’t Square Enix own Acquire?” We wondered that, too, but clearly, that wasn’t the case. They were merely the team that helped “make the games, “making their relationship more of a contract deal than an ownership deal.
It’s not hard to see why Kadokawa wanted to get Acquire. Octopath Traveler wasn’t just a great RPG that got a great sequel, but it inspired the 2.5HD RPG trend that’s going on right now. Multiple games, including ones not made by Acquire but published through Square Enix, have used that visual style to help “bump up the quality” of their visuals while still maintaining the sprite-based looks. It’s been rather incredible to see how well it’s worked across multiple titles.
Going forward, what will be curious is how Kadokawa uses the group, whether this affects Acquire’s hit series getting a third title, and where their games might go. Let’s all hope that this doesn’t end with layoffs or a potential studio closer like other ‘acquisitions’ in the recent past have done.
