Summary
- Kadokawa Corporation has acquired Acquire as a subsidiary to foster collaboration between its studios and strengthen its gaming strategy.
- Acquire, known for co-developing Octopath Traveler, attracted attention with its game development and publishing expertise.
- The addition of Acquire will enhance Kadokawa Corporation's ability to create intellectual properties, improve planning and development capabilities, and expand its lineup of console games.
Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of renowned game maker FromSoftware, has secured Octopath Traveler co-developer Acquire as a subsidiary. The media conglomerate hopes the acquisition will promote collaboration between its studios, as well as strengthen key areas in its overall gaming strategy.
Acquire, which was founded in 1994, initially focused on churning out games for Sony's PlayStation consoles and the PC, but the studio would later work on titles for other systems and mobile platforms. In recent memory, Acquire is better known for co-developing the Octopath Traveler RPG series with Square Enix. With its wealth of knowledge and experience in game development and publishing, it should come as no surprise that Acquire attracted the attention of a media giant like Kadokawa Corporation.
Sony Has Acquired Another Company
Sony is looking to expand its technical capabilities for its video and streaming services via the acquisition of a UK-based AI company.
Kadokawa Corporation explained that it turned Acquire into a wholly owned subsidiary partly because it hoped such a move would generate synergies with its other game-related subsidiaries. Kadokawa Corporation is the parent company of FromSoftware, the legendary developer known for its critically-acclaimed Soulsborne games.
Dwango, the media company that owns developer Spike Chunsoft of Dragon Quest and Danganronpa fame, is also a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation. Spike Chunsoft, which specializes in adventure games, RPGs, and visual novels, worked on the Danganronpa spiritual successor Master Detective Archives: Rain Code that came out last June. In addition to developing games, Spike Chunsoft also publishes them, and it helped bring high-profile western-developed games like Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk: 2077, Metro: Exodus, Disco Elysium, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to the Japanese market.
What Games Did Kadokawa Corporation's Acquire Develop?
- Acquire's prominent franchises are Shinobido, Tenchu, and Way of the Samurai.
- The veteran Japanese studio also co-developed the Octopath Traveler RPG series with Square Enix.
Aside from promoting collaboration between its studios, Kadokawa Corporation expects the addition of Acquire to its portfolio to strengthen the company's ability to create intellectual properties in the video games space, enhance planning and development capabilities group-wide, as well as reinforce the business' lineup of console games. The media juggernaut noted the success of the Octopath Traveler games, which are some of the most highly-rated modern JRPGs.
Kadokawa Corporation also mentioned Tenchu, one of Acquire's prominent franchises. Acquire president Takuma Endo revealed in the past that he wanted to make a reboot of Tenchu for the PlayStation 5, but he noted at the time that such a project would not be simple as FromSoftware owned the franchise. With both Acquire and FromSoftware now being under the Kadokawa Corporation video game umbrella, Endo might finally be one step closer to starting the Tenchu reboot that he wished for.
Octopath Traveler 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- February 24, 2023
- ESRB
- Rated T for Teen for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco.
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Octopath Traveler
WHERE TO PLAY
The story takes place in Solistia, a land comprising an eastern and western continent divided by the sea.
It is a bustling era, wherein large vessels navigate busy sea routes and the power of steam gives birth to new technologies.
Some people thrill to glamorous stars of the stage and industry, while others are brought to tears by war, plague, and poverty.
In this faraway realm, eight travelers hailing from different regions venture forth for their own reasons. Step into their shoes and explore the land as you see fit, using their unique talents to aid you along your journey.
Embark on an adventure all your own.
