Square Enix looking for western business partners

Financial Times recently reported that Japanese game developer and publisher Square Enix is looking for business partners in Europe and the U.S. to aid it in publishing and marketing efforts. The goal is to balance Japanese sales with international figures.

Square Enix Senior VP Michihiko Sasaki said that the popular maker of the Final Fantasy series only gets 10 to 20 percent of its total annual sales from outside Japan. The great majority of the income is generated within its homeland.

The goal for aspiring business partners, therefore, is to raise the figure to 50 percent in the next three years. This will prove to be a challenge because western audiences generally take on action titles more than RPGs.

The initiative from Square Enix is brought about by recent market trends which reflect demand for gaming media stagnating, while demand overseas continues to grow sharply.

Another reason why Square Enix is looking to tie up with overseas partners is to expand its online gaming portfolio and save up on resources by localizing assets. Once established, marketing of minor merchandise could follow. Mobile games may also eventually find themselves in U.S. cellular services.

No word on who prospective partners will be has been made available but there should be plenty of interest to team up with one of the most respected gaming outfits on the planet.

Financial Times recently reported that Japanese game developer and publisher Square Enix is looking for business partners in Europe and the U.S. to aid it in publishing and marketing efforts. The goal is to balance Japanese sales with international figures.

Square Enix Senior VP Michihiko Sasaki said that the popular maker of the Final Fantasy series only gets 10 to 20 percent of its total annual sales from outside Japan. The great majority of the income is generated within its homeland.

The goal for aspiring business partners, therefore, is to raise the figure to 50 percent in the next three years. This will prove to be a challenge because western audiences generally take on action titles more than RPGs.

The initiative from Square Enix is brought about by recent market trends which reflect demand for gaming media stagnating, while demand overseas continues to grow sharply.

Another reason why Square Enix is looking to tie up with overseas partners is to expand its online gaming portfolio and save up on resources by localizing assets. Once established, marketing of minor merchandise could follow. Mobile games may also eventually find themselves in U.S. cellular services.

No word on who prospective partners will be has been made available but there should be plenty of interest to team up with one of the most respected gaming outfits on the planet.