Summary
Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of renowned game maker FromSoftware, has securedOctopath Travelerco-developerAcquireas 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 theOctopath TravelerRPG 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.
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 itscritically-acclaimed Soulsborne games.
Dwango, the media company that owns developer Spike Chunsoft ofDragon QuestandDanganronpafame, is also a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation. Spike Chunsoft, which specializes in adventure games, RPGs, and visual novels, worked on theDanganronpaspiritual successorMaster Detective Archives: Rain Codethat came out last June. In addition to developing games, Spike Chunsoft also publishes them, and it helped bring high-profile western-developed games likeBaldur’s Gate 3,Cyberpunk: 2077,Metro: Exodus,Disco Elysium, andThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntto the Japanese market.
What Games Did Kadokawa Corporation’s Acquire Develop?
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 theOctopath Travelergames, which are some of themost highly-rated modern JRPGs.
Kadokawa Corporation also mentionedTenchu, one of Acquire’s prominent franchises. Acquire president Takuma Endo revealed in the past that he wanted to make areboot ofTenchufor the PlayStation 5, but he noted at the time that such a project would not be simple as FromSoftware owned the franchise. With bothAcquireand 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
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.
