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 Worlds In Motion (discussing the business of online worlds.)
 Game Set Watch (the Group's alt.game weblog.) |
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Square Enix Signs Deal With Gas Powered Games
by David Jenkins
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November 12, 2008
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Japanese-headquartered Final Fantasy creator Square Enix signed its first publishing deal with a Western developer, set to publish Redmond-based Gas Powered Games’ forthcoming real-time strategy title Supreme Commander 2.
The company says the deal is the first part of a new "strategic partnership" between Square Enix and the Redmond, Washington-based developer.
It also marks a first step in Square Enix’s plans to work better with Western companies and produce more Western oriented-products.
Gas Powered Games is best known for the action role-playing series Dungeon Siege, originally published by Microsoft and later by Take-Two Interactive, and its spin-off Space Siege, published by Sega. It also produced Supreme Commander, a spiritual sequel to CEO Chris Taylor’s earlier real-time strategy Total Annihilation.
Before this, the company’s only confirmed new title was Demigod, to be published next year by Stardock. The original PC version of Supreme Commander was published by THQ, with the Xbox 360 version having been outsourced by Aspyr media to developer Hellbent Games.
Although Square Enix regularly works with third party Japanese developers to produce its titles, it has never before relied on a Western studios. Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has previously admitted that the company is looking to acquire Western developers, although no such arrangement has been hinted at in regards to Gas Powered Games.
"We see great opportunities in North American and European markets, both of which are expected to be maintaining sustainable growth over these coming years," said Wada. "Therefore, it is crucial we create alliances with proven developers such as Gas Powered Games in order to serve these significant markets better by providing products and services in tune with customer tastes."
"Gas Powered Games is an accomplished development house that has demonstrated its ability to successfully create and develop intellectual properties," said John Yamamoto, president and CEO of Square Enix and Square Enix Ltd., Square Enix's sister company in U.K. "We are extremely excited to begin working with Gas Powered Games' talented personnel and see this strategic partnership as a significant step in our efforts to bring Square Enix titles to a broader global audience."
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