Square Enix to distribute Ubisoft games in Japan

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 8th 2009 at 10:15PM }

Square Enix is seriously looking to expand its business model and target more than just cosplayers and yaoi fanfic writers. In 2008, Square Enix opened a new US studio, bid to takeover Eidos, and expanded its Xbox 360 focus. It expanded its role as a publisher in Europe, by publishing third-party efforts like Disgaea 3.

Now, the company is announcing a new partnership with Ubisoft. Starting April of this year, Square Enix will be exclusively distributing Ubisoft games in Japan. The Japanese have been largely reluctant in purchasing Western games; the Square Enix label will undoubtedly help bolster sales of Ubisoft's games in the region. We're pretty certain they'll like the new Prince of Persia and other classic Ubisoft properties (above).

"The global video game market is expected to maintain sustainable growth thanks to geographical expansion and diversification of customer base," said Yoichi Wada, president and representative director of Square Enix. "By partnering with the Ubisoft Group having a number of highly acclaimed titles, we can now work to provide high-quality overseas-produced games to Japan, thus invigorating the Japanese game market while strengthening our presence as a global leader in the video game industry."

Tags: japan, square-enix, ubisoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Lavat @ Jan 8th 2009 10:22PM

I really hope that if Grey's Anatomy comes to the next gen consoles that it sticks with the 360...Along with other abominations like those Burger King games...

EgoCheck616 @ Jan 8th 2009 10:23PM

TOBIAS!!1111one

jmarto @ Jan 8th 2009 10:23PM

Now why can't Ubisoft bring more Japanese games here :-(

jmarto @ Jan 8th 2009 10:29PM

And by that I mean Square Enix too...in fact, why can't everyone just send more Japanese games here

jimmygotsmack @ Jan 8th 2009 10:24PM

Well the new Prince of Persia already looks like a final fantasy game. Will they change the box art like they MS did with crackdown? Maybe give the prince spiky hair?

http://4playerpodcast.blogspot.com/2008/08/cover-art-comparison-crackdown.html

Sora @ Jan 8th 2009 10:28PM

I lol'd at the article picture.

mr nimblewick @ Jan 8th 2009 10:32PM

Gureizu Anatomi

Wiinterfang @ Jan 8th 2009 10:32PM

Some of those girls are ugly, are they getting banged too? because I hear this show is a Bangfest.

MegaSnort @ Jan 8th 2009 10:37PM

When is Ubisoft going to release Desperate Housewives "The Video Game"- MILF Hunter Edition?

jimmygotsmack @ Jan 8th 2009 10:58PM

I never watched that show, someone explained it to me as a bunch of middle-age nymphomaniac women who, every so often murder people. How accurate is that?

Wiinterfang @ Jan 8th 2009 11:21PM

It's like Sex on the city except the girls doesn't look like old whores.

aj @ Jan 8th 2009 11:57PM

If I saw a copy of "Imagine: Babiez" with the Square-Enix logo on the box, my head would explode.

...Seriously, though, do you think that Japanese gamers want a Caucasian baby simulator?

aj @ Jan 8th 2009 11:58PM

(The above was not a reply to megasnort, sorry about that. I got excited while clicking.)

Covarr @ Jan 8th 2009 11:30PM

Because Japanese aren't discerning enough to be able to tell that something's shovelware if it has the S-E logo on it.

Though to be fair, Ubisoft has mostly only been making shovelware on Wii and DS; they actually put things like money and development time into PS3/360 games.