Do you recall that first moment in your life where you experienced Final Fantasy? Perhaps the screen had been overrun by a tall summon. Perhaps a hero made a silent sacrifice. In any case, it is still there. It sits on the back of Square Enix, a Tokyo-based publisher which has been molding RPGs for 40 years. This is, however, no one big series, but a company with much more to offer. It also hosts sprawling online worlds, publishes experimental projects and revises classics for a new generation. Meanwhile, there is a rise and fall of competitors. This publisher is continually evolving.
Here, you will discover how the company was established, which are the most important franchises, and how the strategy is currently operating. In addition, there is a comparison table and answers to common questions. Let’s dive in.
The history of Square Enix is merely a story of two rivals and one name
It begins with two distinct companies. Enix was founded as a publishing company in 1975. It was later when it became known for Dragon Quest. In 1983, Square started as a software division of an electric power company. Both companies were after the same customer base, and both were aggressive to acquire them.
In the late 1980s, Square suffered from almost collapsing. Young developer Hironobu Sakaguchi is said to have used Final Fantasy as a last roll of the dice. The game was launched in 1987 and saved the company. As a result, the series also expanded to become a worldwide brand featuring dozens of entries and spin-offs.
This was not the case for Enix. Dragon Quest was created in 1986 by Yuji Horii, Akira Toriyama and Koichi Sugiyama. The series was a cultural phenomenon in Japan. Indeed, whenever a new numbered entry comes out, it causes a national celebration.
Then came the 2000’s. In 2001, Square’s film project, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, went down the drain and the company lost a ton of money. In the meantime, Enix has maintained steady profits. The two companies have consolidated in April 2003. The deal was attractive to investors because it combined Square’s technical passion with Enix’s financial strength.
Explore how Square Enix brought two opposing cultures together
Uniting two proud studios is never easy. Fit the state-of-the-art graphics in the square-favored cinematic setup. Enix’s style was more simple and easy to play, with traditional pacing. As a result, in the early years there was friction between teams as they learned to share resources.
However the mix worked out. After the merger, Final Fantasy XII, Kingdom Hearts II, and Dragon Quest VIII all came out. Every game had a unique character. But they all had increased budget and common technology. In addition, the company became flexible. It might decide to launch Final Fantasy on one system and Dragon Quest on another and not cannibalize either brand.
Mergers do have their blind spots, of course. At times, the leadership pursued western trends with too much intensity. Later on, executives confessed that some experiments failed. Nonetheless, the consolidation paved the way for the subsequent events.
Game Of The Week: The Square Enix Franchises That Define Modern Role-Playing Games
Any publisher is about the franchise, and this one has a couple of big ones. Let’s take a look at the key ones.
The flagship is still Final Fantasy. Every numbered spot is a world, a cast and a battle system all over. In 1997, Final Fantasy 7 was a milestone in the release of 3D stories to a mass audience. The Remake project tells that story today through several games. Every modification is up for debate among fans. But when it comes to sales, the appetite prevails.
Dragon Quest is a more sedate game. It values charm, humor and comfort. Dragon Quest XI was released in 2017 and received widespread recognition for its friendliness. Furthermore, the series has an avid fan following in Japan, one that is not matched by many western franchises.
Kingdom Hearts is a mash up of characters from Disney and Final Fantasy. In 2002, it seemed like a crazy plan! Nevertheless, it worked. As for the plot, the series has still managed to retain a loyal fan base with its wide-ranging and emotional storyline.
The publisher backs up smaller experiments beyond those pillars. The HD-2D art style is pioneered by Octopath Traveler, which combines the classic pixel sprites with some modern lighting. Yoko Taro’s NieR: Automata sold millions, and showed that strange, philosophical games can be successful. In the meantime, remakes continue to bring older games back to life for new players.
The table below provides a quick comparison of the major franchises.
| Square Enix Franchise | Debut Year | Genre | Signature Strength | Best Entry Point |
| Final Fantasy | 1987 | JRPG | Cinematic storytelling | Final Fantasy VII Remake |
| Dragon Quest | 1986 | JRPG | Charm and tradition | Dragon Quest XI |
| Kingdom Hearts | 2002 | Action RPG | Disney crossovers | Kingdom Hearts HD collections |
| Octopath Traveler | 2018 | Turn-based RPG | HD-2D visuals | Octopath Traveler |
| NieR | 2010 | Action RPG | Dark philosophy | NieR: Automata |
| Life is Strange | 2015 | Adventure | Choice-driven drama | Life is Strange |
As you can tell from the range of this catalog, it’s rather expansive. Moreover, each of these series is geared towards a specific type of player. Anyone new to the area can get a start from just about anywhere. But veterans will have a wealth of rabbit holes to explore.
The current online worlds and live services business model at Square Enix
Branded with single player epics, but income on the steady stream from online games. Final Fantasy XI was released in 2002, and online role-playing came to many fans of console games. In 2010, Final Fantasy XIV came out and was a disappointment. The launch was panned by the critics. Players griped about poor build menus and content.
Rather than just dumping the project, leadership took a risk. They were rebuilt from scratch under the direction of Naoki Yoshida. A Realm Reborn was released in 2013 to replace the former release. The players came back with a vengeance. As a result, the game has become one of the most praised in the genre and its expansions have been released and praised as well.
Mobile games is another revenue stream. These titles take Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest characters to the player on the move. In addition, they also have recurring revenue in the form of in-game purchases. Some mobile projects do well, others don’t. The company sees every launch as a risk and takes it on in a calculated manner.
What do you think Square Enix learned from Final Fantasy XIV?
The company has learned several lessons from the rescue of Final Fantasy XIV. Honesty builds trust, the first rule. Yoshida acknowledged that the original game had issues in public. He interacted with fans directly via regular video broadcasts. This allowed players to feel heard as a result.
Second, be patient. The team didn’t rush to fix. Rather, it meticulously reconstructed systems and delivered regular updates. The consistent effort was noticed by the players.
Thirdly, the feedback from the community is important. Developers listened to players’ feedback by reading forums and watching streams, and then made adjustments. Meanwhile, other teams took note. Many now consider communication as a part of the product.
Lastly, long-term thinking is required for live services. A game that gains loyalty can sustain a studio for 10 years. But a rushed introduction can lose years of goodwill. This one success story changed the mindsets of the entire company when it comes to online design.
This means Square Enix Strategy: Multiplatform Releases, Partnerships, and Change
The publisher used to have a strong presence of platform exclusives for many years. Often timed or permanent deals were granted to Sony and Nintendo. But the cost of developing continues to rise. Therefore, leadership has progressed in a direction of increased distribution.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade was released for PC and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for PC in early 2025. Similarly, the older Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games have been distributed to Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and Steam. This way, it broadens the audience. What’s more, it shields income if one platform fails.
The company also transformed its western business. In 2022, it was acquired by Embracer Group for around $300 million, which included Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal and the Tomb Raider franchise. The move would free up resources for the core projects, according to executives. But critics noted that the decision was a sacrifice of IP rights. Time will tell.
Technology, Budget Management, and Strategic Partnerships Shaping the Future
Technology also determines the road of the future. The executives have discussed the use of artificial intelligence for various other activities like quality assurance. But for many developers, there are concerns about job security and creative integrity. But it’s still an industry debate and this publisher is right smack dab in the middle of it.
In the meantime, budgets put pressure on real. While these days the blockbuster games can take years to complete and cost millions of dollars, they still require a lot of time and money. Thus the business plans to have a bit of both, large releases and smaller, cheaper projects. This is reflected in the HD-2D remakes. They bring back good old times at an affordable price.
Finally, partnerships matter. It makes games for outside studios, works for Disney on Kingdom Hearts, has joint ventures with other companies. These connections share risk and provide new ideas. The overall message of the strategy is to reach more players, on more devices, with more variety.
Final Thoughts on Square Enix
This is one of the publishers that has had the most impact on gaming. It has gone from almost dying down to a worldwide phenomenon. Furthermore, it is a creative and traditional entity as it shows in its franchises. It is the ambition of Square Enix that has built up the legacy of the company and it is the same ambition that is propelling the company forward.
The company is in a real dilemma today. Rising costs, changing platforms and new technology require smart decisions. But the success of the Final Fantasy XIV team suggests that this team can come back from a loss. Thus, positivity is warranted. From sweeping fantasies to quirky experiments, to cozy adventures, Square Enix probably has a game waiting for you. Choose one, hit play and the story begins!
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q1: What Is Square Enix Best Known For?
The publisher is best known for Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, two of the longest-running role-playing game series in history. It also publishes Kingdom Hearts, NieR, and Octopath Traveler. Together, these franchises have sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide.
Q2: When Did Square Enix Form?
The company formed on April 1, 2003, when Square and Enix merged. Square began in 1983, and Enix started in 1975. The merger combined Square’s technical ambition with Enix’s reliable earnings and gave the new business a stronger footing.
Q3: Does Square Enix Still Make Final Fantasy Games?
Yes, the publisher still develops new Final Fantasy titles. It continues updating Final Fantasy XIV with expansions and also releases remakes, remasters, and spin-offs. Therefore, fans can expect fresh content in the series for years to come.
Q4: Which Square Enix Game Should Beginners Play First?
Beginners should try Dragon Quest XI for a friendly classic experience or Final Fantasy VII Remake for a cinematic one. Alternatively, Octopath Traveler offers beautiful visuals and simple, satisfying battles. Each game teaches its systems gradually, so newcomers rarely feel lost.