Square Enix Europe takes another step forward in the licensing biz

By Spencer . August 21, 2008 . 3:23pm

Seeing Square Enix publish Odin Sphere in Europe was unprecedented. This may not be the first time Square-something took care of a game for another company, Squaresoft introduced North America to Breath of Fire, but this was first for Europe. In early 2009 Square Enix will publish Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice in PAL regions, taking the Disgaea series away from Koei who usually publishes NIS America localized games in Europe. John Yamamoto, CEO of Square Enix Limited, was serious when he said Square Enix was committed to “bringing new experiences to European gamers.” Yeah for Europe!

While this news may seem insignificant to North America now, you have to wonder if the offices of Square Enix London will start localizing non Square Enix products independently. If this situation plays out Europe could be an importing hot spot for games passed on by North American publishers. We’ll check back with Square Enix London in two or three years.

Images courtesy of Nippon Ichi.

TAGS: Disgaea, NIS America, Playstation 3, Square Enix

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Chuck

Europe already semi is! Can you get all of the games that have been rejected here for generally not being too good like Ys Strategy? Nope! Can you get playstation to psp ports like breath of fire 3, Tales of Phantasia? Sorry, got to go to europe! You want to play Flower, Sun and Rain in English and you live in America? SORRY europe!

Pichi

Whatever happened to the European branch of NIS that you reported about, Spencer? Maybe they never got off the ground, perhaps?

Spencer

@Pichi - Great question. The report in Japanese said a branch is opening. A time frame was not specified, but the branch probably won't be ready to do anything until 2009 so NIS must have decided to pass publishing to Square Enix to get the game out to Europe faster.