Square has today announced that it will merge with Tokyo-based publisher Enix Corporation on April 1 this year. The new company, Square Enix, will be headquartered in Tokyo and run by the current Square president, Yoichi Wada. A North American office for the company will also be established in Los Angeles, where games will be localized, marketed, and published under the leadership of the new president and CEO of Square Enix USA, Jun Iwasaki.

　　Today's announcement means that the new company will be formed just as Square's five-year contract with Electronic Arts comes to an end on March 31. The goal of that relationship had always been to improve the presence of Square in North America and of Electronic Arts in Japan--a goal that both companies seem to believe has been achieved satisfactorily.

　　"As Square and Enix begin the worldwide implementation of the merger, our goals for the North American market will shift to include not only increasing our market share for our franchises, but also expanding the role-playing game market in North America," Wada said. "We are currently evaluating the best strategy to accomplish these goals and look forward to growing our business as a new company. We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Electronic Arts over the past five years and we are currently exploring opportunities for a new relationship."

　　"We are looking forward to this new structure in North America," said current Enix president Keiji Honda. "Together, Square and Enix will deliver a gaming experience that everyone will enjoy. We are committed to developing and marketing innovative, creative, and original titles. We hope to accomplish our goals by providing quality role-playing games to gamers in North America."