Octopath Traveler Dev Acquired By FromSoftware Owners

Japanese media conglomerate Kadokawa Corporation announced its recent acquisition of fellow Japanese studio and publisher Acquire, the studio behind Tenchu, Way of the Samurai, and recently, Octopath Traveler and its sequel. Acquire was acquired by GungHo Online Entertainment in 2011 before working alongside Square Enix to develop Octopath Traveler and its sequel, Octopath Traveler II, which was released in 2023, much to critical acclaim.

The news of Acquire's acquisition was revealed during the third quarter earning report, which Kadokawa Corporation published online on 8th February 2024. The Japanese media conglomerate detailed in the Q3 earning report: "To strengthen the ability to create IP in games as part of our game business strategy, we have made Acquire into a wholly owned subsidiary."

"By acquiring the company, which has produced million-seller hit titles, we expect to generate synergies with our existing game-related subsidiaries, strengthen our planning and development capabilities groupwide, and enhance our lineup of console games." As to how they'll be generating "synergies" with existing subsidiaries, it noted that it plans to "promote collaboration with FromSoftware and Spike Chunsoft, with whom Acquire had a cooperative relationship."

Additionally, there are plans to seek out "lineup expansion, including redevelopment of past works," which could allude to the Tenchu and Way of the Samurai series. Acquire had previously worked with FromSoftware on Tenchu: Shadow Assassins; likewise, Acquire had worked with Spike Chunsoft on Way of the Samurai 4.

The Q3 earning report also provided a "future outlook," which it detailed that fromSoftware has plans to "step up efforts to improve profitability in the medium to long term," signaling that some measures are in place for Elden Ring, including its upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. Lastly, the earning report confirmed that Spike Chunsoft is planning to release their forthcoming game, Shiren the Wanderer 6, sometime in the fourth quarter; however, a release date has yet to be confirmed as of writing.