Square Enix is multinational corporation active in several areas of the entertainment industry. In games, Square Enix produces an array of high profile titles, including Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts, as well as Taito franchises like Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble. In addition, Square Enix has several film, anime, online, and mobile phone properties.
Square Enix was formed as the result of a merger between Square Co. and Enix. A disastrous foray into the box office industry (see Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within) left Square financially crippled. Though its revenues were smaller, Enix was able to absorb a much weakened Square on April 1, 2003. Square stockholders received .85 shares of stock in the new company while those of Enix received a one-to-one trade. However, many top Square officials assumed leadership roles in the new corporate hierarchy, including Square president Yoichi Wada, appointed president and overlord of the new corporate entity.
In the face of rapidly declining Japanese market share in the lucrative western games market1, Square Enix acquired Tomb Raider publisher Eidos in 20092.
