Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of Soulsborne-maker FromSoftware, announced the acquisition of Acquire Corp. This move brings the developer behind the popular Octopath Traveler titles under Kadokawa’s umbrella.
Acquire Corp’s history goes a long way back. Founded in 1994, they have a rich history with the likes of the stealth-action series Tenchu and the samurai action-adventure series Way of the Samurai under their belt. However, their recent collaboration with Square Enix on the stunning Octopath Traveler series is what made them a more popular name. The HD-2D visual style and engaging narratives of the series brought them significant critical acclaim and commercial success.
As stated in their latest earnings report, Kadokawa aims to leverage Acquire’s expertise to “strengthen the ability to create IP in games.” This acquisition aligns with Kadokawa’s existing gaming portfolio, which includes Spike Chunsoft who are known for the Danganronpa and Dragon Quest Builders games.
The plan behind the acquisition (as stated in the report) makes us believe that there could be collaborative projects from the development studios under the Kadokawa umbrella going forward. Imagine a Tenchu remake spearheaded by FromSoftware’s expertise, or an Octopath Traveler sequel jointly developed by Acquire and Spike Chunsoft. Additionally, the mention of “redevelopment of past works” opens doors for the revival of beloved Acquire franchises like Shinobido or Way of the Samurai.
