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Square Enix closes on Eidos, Final Fantasy sells 85 million

RPG-heavy Japanese company completes its acquisition of UK publisher; sales breakdowns also reveal Dragon Quest sells 47M, Tomb Raider 30M.

It'll take some getting used to, but gamers can now expect to see a Square Enix logo the next time they purchase a new Tomb Raider or Hitman game. This week, the Japanese publisher closed on its £84.3 million ($120 million) acquisition of ailing UK-based Eidos, a deal that found overwhelming support from the Tomb Raider publisher's board of directors and shareholders.

This week, the Japanese company also provided a blanket overview of how it plans to integrate Eidos into the Square Enix Group, which also includes 2005 acquisition Taito. As part of a corporate strategy presentation, Square Enix offered a brief look at the sales performance of its own games as well as those of Eidos.

Of particular note, the publisher put a number to just how successful the Final Fantasy franchise has been, saying that more than 85 million units have been sold since the first installment was released in 1987. Also an impressive seller, the Dragon Quest franchise has moved 47 million units during its nearly 23-year run. There's a significant gap between the publisher's second and third best-selling series, considering that the Kingdom Hearts franchise has logged sales of 12 million units since the Disney collaboration began in 2002.

Eidos' best-selling franchise, Tomb Raider, has sold 30 million units since 1996. The bulk of those sales can be attributed to the first four installments in the franchise, with the 1996 original having sold approximately 7 million units. The Hitman franchise has proven to be Eidos' second-best performer, with Square Enix saying that the series has sold 8 million units since 2000. Fellow IO Interactive game Kane & Lynch has sold just shy of 2 million. Other notable Eidos sales figures include Deus Ex and its 2003 sequel selling a combined 2 million units, and Just Cause selling just more than 1 million copies.

For some comparison, Capcom offered a similar breakdown of its best-selling franchises in May 2008--well before the strong debuts of Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter IV this year. At that time, Capcom said that its best-selling franchise was Resident Evil, with 34.5 million units sold, a figure followed by Mega Man's 28 million units and Street Fighter's 25 million units.

238 Comments

  • TWoodcook

    Posted Feb 24, 2011 2:03 pm GMT

    Coming soon: Tomb Raider the RPG. Whatever the future holds, I tend to believe this is a good move for all companies involved.

  • Rygarr

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 6:27 pm GMT

    Square Enix must revive Legacy of Kain and Soul Reaver

  • Atredies1

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 7:20 pm GMT

    Maybe a new Legacy of Kain? RPG perhaps?

  • Lisandro_v22

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 9:57 am GMT

    I mean they will give freedom to eidos, but the higher ups will change and this will change the quality of the games (i hope) for the better, cause latest eidos' have been crap

  • Lord_Regnier

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 11:37 am GMT

    Brilliant!

  • MAXPAINE_1989

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 7:58 am GMT

    what megaman what do u mean megaman dont tell me legends or i'll kill ya!

  • insane087

    Posted Jun 8, 2009 4:33 am GMT

    thats gunna be hitting over the 100 mark next year easily!

  • thunderbang

    Posted May 31, 2009 5:27 pm GMT

    square enix is not going to influence the game they are just signing cheques and getting payed. square enix are giving eidos freedom to make there games i hope complete freedom because hitman is surrounded by controversy

  • thunderbang

    Posted May 31, 2009 5:20 pm GMT

    i hope they release a new hitman soon it's now 1 day from june 2009 i seen hitman on a list of coming soon games it just said quarter 1 2010 i hope this is true. i really miss these games i bought hitman silent assassin xbox original but it will not work on my 360 i hope xbox people add this game.

  • SaKHeD

    Posted May 12, 2009 6:12 pm GMT

    I do too, like What's up with Hitman 5, I'm very anxious. They haven't kept up with the two year tradition, I guess one will be epic, now that Square Enix, has a hand in it. I just hope, I hear something soon. b/c it's been a while...

  • drumbreak1

    Posted May 7, 2009 4:58 pm GMT

    i want news on hitman 5!

  • NAWAF005

    Posted May 2, 2009 6:37 am GMT

    if they remake final fantasy vii for the PS3 the FF series will sell a gizilion copies more

  • Fady117

    Posted Apr 30, 2009 5:25 am GMT

    Ow hey, imagine Hitman playing like TR or even Lara Croft having to swing giant blades!!!! although this will get me some time to get used to the Japanese Hitman, i feel that Square Enix are on it for a big leap soon. i'll bet they're preparing a nice surprise, although we can't imagine agent 47 working for the Yakuza lol whatever, having high hopes here for future Square Enix games!!!!

  • regix416_basic

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 2:07 pm GMT

    Yep, like FFCourtJester has said, this would be a good step in the right direction towards a new FF7, possibly the PS3 remake we've been clamoring for.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 1:01 pm GMT

    I apologise for my previous childish remarks "Tomb raider gundam, Hitman dragon star laser killer etc", to be honest i dont know much about SE other than being heavily focused on TBS games which i simply dont like, this is of course my own personal opinion, thats not to say that this buyout is neccessarily a bad thing as im sure they are'nt silly enough to totaly re-shape Eidos, as it is likely SE purchased Eidos mainly to provide them with a firm foot-hold into the western gaming markets, and to be honest they could do a damn site worse than buying Eidos as they have an exellent gaming history.

    My only hope is that SE still allow Eidos creative licence to continue making (in my opinion) great games such as Thief 4, Hitman 5 not to mention the much anticipated Deus-Ex 3, and to have the foresight to reinvent classics such as the Kain series without trying to redefine these games for the TBS community.

  • DoomBlast

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 11:23 am GMT

    I just had to laugh on some of these comments. No, they're not turning Hitman or Tomb Raider into RPG games, they're not that dumb. Just because they have published several successful RPGs it doesn't mean that they will have to turn everything into RPGs, it's just silly to think that way.

  • nerd_assassin

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 8:17 am GMT

    @DarkGothic

    And yeah, I agree with you. No wonder Hironobu went on to create Mistwalker...

    As a clarification though I only made the statement to add insult to injury, and have no idea why Hironobu Sakaguchi left Squeenix. If anyone can offer up some info on that, I'll be glad.

  • nerd_assassin

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 8:06 am GMT

    @zinoalex

    I think they just acquire the company, but they leave the production team the same as before. For example, they acquire Taito. Taito still makes Space Invaders, but Squeenix publishes it and sells it, and they all earn money. But Square-Enix sets what titles should be prioritized, and I think the trend is that only the popular(selling) franchises moves on, and that new IPs will be kept at bay until R&D can assure success. I think the only new IP I've seen the last year from Squeenix was The World Ends With You, which is a really really good game. So I think that's what will happen with Eidos and their games. But it's reassuring, knowing that a bigger group acquires another. The company remains intact, just a change of key players, but still their IPs will still go on. So fans can still hope for the next Tomb Raider, Thief and Hitman. I myself am waiting for another Hitman on the way. I just hope they get it right, the way they would integrate Eidos and it's IPs in the Squeenix Group.

  • Flipyap28

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 11:48 am GMT

    Shooter fans shouldn't worry about this kind of stuff some comments are ridiculous, gundam-tomb raider...gundam isn't even Square Enix

    I live in the UK and I am starting to see the changes to SE, I got an email from them advertising a new game they had a part in and it seemed to be a WWII RTS game where you are the allies attack germany...didn't think they took part in war games.

    They also do a lot of secret localization for things like the Disgaea series, look at the EU website and you can see Disgaea on it. I personally don't mind if SE expands it's business as long as Final Fantasy stays its top priority.

  • spicyramen08

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 11:26 am GMT

    This is great news because soo many game creators will be able to sit and discuss more gaming possibilities. I wish Sony would make FFVII's Crisis Core Sequel on PSP... it's bothersome to think I have the play the original playstation disc which I dont exactly have my hands on... but hey, I'm for alliances. Make me some games

  • regix416_basic

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 8:42 am GMT

    Final Fantasy VII for the PS3 may actually happen now. Eidos Interactive may actually help push it. Or maybe even a remake of VI?

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 3:25 am GMT

    All i can say is that i really hope Enix dont touch Deus-Ex 3, and like few a few others on here i hope they revive the 'Kain' series (without spoiling / killing it by making it a dumb TBS). I'll be honest, im not a SE fan by any means, however if they leave the existing IP's alone then i'll be happy to see the next Thief & Hitman..

  • quackthegreat

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 7:32 pm GMT

    If square is smart then when then when they get eidos they should revive blood omen.

  • zinoalex

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 6:59 pm GMT

    My concern with Square when they acquired Enix was that the Enix line would sufffer and the Square line of products would'nt.This has so far played out.The Dragon Quest titles are great but where are the Actraiser's at? I am hoping that this acqisition with Eidos is for all gamers better good. The merger with Taito was not that great(SquareEnix making Space Invaders?)

  • Blu-Fan-Boy

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 4:36 pm GMT

    Squeenix yay imagine if they made a Fantasy Raider game hahaha final fantasy style tomb raider looooool

  • Newager

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 2:43 pm GMT

    no i dont think they will mess hitman so much they knew there are already big expectations for hitman game in the market as well as its constant theme and maybe a bit more expanssive new feature that would be great but making hitman rpg will be stupid i dont think they will do it cause its just letting the customer go disappointed. But actually we see a little bit of rpg element already in hitman bm, didnt we upgrade weapons? collect money and also notoriety system that carries on from level to level? as long as they keep the rpg element light i think hitman should be fine.

  • shamarke

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 11:20 am GMT

    hitman 5 and thief 4 gonna rock!!!

  • boobush

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 11:15 am GMT

    I'm looking forward to play Timesplitters 4, now from Squarenix.

  • invictuslemming

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 10:12 am GMT

    As long as they still make Thief 4 I don't care...

    They'd better not cancel that!!!

  • boyplaybox

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 8:22 am GMT

    its final fantasy for eidos

  • chzchzchzwiz

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 7:17 am GMT

    This can only be a good thing. Square Enix is definitely my favorite company. I'm just hoping this doesnt further delay the games I'm waiting for such as FF XIII ( versus and regular) and FF Dissidia. My poor ps3 waits for Square Enix to give it some games. Plus for all those Eidos fans out there Square Enix has the money to invest in those classic series we all love, such as legacy of kain!

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 2:01 am GMT

    Tomb raider gundam, Hitman dragon star laser killer etc, and other mind numbing FVM filled TBS ****, goodbye Eidos, been nice knowing you. My only hope is that this buy out doesnt interfere with the production of Deus-Ex 3, as any interference by Enix will surely ruin it.

  • samfisherelitec

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 12:57 am GMT

    where the f*ck is hitman, mother*uckers???

  • FFCourtJester

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 11:47 pm GMT

    For all of you wondering why SE bought Eidos, check out the link and pay attention to who, other than SE, put out the game...

    http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/finalfantasy7/index.html

  • Salticid

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 10:41 pm GMT

    I'm disappointed that they don't mention Commandos series. They are some of my favs. I hope Square Enix will have new Commandos (bird's eye view, unlike Strike Force) sometimes in the near future.

  • DarkGothic

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 7:45 pm GMT

    After fusion with Enix, Square fell in mediocrity, and now?!

  • mindgamers

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 7:39 pm GMT

    Hitman is still Hitman, nothing gonna change my coldhearted fav.

  • zaiwen

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 6:22 pm GMT

    just unlocked the code for lara croft, i'm playing dissidia & still trying to get accustomed to her moves

  • silly_z45

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 6:17 pm GMT

    i dunno about anyone else but hitman RPG sounds cool....
    suprise attack, player advantage.
    hitman uses strangle for 23 damage.
    hired goon dies....watch out for this in 20 10

  • dedhedthe1rst

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 3:55 pm GMT

    Its still quite funny for me to hear about a 'board of directors' and 'company chairmen' and what not when talking about games. Lol. Anyway, new Legacy Of Kain please.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 2:53 pm GMT

    Now SE should buy Midway and bring MK back to it's 2D glory.

  • Kenshin100

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 2:49 pm GMT

    This is going to be lame.

  • pszone

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 2:33 pm GMT

    well i think edios and sqaureenix should talk in one room of new legacy of kain and tomb radier games and what to do to lsiten to sqaureenix great ideas

  • Red122

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 2:15 pm GMT

    All I can say is Square get off your collective behinds and make a new Legacy of Kain Game NOW!

  • RyuRanVII

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 2:00 pm GMT

    Square and EIDOS brought Final Fantasy VII and VIII to PC. One more reason they can bring us Final Fantasy XIII as well.

  • dannyatkinson

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 1:39 pm GMT

    Rikku will now be Laura Croft's sidekick. lol

  • Princess_Rectum

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 1:23 pm GMT

    Anyone else think it's a bit funny how back in the days of Playstation (PSOne) we got a new Final Fantasy every 14 months or so, but now we get a new one every 4-5 years...? and whoa, Resident Evil outsold Mega Man? I'm sure MegaMan would have sold as much as Final Fantasy's 85 million units if they actually stayed on the ball with that franchise.

  • Toshiro

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:59 pm GMT

    I'm holding off judgment until I actually play something from the new merger. Which I'm guessing won't happen for at least a year.

  • nintendog66

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:48 pm GMT

    Lara+Tifa+Yuna = MY Final Fantasy hehehe

  • BatrozX

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:43 pm GMT

    Wow...it will definitely be awkward buying a Hitman and/or a Tomb Raider game with a Square-Enix logo.

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