BizSpots: Square Enix, Playlogic, Data Design

Square Enix opens US online shop
First teased in June, Square Enix took the wraps off its US-compatible online merchandise store today. Officially opening for business at 6 p.m. Pacific, Square Enix's store will have collectibles from many of its various game franchises available for purchase. The store will initially stock pricey figurines and memorabilia from its best-known franchises, such as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, but new products are expected to be added at regular intervals. Square Enix currently operates an online store that serves Japanese audiences.

Playlogic nets 175 percent rise in revenues
While many larger publishers such as EA and THQ felt the adverse affects of the slow summer release schedule on their Q2 results, several smaller publishers such as Infogrames seem to have navigated the same period unscathed. Dutch publisher Playlogic Entertainment reported its half-year and Q2 results today, both of which ended June 30, and both sales and profits were significantly up. For its half-yearly revenues, Playlogic reported sales of $4.6 million, up 48 percent from $3.1 million the year before. In the second quarter alone, the publisher posted revenues of $1.1 million, up 175 percent from its year-on-year comparison of $400,000. Overall, gross profit was up 125 percent, from $1.2 million to $2.7 million year-over-year.

Data Design sets up Wii-focused casual studio
With Nintendo's Wii breaking open markets once thought beyond the realm of gaming, developers both large and small are tailoring their efforts to meet the new audience. The latest to do so is UK-based publisher/developer Data Design Interactive, who today announced it would be opening a new studio focused squarely on creating casual games for Nintendo's console. Branded Popcorn Arcade, the studio has opened up four new positions within the company, and at the helm of the group is Robert Dorney, a nine-year veteran of the company. According to Data Design managing director Stewart Green, Data Design has 14 titles in the pipe for this year, four of which have already gone gold, and another three are awaiting Nintendo's approval.