Japanese game developer Square Enix has struck a $300 million deal with Swedish publishing group ‘Embracer’ (previously known as TDQ Nordic). Although Lara Croft is no longer part of the Square Enix family, this could turn out to be great news for her fans, as the franchise’s new owners have already confirmed that there is talk of a new Tomb Raider game.

Despite the game being at the centre of attention of the trade, Embracer Group also acquired three notable Western studios—Crystal Dynamics, Square Enix Montréal, and Eidos-Montréal. The titles under the banner of the studios includes fan favourites such as ‘Legacy of Kain‘, ‘Thief‘ and ‘Deus Ex‘.

SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD. enters into an agreement with Embracer Group for the acquisition of Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, Square Enix Montréal, and IP. Press Release: https://t.co/ooOYacp4PW pic.twitter.com/2PmQE967gk

— Square Enix (@SquareEnix) May 2, 2022

The Deal that will Build a Better Future

Square Enix acknowledged that one reason they decided to sell their iconic studios was because of the unstable economic situation. Increased cash flow means greater opportunities. According to the company, they are looking at developing blockchain-based games.

This would mean the integration of in-play NFTs to Square Enix’s future work, but Yosuke Matsuda, the president of the company, approached the subject cautiously at the beginning of the year, saying that the NFT gaming market is “overheated”.

Different games for different players in an ever-evolving market

Moreover, Yosuke Matsada envisions the picture of the near future with consideration for different types of gamers—those that play for fun, and those that play to contribute. Gaming NFTs, which are user-related content, have become increasingly important, even though not all gaming companies can implement them successfully.

Square Enix first jumped on the NFT train in March 2021, creating NFTs for ‘Million Arthur‘. The change in the company’s outlook came from the understanding that modern-day gamers have different needs, and traditional gaming might not be able to fulfil them. “I believe that token economies will lead to more people devoting themselves to such efforts and to greater possibilities of games growing in exciting ways.” Yosuke Matsada explained.

Square Enix CEO Yosuke Matsuda embraces NFTs and the metaverse in a public new year’s letter. “By incorporating viable token economies into games, we can enable self-sustaining growth.”https://t.co/0eWsCC0sMa pic.twitter.com/GEGqD9dJqX

— Nibel (@Nibellion) January 1, 2022

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