Square Enix Bids $600M for Taito

[fitbabits]

The headline says it all. Next-Gen (http://www.next-gen.biz) is reporting (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=827&Itemid=2) that Square Enix have tabled a bid for arcade company Taito.

From the article:

Monday, 22 August 2005
In an attempt to take on its larger rivals in Japan, Square Enix has bid over $600 million for arcade company Taito.

Hmmm....

[Justin_McElroy]

I'd pay $600M for the "First Funky Fighter" and "Bubble Bobble" licenses alone.

[Xerxes]

Whoa... I don't understand... I read it three times and I still don't get it...

[mister_slim]

Gamasutra (gamastutra.com)'s writeup (http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6284) has a bit more detail. It's nice to see the diversification bug has hit Japan.

[LilEvilFish]

2006 - Final Fantasy Bubble Puzzle hits the arcades by storm, breaking all records and reducing the economy to that of the Space Invaders age. No one can afford to get out of debt anymore (so what else is new) and as such the banks are pressured to erase world debt. They do so and everyone is really happy and have lots of sex.

Jack Thompson then gets the game banned since Tifa is present as a character and her skirt is too short and gives off sexual undertones (well duh). This causes widespread outrage, wars develop, the west and east both hit "the button" at the same time and wipe out all life apart from the Icelandics, who were busy driving cars up hills and doing other crazy shit.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

I can't think of any IP that Taito owns that would be worth buying and converting to a next gen console (but I know I'm leaving out a few good games because Taito was huge in the NES/SNES days). But I thought arcades were dead? Why not just bid on the IPs and leave the arcade and distribution for some other company?

[Rakael]

2006 - Final Fantasy Bubble Puzzle hits the arcades by storm, breaking all records and reducing the economy to that of the Space Invaders age. No one can afford to get out of debt anymore (so what else is new) and as such the banks are pressured to erase world debt. They do so and everyone is really happy and have lots of sex.

Jack Thompson then gets the game banned since Tifa is present as a character and her skirt is too short and gives off sexual undertones (well duh). This causes widespread outrage, wars develop, the west and east both hit "the button" at the same time and wipe out all life apart from the Icelandics, who were busy driving cars up hills and doing other crazy shit.

Genius. Pure genius.

[mister_slim]

Speaking of SE, I'll reproduce a memo in their files.

From: Sony
To: Square-Enix
Re: Nintendogs
"This is your final warning. You have six months to release a chocobo raising simulation on the PSP. Build it from scratch, port whatever chocobo breeding and racing code you have, it matters not.

BTW, Ken says unless you comply he will release the PS2-bots of war."

[51|RandoM]

I'll simplify it.

1. Don't keep all of your eggs in the same basket.
2. Currently, if your company isn't growing, it is dying. If you can't grow one segment of your company, grow another---see #1.

[Justin_McElroy]

Eventually, the world of videogaming will end it a fight to the death between Square/Enix/Taito/Etc. vs. Electronic Arts.

The prize? Our souls.

[womp]

2006 - Final Fantasy Bubble Puzzle hits the arcades by storm, breaking all records and reducing the economy to that of the Space Invaders age. No one can afford to get out of debt anymore (so what else is new) and as such the banks are pressured to erase world debt. They do so and everyone is really happy and have lots of sex.


in other related news final fantasy is getting an overhaul. gone is the active battle mode and in it's place is active bubble mode.

[Xerxes]

Namco or Capcom i would think are "rivals" but Taito....
I mean I really don't know japan if that's the case..

[amusedtoe]

It's all obvious if you think about it. Not content with the millions of copies each FF game sells Squenix is leaving the home console market. With the aquisition of Taito, Squenix will then have the power in the arcade market they need to make their move and release FFXIII on in arcades only. It will be one dollar for 10 minutes of play and a proprietary $30 memory card will be required to save your game and continue at a later date. Giving their fans more of what they what XIII will be 50% longer then any game to date and each sequental release will double the previous games play time. Gil will be abolished in favor of purchasing items with real money ranging from 50 cents up to $302 for powerful magic items. As a bonus feature your party is in constant peril and has a 42% chance of instant death every 8 steps unless a one use good luck charm is bought for 75 cents reducing the chance of instant death to 18%. There's also a $4 per hour observation fee for anyone in sight of the cabinent, which must be placed on an elevated platform in the center of the arcade. Squenix as always is on the cutting edge of gaming and set to bring the arcade scene into modern era.

[Shodan2020]

Taito made some of the best arcade games way back in the early '80s to mid-90's. Bubble Bobble (Puzzle Bobble), Pyros, and a whole slew of games for the Neo-Geo.

[TrackZero]

Heh, before reading any further into the purchase the question in my head was "Wow, Bubble Bobble and Ikari Warriors must really be selling well.". ;)

[Kelegacy]

Eventually, the world of videogaming will end it a fight to the death between Square/Enix/Taito/Etc. vs. Electronic Arts.

The prize? Our souls.

In that case, i hope Square wins. EA can suck my sawlty bawls.

[MagicAlex]

I want an Arkanoid RPG.

[Chiron]

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenix!

That is all.

(note: wait for the pizza to arrive before you start in on the beer..)

[Xerxes]

HOLY SHIT... Taito made Ikari Warriors..... Sign me up...

[alienchild]

Taito == Lufia.
Lufia == pwnage.

I rest my case. Even I would shell out $600m for the Lufia lisence. Well, if I had the cash :p

[Spigot]

I want an Arkanoid RPG.

Hee hee. That made me laugh.

I can imagine it now.

"You have reached level 37. Your balls are now able to do +78 damage. Throw them against the brick wall now!"

[Vale]

They need to get Kingdom Hearts 2 and FF12 out the door before they take anything else on.