Square Enix is looking to change the way operation works in the Europe offices, and so is also looking to change their name. Forming a new entity, they are now to be dubbed temporarily as Square Enix Europe. This office will take care of all the publishing for Square Enix and Eidos products.

With the announcement of their E3 lineup this year, Square Enix moves into the expo aiming to show a broader variety of games than the ones we usually see. Taking their partnerships with other developers, the A-list publisher will showcase different game genres in their booth, apart from their arsenal of heavyweight franchises of course.

Big things up for Square Enix! They've just set up shop in LA, and in an interview, SE US president John Yamamoto has confided their plans: the LA studio is going digital. He also revealed the general direction the corporation is going - global markets and what not. But in what could be called as one of the boldest statements ever made in the industry, he's already declaring the exclusivity war officially over. Like whoa.

More retro-gaming goodness is heading for Europe's handhelds as Square Enix readies Space Invaders Extreme  (PSP, DS) and Arkanoid DS for release to the region. Wondering when exactly these two classics will be launching? Visit the full article to find out!

 

It looks like you DS fans will definitely be in for a treat today. We've picked up word that Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is definitely coming to PAL territories, and Square Enix has named early 2008 as the release date for the game.

Featuring the continuing story of Vaan, Penelo, Fran, and Balthier, you'll be able to take to the skies as the intrepid team explores new locations around Ivalice in search of the fabled Cache of Glabados. You'll also be taking on new enemies and making new friends along the way.

So all in all, things are looking up for the former street urchin and his friends. John Yamamoto, CEO of Square Enix Ltd., had this to say about the new game's release in PAL territories:

I am delighted that we are providing fans with another opportunity to enjoy the beautiful world of Ivalice with Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. With the same high-production values including movies and music, this is a stunning sequel that expands upon the original game and that makes full use of the Nintendo DS hardware.

While waiting for the game to come out, why not enjoy some new English screenshots that the game has to offer. It certainly makes us wish the game was coming out sooner. Ah well, we suppose even treasure hunters have to wait to strike it rich. Enjoy the screenshots.

More screenshots after the jump!

A few months back, we reported that the real-time strategy RPG title Heroes of Mana was coming to North America. Well, Europe and other PAL territories need not feel left out anymore as the Square Enix and Brownie Brown DS video game has announced that Heroes of Mana will be coming there as well.

In Heroes of Mana, players are put in the boots of Roget, a Peddan soldier. Roget gets caught up with a conspiracy spun by his own superiors against him and the crew of their aircraft. What's a guy to do? Well, as you may have guessed, you have to lead your party to uncover the scheme and saved the world of Mana.

What else can we expect from the title? Here are the additional features:

• Real-time strategy that makes full use of the Nintendo DS Touch Screen – the intuitive control scheme allows players to lead armies, build bases and vanquish their foes entirely through the use of the Nintendo DS stylus
• Intense head-to-head multiplayer allows friends to challenge each other via DS Wireless Communications
• Command heroes and monsters alike from the Mana series and lead them to victory on the battlefield
• The signature Mana art style comes to life in a fantastic blend of 2D and 3D environments
• Kingdom Hearts series composer Yoko Shimomura delivers a stirring soundtrack that captures the essence of the World of Mana series

Square Enix's president and CEO, John Yamamoto is very enthusiastic about Heroes of Mana coming to Europe and PAL territories:

We’re very excited to be bringing Heroes of Mana to Europe. The MANA series has long been adored by fans around the world. Heroes of Mana offers a fantastically fresh new approach, with the addition of real-time strategy that makes battles even more thrilling than before.

Anyway, along with the announcement came a batch of English screenshots so you may want to check them out as well. Europe and PAL territories can expect Heroes of Mana on the shelves by autumn.

Check out more Heroes of Mana screenshots after the jump!

Square Enix has announced the official European release date for Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales. This Nintendo DS exclusive title will hit retail outlets in Europe and other PAL territories on May 25.

In Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, players get to play as a chocobo who must rescue his friends and stop a bad guy named Darkmaster Bebuzzu from regaining his lexicon of devastating powers. Along the way, players will also get to meet some popular characters from the Final Fantasy franchise.

"Our charismatic chocobos are the stars of this adventure where they encounter puzzles, multiplayer competitions and impressive Pop-Up Duel Card Battles," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. "There is something for everybody in Chocobo Tales."

Looks like Chocobo's flying to Europe as well. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales will hit the shelves in April 3 in North America and May in Europe.

Square Enix' Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales revolves around a chocobo's adventure. What else? Defeat the evil villain, Darkmaster Bebuzzu and save the day. The game features a Pop-Up Duel Card battle system and will have players going through more than 40 minigames. According to Square Enix' president and CEO, John Yamamoto, players - either an old fan or new - will have fun with this title.

Mark your calendars. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales is set to take over the world, err... save the world. Even though the Square Enix is yet to set a definitive release date (read: exact) for Europe, we're sure that the confirmation atleast got some players humming happy tunes.

Japanese publisher Square Enix is ready to break out of Japan and head west. According to SE president and CEO John Yamamoto, the company is anticipating the European gaming market to be bigger than Japan's. To capitalize on all that gaming Euro, the company plans to develop more 'Western' games in the future. In fact, the company is already shopping for a European developer to help them carve out a big slice of the European pie.

"I am very interested in European development because there are a lot of very good independent studios," said Yamamoto. "We have started having meetings with people right now, and we will keep going. Titles I’m looking at are for Europe and also the US. We are not looking to hire staff one by one, so maybe studios that have good experience would be easier to work with."

Their opening salvo for 2007 is Final Fantasy XII - almost a sure winner. But you FF fans out there better pace yourselves. The company famous for its RPG games has plans of Finally (and its not a Fantasy) releasing "over a dozen" of its Japan-only titles into the European market in various formats!

Some of Square Enix's Japan-only titles include:

• Final Fantasy II, III, IV, V and Final Fantasy VII International
• Square's Tom Sawyer
• Romancing SaGa 1,2 and 3
• Hanjuku Hero: Aah Sekai yo Hanjuku Nare
• Alcahest
• Live A Live
• Front Mission/ Front Mission Second / Front Mission: Gun Hazard/ Front Mission: Alternative
• Seiken Densetsu 3
• Bahamut Lagoon
• Treasure of the Rudras /Treasure Hunter G
• Treasure Conflix
• Koi ha baransu
• Dynamitracer
• Radical Dreamers
• Pro-Logic Mahjong Pai-Shin
• Power Stakes / Power Stakes Grade 1
• Tobal 2
• Digical League
• Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon
• Itadaki Street
• JJ