Square Enix Officially Denies Going Private Amidst Rumors

Square Enix, the developer behind the Final Fantasy series, has officially responded to recent speculation that it might be taken private. The rumors began after Japanese business magazine Sentaku reported that the company was considering such a move, which caused Square Enix's stock to surge nearly 12% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. However, the company has now denied these claims.

In a statement, Square Enix said: 'The September issue of the monthly magazine Sentaku carried a report regarding the possibility of Square Enix Holdings Co., LTD. going private. However, this information was not announced by the Company. No consideration is currently being given within the Company to taking the Company private.'

The denial comes amid a wave of consolidation in the gaming industry. Notably, EA was recently acquired by a Saudi Arabian investment group and taken private, sparking concerns among fans and employees about the future direction of the company—whether it will continue supporting single-player titles from BioWare and cherished franchises like Dead Space, or shift focus to microtransactions and live-service games. While the full impact of EA's privatization remains to be seen, similar rumors about Square Enix naturally lead to widespread speculation.

Square Enix has undergone significant changes over the past decade, most notably selling off several Western studios, including Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal, in 2022. These studios were acquired by Embracer Group, meaning Square Enix no longer holds rights to franchises such as Tomb Raider and Deus Ex. The company has also faced multiple rounds of layoffs in recent years but continues to push forward.