Square
Notable Games
Company History
Square Co., Ltd. was founded on September 22, 1986, in Tokyo, Japan, by Masafumi Miyamoto. The company became one of gaming's most influential developers through Final Fantasy and associated franchises before merging with Enix in 2003 to form Square Enix.
Square's early releases struggled commercially. The company faced potential closure before Final Fantasy (1987) reversed its fortunes. Creator Hironobu Sakaguchi reportedly named the game "Final Fantasy" because it represented his last effort before leaving the gaming industry.
Final Fantasy's success launched a franchise that defined console RPGs. Each numbered entry reimagined settings, characters, and systems while maintaining series identity. Final Fantasy VI (1994) achieved narrative sophistication; Final Fantasy VII (1997) demonstrated 3D RPG possibilities and became one of the best-selling games ever.
Beyond Final Fantasy, Square created or published numerous significant titles: Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger (co-developed with Enix personnel), Vagrant Story, Xenogears, Kingdom Hearts (with Disney), and Front Mission. The SaGa and Mana series provided additional RPG franchises.
The Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within film (2001) nearly bankrupted the company. The $137 million production lost substantial money, forcing Square to seek merger partners. The Enix combination in 2003 created Square Enix, ending Square's independent existence.
Behind the Scenes
Square's artistic ambition distinguished it from competitors. While Dragon Quest maintained consistent mechanics, Final Fantasy reinvented itself each entry. This approach risked alienating audiences but meant each game felt fresh. The strategy produced landmark titles alongside occasional missteps.
Hironobu Sakaguchi's vision shaped the company's identity. His romantic worldview, combining melancholy with hope, infused Final Fantasy's narratives. Characters faced loss, made sacrifices, and found redemption. This emotional resonance elevated games beyond mechanical entertainment.
Technical achievement became a Square hallmark. Final Fantasy VI pushed SNES capabilities to their limits. Final Fantasy VII pioneered 3D RPG development. Each hardware generation saw Square demonstrate new platform capabilities through ambitious productions.
Nobuo Uematsu's musical compositions became inseparable from Final Fantasy's identity. His scores ranged from orchestral grandeur to intimate character themes. The music earned standalone appreciation through concerts and recordings, demonstrating gaming music's artistic validity.
Chrono Trigger's development brought together talent from Square and Enix (including Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii). The resulting game is considered one of the greatest RPGs ever made, demonstrating what collaboration between rival companies could achieve.
The film disaster illustrated ambition's risks. Square believed Final Fantasy could transcend gaming; The Spirits Within proved otherwise. The expensive failure humbled the company and necessitated the Enix merger that ended Square's independence.
Square's legacy lives within Square Enix. Final Fantasy continues; Kingdom Hearts remains significant; associated franchises receive attention. But the distinct Square identity — maximalist ambition, technical pushing, emotional storytelling — diluted within the larger corporate structure.
Final Fantasy VII
• 1997
FINAL FANTASY VIII
• 1999
FINAL FANTASY IX
• 2000
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
• 1996
Parasite Eve II
• 1999
Final Fantasy Tactics
• 1997
Chrono Trigger
• 1995
Parasite Eve
• 1998
Final Fantasy VI
• 1994
Final Fantasy
• 1987
Chrono Cross
• 1999
Final Fantasy IV
• 1991
About Square
Square is a merged game development company founded on September 22, 1983 and headquartered in .
Known for creating iconic titles such as Final Fantasy VII, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI and more, Square has left an indelible mark on the video game industry.