From Software owner Kadokawa has bought Octopath Traveler studio Acquire

From Software owner Kadokawa has purchased Japanese development studio Acquire for an undisclosed sum.

The Tokyo-based studio is the developer behind Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler games, as well as the Tenchu, Way of the Samurai and Abiba series.

It was founded in 1994 and employs 148 people, according to its website.

“To strengthen the ability to create IP in games as part of our game business strategy, we have made Acquire Corp. into a wholly owned subsidiary,” Kadokawa said in a quarterly earnings report published on Thursday.

“By acquiring the company, which has produced million-seller hit titles, we expect to generate synergies with our existing game-related subsidiaries, strengthen our planning and development capabilities groupwide, and enhance our line-up of console games.”

Elsewhere in its earnings report, Kadokawa provided a brief update on From Software’s upcoming Elden Ring expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.

“We are currently working hard on the development of DLC for Elden Ring but we have not announced a release date at this time,” it said.

Elden Ring has sold over 20 million copies since its release on February 25, 2022.

Shadow of the Erdtree was announced three days after the game’s first anniversary, although only a few details about the expansion have been revealed since.

It was reported this week that Chinese gaming giant Tencent is developing a mobile version of Elden Ring.