Last month, we learned that Square Enix had sold to the Embracer group several of its licenses (including TOMB RAIDER, Thief, Legacy of Kein, Deus Ex) as well as some of its Western studios such as Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, or again Square Enix Montreal. “This agreement will help the company adapt to the changes currently affecting the global business environment, including a better allocation of resources, which will increase its value, could we read in a press release sent to shareholders. In addition, this acquisition will be an opportunity to launch new activities and invest in new areas such as blockchain, AI and the Cloud."
Obviously, Square Enix has not completely turned its back on franchises aimed at the Western market, since in the context of an assembly devoted to the financial results of the 2021-2022 fiscal year, President Yosuke Matsuda revealed that Just Cause 5 (unofficial name) was in development. "We have reviewed all of our studios and our catalog with a view to optimizing our offer that we wish to develop for the North American and European market, he explained. We wish to create games able to stick with our strategy, including new licenses. Besides, Just Cause remains our property, and we are working on a brand new episode."
We do not know at what stage is the development of Just Cause 5, knowing that Avalanche Studios is at work on Contraband. Perhaps we will be entitled to a first trailer at one of the conferences planned for the month of June, even if the chances seem slim, however. For the record, Just Cause 4 was released in December 2018 on consoles and PC.
