While I'm a JRPG fan first, and while I love most of what comes out of Square Enix, I've always pictured them as a sort of Shinra Electric Power Company (from Final Fantasy VII) in the making. They started out small, with their Tom Sawyers and their Rad Racers, but they have since grown so big that they one day may take over the government and ruin our cities. Maybe.

The first step in their plan to acquire smaller companies to accelerate growth. Bloomberg says that the company plans to buy up smaller companies at home in Japan, as well as in India and China. Square Enix bought Taito Corp in 2005, but they haven't moved on anything since, so they figure that it's time to get buying again.

"The cycle of buying new companies, improving earnings and acquiring again comes on average every two years,'' said company president Yoichi Wada. "It's been two years since we bought Taito. I think it's time for the next round.''

As big as they've become, they have no interest in anything but videogames and entertainment companies.

"Acquisitions and alliances will be the cornerstone of our growth strategy this year and the next,'' said Wada. "We are an entertainment content provider, so you won't see us buying business software or food and beverage companies.''

Aww. I was looking forward to Barret Burgers and Chocobo Cola. Those will come in time, I guess.

[Thanks, JR]