Posted on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:33:00 PST -
Square Enix and Ubisoft today announced an exclusive distribution deal for the Japanese region, under which Square Enix will gain all distribution rights for Ubisoft games. The deal becomes active in April, meaning the most recent Prince of Persia will likely be the last major game Ubisoft Japan releases.
The deal isn't so unexpected for Square Enix, as CEO Yoichi Wada has often spoken about gaming globalization, his admiration of Western software, and his ambitions to distribute foreign games in Japan. Ubisoft has handled European distribution for Square Enix titles in the past, providing a pre-existing relationship.
Ubisoft's apparent abandoning of Japanese publishing is somewhat surprising, however, given respectable Assassin's Creed sales of over 150,000 units, and the remarkable marketing and localization push the company gave Prince of Persia. For the recent 360 release of the game (the PS3 version is due in Japan January 22), Ubisoft went as far as to hold elaborate launch events with name actors Riko Narumi and Daisuke Namikawa, who provided the voices for Elika and the Prince.
Read More...