# Square

> Japanese video game company

**Wikidata**: [Q739552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q739552)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_(video_game_company))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/square

## Summary

Square is a video game developer[1].

## Summary
Square was a Japanese video game company founded in 1986 by Masashi Miyamoto. It was best known for developing the Final Fantasy series and was later merged with Enix to form Square Enix in 2003.

## Key Facts
- Founded: September 1986 by Masashi Miyamoto
- Country: Japan
- Industry: Video game industry
- Legal form: Kabushiki gaisha (株式会社)
- Headquarters: Meguro, Tokyo
- Dissolved: 2003 (merged to form Square Enix)
- Notable for: Final Fantasy series
- Website: http://www.square.co.jp (archived)
- Aliases: Square Co., Ltd., Square Company, Limited, Square Co., Square Co. Ltd, Square Company, Square Co Ltd, Square Co Ltd., Square Company Ltd, Square Co. Ltd.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Square known for?
A: Square is best known for creating the Final Fantasy series, one of the most successful and influential role-playing game franchises in video game history.

### Q: When was Square founded and by whom?
A: Square was founded in September 1986 by Masashi Miyamoto in Japan.

### Q: What happened to Square?
A: Square merged with Enix in 2003 to form Square Enix, combining two of Japan's largest RPG developers.

### Q: Where was Square headquartered?
A: Square was headquartered in Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.

### Q: What was Square's legal structure?
A: Square operated as a kabushiki gaisha (株式会社), which is a Japanese corporation structure similar to a joint-stock company.

## Why It Matters
Square played a pivotal role in shaping the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) genre and the global video game industry. The company's flagship Final Fantasy series became a cultural phenomenon, setting new standards for storytelling, character development, and gameplay mechanics in RPGs. Square's innovative approach to game design, including the introduction of cinematic cutscenes, complex narratives, and strategic combat systems, influenced countless developers and helped establish the JRPG as a distinct and respected genre worldwide. The company's merger with Enix to form Square Enix created one of the most powerful forces in the gaming industry, combining two of the most influential RPG developers and ensuring the continued evolution of the genre. Square's legacy continues through Square Enix's ongoing development of new Final Fantasy titles and other beloved franchises, maintaining its position as a cornerstone of video game culture.

## Notable For
- Created the Final Fantasy series, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time
- Pioneered cinematic storytelling and complex narratives in video games
- Developed innovative RPG gameplay mechanics that influenced the entire genre
- Merged with Enix in 2003 to form Square Enix, creating a gaming industry powerhouse
- Maintained a strong presence in both console and handheld gaming markets

## Body
### Company History
Square was founded in September 1986 by Masashi Miyamoto in Japan. The company struggled initially but found its breakthrough with the release of Final Fantasy in 1987, which was originally conceived as a last-ditch effort (hence the name "Final Fantasy") before the company might have gone bankrupt.

### Final Fantasy Series
The Final Fantasy series became Square's flagship franchise, with each numbered entry introducing new gameplay innovations, storylines, and technological advancements. The series helped establish many RPG conventions and became particularly successful on Nintendo and later Sony PlayStation platforms.

### Business Operations
Square operated as a kabushiki gaisha (株式会社), the standard Japanese corporation structure. The company was based in Meguro, Tokyo, and maintained a website at http://www.square.co.jp. Square developed games for various platforms including consoles, handheld devices, and personal computers.

### Industry Relationships
Square competed with other major Japanese developers like Nintendo, Konami, Namco, and Bandai. The company also had relationships with American developers and publishers as the video game market became increasingly global.

### Merger and Legacy
In 2003, Square merged with Enix Corporation to form Square Enix. This merger combined two of Japan's most influential RPG developers and created one of the largest video game companies in the world. The merger allowed for the continued development of both companies' franchises under a single entity.

### Technical Achievements
Square was known for pushing technological boundaries in game development, particularly in areas like 3D graphics, full-motion video, and complex game engines. The company's work on the PlayStation platform helped demonstrate the console's capabilities and influenced game development standards.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Square",
  "description": "Japanese video game company known for creating the Final Fantasy series",
  "url": "http://www.square.co.jp",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11920",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_(video_game_company)"
  ],
  "foundingDate": "1986-09",
  "dissolutionDate": "2003",
  "country": "Japan",
  "industry": "Video game industry",
  "legalStructure": "Kabushiki gaisha"
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora
5. [Square Co. | Chrono Wiki | Fandom](https://chrono.fandom.com/wiki/Square_Co.)
6. VideoGameGeek