LONDON, November 12 /PRNewswire/ --

- Development Begins on Real-Time Strategy Game Supreme Commander 2

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix(R) interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories (Square Enix), today announces that Square Enix, Inc., a U.S. sister company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and development house Gas Powered Games Corp., a U.S. company headquartered in Redmond, Washington (Gas Powered Games) have formed a strategic partnership. With the commencement of this strategic partnership, development has begun on Supreme Commander(R) 2, a sequel to the award-winning real-time strategy series.

This strategic partnership represents one of the first steps Square Enix Co., Ltd., a sister company of Square Enix headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and its affiliates (collectively, Square Enix Group) are taking towards their goal of increasing western development efforts aimed for the global markets. Square Enix Group has previously worked exclusively with Japanese development companies, so the decision to form strategic partnerships with developers located outside of Japan serves as a new cornerstone of its strategy to create games targeted primarily at consumers in Europe and North America. Additionally, Square Enix Group's foray into the real-time strategy genre is a significant expansion of its product lineup, largely known for its leadership role in the genre of role-playing games.

We see great opportunities in European and North American markets, both of which are expected to be maintaining sustainable growth over these coming years, said Yoichi Wada, president and representative director of Square Enix Co., Ltd. Therefore, it is crucial we create alliances with proven developers such as Gas Powered Games in order to serve these significant markets better by providing products and services in tune with customer tastes.

Gas Powered Games is an accomplished development house that has demonstrated its ability to successfully create and develop intellectual properties, said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.. We are extremely excited to begin working with Gas Powered Games' talented personnel and see this strategic partnership as a significant step in our efforts to bring Square Enix titles to a broader global audience.

Creator of hit titles such as Dungeon Siege(R), and Supreme Commander, Gas Powered Games(R) was founded in 1998 by one of the game industry's most imaginative and dynamic visionaries Chris Taylor, who serves as chief executive officer. It is truly a great honour to join forces with as renowned a developer and publisher as Square Enix, Inc. said Taylor: Everyone at Gas Powered Games is thrilled about this collaboration, and the results will surely delight video game fans around the world.

Details on Supreme Commander 2 including gameplay features, platform(s) and release date will be available at a later time.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST(R) which has sold over 46 million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. with offices in London, Square Enix Ltd. handles operations in Europe and other PAL territories including sales, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com

About Gas Powered Games

Gas Powered Games (GPG) was founded in May 1998 by acclaimed game designer and industry visionary, Chris Taylor. The founding principle for GPG was to create immersive AAA games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. GPG is known for its popular Dungeon Siege and Supreme Commander franchises, plus the upcoming Demigod(TM). GPG is located in Redmond, Washington. For more information, visit www.gaspowered.com.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in United Kingdom and/or other countries. SUPREME COMMANDER is a registered trademark of Square Enix, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. DEMIGOD, DUNGEON SIEGE, GAS POWERED GAMES and the GAS POWERED GAMES logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gas Powered Games Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Square Enix Limited is a company registered in England Wales under the number 3679704 whose registered office is Castle House, 37-45 Paul Street, London EC2A 4LS.

Contact: Alex Huhtala Public Relations Manager Square Enix Ltd +44(0)20-7324-5223 alexh@square-enix-europe.com

Contact: Alex Huhtala, Public Relations Manager, Square Enix Ltd, +44(0)20-7324-5223, alexh@square-enix-europe.com