Square Enix is opening a new Western studio just months after selling its Western studios

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The company recently sold Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal and Square Enix Montreal for a whopping $300m

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy preview
(Image credit: Square Enix)

Months after selling off its Western studios, Square Enix seems to be setting up a new one in the West.

According to a new pending application filed through the Canadian Trademarks Database (thanks, VGC), Square Enix is opening a new studio called Studio Onoma that'll be involved in "publishing of computer game software and video game software." Square Enix Newco Limited, a newly established company based in London, is listed as the trademark applicant.

Apparently, the new studio could also produce things like strategy guides, posters, fly sheets, clothing and apparel, action figures, and battery-operated games, though traditional video games would seemingly be its primary focus. 

At the time, Square Enix said the sale would "assist the company in adapting to the changes underway in the global business environment by establishing a more efficient allocation of resources." It also said it would establish new studios and realign its business to focus on "[cultivating] robust IP" as well as the "creation of new IP." It seems we could be seeing the first fruits of those efforts with this pending application for a new studio in the West, though further details are unclear.

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.