Square Enix has decided to reabsorb Luminous Productions all because of Forspoken.
From the 1st of May, Luminous will be integrated back into Square Enix.
In 2016, Square Enix studio Business Division 2 was renamed Luminous Productions. Square Enix tasked them with developing fresh triple-A games using its Luminous Engine, which was also used for Final Fantasy 15.
Parent company Square Enix has decided to absorb the studio back into itself.
Luminous productions made the announcement via a Tweet on their official Twitter account and this comes only a month after they released Forspoken on PS5 and PC.
Square Enix then released their own statement stating:
”The merger is part of the Company’s efforts to further bolster the competitive prowess of the Group’s development studios,” and that “Luminous Productions Co., Ltd. is meanwhile equipped not only with AAA title development capabilities but also technical expertise in areas such as game engine development. Combining the two entities will further enhance the Group’s ability to develop HD games.”
Luminous Productions has been working on a patch to address criticisms of the game’s inconsistent performance. These have affected its graphics, playability, and other aspects.
While many have criticized Forspoken for its incomplete and unpolished gameplay, and cringeworthy dialogue. The lead actress Ella Balinska takes pride in her performance and sees being part of a video game as a realization of her childhood dream.
She stated of the game:
“I always reference my eight-year-old self whenever I talk about something I’m really proud of doing, I’m just speechless right now. I just never would have thought me playing games downstairs with my mom’s hairdresser’s son while she was getting her hair done.
Now, to think that he can pick up this game and play as me, it’s just unbelievable. And I hope it inspires other people to realize that if you commit to the bit hard enough, something really crazy can happen.”
The narrative of Forspoken revolves around the adventures of Frey. A young woman from New York who finds herself transported to the fascinating yet brutal realm of Athia.
To find her way back home, Frey has to employ her newly acquired magical powers to navigate through vast terrains and combat ferocious beasts.
The merge is set to happen on the 1st of May. But fear not as they have assured fans that this will not affect further developments for Forspoken. Although if a sequel will be coming out is still a mystery.