Does Disney Own Kingdom Hearts?
The Kingdom Hearts series has been a beloved franchise for many fans of role-playing games and Disney enthusiasts for over two decades. With its unique blend of Disney, Final Fantasy, and original elements, the series has grown in popularity over the years. However, one question often arises: does Disney own Kingdom Hearts? Let’s dive into the details and explore the answer.
Direct Answer: Does Disney Own Kingdom Hearts?
No, Disney does not own Kingdom Hearts. The Kingdom Hearts series is owned by Square Enix, a video game publisher and developer based in Japan.
But, let’s explain the connection between Disney and Square Enix:
"
The Disney Connection
In 2001, Disney Interactive, the digital media subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, partnered with Square (then-Square Co., Ltd.) to create Kingdom Hearts, a game that combined the worlds of Disney and Final Fantasy. The game’s development was a joint venture between Disney’s video game division and Square (which later merged with Enix, a Japanese video game developer, to form Square Enix).
Disney provided the intellectual property rights to their beloved Disney characters, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel, while Square (now Square Enix) contributed the core game development and development, publishing, and distribution services. This collaboration resulted in the first Kingdom Hearts game, released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2.
Key Points:
• Joint Venture: Disney Interactive and Square (Square Enix) formed a joint venture to develop and publish Kingdom Hearts.
• IP Rights: Disney provided their intellectual property rights for the Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel characters.
• Game Development: Square (Square Enix) handled the core game development, publishing, and distribution.
How did the Kingdom Hearts series come to be licensed to Square Enix?
In 2009, Square (Enix) acquired a 33.3% stake in Disney Interactive, solidifying their partnership and strengthening their relationship. This led to a series of agreements, including the extension of their joint venture for the Kingdom Hearts franchise. This acquisition did not change the ownership structure of the Kingdom Hearts series, as Square Enix still maintained the rights to develop and publish the games.
The Current Situation:
Today, Square Enix handles the development, publishing, and distribution of the Kingdom Hearts series. Disney is no longer directly involved in the franchise, except for the exclusive use of their intellectual property. The partnership between Square Enix and Disney has come to an end, and Disney’s roles are mostly limited to the provision of their IPs for the games.
Conclusion:
While Disney is not the owner of the Kingdom Hearts series, their collaboration with Square (Enix) led to the birth of this beloved franchise. Square Enix has since maintained the development, publishing, and distribution of the series, with Disney’s involvement limited to providing their intellectual property rights. The Kingdom Hearts series has become a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in the world of game development.
References:
- IGN: "Square Enix Acquires 33.3% stake in Disney Interactive"
- GameSpot: "Square Enix to Handle Kingdom Hearts Development and Publishing"
Conclusion
I hope this article clarifies the relationship between Disney and Square Enix regarding the Kingdom Hearts series. For fans of the series, it’s reassuring to know that the franchise has found a strong home with Square Enix, which has continued to deliver high-quality games for over two decades.