2022 truly is the year of buyouts and acquisitions, and a new rumor claims Square Enix is being eyed up by Sony.

From Microsoft getting Activision Blizzard to Sony getting Bungie, it seems companies are keen to rapidly increase their portfolio. However, one that remains so far within the realm of speculation and rumor is a possible Sony buyout of Square Enix.

Shortly after Square Enix sold off many of its western studios, and therefore IPs such as Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, there were rumors that Sony might be looking to purchase the company which recently cut off some weight.

According to Ex-Eidos Montreal developer Stephane D’Astous, it seems there may be more to these rumors after all. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry, he revealed hearing about Sony’s interest in buying the developer.

“And there are rumours, obviously, that with all these activities of mergers and acquisitions, that Sony would really like to have Square Enix within their wheelhouse,” D’Astous said. “I heard rumours that Sony said they’re really interested in Square Enix Tokyo, but not the rest.”

It should be noted that D’Astous left Edios Montreal back in 2013. At the time, he says that while he was hopeful of Square Enix’s support when the company first bought them out, they never appeared to be as committed as they original thought. Which leads to what he felt was a long decline for the western companies.

Is there merit behind these statements? Given his connection to the company, it sounds possible and perhaps Sony was even considering it at one point.

The recent selling of western studios does give some the appearance that Square Enix was cutting off fat to make themselves more attractive to a buyout. Especially considering the statement D’Astous gave about how Sony was only interested in the Tokyo branch of the company.