According to an official help wanted ad, Square Enix has begun hiring for their own California-based development studio.The ad is looking for what they call "master" programmers holding a bachelor's degree, skilled in C and C++, and roughly 5 years of game development experience, with at least one Xbox 360 game under their belts (I'm not sure that counts as "master" programmer, but hey). These programmers are being forecasted to lay the ground work for a team developing an action-oriented Wii and Xbox 360 title.
Aside from the brief experimental Square USA development studio, both Square and Enix (and currently Square Enix) have traditionally developed almost exclusively out of Japan, with their international branches working only on localization.
However, with Wada's recent comments on focusing more on the West, the Earth-shattering Final Fantasy XIII to Xbox 360 announcement, and the recent partnership with Seattle-based Gas Powered Games, Square Enix seems to be taking some cues from companies like Capcom and Konami and turning their attention to Western markets.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I remember reading somewhere that Square Enix opening a North American development studio is a sign of the end of the world, so I'm going to get back to preparing that bomb shelter.
UPDATE: The job posting on Square Enix's website lists only the Xbox 360 under required skills, with no mention of the Wii. Read that however you would like.
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