DigiCube
| File:DigiCube logo.png | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Template:Jasdaq | |
| Industry | Video games Wholesale Publishing |
| Founded | Template:Sda |
| Defunct | November 26, 2003 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Owner | Square Enix |
DigiCube Co., Ltd. (株式会社デジキューブ; Kabushiki-gaisha Dejikyūbu) was a Tokyo-based Japanese enterprise established on February 6, 1996, as a subsidiary of the software developer Square. The company specialized in the promotion and distribution of Square's products, including video games and associated merchandise such as toys, books, and music soundtracks. Functioning primarily as a wholesaler to various distributors, DigiCube was an innovator in selling video games through unconventional channels like Japanese convenience stores and vending machine kiosks.
History
By the end of 1997, DigiCube's vending machine distribution network had achieved sales exceeding 10 million software units since its inception in November 1996. The company reached its highest performance in 1998 with sales totaling 8.6 million units and revenue amounting to ¥46.8 billion JPY. In March 2000, DigiCube expanded its offerings by retailing the PlayStation 2, successfully moving 100,000 consoles alongside 400,000 game copies. By May of that year, the catalog included thirty-one software titles from fourteen distinct publishers. Following a reconciliation between Nintendo and Square in February 2001, DigiCube broadened its distribution to encompass Game Boy titles.
However, sales experienced a significant downturn in the following years. After the merger of Square and rival company Enix in early 2003, DigiCube became part of the new entity Square Enix, but was encumbered with debts amounting to roughly ¥9.5 billion. The postponement of the eagerly awaited Final Fantasy XII—initially set for 2004 but ultimately released in 2006—coincided with DigiCube filing for bankruptcy liquidation at Tokyo District Court on November 26, 2003. This insolvency resulted in a financial loss of ¥760 million JPY for Square Enix and caused a 3.6% decline in its stock value, which also affected other stocks within the Japanese market.
Music
Starting with the release of Tobal No. 1 Original Sound Track in 1996, DigiCube focused on publishing soundtracks predominantly related to Square and later Square Enix video games, along with select albums from other companies and some non-gaming music collections. Their final publication was Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VII issued in 2003. The planned soundtrack for Front Mission 4 Plus 1st Original Soundtrack was cancelled due to DigiCube’s closure; however, much of their catalog was eventually reissued by Square Enix. Throughout its lifespan, DigiCube distributed a total of 80 video game soundtrack albums alongside eight additional non-soundtrack albums.
Perfect Works
The Perfect Works series consisted of video game-related publications produced by DigiCube, comprising only three volumes: one dedicated to Xenogears released in October 1998, and two others focusing on SaGa Frontier 2 and Front Mission 3, both published in 1999. These books contained extensive artwork, chronological timelines, and comprehensive descriptions of events. Notably, the Xenogears Perfect Works provides detailed insights into the game's universe including its characters, creatures, geographic setting, and historical background across the originally intended six episodes.
Ultimania
Ultimania represents a collection of video game companion books initially released in Japan by DigiCube and authored by Studio BentStuff. Although primarily recognized for their comprehensive guides on the Final Fantasy franchise, Ultimania editions have also been produced for various other Square Enix properties, including the SaGa, Legend of Mana, Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, and Kingdom Hearts franchises. These publications offer detailed walkthroughs supplemented with insights from development staff, exclusive artwork, and enriched narrative and character information. After DigiCube declared bankruptcy, the responsibility for publishing the series was taken over directly by Square Enix.