Square Enix building US studio

Square Enix is in the process of building a studio in El Segundo, Los Angeles, according to job postings spotted by Gamasutra.

Its US site lists several positions for those looking to "lay the foundation for a solid development team", calling out for product managers, 3D artists and engineers with Xbox 360 and Wii development experience.

The listings espouse the ability to have "the creative control of a start-up but the backing and funding of a major publisher", asking "How often do you get the chance to make sure that a studio starts off in the right direction? How often do you get to be one of the starting members, but also have medical insurance?"

The team, which will be working on an original IP in the action genre, is part of Square Enix president Yoichi Wada’s plan to increase the company’s market share in the West – it also recently signed a deal with US studio Gas Powered Games for Supreme Commander 2.