Sora96 17,256 Posted August 17, 2015 "A lot of people are confused about who exactly owns Kingdom Hearts, but it's Disney - it's developed in partnership with Square-Enix." This comes straight from John Vignocchi, VP of Production for Disney Infinity. So if anyone else was confused, there's your answer. Square Enix does not own Kingdom Hearts. This includes all original characters & worlds including Sora. 12 Kaweebo, Green Sparrow, Bewilde and 9 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nero Kunivas 3,046 Posted August 17, 2015 Finally, a straight answer. Not exactly the one I was hoping for, but it's good nonetheless. This should be used as a reference point for any time the question is asked in future. 2 Forever and jadentheman reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soravids 1,056 Posted August 17, 2015 Yeah, but SE pretty much does ALL the work while Disney simply lends them properties and calls it a day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sora96 17,256 Posted August 17, 2015 Yeah, but SE pretty much does ALL the work while Disney simply lends them properties and calls it a day. Square Enix develops it. For all we know Disney is paying for things like marketing. Regardless, it's official: Disney owns it. 2 Bewilde and Green Sparrow reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarLea Quinn 26,501 Posted August 17, 2015 I thought the copyright kinda gave this away Nevertheless I'm sure there will always still be people arguing about this. Yeah, but SE pretty much does ALL the work while Disney simply lends them properties and calls it a day. See lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soravids 1,056 Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Square Enix develops it. For all we know Disney is paying for things like marketing. Regardless, it's official: Disney owns it. Yeah and they do it without Disney's help. If Disney pays for marketing then that's literally all they do to contribute besides lending their properties. They may own it, but I know who truly makes it amazing. Edited August 17, 2015 by soravids 1 Ultima Spark reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sora96 17,256 Posted August 17, 2015 Yeah and they do it without Disney's help. If Disney pays for marketing then that's literally all they do to contribute besides lending their properties. They may own it, but I know who truly makes it amazing. If it wasn't for the Disney films KH would lose its charm. 3 Green Sparrow, Bewilde and HarLea Quinn reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarLea Quinn 26,501 Posted August 17, 2015 If it wasn't for the Disney films KH would lose its charm. I would have to agree. It's the mix of the several 'ingredients' that draws in many of us. 4 Sora96, Green Sparrow, Dio Brando and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Komali 594 Posted August 17, 2015 Am I the only one who is scared that some kind of intern conflict could appear which makes SE lose their right to develop KH? This came to my mind since Disney is having more influence in the development of KH3. There could be somehow conflict potential like in Konami's case and we know now that Kojima is losing his baby after MGSV. Imagine if it would happen with Nomura. I know it is currently doubtable but I'm afraid that it could maybe happen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sora96 17,256 Posted August 17, 2015 Am I the only one who is scared that some kind of intern conflict could appear which makes SE lose their right to develop KH?This came to my mind since Disney is having more influence in the development of KH3. There could be somehow conflict potential like in Konami's case and we know now that Kojima is losing his baby after MGSV. Imagine if it would happen with Nomura. I know it is currently doubtable but I'm afraid that it could maybe happen. There is no chance Square Enix would pull a 'Konami-Kojima' with Nomura. Shinji Hashimoto loves him too much, plus he already had his greatest firetrucks up in All the Bravest with 25 on Metacrtic and Versus XIII a game that never took shape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Komali 594 Posted August 17, 2015 There is no chance Square Enix would pull a 'Konami-Kojima' with Nomura. Shinji Hashimoto loves him too much, plus he already had his greatest firetrucks up in All the Bravest with 25 on Metacrtic and Versus XIII a game that never took shape. Ummm I mean that there could be beef between Disney and Nomura somehow. Now we know that Disney owns KH and they have more influence in KH3 development. They could easily say that they are not satified with Nomura's work and end the partnership... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sora96 17,256 Posted August 17, 2015 Ummm I mean that there could be beef between Disney and Nomura somehow. Now we know that Disney owns KH and they have more influence in KH3 development. They could easily say that they are not satified with Nomura's work and end the partnership... Nothing to suggest that, no need to worry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Setrex 1,031 Posted August 17, 2015 I'm sure Nomura and SE still have a grip on the series. Disney may own the series for copyright reasons, but it is still a partnership nonetheless. 1 Bewilde reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skhyatze 165 Posted August 17, 2015 Kinda strange. But events in the past had suggested this, so it is not really surprising. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 17, 2015 Yeah, but SE pretty much does ALL the work while Disney simply lends them properties and calls it a day. Did you know that Ducktales had the same process by having Capcom do all the hard work and get Disney to keep all the rights of the property. Ummm I mean that there could be beef between Disney and Nomura somehow. Now we know that Disney owns KH and they have more influence in KH3 development. They could easily say that they are not satified with Nomura's work and end the partnership... The time for that is over, management at Disney Animation Studios was at its worst when (ironically) Kingdom Hearts was conceived. That bafoon Micheal Eisner is no longer running... I mean, ruining Disney, and now, we have Bob Iger who's far more lenient and respectful to the franchise of Kingdom Hearts. I can say this in confidence, because, look at the public cooperation that's been shown for Kingdom Hearts 3 as opposed to previous series in the games! Roy Conli: a producer for Disney Animated movies talking about the joys of directly being involved with Kingdom Hearts?! That would have been inconceivable in the early 2000's! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A Heartless Nobody 120 Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Disney owns Marvel. Marvel is amazing. Disney does not own DC. DC sucks. I have no problem with this. Disney hasn't ruined any of the properties they own in the past, so I don't think that Kingdom Hearts will be any different. Edited August 17, 2015 by A Heartless Nobody Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingdomHearts3 2,591 Posted August 17, 2015 I'm glad someone answered the question at last. Now this dispute can be put to rest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 18, 2015 Disney owns Marvel. Marvel is amazing. Disney does not own DC. DC sucks. I have no problem with this. Disney hasn't ruined any of the properties they own in the past, so I don't think that Kingdom Hearts will be any different. Again, thank Bob Iger for making Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm a part of the Disney conglomerate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ultima Spark 753 Posted August 18, 2015 Disney owns Marvel. Marvel is amazing. Disney does not own DC. DC sucks. I have no problem with this. Disney hasn't ruined any of the properties they own in the past, so I don't think that Kingdom Hearts will be any different. DC was doing pretty good until Didio and his cronies invaded and went overboard with their neo-Silver Age fanwankery... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liamaru 294 Posted August 19, 2015 Noooooooo aw man Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mystics Apprentice 2,397 Posted August 19, 2015 For some reason this really caught me by surprise. In the partnership I thought that both Square and Disney invested their own products into Kingdom Hearts and thus belonged to both of them; I didn't realize that Disney actually owned Kingdom Hearts entirely. That's quite interesting, and would explain why Kingdom Hearts is so unique in comparison to other Square Enix titles. 3 janicepibc70, Riosephmido and nonicepifg79 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Solstice 749 Posted August 19, 2015 At least this proves that Disney can make good stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wyatt Tyson 66 Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) Not sure why this was still being disputed since it's been known since 2004 that Disney owned the rights to the KH IP and original characters coming straight from Nomura's mouth himself even though he and Square made the characters and practically the story etc. Apparently Square gave the rights away to Disney in favor of more Mickey screentime as opposed to his brief appearance in KH1 which Disney was responsible for that. Overall Disney owns the rights to the IP as of current as the games' labels show after KH1. Though Disney knows making a game without Square Enix their partners would be disastrous. Just look at...... V Cast lol. Overall they try to ask each other for approval on KH related stuff just like John himself asked Square for their approval to have the KH Mickey in DI in the first place. They're healthy partners and as of now, nothing has changed that one bit. Disney let's Square do whatever they want with the IP if they're not messing with their classic Disney characters and Square brings in the money for both parties Edited August 20, 2015 by Wyatt Tyson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave 5,715 Posted August 20, 2015 At least this proves that Disney can make good stuff. And more than fifty years worth of quality films, music, and art didn't? 3 Handsome_the_Wise, Demyx. and Vexen reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeybladeLordCheeseCurd 1,542 Posted August 20, 2015 Imagine if Eisner was still running ruiningDisney while KH was nearing completion. 1 Gwynbleidd reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
