As of two days ago, Japanese game soft retailer DigiCube has filed for bankruptcy in Tokyo. Considering debts of 9.5 billion yen ($866.67 million USD), the company, who also published most soundtracks of Square's (now Square Enix) PlayStation One titles as well as a PlayStation 2 remake of the Nihon Falcom classic Ys I and II, saw no alternative to this step. While the shrinking Japanese game market (under which retailers like DigiCube in particular have been suffering for years) was mentioned as a general reason, the company cited the delay of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XII for PlayStation 2 until summer 2004 as a specific reason for its decision to file for bankruptcy.

For reference, Square held a stake of 47.38% until 2001, before selling a 9% stake in DigiCube in August of the same year. How the recent development will affect the publishing of Square Enix's soundtracks in Japan remains to be seen.

• ZAKZAK