Triangle Strategy producer on how the name was decided

Square Enix is no stranger to unconventional game names, and that tradition has continued with their HD-2D titles on Switch – those being Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. In a recent interview, producer Tomoya Asano shared some insight into the team’s thinking.

Asano told Inversus that Square Enix considers “if the player can imagine what kind of game it is based on the title.” With Triangle Strategy, you play it from three angles and it’s a strategic experience. Square Enix initially included “Project” so that there would be “a little bit of room to be able to change the name”. Since it was well-received by fans, the “Triangle Strategy” name stuck.

Asano’s full words: 

“We usually put a lot of thought into determining the game’s titles. One of the things that we make sure that we think about is if the player can imagine what kind of game it is based on the title. When you look at Triangle Strategy, a triangle is three angles, and then ‘strategy.’ So it’s a strategy game that you play from three angles. Octopath Traveler is also named kind of from that perspective: Octo is the eight paths that you’re traveling.

We wanted to see what the reactions would be like behind ‘Project Triangle Strategy.’ So having ‘Project’ at the start of the name would give us a little bit of room to be able to change the name, but it ended up resonating with the audience, so we thought we’d keep the Triangle Strategy name.

… Another process that we go through when naming games is there’s a native English speaker on our team. So I talk to them when we’re naming the title, and one of the points we talk about is if the name is as weird or unique as Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler.”

Triangle Strategy is now available on Switch. Read our review of the game here.