Japan's Game Dev/Co Tokyo 23 Wards - Backloggdpedia
List of game companies in the Tokyo 23-ku, Japan's capital city. The order of the textual information is: chihō/region and ken/prefecture, company name (in bold) and my comments. There is also some silly gossipy information and comments I have written, but please skip over them. The game titles were chosen at my own discretion, as I consider them to be representative of the target game company. So, if you have any objections, please give your opinion in the comments section.
Map of all Japan: simplified ver1, simplified ver2, Tokyo-to Map
Note1: 地方/chihō = region, 都/to = capital city/metropolis, 府/fu = prefecture, 県/ken = prefecture, 市/shi = city, 区/ku = ward
Note2: Games not registered with the IGDB, publisher companies, port development, some development support, and game companies that only make chess/mahjong games and educational games were excluded.
Note3: When the list was initially drawn up, the intention was to exclude eroge/adult game companies. But then I thought, "What the hell are Enix, Nihon Falcom and Koei in the early days?" and so it was decided to include eroge-companies in the list. In addition, only eroge-companies that had all-ages ports and known addresses were included in the list.
PS: To be honest, compiling this list of Tokyo's 23 wards was no fun at all. In this sense, I only enjoyed the moment when I realised that there are, or used to be, game companies outside Tokyo, in so-called chihō that I didn't know existed.
Other links
West Japan
East Japan
Japan Tokyo 23 Wards ← 今ここ。
Apocalypse Japan
Map of all Japan: simplified ver1, simplified ver2, Tokyo-to Map
Note1: 地方/chihō = region, 都/to = capital city/metropolis, 府/fu = prefecture, 県/ken = prefecture, 市/shi = city, 区/ku = ward
Note2: Games not registered with the IGDB, publisher companies, port development, some development support, and game companies that only make chess/mahjong games and educational games were excluded.
Note3: When the list was initially drawn up, the intention was to exclude eroge/adult game companies. But then I thought, "What the hell are Enix, Nihon Falcom and Koei in the early days?" and so it was decided to include eroge-companies in the list. In addition, only eroge-companies that had all-ages ports and known addresses were included in the list.
PS: To be honest, compiling this list of Tokyo's 23 wards was no fun at all. In this sense, I only enjoyed the moment when I realised that there are, or used to be, game companies outside Tokyo, in so-called chihō that I didn't know existed.
Other links
West Japan
East Japan
Japan Tokyo 23 Wards ← 今ここ。
Apocalypse Japan
161 Games
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ワークジャム/WorkJam
2012, the rights were transferred to Arc System Works, which went bankrupt.The company was responsible for the development of the Detective Jinguji Saburo series, from Innocent Black to Rondo of Revenge.
ワークジャム/WorkJam
2012, the rights were transferred to Arc System Works, which went bankrupt.The company was responsible for the development of the Detective Jinguji Saburo series, from Innocent Black to Rondo of Revenge.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
フロムソフトウェア/FromSoftware
Unimportant trivia. Miyazaki Hidetaka/宮崎英高 is a fan of the Fate series. In particular, he says that Tohsaka Rin is his favourite character. https://fate-15th.com/message/ By analogy with this evidence, the review's suggestion that Miyazaki Hidetaka is a masochist is probably correct.
フロムソフトウェア/FromSoftware
Unimportant trivia. Miyazaki Hidetaka/宮崎英高 is a fan of the Fate series. In particular, he says that Tohsaka Rin is his favourite character. https://fate-15th.com/message/ By analogy with this evidence, the review's suggestion that Miyazaki Hidetaka is a masochist is probably correct.
豊島区/Toshima-ku
ミレニアムキッチン/Millennium Kitchen
ミレニアムキッチン/Millennium Kitchen
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
グラスホッパー・マニファクチュア/GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE
...2021, the company became part of 網易/NetEase Games. ...Hey, hey, you all right? Suda51? Grasshopper?
グラスホッパー・マニファクチュア/GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE
...2021, the company became part of 網易/NetEase Games. ...Hey, hey, you all right? Suda51? Grasshopper?
港区/Minato-ku
スパイク・チュンソフト/Spike Chunsoft
Today Spike Chunsoft is no longer in its former glory and is now a mere publisher. Spike Chunsoft's only value in Japan is to oversee high-quality localisation of foreign games. Wicher3 is probably the best work of them all. This Japanese translation of Witcher 3 is probably one of the three best translations of a foreign game ever. I think I enjoyed Witcher 3 to the fullest thanks to Spike Chunsoft and Satoru Honma, who was in charge of the translation. Thank you Spike Chunsoft, thank you Honma-san. If you want to play The Witcher 3 in a language other than your native tongue, I recommend Japanese. Unless you are one of those people for whom all Japanese audio sounds like anime. In addition, it should be noted that the Japanese translation of Disco Elysium was also handled by Spike Chunsoft, but the quality of the translation was neither good nor bad. I perceive Zaum is dead on my PERCEPTION(SIGHT & HEARING).
スパイク・チュンソフト/Spike Chunsoft
Today Spike Chunsoft is no longer in its former glory and is now a mere publisher. Spike Chunsoft's only value in Japan is to oversee high-quality localisation of foreign games. Wicher3 is probably the best work of them all. This Japanese translation of Witcher 3 is probably one of the three best translations of a foreign game ever. I think I enjoyed Witcher 3 to the fullest thanks to Spike Chunsoft and Satoru Honma, who was in charge of the translation. Thank you Spike Chunsoft, thank you Honma-san. If you want to play The Witcher 3 in a language other than your native tongue, I recommend Japanese. Unless you are one of those people for whom all Japanese audio sounds like anime. In addition, it should be noted that the Japanese translation of Disco Elysium was also handled by Spike Chunsoft, but the quality of the translation was neither good nor bad. I perceive Zaum is dead on my PERCEPTION(SIGHT & HEARING).
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
チュンソフト/CHUNSOFT
A games company founded by Nakamura Koichi in 1984 when he was a university student. Nakamura Koichi joined forces with Horii Yuji to program Dragon Quest from 1 to 5. His work on Dragon Quest, Torneko's Adventure, Otogiriso and Kamaitachi no Yoru has had a major impact on Japanese video game culture. Nakamura Koichi is not well known abroad, but many consider him a great game creator within the Japanese game industry.
チュンソフト/CHUNSOFT
A games company founded by Nakamura Koichi in 1984 when he was a university student. Nakamura Koichi joined forces with Horii Yuji to program Dragon Quest from 1 to 5. His work on Dragon Quest, Torneko's Adventure, Otogiriso and Kamaitachi no Yoru has had a major impact on Japanese video game culture. Nakamura Koichi is not well known abroad, but many consider him a great game creator within the Japanese game industry.
Unknown
SEGA AM6 → Smilebit
SEGA AM6 → Smilebit
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
エイプ/APE
Temporary games company for Itoi to make Mother 2. It has effectively ceased to exist.
エイプ/APE
Temporary games company for Itoi to make Mother 2. It has effectively ceased to exist.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
キャトルコール/Cattle Call
A games company built around a group of former Data East developers. After several years, they produced MM3, MM2R and MM4.
キャトルコール/Cattle Call
A games company built around a group of former Data East developers. After several years, they produced MM3, MM2R and MM4.
港区/Minato-ku
メイジス/MAGES.
MAGES is represented by Shikura Chiyomaru, a former employee of Human. The company has been flying low in the Steinsgate wind ever since Steinsgate hit the jackpot. There will probably not be a second jackpot. Also, Shikura here is very arrogant and often causes trouble, and I predict that he will cause trouble again in the near future. The next person to fly is Shikura. Fly high in the sky. Aim: Future Nagoshi.
メイジス/MAGES.
MAGES is represented by Shikura Chiyomaru, a former employee of Human. The company has been flying low in the Steinsgate wind ever since Steinsgate hit the jackpot. There will probably not be a second jackpot. Also, Shikura here is very arrogant and often causes trouble, and I predict that he will cause trouble again in the near future. The next person to fly is Shikura. Fly high in the sky. Aim: Future Nagoshi.
目黒区/Meguro-ku
イニス/iNiS
2017, the company changed its name to Spica. Bankruptcy in the same year.
2020, the successor company LIONA was established. Focused on smartphone game development.
イニス/iNiS
2017, the company changed its name to Spica. Bankruptcy in the same year.
2020, the successor company LIONA was established. Focused on smartphone game development.
目黒区/Meguro-ku
ケイブ/CAVE
2013, withdrew from the arcade and consumer games business. Development for smartphone apps continues.
ケイブ/CAVE
2013, withdrew from the arcade and consumer games business. Development for smartphone apps continues.
神奈川県 横浜市/Kanagawa-ken Yokohama-shi → 目黒区/Meguro-ku
モノリスソフト/MONOLITH SOFTWARE
1999, Takahashi Tetsuya of Xenogears left Square and created this company under the umbrella of Namco. Internal political turmoil in Xenosaga 1-3 nearly bankrupted the company. It is tacit knowledge among Japanese Xenogears fans that Xenosaga 2 was the most dangerous time. 2007, became a subsidiary of Nintendo.
モノリスソフト/MONOLITH SOFTWARE
1999, Takahashi Tetsuya of Xenogears left Square and created this company under the umbrella of Namco. Internal political turmoil in Xenosaga 1-3 nearly bankrupted the company. It is tacit knowledge among Japanese Xenogears fans that Xenosaga 2 was the most dangerous time. 2007, became a subsidiary of Nintendo.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
アージュ/âge
アージュ/âge
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
スティング/STING
Slightly better known for Yggdra Union and Knights in the Nightmare. Produces games similar to Flightplan and Nippon Ichi Software. The Baroque series is an exception.
スティング/STING
Slightly better known for Yggdra Union and Knights in the Nightmare. Produces games similar to Flightplan and Nippon Ichi Software. The Baroque series is an exception.
世田谷区/Setagaya-ku
クエスト/QUEST
2002, the games software development business was sold to Square and later dissolved. During this period, Square was notorious in the industry for its efforts to poach creators from other companies.
クエスト/QUEST
2002, the games software development business was sold to Square and later dissolved. During this period, Square was notorious in the industry for its efforts to poach creators from other companies.
世田谷区/Setagaya-ku
インデックス/Index
Nominal parent company of ATLUS.
12 Feb 2010 - ATLUS became a wholly owned subsidiary of Index Holdings.
17 Feb 2011 - Catherine PS3/Xbox360 version released.
17 Feb 2012 - Signed an agreement with SEGA for the distribution of video game software.
23 May 2013 - Shin Megami Tensei IV released.
14 June 2012 - Persona 4 the Golden PSvita ver released.
27 June 2013 - Index Co files for civil rehabilitation proceedings, effectively going bankrupt.
1 Nov 2013 - ATLUS and New Index became brands of the SEGA Group.
28 May 2014 - The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested the chairman and president of the old Index on charges of breaching the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law.
14 Jun 2016 - First instance sentences are handed down against the ex-chairman and ex-president at the first hearing in the Tokyo District Court. The sentences are three years' imprisonment and four years' probation, respectively.
インデックス/Index
Nominal parent company of ATLUS.
12 Feb 2010 - ATLUS became a wholly owned subsidiary of Index Holdings.
17 Feb 2011 - Catherine PS3/Xbox360 version released.
17 Feb 2012 - Signed an agreement with SEGA for the distribution of video game software.
23 May 2013 - Shin Megami Tensei IV released.
14 June 2012 - Persona 4 the Golden PSvita ver released.
27 June 2013 - Index Co files for civil rehabilitation proceedings, effectively going bankrupt.
1 Nov 2013 - ATLUS and New Index became brands of the SEGA Group.
28 May 2014 - The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested the chairman and president of the old Index on charges of breaching the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law.
14 Jun 2016 - First instance sentences are handed down against the ex-chairman and ex-president at the first hearing in the Tokyo District Court. The sentences are three years' imprisonment and four years' probation, respectively.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
スキップ/skip
Former Lovedelic staff's company. The company itself is believed to be bankrupt as game development has been suspended since 2015 and the official website has been closed. There will be many more cases like this in the coming years. Only the big companies will survive.
スキップ/skip
Former Lovedelic staff's company. The company itself is believed to be bankrupt as game development has been suspended since 2015 and the official website has been closed. There will be many more cases like this in the coming years. Only the big companies will survive.
港区 六本木/Minato-ku Roppongi
ジェイ・フォース/J-Force
1994 Bankrupt. Company created by Akishino Masahiro, founder of Wolf Team, who disappeared while working on Dragon-Force and the company went bankrupt. Dragon-Force itself was completed by SEGA.
ジェイ・フォース/J-Force
1994 Bankrupt. Company created by Akishino Masahiro, founder of Wolf Team, who disappeared while working on Dragon-Force and the company went bankrupt. Dragon-Force itself was completed by SEGA.
15 Sep 2016 - Persona 5 PS3/PS4 ver released.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
SEGA AM9 → ユナイテッド・ゲーム・アーティスツ/United Game Artists
The company was absorbed into the Sonic team and disappeared as a result of the 2003 Sega reorganisation. Tetsuya Mizuguchi left Sega in the same year.
SEGA AM9 → ユナイテッド・ゲーム・アーティスツ/United Game Artists
The company was absorbed into the Sonic team and disappeared as a result of the 2003 Sega reorganisation. Tetsuya Mizuguchi left Sega in the same year.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
バンプール/Vanpool
Former Lovedelic staff's company.
バンプール/Vanpool
Former Lovedelic staff's company.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
みのり/minori
2009 Dissolved. The only thing I know about this game maker is that Shinkai Makoto made the OP. Shinkai Makoto's comments for Minori's dissolved.
みのり/minori
2009 Dissolved. The only thing I know about this game maker is that Shinkai Makoto made the OP. Shinkai Makoto's comments for Minori's dissolved.
港区/Minato-ku
パイオニア/Pioneer LDC
2003, withdrew from the games business at the same time as the company was renamed. The company is now known as NBCUniversal Entertainment.
パイオニア/Pioneer LDC
2003, withdrew from the games business at the same time as the company was renamed. The company is now known as NBCUniversal Entertainment.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
アルファドリーム/ALPHADREAM
2020 Bankrupt. It is surprising that some games companies go under even when working with Nintendo.
アルファドリーム/ALPHADREAM
2020 Bankrupt. It is surprising that some games companies go under even when working with Nintendo.
大田区/Ōta-ku
ライジング/RAIZING
The company was merged into 8ing in 2000 and dissolved.
ライジング/RAIZING
The company was merged into 8ing in 2000 and dissolved.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
ネバーランドカンパニー/Neverland Company
2014 Bankrupt. I thought about choosing Lufia & the Fortress of Doom/Estpolis Denki, but it is indeed old, so I chose Rune Factory4.
ネバーランドカンパニー/Neverland Company
2014 Bankrupt. I thought about choosing Lufia & the Fortress of Doom/Estpolis Denki, but it is indeed old, so I chose Rune Factory4.
台東区/Taitō-ku
タイプムーン/TYPE-MOON
タイプムーン/TYPE-MOON
港区/Minato-ku
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Multinational company Conglomerate, but in case you want to add it to the list.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Multinational company Conglomerate, but in case you want to add it to the list.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
フライングシャイン/FlyingShine
2019 Bankrupt
フライングシャイン/FlyingShine
2019 Bankrupt
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ゲームアーツ/GAME ARTS
ゲームアーツ/GAME ARTS
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ハル研究所/HAL Laboratory
ハル研究所/HAL Laboratory
中野区/Nakano-ku
トレジャー/TREASURE
2014, Treasure has not released any new titles, with the exception of ports.
トレジャー/TREASURE
2014, Treasure has not released any new titles, with the exception of ports.
港区/Minato-ku
コジマプロダクション/KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS
Go for it, Kojima Hideo. Don't lose, Kojima Hideo. Ito Keikaku is watching over you.
コジマプロダクション/KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS
Go for it, Kojima Hideo. Don't lose, Kojima Hideo. Ito Keikaku is watching over you.
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
SEGA AM10 → ウェーブマスター/WAVE MASTER
2003, withdrew from games development.
SEGA AM10 → ウェーブマスター/WAVE MASTER
2003, withdrew from games development.
台東区/Taitō-ku
SEGA AM7 → オーバーワークス/Overworks
The Sakura Wars series is co-developed with Red Entertainment.
SEGA AM7 → オーバーワークス/Overworks
The Sakura Wars series is co-developed with Red Entertainment.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
キャメロット/Camelot
キャメロット/Camelot
Unknown
SEGA AM4 → アミューズメントヴィジョン/Amusement Vision
SEGA AM4 → アミューズメントヴィジョン/Amusement Vision
北区/Kita-ku
アーベル/Abel
The company was created by Kanno Hiroyuki, the creator of YU-NO, independently from elf. It automatically ceased to exist when Kanno Hiroyuki died of illness in 2011.
アーベル/Abel
The company was created by Kanno Hiroyuki, the creator of YU-NO, independently from elf. It automatically ceased to exist when Kanno Hiroyuki died of illness in 2011.
杉並区/Suginami-ku
サンドロット/SANDLOT
A company that would certainly have disappeared if Earth Defense Forces had not been a hit.
サンドロット/SANDLOT
A company that would certainly have disappeared if Earth Defense Forces had not been a hit.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ヘクト/HECT
2002 Bankrupt
ヘクト/HECT
2002 Bankrupt
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
キッド/KID/Kindle Imagine Develop
2006 Bankrupt. CyberFront, which was a brave name in the localisation of foreign games, took over the KID brand, but CyberFront also went bankrupt in 2013 and was dissolved. After that, 5db/MAGES. took over all the copyrights of the KID brand. For me, the only image I have of this company is that they only made visual novels. I also have the impression that their basic technical skills were unnecessarily high even though they only made visual novels.
キッド/KID/Kindle Imagine Develop
2006 Bankrupt. CyberFront, which was a brave name in the localisation of foreign games, took over the KID brand, but CyberFront also went bankrupt in 2013 and was dissolved. After that, 5db/MAGES. took over all the copyrights of the KID brand. For me, the only image I have of this company is that they only made visual novels. I also have the impression that their basic technical skills were unnecessarily high even though they only made visual novels.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
アスミック・エース/Asmik Ace
2003, game production ceased after SIDEWINDER V. Just to mention so that there is no misunderstanding, my username LSW has nothing to do with this LSD.
アスミック・エース/Asmik Ace
2003, game production ceased after SIDEWINDER V. Just to mention so that there is no misunderstanding, my username LSW has nothing to do with this LSD.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
G.rev/グレフ
Gradius V was developed jointly by G.rev and Treasure.
G.rev/グレフ
Gradius V was developed jointly by G.rev and Treasure.
大田区/Ōta-ku
SEGA AM2
SEGA AM2
文京区/Bunkyō-ku
イメージエポック/IMAGE-EPOCH
2015 Bankrupt. Past Data East. The end that ATLUS would have met without Sega. IMAGE-EPOCH's Mikage is president of the following One or Eight company.
イメージエポック/IMAGE-EPOCH
2015 Bankrupt. Past Data East. The end that ATLUS would have met without Sega. IMAGE-EPOCH's Mikage is president of the following One or Eight company.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
WOW Entertainment(AM1) + Overworks(AM7) →セガワウ/SEGA WOW
Development company formed from the merger of SEGA AM1/WOW and Overworks, which programmed games for Sakura Wars; ceased to exist in 2004 as a result of SEGA's reorganisation.
WOW Entertainment(AM1) + Overworks(AM7) →セガワウ/SEGA WOW
Development company formed from the merger of SEGA AM1/WOW and Overworks, which programmed games for Sakura Wars; ceased to exist in 2004 as a result of SEGA's reorganisation.
港区/Minato-ku
サクノス/Sacnoth
2001, parent company SNK went bankrupt and reorganised into successor company Nautilus.
サクノス/Sacnoth
2001, parent company SNK went bankrupt and reorganised into successor company Nautilus.
江東区/Kōtō-ku
ゲンデザイン/genDESIGN
Ueda, when will you release your next work?
ゲンデザイン/genDESIGN
Ueda, when will you release your next work?
杉並区/Suginami-ku
データイースト/Data East Co
2003 Bankrupt. Before going bankrupt, the company tried and failed to get into the maitake mushroom cultivation business. I love DECO.
データイースト/Data East Co
2003 Bankrupt. Before going bankrupt, the company tried and failed to get into the maitake mushroom cultivation business. I love DECO.
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
セガ/SEGA
I attribute Sega's loss to its inability to attract Enix and Square at the time to Sega hardware. (This list may be one piece of evidence to support this.) No matter how many good games Sega itself mass-produced, it would lose. Sega's shining form was like looking at a former Deutschland that could not build alliances. In researching things about Sega when compiling this list, I was convinced that "Sega is Germany". There's no good that can come from such a dispersal of development resources! Sega, you idiot! I don't know any more! Comparing this, this and this, I can finally get a fuller picture of Sega's game development system. Knowing that SEGAGAGA was a true and honest portrayal of the inner workings of SEGA was perhaps the best part of compiling this list. AM development rooms below, in numerical order.
セガ/SEGA
I attribute Sega's loss to its inability to attract Enix and Square at the time to Sega hardware. (This list may be one piece of evidence to support this.) No matter how many good games Sega itself mass-produced, it would lose. Sega's shining form was like looking at a former Deutschland that could not build alliances. In researching things about Sega when compiling this list, I was convinced that "Sega is Germany". There's no good that can come from such a dispersal of development resources! Sega, you idiot! I don't know any more! Comparing this, this and this, I can finally get a fuller picture of Sega's game development system. Knowing that SEGAGAGA was a true and honest portrayal of the inner workings of SEGA was perhaps the best part of compiling this list. AM development rooms below, in numerical order.
中野区/Nakano-ku
ブシロード/Bushiroad
The same president and the same family of companies as Broccoli.
ブシロード/Bushiroad
The same president and the same family of companies as Broccoli.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ブラウニーブラウン/Brownie Brown → ワンナップスタジオ/1-UP Studio
A games company derived from the former Square's Seiken Densetsu/Mana Series team. It became independent in a similar way to Takahashi Tetsuya of Xenogears, and the subsequent treatment is almost identical. Both of them have worked with Nintendo. The company developed Mother 3, but I could never consider Mother 3 to be their masterpiece. Mother 3 is a Itoi Shigesato game from head to foot.
ブラウニーブラウン/Brownie Brown → ワンナップスタジオ/1-UP Studio
A games company derived from the former Square's Seiken Densetsu/Mana Series team. It became independent in a similar way to Takahashi Tetsuya of Xenogears, and the subsequent treatment is almost identical. Both of them have worked with Nintendo. The company developed Mother 3, but I could never consider Mother 3 to be their masterpiece. Mother 3 is a Itoi Shigesato game from head to foot.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
クライマックス/CLIMAX
2015 Dissolved
クライマックス/CLIMAX
2015 Dissolved
中央区/Chūō-ku
アートディンク/ARTDiNK
アートディンク/ARTDiNK
中央区/Chūō-ku
アルシスソフトウェア/Arsys Software → サイバーヘッド/Cyberhead
2001 Bankrupt. OmegaBoost was developed in collaboration with Polyphony Digital.
アルシスソフトウェア/Arsys Software → サイバーヘッド/Cyberhead
2001 Bankrupt. OmegaBoost was developed in collaboration with Polyphony Digital.
豊島区/Toshima-ku
ウルフチーム/Wolf Team
Wolf Team and Namco teamed up to develop Tales of Phantasia. Note that Tri-Ace was formed by members who left Namco at this time due to conflict with Namco. Wolf Team remained as the Tales Team and continued its relationship with Namco until 2003, when its development personnel were transferred to Namco Tales Studio Inc, a joint venture between Namco and Nippon Telenet, effectively dissolving the company.
ウルフチーム/Wolf Team
Wolf Team and Namco teamed up to develop Tales of Phantasia. Note that Tri-Ace was formed by members who left Namco at this time due to conflict with Namco. Wolf Team remained as the Tales Team and continued its relationship with Namco until 2003, when its development personnel were transferred to Namco Tales Studio Inc, a joint venture between Namco and Nippon Telenet, effectively dissolving the company.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ガルチ/Gulti → カヤックアキバスタジオ/KAYAC AKIBA STUDIO
ガルチ/Gulti → カヤックアキバスタジオ/KAYAC AKIBA STUDIO
港区/Minato-ku
ビバリウム/VIVARIUM
2008, no new games have been released since the launch of The Tower DS, but the company itself continues to exist.
ビバリウム/VIVARIUM
2008, no new games have been released since the launch of The Tower DS, but the company itself continues to exist.
中央区/Chūō-ku
ハートビート/Heart Beat
DQ6 and DQ7(PS1) only.
DQ8 was jointly developed by Horii Yuji and Level-5.
ハートビート/Heart Beat
DQ6 and DQ7(PS1) only.
DQ8 was jointly developed by Horii Yuji and Level-5.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
ヌードメーカー/NUDE MAKER
The president is Kono Hifumi, who was at Human. Famous for its clock tower. There have been no new releases or other developments since 2015.
ヌードメーカー/NUDE MAKER
The president is Kono Hifumi, who was at Human. Famous for its clock tower. There have been no new releases or other developments since 2015.
大田区/Ōta-ku
SEGA AM3 → ヒットメーカー/Hitmaker
SEGA AM3 → ヒットメーカー/Hitmaker
江東区/Kōtō-ku
メディア・ビジョン/Media Vision
メディア・ビジョン/Media Vision
Unknown
SEGA-AM5&12 → セガ・ロッソ/Sega Rosso
SEGA-AM5&12 → セガ・ロッソ/Sega Rosso
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
ネックス・エンターテイメント/Nex Entertainment
2016 Dissolved
ネックス・エンターテイメント/Nex Entertainment
2016 Dissolved
台東区/Taitō-ku
エピックス/epics
エピックス/epics
江東区/Kōtō-ku
ポリフォニーデジタル/Polyphony Digital
Make an Omega Boost 2 with current technology.
ポリフォニーデジタル/Polyphony Digital
Make an Omega Boost 2 with current technology.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
スパイク/Spike
The company merged with Chunsoft in 2012 to become Spike Chunsoft. In Japan, the company was known for the Way of the Samurai series and Shinobi-do, but has become a game company with only Danganronpa as its only well-known title.
スパイク/Spike
The company merged with Chunsoft in 2012 to become Spike Chunsoft. In Japan, the company was known for the Way of the Samurai series and Shinobi-do, but has become a game company with only Danganronpa as its only well-known title.
港区/Minato-ku
カゼ・ネット/KAZe Net
2006, game development suspended.
カゼ・ネット/KAZe Net
2006, game development suspended.
墨田区/Sumida-ku
システムサコム/SYSTEM SACOM
1999, withdrew from the games business.
システムサコム/SYSTEM SACOM
1999, withdrew from the games business.
港区/Minato-ku
ハッカー・インターナショナル/Hacker International
2001, withdrew from the games industry. Just reading the wikipedia article is interesting. I didn't know there was such an anarchic game company in Japan!
ハッカー・インターナショナル/Hacker International
2001, withdrew from the games industry. Just reading the wikipedia article is interesting. I didn't know there was such an anarchic game company in Japan!
北区/Kita-ku
トムクリエイト/TOM CREATE
A games company that only makes the G-Generation series.
トムクリエイト/TOM CREATE
A games company that only makes the G-Generation series.
Unknown
シュールド・ウェーブ/Sur De Wave → タケル/TAKERU
1994 Bankrupt
シュールド・ウェーブ/Sur De Wave → タケル/TAKERU
1994 Bankrupt
石川県 白山市/Ishikawa-ken Hakusan-shi → 千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
アイレム/IREM
Along with Treasure and Sandlot, this is probably the games company that deep gamers prefer. I think it's amazing that it still survives so tenaciously.
アイレム/IREM
Along with Treasure and Sandlot, this is probably the games company that deep gamers prefer. I think it's amazing that it still survives so tenaciously.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
ディンゴ/Dingo
2018 Bankrupt
ディンゴ/Dingo
2018 Bankrupt
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
アクワイア/ACQUIRE
I only had an image of them making things like Tenchu and Samurai Road. Who could have predicted that they would make an RPG like OCTOPATH TRAVELER and make it a hit?
アクワイア/ACQUIRE
I only had an image of them making things like Tenchu and Samurai Road. Who could have predicted that they would make an RPG like OCTOPATH TRAVELER and make it a hit?
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
七音社/NanaOn-Sha
七音社/NanaOn-Sha
港区/Minato-ku
ポリゴンマジック/Polygon Magic
2009, withdrew from games development.
ポリゴンマジック/Polygon Magic
2009, withdrew from games development.
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
ライトウェイト/Lightweight
Now a smartphone games company.
ライトウェイト/Lightweight
Now a smartphone games company.
港区/Minato-ku
ツェナワークス/Zener Works
Trouble over game development with another company, Ignis Imageworks; court case pending as of 2022.
ツェナワークス/Zener Works
Trouble over game development with another company, Ignis Imageworks; court case pending as of 2022.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
ウエップシステムズ/UEP SYSTEMS
2001 Bankrupt
ウエップシステムズ/UEP SYSTEMS
2001 Bankrupt
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
カネコ/KANEKO
2000 Inactive
カネコ/KANEKO
2000 Inactive
渋谷区/Shibuya-ku
SEGA AM1 → WOW Entertainment
SEGA AM1 → WOW Entertainment
中野区/Nakano-ku
エルフ/élf
2015 Bankrupt
エルフ/élf
2015 Bankrupt
中野区/Nakano-ku
彩京/Psikyo
2007 Inactive
彩京/Psikyo
2007 Inactive
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
エイティング/8ing/Eighting
2016, became a subsidiary of smartphone app company Coloplast.
エイティング/8ing/Eighting
2016, became a subsidiary of smartphone app company Coloplast.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
ゲームフリーク/GAME FREAK
Who could have predicted that, since Quinty, this small games company would make a game famous on a global level?
ゲームフリーク/GAME FREAK
Who could have predicted that, since Quinty, this small games company would make a game famous on a global level?
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
スクウェア・エニックス/SQUARE ENIX
After the merger, Square Enix became, in a bad way, a game company like a university student club. FF15 would be its typical. 全員死ねばいいのに。
スクウェア・エニックス/SQUARE ENIX
After the merger, Square Enix became, in a bad way, a game company like a university student club. FF15 would be its typical. 全員死ねばいいのに。
千代田区/Chioda-ku
ニトロプラス/Nitroplus
Urobuchi Gen, who is apparently still the managing director of this company. Maybe the reason I have no interest in this game at all is that it looks like a copycat of what Nitroplus did.
ニトロプラス/Nitroplus
Urobuchi Gen, who is apparently still the managing director of this company. Maybe the reason I have no interest in this game at all is that it looks like a copycat of what Nitroplus did.
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
アトラス/ATLUS
Everyone loves ATLUS. It is a well-known fact among Atlus fans that the Atlus development team always does this every time they make a new Megami Tensei or Persona game. It is a visit to a shrine and an exorcism rite/お祓い. The exorcisms/お祓い that Atlas had performed without fail every time. There was a time when they did not do that. That was in the early 2010s.
アトラス/ATLUS
Everyone loves ATLUS. It is a well-known fact among Atlus fans that the Atlus development team always does this every time they make a new Megami Tensei or Persona game. It is a visit to a shrine and an exorcism rite/お祓い. The exorcisms/お祓い that Atlas had performed without fail every time. There was a time when they did not do that. That was in the early 2010s.
千代田区/Chiyoda-ku
テクモ/Tecmo
2010, the company merged with Koei and became Koei Tecmo.
テクモ/Tecmo
2010, the company merged with Koei and became Koei Tecmo.
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
キャビア/cavia
Merged into AQ Interactive in 2011 and ceased to exist.
キャビア/cavia
Merged into AQ Interactive in 2011 and ceased to exist.
港区/Minato-ku
トライエース/tri-Ace
This company will probably die when SO6 is launched. Tri-ace will have a 死兆星 shining brightly above their heads.
トライエース/tri-Ace
This company will probably die when SO6 is launched. Tri-ace will have a 死兆星 shining brightly above their heads.
品川区/Shinagawa-ku
ノイズ/NOISE
ノイズ/NOISE
江東区/Kōtō-ku
トライクレッシェンド/TRI-CRESCENDO
Sibling company of tri-Ace. This article shows that the feud has been lost, as they helped produce the game at Tales of Symphonia Chronicles in 2013. So it would be sterile and silly to measure the superiority of either Star Ocean or Tales. I mean, it's funny how both series seem to die.
トライクレッシェンド/TRI-CRESCENDO
Sibling company of tri-Ace. This article shows that the feud has been lost, as they helped produce the game at Tales of Symphonia Chronicles in 2013. So it would be sterile and silly to measure the superiority of either Star Ocean or Tales. I mean, it's funny how both series seem to die.
江東区/Kōtō-ku
ノーチラス/Nautilus
2005, Shadow Hearts: From the New World is launched and the development team disbanded.
ノーチラス/Nautilus
2005, Shadow Hearts: From the New World is launched and the development team disbanded.
豊島区/Toyosima-ku
コンパイル/COMPILE → COMPILE HEART
Subsidiary of Idea Factory. Failed in 1998, dissolved in 2002, bankrupt in 2004. COMPILE's bankruptcy was caused by typical profligate management. Even today, many Japanese gamers still think of COMPILE when they think of the bankruptcy of a games company. Incidentally, the president of Type Moon, famous for Tsukihime and Fate, is a former COMPILE employee.
コンパイル/COMPILE → COMPILE HEART
Subsidiary of Idea Factory. Failed in 1998, dissolved in 2002, bankrupt in 2004. COMPILE's bankruptcy was caused by typical profligate management. Even today, many Japanese gamers still think of COMPILE when they think of the bankruptcy of a games company. Incidentally, the president of Type Moon, famous for Tsukihime and Fate, is a former COMPILE employee.
新宿区/Shinjuku-ku
ライアーソフト/Liar-soft
...There are too many game companies in Tokyo. The following is all eroge companies from here on, as it would take too much time to organise their placement.
ライアーソフト/Liar-soft
...There are too many game companies in Tokyo. The following is all eroge companies from here on, as it would take too much time to organise their placement.
Unknown
フランスパン/French-bread
フランスパン/French-bread
9 Comments
I won't make a list this big again! lol
I'm so tired... (私、疲れちゃったよ...)
I'm so tired... (私、疲れちゃったよ...)
news to me that the original project diva had a co-developer! I've only played that one a couple of times
The use of linking to other lists is cool, but ruined by the fact this site logs me out every time I use them.
Do I get logged out because I enter https in the link address? I have removed https from the link. If this does not work, I will remove it.
I personally do not get logged out when clicking on a link to another list but I've heard of others having the problem; suffice to say it's a site issue, and not particular to this list @LSW. also no worries!! all i did was copy some shit i saw online lol, you've done so much more work cataloging so many developers
Yeah, I wouldn't worry about changing the links. It's an odd issue that seems to happen at random for certain users, it was just frustrating for me this instance.
CDX
1 year ago