Spike_Chunsoft

Spike Chunsoft

Spike Chunsoft

Japanese video game development company


Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.[lower-alpha 1] is a Japanese video game development and localization company specializing in role-playing video games, visual novels and adventure games. The company was founded in 1984 as Chunsoft Co., Ltd. and merged with Spike in 2012. It is owned by Dwango.[4]

Quick Facts Native name, Romanized name ...

It created games such as the first five Dragon Quest installments and the Mystery Dungeon franchise as Chunsoft, and the Conception series as Spike Chunsoft. They also developed titles such as The Portopia Serial Murder Case, the Sound Novel series (consisting of Otogirisō, Kamaitachi no Yoru, Machi and 428: Shibuya Scramble) and the Zero Escape series as Chunsoft. Spike developed Danganronpa before the merger.

The logo of Chunsoft before the Spike merger

History

Chunsoft

Chunsoft was founded by Koichi Nakamura, a video game designer and programmer who had worked with Enix, including the popular Dragon Quest franchise until Dragon Quest V. The "Chun" in the company name is from the first kanji Naka () of the company founder's name; Naka is read as "Chun" in Japanese Mahjong. This name would also appear in Nakamura's first work with Enix, titled Door Door in 1983. Otogirisō marked Chunsoft's debut brand. Following that, successive genre-trailblazing titles Torneko no Daibōken: Fushigi no Dungeon, Kamaitachi no Yoru, and Shiren the Wanderer established the company's good reputation. Nakamura himself had to move away from programming in order to run the company.[5]

For a time, the company's products were considered mediocre, but 3-Nen B-Gumi Kinpachi Sensei: Densetsu no Kyoudan ni Tate! was a hit that showed signs of recovery. During the development of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, Kouji Malta, one of the programmers for these two games, and contributed previously on EarthBound and Shiren the Wanderer 2, stated the company went through bad business performance, as employees from Chunsoft would leave the company progressively due to this issue. The game's success not only helped giving more popularity in the Mystery Dungeon franchise, it also helped Chunsoft from avoiding bankruptcy.[6] Later in 2005, it was bought by Dwango and became a subsidiary of the company.

Before the project, Sega were helping Chunsoft in developing and releasing their games for the Dreamcast. From 2005 to 2010, Sega have made a collaboration with Chunsoft titled "SEGA×CHUN PROJECT". Their goal was to provide support and sales for development funds, such as the Nintendo DS remake of Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer or 428: Shibuya Scramble.[7][8]

Spike

Merger

In 2012, Chunsoft merged with its sister company Spike and the new company would be called Spike Chunsoft.[9]

Subsidiary

In 2017, Spike Chunsoft established a North American subsidiary based in Long Beach, California to carry out localization and publishing of its own games, in addition to games by its sister company 5pb./Mages under a newly formed partnership.[10] Their first game under the Mages partnership was the Microsoft Windows version of Steins;Gate, taking over publishing of the game from Mages in 2018;[11] they have since continued publishing further games in the Science Adventure series, including Steins;Gate 0[12] and Chaos;Child.[13]

On July 16, 2020, NIS America announced that Danganronpa games on the Playstation Store will be removed.[14][15] Spike Chunsoft subsequently announced on July 22, 2020 that they will take on publishing the Danganronpa series outside of Japan.[16] Similarly, the Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows release of Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate would not be released by Aksys but by their subsidiary.[17]

Works

Chunsoft

Developed

More information Year, Title ...

Published only

More information Year, Title ...

Spike Chunsoft

More information Year, Title ...

Published western third-party games in Japan

More information Title, Platform(s) ...

Published internationally by Spike Chunsoft, Inc.

This table lists video games published internationally by Spike Chunsoft's American subsidiary Spike Chunsoft, Inc. since its foundation on December 1, 2017. Outside of titles from Spike Chunsoft in Japan, the company publishes titles from Mages (which was also part of Spike Chunsoft's parent company Dwango until July 2019) and from other companies.

More information Title, Platform(s) ...

Notes

  1. Japanese: 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Supaiku Chunsofuto
  2. The Nintendo Switch version was released on December 10, 2019.[74]
  3. The Japanese version were released the day after (December 3, 2020).

References

  1. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフトの公式サト (in Japanese). spike-chunsoft.co.jp. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  2. "株式会社ドワンゴ". Archived from the original on 2014-03-10.
  3. Hidekuni Shida (2000). Game Maestro, Vol. 2: Producer/Director Edition (2). p. 24.
  4. "ほぼ日の学生採用企画" (in Japanese). 1101.com. January 31, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020. 『ポケモン不思議のダンジョン』とかも作りかけていたけど、おそらくこれも売れないだろうし、先行きの見通しがない状況だったと思うんです。でも、なんとその後、その『ポケモン不思議のダンジョン』が大ヒット。あんなにたくさんの人が辞める必要はなかったんじゃないかな、と思いますけど。で、ぼくも他の人と同じように別の開発会社に転職してテレビゲームの開発を続けるかどうかを考えはじめました。でも、その前にそうとう泣きましたよ。
  5. "セガ・チュンソフトプロジェクト | セガXチュンプロジェクトとは?". Chun Sega (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  6. 志田英邦『ゲーム・マエストロ Vol. 2 プロデューサー/ディレクター編(2)』毎日コミュニケーションズ、2000年、p.16。中村光一インタビュー。
  7. "Spike Chunsoft Establishes N. American Subsidiary". Archived from the original on 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  8. "『シュタインズ・ゲート ゼロ』Steam版が5月9日より販売開始". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. April 25, 2018. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  9. Romano, Sal (March 23, 2018). "Steins;Gate 0 coming to PC via Steam on May 8". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  10. Romano, Sal (2019-01-15). "Chaos;Child for PC coming west on January 22". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  11. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト ゲームソフト 検索一覧 (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  12. "チュンソフト、人気サウンドノベル『かまいたちの夜』をJ-PHONEでサービス開始". 電撃オンライン (in Japanese). Kadokawa. April 2, 2002. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  13. 滝沢修 (September 9, 2005). "ドワンゴ、iモード用サウンドノベル「街」とRPG「風来のシレン Wana」を配信". Game Watch. インプレス. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  14. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト ゲームソフト 検索一覧 (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  15. "トルネコの大冒険2GBA 不思議のダンジョン" (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  16. "Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 2". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  17. "不思議のダンジョン 風来のシレンGB2 ~砂漠の魔城~" (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2013-11-24. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  18. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト ゲームソフト 検索一覧 (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  19. トルネコの大冒険3 不思議のダンジョン (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  20. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト ゲームソフト 検索一覧 (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  21. "The Nightmare of Druaga: Fushigino Dungeon". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  22. "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  23. "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  24. "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  25. "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  26. "Shiren the Wanderer". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  27. 不思議のダンジョン 風来のシレン3 ポータブル (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  28. ポケモン不思議のダンジョン (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  29. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト ゲームソフト 検索一覧 (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2013-09-14. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  30. 株式会社スパイク・チュンソフト ゲームソフト 検索一覧 (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  31. 不思議のダンジョン 風来のシレン4 神の眼と悪魔のヘソ (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  32. "不思議のダンジョン風来のシレンGB〜月影村の怪物〜". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
  33. "『風来のシレンGB2~砂漠の魔城~』". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. 2001. Archived from the original on 2005-02-10. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  34. 「風来のシレン インターネット版」パッケージ版の発売が決定! (in Japanese). 4gamer.net. 2002-12-05. Archived from the original on 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  35. "「風来のシレン外伝 女剣士アスカ見参!」Windows版" (in Japanese). Spike Chunsoft. Archived from the original on 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
  36. "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  37. "Kenka Bancho 6 Ready To Brawl In January 2015". November 9, 2014. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014.
  38. Mateo, Alex (2020-06-23). "Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate Game Heads West for Switch, PC". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  39. "Spike Chunsoft and tri-Ace's RPG Has A Bunch Of Valkyrie Profile-Like Features". SiliconEra. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015.
  40. "Etrian Mystery Dungeon – Nintendo 3DS". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
  41. 『ポケモン超不思議のダンジョン』公式サイト (in Japanese). Pokemon.co.jp. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  42. "One Piece: Burning Blood announced for PS4, PS Vita - Gematsu". September 15, 2015. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015.
  43. "New Danganronpa V3 launches January 2017 in Japan - Gematsu". Gematsu. September 13, 2016. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016.
  44. "A new Fire Pro Wrestling game is coming to PS4, Steam". Polygon. 2 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-03.
  45. "Sekaiju To Fushigi No Dungeon 2 – 3DS". Video Game Track. Retrieved 2020-02-20.[permanent dead link]
  46. Williams, Mike (April 25, 2017). "Danganronpa Team Announces Zanki Zero for PS4 and Vita". Archived from the original on April 26, 2017.
  47. Shigeta, Yuichi (July 6, 2018). "打越鋼太郎が手掛ける本格推理ADV『AI:ソムニウム ファイル』がPS4/Switch/PC向けに発表!". IGN (in Japanese). Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  48. Purslow, Matt (2020-01-09). "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Announced". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  49. "Made in Abyss 3D Action RPG Reveals More Cast, September 2 Release". Anime News Network. June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  50. Romano, Sal (November 27, 2021). "Spike Chunsoft and Too Kyo Games announce dark fantasy mystery game Enigma Archives: RAIN CODE". Gematsu. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  51. Romano, Sal (8 December 2023). "Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  52. "Disco Elysium - The Final Cut". Playstation. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  53. "バルダーズ・ゲート3". store.playstation.com (in Japanese).
  54. ""Baldur's Gate 3" is released today!" 『バルダーズ・ゲート3』本日発売! 選択と決断の連続によって無数の結末に分岐する、自分だけの物語を体験しよう! ["Baldur's Gate 3" is released today! Experience your own unique story that branches off into countless endings through a series of choices and decisions!]. PlayStation Blog (Japanese) (in Japanese). 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  55. O'Connor, James (2019-12-10). "Steins;Gate 0 Is Out Now On Switch, And My Darling's Embrace Comes West". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  56. Barnett, Brian (March 23, 2018). "PixelJunk Monsters 2 Coming in May to Switch, PS4, and Steam". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  57. Romano, Sal (March 23, 2018). "428: Shibuya Scramble delayed to summer in the west". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  58. Romano, Sal (March 23, 2018). "Steins;Gate Elite coming west for PS4, Switch, and PC in 2018". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  59. Romano, Sal (2019-02-13). "Zanki Zero: Last Beginning delayed to April 9 in North America". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  60. Romano, Sal (2019-03-22). "Crystar coming west for PS4, PC on August 27; interview with producer Fuyuki Hayashi". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  61. Romano, Sal (2019-05-15). "AI: The Somnium Files delayed to September 17 in North America, September 19 in Japan". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  62. Lada, Jenni (2019-05-22). "YU-NO Switch, PS4, And PC Versions Arrive In October 2019". Siliconera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  63. Triezenberg, Peter (2019-10-11). "Digital Pre-Orders Now Open for Conception Plus: Maidens of the Twelve Stars". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  64. Peeples, Jeremy (2020-02-25). "Review: Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  65. Romano, Sal (2020-04-23). "Robotics;Notes Elite & DaSH Double Pack launches October 16 in Europe". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  66. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (2020-05-29). "Spike Chunsoft Reveals New Re:Zero Game for PS4, Switch, PC". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2020-06-20. Retrieved 2020-06-30.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Spike_Chunsoft, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.