Arc System Works
{{Short description|Japanese video game developer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Arc System Works Co., Ltd.
| native_name = {{lang|ja|アークシステムワークス株式会社}}
| romanized_name = Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha
| logo = Arc System Works.png
| type = Kabushiki gaisha
| industry = Video games
| founder = Minoru Kidooka
| location_city = Yokohama
| location_country = Japan
| key_people = {{plainlist|
- Minoru Kidooka{{cite web |url=https://arcsystemworks.com/company/ |title=Company |author= |website=Arc System Works Official Web Site |date=3 February 2018 |publisher=Arc System Works |access-date=2018-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217202255/https://arcsystemworks.com/company/ |archive-date=17 December 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
- (President and CEO)
- Daisuke Ishiwatari
- (Chief Creative Officer)
- Toshimichi Mori{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/blazblue-series-creator-toshimichi-mori-leaves-arc-system-works|title=BlazBlue series creator Toshimichi Mori leaves Arc System Works|website=Gematsu|date=25 September 2022 |access-date=25 September 2022}}
- (Chief Development Officer [2003 - 2022])
}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|BlazBlue series|Double Dragon series|Guilty Gear series|Jake Hunter series|Kunio-kun series|Licensed:|Dragon Ball FighterZ|Persona 4 Arena (Ultimax)|Granblue Fantasy Versus (Rising)}}
| revenue = {{Increase}} {{Yen|680 million|link=yes}}
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees = 233 (2024){{cite web|title=企業データ {{!}} ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEB SITE|url=https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/portal/company/data/.html|website=Arcsystemworks.jp|access-date=7 July 2024}}
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|https://arcsystemworks.com/}}
}}
{{Nihongo|Arc System Works Co., Ltd.|アークシステムワークス株式会社| Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha}}, commonly referred to as ArcSys, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Kidooka in 1988, the company is known for arcade 2D fighting game franchises, including Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, as well as other license-based fighting games for Dragon Ball FighterZ, Persona 4 Arena (Ultimax), Granblue Fantasy Versus (Rising), and others.
History
The company was founded in January 1988 and incorporated as Arc Co., Ltd. in May. The company spent early years as a contract developer for Sega, Sammy, and Banpresto. It consisted at the time of around eight developers; most of whom had previously worked at Sega including founder Minoru Kidooka.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamekult.com/forum/|title=Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult - Gamekult|website=Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult - Gamekult|access-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311000452/https://www.gamekult.com/forum|archive-date=11 March 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} It was renamed Arc System Works in 1991. In 1992 they developed a game for the Famicom called Pizza Pop!.{{Cite web|last=Wong |first= Alistair|date=2019-06-23|title= Jaleco Famicom Game Pizza Pop! Has Been Fan Translated |url= https://www.siliconera.com/jaleco-famicom-game-pizza-pop-has-been-fan-translated/ |access-date=2024-03-31|website= Siliconera|language=en-US}} The company produced a series of Sailor Moon video games for publisher Angel including Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen which was the first fighting game they produced.{{Cite web|last=Quesada|first=Daniel|date=2020-07-04|title=Así era Sailor Moon S, el primer juego de lucha de Arc System Works|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/era-sailor-moon-s-primer-juego-lucha-arc-system-works-671629|access-date=2020-09-29|website=HobbyConsolas|language=es|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928225817/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/era-sailor-moon-s-primer-juego-lucha-arc-system-works-671629|url-status=live}}
They published their first title in 1995 which was Exector for the PlayStation.{{cite web|url=https://arcsystemworks.com/profile.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510015116/https://arcsystemworks.com/profile.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 May 2012|title=ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEBSITE|date=10 May 2012|access-date=1 April 2019}}
On June 11, 2015, the company acquired all intellectual properties of Technōs Japan, such as Double Dragon and Kunio-kun, from Million Co., Ltd.{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/12/8771015/arc-system-works-acquires-technos-brands-double-dragon |title=Double Dragon and Other Technos Brands Acquired by Arc System Works (update) |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=12 June 2015 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=13 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818082518/http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/12/8771015/arc-system-works-acquires-technos-brands-double-dragon |archive-date=18 August 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Even prior to its acquisition of Million's library, the company had been the publisher of Technōs' video games for Virtual Console in Japan.{{cite web | url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0709/28/news122.html | title=「ファミコン探偵倶楽部」、「半熟英雄」から「超兄貴」までそしてNEOGEOも――10月の「バーチャルコンソール」ラインアップ | date=28 September 2007 | language=ja | trans-title="Famicom Detective Club", "Henshu Hideo" to "Super Big Brother" and also NEOGEO-"Virtual Console" Lineup in October | publisher=ITmedia | access-date=15 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401203358/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0709/28/news122.html | archive-date=1 April 2019 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/08/02/104,1186017852,76203,0,0.html|title=あの『くにおくん』がニンテンドーDSで復活！『超熱血高校くにおくん ドッジボール部』 - ファミ通.com|website=Famitsu.com|access-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401192025/https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/08/02/104,1186017852,76203,0,0.html|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/23027637.html|title=『ぶれいぶるー くろーんふぁんたずま』体験版と『びっくり熱血新記録！はるかなる金メダル』がニンテンドーeショップで配信|website=Famitsu.com|date=23 January 2013 |access-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401192356/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/23027637.html|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/02/24/33845.html|title=Wiiウェア『おきらくスゴロクWii』追加コンテンツ＆VC『ダブルドラゴン』2009年2月24日より配信開始|website=Inside-games.jp|access-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401192729/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/02/24/33845.html|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Following the transaction, the company took the publishing duties from Aksys Games for Virtual Console releases in North America,{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114195718/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 November 2013|title=Nintendo.com – River City Ransom – Game Info|date=14 November 2013|access-date=1 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr|title=River City Ransom|website=Nintendo.com|access-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401203327/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} though some Technōs games were already published by Arc System Works.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/-w_OoCXsbGRtawbsVbwEZc4W7dhQrgQF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222034544/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/-w_OoCXsbGRtawbsVbwEZc4W7dhQrgQF|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 December 2013|title=Nintendo.com – Crash 'n the Boys Street Challenge – Game Info|date=22 December 2013|access-date=1 April 2019}}
On February 6, 2017, the company acquired the rights to the Jake Hunter, Theresia, Nazo no Jikenbo, and Koneko no Ie series from publisher WorkJam.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/06/arc-system-works-picks-jake-hunter-theresia-series/ |title=Arc System Works Picks Up the Jake Hunter and Theresia Series |author=Jenni |date=6 February 2017 |work=Siliconera |publisher=Curse, Inc. |access-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113544/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/06/arc-system-works-picks-jake-hunter-theresia-series/ |archive-date=7 February 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} On November 2, 2017, the company announced the establishment of a North American branch in Torrance, California, known as Arc System Works America, Inc.{{cite press release |author= |title=Arc System Works Establishes North American Branch |url=http://arcsystemworks.com/arc-system-works-establishes-north-american-branch/ |location=Torrance, California |publisher=Arc System Works |date=3 November 2017 |access-date=2 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105052318/http://arcsystemworks.com/arc-system-works-establishes-north-american-branch/ |archive-date=5 November 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
In July 2024, Arc System Works has opened its European branch at Paris, France.{{cite press release |author= |title=Arc System Works Establishes European Branch |url=https://www.arcsystemworks.fr/en/news/ |location=Paris, France|publisher=Arc System Works |date=1 July 2024}}
{{Clear}}
Games developed
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Platform(s) !Publisher |
|---|
| rowspan="2" |1988 |
| Double Dragon
|Sega |
| rowspan="4" |1989
|Master System |Sega |
| Rolling Thunder
|Family Computer |Namco |
| Battle Out Run
|Master System |Sega |
| Vigilante
|Master System |Sega |
| rowspan="9" |1990
|Master System |Sega |
| Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
|Master System |Sega |
| Code Name: Viper |
| Chiyonofuji no Ōichō
|Family Computer |Face |
| Operation Wolf |
| Pengo
|Sega |
| Super Monaco GP
|Master System |Sega |
| Hissatsu Shigotonin
|Family Computer |
| SD Sengoku Bushō Retsuden: Rekka no Gotoku Tenka o Nusure!
|Family Computer |Banpresto |
| 1991
|Battle Commander: Hachibushu Shura no Heihou |Banpresto |
| rowspan="6" |1992
|Pizza Pop! |Family Computer |
| Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger
|Family Computer |Angel |
| Great Battle Cyber
|Family Computer |Banpresto |
| Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
|Angel |
| Cyber Spin |
| Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II
|Master System |Sega |
| rowspan="2" |1993
|Game Gear, Genesis |Sega |
| Suzuka 8 Hours
|Super NES |Namco |
| rowspan="3" |1994
|Gaia Saver |Super Famicom |Banpresto |
| Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon
|Mega Drive |Ma-Ba |
| Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen
|Super Famicom |Angel |
| rowspan="2" |1995
|Exector | |
| Wizard's Harmony
|PlayStation, Saturn | |
| 1997
|Wizard's Harmony 2 |PlayStation, Saturn | |
| rowspan="2" |1998
|PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch |Atlus (US) / Virgin Interactive (UK) |
| Wizard's Harmony R
|PlayStation | |
| rowspan="2" |1999
|Prismaticallization |Dreamcast, PlayStation | |
| Tanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu Shogi
|Dreamcast, PlayStation | |
| rowspan="2" |2000
|NAOMI, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Windows |Sammy Studios |
| Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyo Retsuden
|PlayStation 2 |Tomy |
| rowspan="2" |2001
|PlayStation 2 |Sammy Studios |
| Digital Holmes
|PlayStation 2 | |
| 2002
|NAOMI, PlayStation 2 |Sammy Studios |
| rowspan="2" |2003
|Sammy Studios |
| Guilty Gear X2#Reload
|NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, PSP |Sammy Studios |
| rowspan="2" |2004
|Atomiswave, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows |Sammy Studios |
| Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors
|Game Boy Advance |Atari/Banpresto/Bandai |
| rowspan="3" |2005
|Atomiswave, PlayStation 2 |Sega |
| Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2
|Atari/Banpresto/Bandai |
| Guilty Gear XX Slash
|NAOMI, PlayStation 2, PSP |Sammy Studios/SEGA |
| 2006
|NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Wii |Sammy Studios/Aksys Games (US) |
| rowspan="3" |2007
|Xbox 360, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games |
| Battle Fantasia
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games |
| Hoshigami Remix
|Nintendo DS |ASNetworks/Aksys Games/505 Games |
| rowspan="7" |2008
|Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus |PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |Sammy Studios/Arc System Works(Wii) |
| BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, PSP |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube/Zen United |
| Sengoku Basara X
|System 246 / System 256, PlayStation 2 |Capcom |
| Super Dodgeball Brawlers
|Nintendo DS |Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| Tantei Jinguji Saburo DS
|Nintendo DS |Arc System Works/WorkJam |
| Petit Copter
|Aqua System |
| Family Table Tennis
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| rowspan="11" |2009
|Diva Girls: Princess on Ice |Wii, DS |
| Family Glide Hockey
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| Family Pirate Party
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| Family Mini Golf
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| Family Slot Car Racing
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| Family Card Games
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| Family Grand Tennis
|Wii |Aksys Games |
| BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK |
| Animal Puzzle Adventure
|DSiWare | |
| Jazzy Billiards
|Nintendo DSi | |
| Othello
|Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Switch, PSP, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/othello/|title=ARC SYSTEM WORKS Othello シリーズサイト|website=www.arcsystemworks.jp|access-date=2019-11-29|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511134251/http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/othello/|url-status=live}} | |
| rowspan="2" |2010
|Taito Type X2, PSP, Nintendo 3DS |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK |
| BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale
| |
| rowspan="2" |2011
|PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| Nurarihyon no Mago: Hyakki Ryouran Taisen
|PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |Konami |
| rowspan="6" |2012
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita |Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R
|Arcade, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Nintendo Switch |Sammy Studios/Arc System Works (Steam) |
| BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend
|PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK |
| Persona 4 Arena
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| Kyūkōsha no Shōjo
|Nintendo 3DS | |
| Phi Brain: Kizuna no Puzzle
|PlayStation Portable | |
| rowspan="4" |2013
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows |Atlus/Sega |
| Xblaze Code: Embryo
|PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Funbox Media |
| Magical Beat
|PlayStation Vita | |
| Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo
|PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch |Arc System Works |
| rowspan="5" |2014
|Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend
|Taito Type X2 (as 2.0), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| Conveni Dream
|Nintendo 3DS | |
| Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy
|PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch | |
| Slice It!
|Nintendo 3DS |Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| rowspan="5" |2015
|Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai All-Star Special |PlayStation 3 | |
| Family Tennis SP
|Aksys Games |
| BlazBlue: Central Fiction
|Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube |
| XBlaze Lost: Memories
|PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butōden
|Nintendo 3DS |
| rowspan="5" |2016
|Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows |Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sign) |
| Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories
|Arc System Works/Aksys Games |
| Inferno Climber
|PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows | |
| One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum
|Nintendo 3DS |Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| River City Melee: Battle Royale SP
|PlayStation 4, Windows |Arc System Works, H2 Interactive |
| rowspan="5" |2017
|PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | |
| Simple Mahjong Online
|Nintendo Switch | |
| Birthdays the Beginning
|PlayStation 4, Windows |
| Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of the Dusk
|Nintendo 3DS |Arc System Works/Orange |
| Shephy
|Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows | |
| rowspan="3" |2018
|PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Happy Birthdays
|Nintendo Switch |
| BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
|PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |Arc System Works/PQube |
| rowspan="3" |2019
|Wizard's Symphony |PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch | |
| River City Melee Mach!!
|PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch | |
| Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San!: A River City Ransom Story
|PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch | |
| rowspan="2" |2020
|PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch | |
| Granblue Fantasy Versus
|PlayStation 4, Windows |
| rowspan="1" |2021
|PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |Arc System Works/Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| rowspan="1" |2023
|Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising |PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows |
| rowspan="2" |2024
|Nintendo Switch |
| Uma Musume: Pretty Derby: Party Dash
|PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows |
| 2025
|Technos The World: Kunio-kun & Arcade Collection |PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows |Arc System Works |
Games published
See also
{{See also|Category:Arc System Works games}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://arcsystemworks.com/}}
{{Arc System Works}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Amusement companies of Japan
Category:Companies based in Yokohama
Category:Video game companies established in 1988
Category:Video game companies of Japan
Category:Video game development companies