CTW Inc.
 | |
Native name | CTW株式会社 |
|---|---|
| Type | Kabushiki gaisha |
| ISIN | KYG2589A1058  |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | August 14, 2013 |
| Founder | Ryuichi Sasaki |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | G123 |
Number of employees | 350 (2026) |
| Parent | CTW Cayman PubCo |
| Website | ctw |
CTW Inc. is a Japanese video game company based in Tokyo. It is mainly known for its browser-based gaming platform, G123.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]CTW Inc. (originally CTW株式会社) was founded in August 2013, with Ryuichi Sasaki as president. CTW transitioned to developing HTML5-based browser games in the mid-2010s.[4]
In October 2018, CTW launched its gaming platform, G123, which provides instant-play games primarily adapted from popular anime and manga franchises. By 2024, its users had increased to more than 500 million.[5]
In 2021, CTW began expanding its international operations and released localized versions of its games in English and other languages.[6]
In 2023, CTW reorganized under a Cayman Islands entity as CTW Cayman.[7] Two years later, in 2025, CTW filed to list on the Nasdaq as CTW Cayman.[1]
On August 6, 2025, CTW Cayman was listed on the Nasdaq.[8]
Platform
[edit]CTW operates G123 as its primary platform. G123 uses HTML5 technology, enabling browser-based gameplay without requiring downloads or installations.[9] The platform provides free-to-play games across various genres, such as RPG, strategy, and simulation, monetized through optional in-game purchases.[5] By mid-2025, G123 hosted over 25 active titles.[1]
Selected games
[edit]Criticism
[edit]Internationally, CTW and its G123 platform has faced criticism regarding its advertisements which were frequently seen throughout a number of social media platforms worldwide. Similar to mobile game ads, G123's ads use exaggerated and / or misleading content that are not present in the actual games that G123 tries to advertise.[citation needed] In 2025, the Advertising Standards Authority opened an investigation into CTW after three controversial adverts that were advertising High School D×D: Operation Paradise Infinity, a browser game based on the anime series High School DxD, contained unsuitable, potentially harmful content which violated a series of CAP codes, primarily 1.3, 4.1, 4.8 and 4.9.[13] After being contacted by the ASA, CTW immediately removed the ads while also reinforcing review and approval processes to comply with ASA's CAP code.[14]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Japan-based gaming platform CTW Cayman files for a $21 million US IPO". Renaissance Capital. May 15, 2025. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ↑ "初の本格オンラインRPG「ドラえもん コミックトラベラー」事前登録開始！｜ドラえもんチャンネル". 初の本格オンラインRPG「ドラえもん コミックトラベラー」事前登録開始！｜ドラえもんチャンネル. Archived from the original on 2025-05-17. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ↑ "Ultrahorse Entertainment: Navigating the new wave of game industry changes (Part 2)". Pocket Gamer. September 28, 2023.
- ↑ "CTW、ゲームサービス「G123」の全世界ユーザー数が5億人を突破！今後のアップデート情報を解禁 | gamebiz". gamebiz【ゲームビズ】. Archived from the original on 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- 1 2 Alexander, Maria (April 21, 2025). "Play Licensed Anime Games Safely For Free With No Downloads on G123". Droid Gamers.
- ↑ "Customer Cases: CTW - Alibaba Cloud". AlibabaCloud.
- ↑ "CTW Cayman F1 Registration statement | CTW 15 May 25". capedge.com.
- ↑ "CTW Cayman Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering". Yahoo Finance. Archived from the original on 2025-08-26. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ Peterson, Johnny (April 21, 2025). "Play Officially Licensed Anime Games On G123 With No Registration Or Download Needed". Gamezebo. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ↑ Liu, Stephanie (September 20, 2023). "Pre-Registration Opens For Browser Game Black Lagoon: Heaven's Shot".
- ↑ "New boobtastic game High School D×D Operation Paradise Infinity is finally released! Have loads of fun!". G123. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ↑ "CTW Inc. Announces Global Launch of 'High School D×D Operation Paradise Infinity' on G123 Browser Game Platform". AP News. 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ↑ Practice, Advertising Standards Authority | Committee of Advertising. "CTW Inc". www.asa.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ "ASA says "game over" to sexualised anime ads targeting UK viewers". www.lewissilkin.com. Retrieved 2026-07-06.