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.
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Native name | アークシステムワークス株式会社 |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha |
| Company type | Kabushiki gaisha |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | May 12, 1988[1] |
| Founder | Minoru Kidooka |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people |
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| Products |
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| Revenue |  ¥680 million |
Number of employees | 233 (2024)[4] |
| Website | arcsystemworks |
History
editThe company was founded in January 1988 and incorporated as Arc Co., Ltd. in May.[1] 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.[5] It was renamed Arc System Works in 1991.[6] In 1992 they developed a game for the Famicom called Pizza Pop!.[7] 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.[8]
They published their first title in 1995 which was Exector for the PlayStation.[6]
On June 11, 2015, the company acquired all intellectual properties of Technōs Japan, such as Double Dragon and Kunio-kun, from Million Co., Ltd.[9] Even prior to its acquisition of Million's library, the company had been the publisher of Technōs' video games for Virtual Console in Japan.[10][11][12][13] Following the transaction, the company took the publishing duties from Aksys Games for Virtual Console releases in North America,[14][15] though some Technōs games were already published by Arc System Works.[16]
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.[17] On November 2, 2017, the company announced the establishment of a North American branch in Torrance, California, known as Arc System Works America, Inc.[18]
In July 2024, Arc System Works has opened its European branch at Paris, France.[19]
Games developed
edit| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Final Lap | Family Computer | Namco |
| Double Dragon | Master System | Sega | |
| 1989 | Scramble Spirits | Master System | Sega |
| Rolling Thunder | Family Computer | Namco | |
| Battle Out Run | Master System | Sega | |
| Vigilante | Master System | Sega | |
| 1990 | Ghouls 'n Ghosts | Master System | Sega |
| Michael Jackson's Moonwalker | Master System | Sega | |
| Code Name: Viper | Nintendo Entertainment System | Capcom | |
| Chiyonofuji no Ōichō | Family Computer | Face | |
| Operation Wolf | PC Engine | NEC Avenue | |
| Pengo | Game Gear | Sega | |
| Super Monaco GP | Master System | Sega | |
| Hissatsu Shigotonin | Family Computer | Banpresto | |
| SD Sengoku Bushō Retsuden: Rekka no Gotoku Tenka o Nusure! | Family Computer | Banpresto | |
| 1991 | Battle Commander: Hachibushu Shura no Heihou | Super Famicom | Banpresto |
| 1992 | Pizza Pop! | Family Computer | Jaleco |
| Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger | Family Computer | Angel | |
| Great Battle Cyber | Family Computer | Banpresto | |
| Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | Game Boy | Angel | |
| Cyber Spin | Super NES | Takara | |
| Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II | Master System | Sega | |
| 1993 | Battletoads | Game Gear, Genesis | Sega |
| Suzuka 8 Hours | Super NES | Namco | |
| 1994 | Gaia Saver | Super Famicom | Banpresto |
| Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon | Mega Drive | Bandai | |
| Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen | Super Famicom | Angel | |
| 1995 | Exector | PlayStation | |
| Wizard's Harmony | PlayStation, Saturn | ||
| 1997 | Wizard's Harmony 2 | PlayStation, Saturn | |
| 1998 | Guilty Gear | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch | Sammy Studios |
| Wizard's Harmony R | PlayStation | ||
| 1999 | Prismaticallization | Dreamcast, PlayStation | |
| Tanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu Shogi | Dreamcast, PlayStation | ||
| 2000 | Guilty Gear X | NAOMI, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Windows | Sammy Studios |
| Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyo Retsuden | PlayStation 2 | Tomy | |
| 2001 | Guilty Gear X Plus | PlayStation 2 | Sammy Studios |
| Digital Holmes | PlayStation 2 | ||
| 2002 | X: Unmei no Sentaku | PlayStation | Namco |
| 2003 | Guilty Gear X Ver.1.5 | Atomiswave | Sammy Studios |
| Guilty Gear X2 | NAOMI, PlayStation 2 | Sammy Studios | |
| Guilty Gear X2#Reload | NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, PSP | Sammy Studios | |
| 2004 | Guilty Gear Isuka | Atomiswave, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows | Sammy Studios |
| Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors | Game Boy Advance | Atari/Banpresto/Bandai | |
| 2005 | Fist of the North Star | Atomiswave, PlayStation 2 | Sega |
| Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 | Nintendo DS | Atari/Banpresto/Bandai | |
| Guilty Gear XX Slash | NAOMI, PlayStation 2, PSP | Sammy Studios/SEGA | |
| 2006 | Guilty Gear XX Accent Core | NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Wii | Sammy Studios/Aksys Games (US) |
| 2007 | Guilty Gear 2: Overture | 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 | |
| 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 | Wii[20] | Aqua System | |
| Family Table Tennis | Wii | Aksys Games | |
| 2009 | Diva Girls: Princess on Ice | Wii, DS | 505 Games |
| 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[21] | ||
| 2010 | BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II | Taito Type X2, PSP, Nintendo 3DS | Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK |
| BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale | DSiWare | ||
| 2011 | Hard Corps: Uprising | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Konami |
| Nurarihyon no Mago: Hyakki Ryouran Taisen | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Konami | |
| 2012 | BlazBlue: Chronophantasma | 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 | Atlus | |
| Kyūkōsha no Shōjo | Nintendo 3DS | ||
| Phi Brain: Kizuna no Puzzle | PlayStation Portable | ||
| 2013 | Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | 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 | |
| 2014 | Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- | 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 | |
| 2015 | Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai All-Star Special | PlayStation 3 | |
| Family Tennis SP | Wii U | 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 | Bandai Namco Entertainment | |
| 2016 | Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- | Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows | Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sign) |
| Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories | Nintendo 3DS[22] | 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 | |
| 2017 | Double Dragon IV | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | |
| Simple Mahjong Online | Nintendo Switch | ||
| Birthdays the Beginning | PlayStation 4, Windows | NIS America | |
| Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of the Dusk | Nintendo 3DS | Arc System Works/Orange | |
| Shephy | Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows | ||
| 2018 | Dragon Ball FighterZ | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Happy Birthdays | Nintendo Switch | NIS America | |
| BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle | PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | ||
| 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 | ||
| 2020 | Code Shifter | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch | |
| Granblue Fantasy Versus | PlayStation 4, Windows | Cygames/XSEED Games | |
| 2021 | Guilty Gear Strive | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Arc System Works/Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| 2022 | DNF Duel[23] | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Nexon |
| 2023 | Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows | Cygames/XSEED Games |
| 2024 | Another Code: Recollection | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo |
| Uma Musume: Pretty Derby: Party Dash | PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Cygames |
Games published
edit| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Developers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Castle of Shikigami III | Arcade, Wii, Xbox 360, Windows | Alfa System, Barnhouse Effect |
| 2007 | Hooked! Real Motion Fishing | Wii[24] | SIMS |
| 2009 | Strikers 1945 Plus Portable | PSP | Psikyo |
| 2011 | Arcana Heart 3 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Examu, Team Arcana |
| 2012 | Chaos Code | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows | FK Digital |
| Go! Go! Kokopolo - Harmonious Forest Revenge[25] | Nintendo DS | Tanukii Studios Limited | |
| 2014 | Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! | Taito X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows | Examu, Team Arcana |
| Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita | Toybox Inc. | |
| Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late | PlayStation 3, Windows | Ecole Software, French Bread | |
| 2015 | Skullgirls: 2nd Encore (Japan only) | PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita | Reverge Labs/Lab Zero |
| 2016 | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters: Daybreak Special Gigs | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows | Toybox Inc. |
| 2017 | Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars!!!!! | Taito Type X2, Windows | Examu, Team Arcana |
| Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code | Windows | Type-Moon, French-Bread, Ecole Software | |
| Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[st] | Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows | Ecole Software, French Bread | |
| Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (Asia only) | PlayStation 4 | Lizardcube | |
| DJMax Respect (Japan only) | PlayStation 4 | Rocky Studio, Neowiz MUCA | |
| 2018 | Resonance of Fate (Japan only) | PlayStation 4 | tri-Ace |
| World End Syndrome | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 | Toybox Games | |
| The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | White Owls Inc. | |
| 2019 | Kill la Kill the Game: IF | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | A+ Games |
| River City Girls | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5 | WayForward | |
| 2020 | Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[cl-r] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Sega ALLS HX | Ecole Software, French Bread |
| 2021 | Kowloon High-School Chronicle | Nintendo Switch | Toybox Inc. |
| Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars Xtend!!!!! | Windows, ex-Arcadia | Team Arcana | |
| River City Saga: Three Kingdoms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | A+ Games | |
| 2022 | Ground Divers![26] | Nintendo Switch | Studio Tsuruhashi |
| RWBY: Arrowfell[27] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | WayForward | |
| River City Girls 2 | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | WayForward | |
| 2023 | Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows | French Bread |
| 2024 | Library of Ruina | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 | Project Moon |
| River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next[28] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | A+ Games, R-Force Entertainment | |
| 2025 | Hunter × Hunter: Nen × Impact[29] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows | Eighting |
| Double Dragon Revive[30] | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows | Yuke's |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "社長所感～アークシステムワークス創業30周年を迎えて～ | Arc System Works Official Web Site". Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ a b c "Company". Arc System Works Official Web Site. Arc System Works. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "BlazBlue series creator Toshimichi Mori leaves Arc System Works". Gematsu. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "企業データ | ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEB SITE". Arcsystemworks.jp. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult - Gamekult". Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult - Gamekult. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ a b "ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEBSITE". 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Wong, Alistair (23 June 2019). "Jaleco Famicom Game Pizza Pop! Has Been Fan Translated". Siliconera. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ Quesada, Daniel (4 July 2020). "Así era Sailor Moon S, el primer juego de lucha de Arc System Works". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ^ Sarkar, Samit (12 June 2015). "Double Dragon and Other Technos Brands Acquired by Arc System Works (update)". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "「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" ["Famicom Detective Club", "Henshu Hideo" to "Super Big Brother" and also NEOGEO-"Virtual Console" Lineup in October] (in Japanese). ITmedia. 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "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". Famitsu.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "『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". Famitsu.com. 23 January 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "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". Inside-games.jp. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Nintendo.com – River City Ransom – Game Info". 14 November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "River City Ransom". Nintendo.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Nintendo.com – Crash 'n the Boys Street Challenge – Game Info". 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Jenni (6 February 2017). "Arc System Works Picks Up the Jake Hunter and Theresia Series". Siliconera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- ^ "Arc System Works Establishes North American Branch" (Press release). Torrance, California: Arc System Works. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Arc System Works Establishes European Branch" (Press release). Paris, France: Arc System Works. 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Petit missions in Petit Copter". Nintendowiifanboy.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
- ^ "ARC SYSTEM WORKS Othello シリーズサイト". www.arcsystemworks.jp. Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- ^ "3DS adventure game Chase: Unsolved Cases Investigation Division by Another Code staff announced". Gematsu. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Arc System Works-developed Dungeon Fighter fighting game DNF Duel announced [Update]". Gematsu. 26 December 2020.
- ^ "Bass Fishing Wii～ロクマル伝説～". Aarcsystemworks.jp. Archived from the original on 20 June 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
- ^ "Arc System Works - Kokopolo".
- ^ "Arc System Works announces mining action game Ground Divers! for Switch". Gematsu. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ "WayForward, Arc System Works, and Rooster Teeth announce RWBY video game, coming 2021". Nintendo Wire. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Romano, Sal (18 July 2024). "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next announced for PS4, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ Arc System Works America [@ArcSystemWorksU] (30 September 2024). "The release timing for HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT will be changed from the previously announced 2024 timing to now release within 2025. [...]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Romano, Sal (11 July 2024). "Double Dragon Revive teaser trailer, first details and screenshots". Gematsu. Retrieved 11 July 2024.