Game Arts

Game Arts Co., Ltd. (株式会社ゲームアーツ, Kabushiki gaisha gēmu ātsu) is a Japanese video game developer and publisher based in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Originally established in 1985 as a computer software company, it expanded into producing for a number of game console and handheld systems. Its President and CEO in 2005 was Yoichi Miyaji at which time it was a member of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association of Japan (CESA). Its major trading partners then included Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Koei Tecmo, and GungHo Online Entertainment, some of whom co-developed or produced games in cooperation with the company. In 2005, GungHo Online Entertainment had acquired the company. The company has produced a number of games for several genres, beginning with the action game Thexder for personal computers in 1985. A number of traditional and Mahjong-related games have also been produced for Japanese audiences. In the Western world, Game Arts is best known as the producers of the Lunar and Grandia series of role-playing video games, as well as the Gungriffon line of vehicle simulation games. Some of its staff has helped in the preliminary development of Nintendo's Wii title Super Smash Bros. Brawl. On April 22, 2009, Game Arts released the PlayStation port of Grandia in Japan on the PlayStation Network as a downloadable title in the PSone Classics range, to celebrate an upcoming announcement for Grandia Online.