AQ Interactive
| Company type | Public (implied, not explicitly stated) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | Cavia |
| Founded | October 1, 2005 in Japan |
| Defunct | October 1, 2011 |
| Fate | Merged with Marvelous Entertainment and Liveware |
| Successor | Marvelous Entertainment |
| Headquarters | Shinagawa, Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Video games |
AQ Interactive, Inc. was a Japanese company engaged in both the development and publishing of video game titles. The acronym AQ represents Artistic Quality. It served as the parent organization for development studios such as Artoon, Cavia, and feelplus, along with the American publishing firm Xseed Games. AQ Interactive and its affiliated companies created games under their own brands and also developed titles for major publishers including Microsoft Studios (currently known as Xbox Game Studios) and Nintendo.
History
Established on October 1, 2005, AQ Interactive emerged when Cavia, which had been founded on March 1, 2000, transformed into a holding company overseeing subsidiaries and managing sales and marketing efforts for video game software. The game design and development operations of Cavia were spun off into a subsidiary named Cavia Inc., which remained separate until July 2010, when it was reintegrated back into AQ Interactive.
The company’s inaugural published game was Tetris: The Grand Master ACE, released as part of the November 2005 launch lineup for the Xbox 360.
On March 12, 2009, AQ Interactive revealed plans to relocate its headquarters to Shinagawa, Tokyo, with the move finalized between June and August of that year.
Subsequently, on March 26, 2009, the firm initiated new divisions focused on mobile content and international business activities, effective April 1, 2009.
In August 2010, AQ Interactive unified the online presence of its subsidiaries Artoon, feelplus, and Cavia by consolidating their websites into a single AQI Development product portal.
By March 31, 2011, the company combined its software and amusement divisions into a singular consumer business department.
On June 23, 2011, AQ Interactive announced a merger agreement with Marvelous Entertainment and Liveware, which took effect on October 1, 2011.
Subsidiaries
- XSEED JKS, Inc.: AQ Interactive announced the acquisition of XSEED JKS, Inc. on May 15, 2007, completing the transfer of shares by June that year. The company increased its ownership from 55.0% to 90.0% on May 1, 2009.
- LINKTHINK Inc. (株式会社リンクシンク): AQ Interactive initially purchased a 66.8% stake on April 16, 2009, before acquiring full ownership by November 6, 2009.
Former subsidiaries
- Microcabin Corporation (株式会社マイクロキャビン): Acquired by AQ Interactive on May 16, 2008; however, on January 14, 2011, AQ Interactive divested its 85% shareholding to Fields Corporation, making Microcabin a Fields subsidiary.
- feelplus Inc. (株式会社フィールプラス): Once a subsidiary under cavia inc., it was merged into AQ Interactive effective August 1, 2011.
- Cavia Inc. (株式会社キャビア): Integrated into AQ Interactive as of August 1, 2011.
- Artoon (株式会社アートゥーン): Also merged into AQ Interactive effective August 1, 2011.
Released titles
Below is a list of games that AQ Interactive either developed or published.
Arcade
- Pokémon Battrio (2007): Fighting genre
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong (2009): Mahjong
- Touch the Numbers (TBA)
- Cubemall: UFO catcher style
- Minna de Derby: Horse racing simulation
PlayStation 2
- Love Com (2006): Adventure
- Driver: Parallel Lines (Japanese edition) (2006): Action
- Arcana Heart (2007): Fighting
- Suggoi! Arcana Heart 2 (2009): Fighting
PlayStation 3
- Vampire Rain: Altered Species (2008): Action-adventure with stealth elements
PlayStation Portable
- Jitsuroku Oniyome Nikki (2006): Action
- Anata wo Yurusanai (2007): Sound novel
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan (2009): Mahjong
- CR Hana no Keiji Zan (Cancelled): Pachinko simulation
Wii
- Victorious Boxers: Revolution (2007): Fighting
- The World of Golden Eggs: Nori Nori Rhythm-kei (2008): Rhythm action
- Ju-on: The Grudge (2009): Survival horror and graphic adventure
- Club Penguin: Game Day! (2010): Collection of minigames
Nintendo DS
- Boing! Docomodake DS (2007): Puzzle
- Korg DS-10 (2008): Music synthesizer software
- Blue Dragon Plus (2008): Tactical role-playing
- Away: Shuffle Dungeon (2008): Role-playing game
- Korg DS-10 Plus (2009): Music synthesizer software
- Korg M01 (2010): Music synthesizer software
Nintendo 3DS
- Cubic Ninja (2011): Action puzzle
Xbox 360
- Tetris: The Grand Master ACE (2005): Puzzle
- Tsuushin Taisen Mahjong Touryuumon (2006): Mahjong
- Bullet Witch (2006): Action-adventure
- Vampire Rain (2007): Action-adventure with stealth components
Browser games
- Browser Sangokushi (2009): Strategy and simulation
- Baka to Test to Shōkanjū for Mixi (2010): Quiz and simulation
- Derby Master (2010): Horse racing and simulation
- Browser Baseball (2010): Sports and simulation
iPhone
- Glandarius Wing Strike (2009): Shoot 'em up
Wii
- The Last Story (2011) – co-developed alongside Mistwalker, published by Nintendo
Nintendo 3DS
- Animal Resort (2011) – published by Marvelous Entertainment
PlayStation 3
- No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (2010) – published by Marvelous Entertainment and Konami