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Entertainment Software Publishing

From Alfawiki
Entertainment Software Publishing, Inc.
Native name
株式会社エンターテインメント ソフトウェア パブリッシング
Kabushiki-gaisha Entāteinmento Sofutō~ea Paburisshingu
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedNovember 1997; 29 years ago (1997-11)
DefunctTemplate:End date and age
FateIntegrated with D3 Publisher
Headquarters
Shibuya, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Youichi Miyaji (president)
Products
Parent
Websiteesp-web.co.jp (archived)

Entertainment Software Publishing, Inc. (commonly known as ESP) was a Tokyo-based Japanese video game publisher headquartered in Shibuya. Established in 1997, the company was created to distribute titles developed by the Game Developers Network (GD-NET), which encompassed studios such as Treasure and Game Arts. ESP emerged as a solution to the financial difficulties faced by smaller developers amid the increasing costs of console game production. The company gained recognition for publishing shoot 'em ups and role-playing games, while also producing several games internally.

Initially, ESP concentrated on releases for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast platforms. As these consoles waned in popularity, the company adapted by focusing on systems like the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS. In 2002, Game Arts acquired ESP, turning it into their publishing arm. Two years later, ownership transferred to D3 Publisher, which valued ESP’s portfolio of well-regarded titles. Ultimately, in 2010, ESP merged with D3 Publisher and its parent firm, D3 Inc.

ESP’s catalogue includes critically praised games such as Grandia, Radiant Silvergun, and the Bangai-O series, many of which achieved both commercial success and genre acclaim. Additionally, ESP co-published Japanese massively multiplayer online games and participated in various collaborative development efforts.

History

During the late 1990s in Japan, multiple developers—among them Treasure, Quintet, Sting Entertainment, and Game Arts—formed the Game Developers Network (GD-NET) to mutually support each other amid soaring costs associated with console game production.[1] Without the financial resources typical of larger corporations, GD-NET focused on game creation while delegating production and marketing tasks externally.[1][2]

In November 1997,[3] GD-NET members established Entertainment Software Publishing (ESP), appointing Youichi Miyaji—then president and CEO of Game Arts—as ESP's leader.[4] The company received funding from studios including Japan Art Media, CSK Research Institute, and Onion Soft, along with backing from CSK Holdings, Sega’s parent company.[5][6][7] While GD-NET members concentrated on development, ESP managed marketing and sales operations.[8]

ESP aimed to elevate smaller developers who were often overshadowed by dominant publishers such as Sega, Nintendo, and Sony.[3]

One of ESP’s initial achievements was the release of Grandia (1997) for PlayStation and Sega Saturn—developed by Game Arts—which received widespread critical acclaim.[9] Treasure’s Saturn port of Radiant Silvergun also garnered praise for its gameplay mechanics and is regarded as a landmark title within the shoot 'em up genre.[10] Additionally, the commercially successful Slayers Royal series strengthened ESP’s catalogue.[11]

In 1998, after Sega withdrew the Saturn from Western markets to concentrate on the Dreamcast,[12] ESP shifted its publishing efforts toward Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and subsequently PlayStation 2—the latter becoming Japan’s top-selling console.[13] Among notable releases was Bangai-O (1999) for Nintendo 64: a critically acclaimed but niche title produced in limited quantities.[14]

ESP frequently presented games like Silhouette Mirage at the Tokyo Game Show,[15] expanding its portfolio on PlayStation 2 as it surpassed Dreamcast in market dominance.[16]

In 2002, Game Arts acquired ESP, incorporating it as their publishing division.[17] Two years afterward, D3 Publisher acquired ESP—known primarily for budget-priced Simple titles—purchasing it outright for 120 million yen due to ESP’s solid sales history.[18][19] Under D3 Publisher’s ownership, ESP released games for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS while developing titles such as Hajime no Ippo Portable Victorious Spirits for PSP.[20] The company also co-published Japanese massively multiplayer online games.[21] By 2005, ESP announced intentions to develop for PlayStation 3 at that year’s Tokyo Game Show.[22]

In 2008, ESP collaborated with Treasure—the last active GD-NET member—to launch the "Treasure × ESP" publishing initiative,[23] resulting in well-received releases including Bangai-O Spirits for Nintendo DS.[24]

On April 1, 2010, both ESP and D3 Publisher were consolidated into their parent company D3 Inc., which was subsequently renamed D3 Publisher,[17] effectively dissolving both entities. The previous year had seen D3 Inc. become majority-owned by Namco Bandai Games.[25][26]

Games published

Year Title Platform(s) Developer(s) Reference(s)
1997 Slayers Royal Sega Saturn
PlayStation 		Onion Egg
Japan Art Media
Silhouette Mirage Sega Saturn
PlayStation 		Treasure
Mahō Gakuen Lunar! Sega Saturn Game Arts
Studio Alex
Grandia Sega Saturn
PlayStation 		Game Arts
1998 Gungriffon II Sega Saturn Game Arts
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete PlayStation Game Arts
Japan Art Media
Code R Sega Saturn Quintet
Radiant Silvergun Sega Saturn Treasure
Slayers Royal 2 Sega Saturn
PlayStation 		Onion Egg
Baroque PlayStation
Sega Saturn 		Sting
Chaos Seed Sega Saturn Neverland
1999 Evolution: The World of Sacred Device Dreamcast Sting
Bangai-O Nintendo 64 Treasure
Evolution 2: Far Off Promise Dreamcast Sting 2000 Aquarian Age: Tokyo Wars PlayStation Broccoli
2000 'Victorious Boxers: Ippo's Road to Glory' 'PlayStation 2' 'New Corporation'
'Abarenbō Princess' 'PlayStation 2' 'Alfa System'
'Evolution Worlds' 'GameCube' 'Sting'
2002 'Ikaruga' 'Dreamcast' 'Treasure'
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' 'PlayStation 2
Xbox' 		'Bergsala Lightweight
Genki'
'Victorious Boxers 2: Fighting Spirit' 'PlayStation 2' 'New Corporation'
'Azumi' 'PlayStation 2' 'New Corporation'
'Garouden Breakblow: Fist or Twist' 'PlayStation 2' 'Opus'
'Bangai-O Spirits' 'Nintendo DS' 'Treasure'
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GFan
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Quintet
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Game On
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GPS
  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IGN TGS
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ESP Closure
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GSpot 1
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IGN D3
  20. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  26. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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