Technosoft
| File:Tecno Soft logo.png | |
| Company type | Kabushiki gaisha |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | February 1980 |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Assets absorbed by Twenty-one Company; Intellectual Properties acquired by Sega |
| Successor | Twenty-One Technosoft division |
| Headquarters | Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan |
| Products | Video games Computer software |
was a Japanese developer and publisher specializing in video games, based in Sasebo, Nagasaki. Originally established in February 1980 under the name Sasebo Microcomputer Center, the company adopted the name Technosoft in 1982. Its early operations concentrated on software development for Japanese personal computers, including graphic design tools and image processing applications. Technosoft ventured into gaming with the release of Snake & Snake (1982) and subsequently achieved recognition with titles like Thunder Force (1983) and Plasma Line (1984).
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Technosoft experienced financial success, largely propelled by its Thunder Force and Herzog game series. However, profitability waned toward the end of the 1990s, culminating in its acquisition by pachinko manufacturer Twenty-One Company in 2001. The Technosoft brand was revived in 2008 by Twenty-One for merchandising and music licensing purposes. In 2016, the entire catalog of Technosoft’s video game intellectual property was transferred to Sega. Currently, Technosoft operates as Twenty-One’s research and development branch and serves as a brand for products such as soundtrack releases.
History
Several former employees of Technosoft went on to establish influential game development studios: Arsys Software in 1985, founded by Kotori Yoshimura—the creator of Thunder Force—as well as CAProduction in 1993 and Ganbarion in 1999.
In 2006, Technosoft briefly updated its website indicating intentions to resume operations but remained mostly dormant afterward. The brand saw a resurgence under Twenty-One Company in 2008, concentrating on licensing for merchandise and music rights. Ownership of Technosoft’s intellectual properties resided with Kazue Matsuoka rather than directly with Technosoft or Twenty-One.
At the 2016 Tokyo Game Show, Sega announced that Thunder Force III would be included in the Sega 3D Classics Collection and revealed its acquisition of all intellectual property and development rights related to Technosoft. Sega expressed plans to re-release notable titles such as Thunder Force IV, Thunder Force V, and Herzog Zwei. By September 2016, Sega Holdings finalized the copyright transfer of Technosoft’s IP from Kazue Matsuoka to Sega Games Co., Ltd.
Despite this transfer, digital rights to the Thunder Force series soundtracks remain with Twenty-One Company’s Technosoft division. The decision to acquire was motivated by former executives’ intent to preserve the legacy of the brand alongside Sega’s longstanding partnership with Technosoft during the Genesis/Mega Drive period.
Thunder Force
The most commercially successful franchise developed by the company was the Thunder Force series, a side-scrolling shooter video game collection. Debuting with Thunder Force in 1983, the series gained acclaim for its challenging gameplay, advanced graphics for its time, and expertly crafted synthesizer-driven chiptune soundtracks.
The inaugural title Thunder Force was launched on Japanese computer platforms such as the Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801 mkII, and FM-7. In addition, a level creation tool named Thunder Force Construction was released for the FM-7 in 1984. Beginning with Thunder Force II, most entries were developed for the Mega Drive console, where the franchise firmly established its market presence. The latest installment appeared on the PlayStation 2.
Plazma Line
Plazma Line is a pioneering first-person space racing title developed by Technosoft, launched in 1984 for the NEC PC-8801 and FM-7 platforms. It holds the distinction of being the earliest home video game to utilize 3D polygonal graphics. In this game, players navigate through space while dodging obstacles depicted with 3D polygons, supported by an automap radar that monitors their location.
The game was developed by Kotori Yoshimura, who also originated the Thunder Force series. This release represented a significant technological advancement at the time. Yoshimura departed from Technosoft in 1985 to establish the development company Arsys Software alongside Osamu Nagano.
By March 1985, Plazma Line had achieved commercial success, reaching the fifth position on the Beep magazine's ranking of best-selling Japanese computer games.
Herzog
Herzog—meaning "Duke" in German—is a strategy game published by Technosoft in 1988 for the MSX and PC-88 systems in Japan. It blends real-time tactics, tactical shooter mechanics, and real-time strategy elements into its gameplay.
The series’ most acclaimed entry is Herzog Zwei (1989) for the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis), frequently recognized as the first genuine real-time strategy game. Although it followed Nether Earth, it introduced gameplay features that became central to the RTS genre before the release of the influential Dune II. The developers of Dune II have cited Herzog Zwei as a major inspiration, emphasizing its role in shaping RTS gameplay and interface design.
Releases
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Snake & Snake | PC-8000, Sharp MZ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1983 | Thunder Force | FM-7, PC-6601, PC-88, PC-98, Sharp MZ, X1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984 | Plazma Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987 | COMSIGHT | PC88, X1, X68000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | Feedback | MSX2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Herzog | MSX2, PC-8801, PC-9801, X1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thunder Force II | X68000, Sega Genesis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | Herzog Zwei | Sega Genesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 | Thunder Force III | Sega Genesis, Arcade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elemental Master | Sega Genesis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | Devil's Crush | Sega Genesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thunder Spirits | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992 | Thunder Force IV | Sega Genesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | Hyper Duel | Arcade, Sega Saturn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | Magical Error o Sagase! | Arcade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Starblade | Sega CD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nekketsu Oyako | PlayStation, Sega Saturn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | Kyuutenkai: Fantasic Pinball | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 |
Sega Saturn |
- |
Sega Saturn |
- |
rowspan="2" |1997 |
Sega Saturn |
- |
Neorude |
PlayStation |
- |
rowspan="4" |1998 |
Kaze no Oka Kōen nite |
PlayStation, Sega Saturn |
- |
Kumitate Battle: Kuttu Ketto |
PlayStation, Sega Saturn |
- |
PlayStation, Sega Saturn |
- |
Silent Möbius: Genei no Datenshi |
PlayStation |
- |
1999 |
My Garden |
PlayStation |
- |
1999 |
Getter Robo Daikessen |
PlayStation |
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Companies located in Nagasaki Prefecture
- Video game firms founded in 1980
- Video game firms closed in 2001
- Defunct Japanese video game companies
- Video game development studios
- Japanese enterprises established in 1980
- Japanese enterprises closed in 2001
- Japanese companies disestablished in 2001