Creatures (company)

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Creatures Inc.
Native name
株式会社クリーチャーズ
Kabushiki gaisha Kurīchāzu
TypePrivate KK
IndustryVideo games
Genre
PredecessorApe Inc.
Founded
  • Ape Inc.
  • March 1989; 32 years ago (1989-03) in Tokyo, Japan
  • Creatures Inc.
  • November 8, 1995; 26 years ago (1995-11-08) in Tokyo, Japan
Headquarters2-10-2 Fujimi,
Chiyoda, Tokyo
,
Japan
Number of locations
1 studio (2019)
Key people
ProductsGames
Brands
Number of employees
178 (2021)
Websitewww.creatures.co.jp/en
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3]

Creatures Inc.[a] is a Japanese video game development company affiliated with The Pokémon Company.[2] It was founded by Tsunekazu Ishihara on November 1995, with the assistance of then-president of HAL Laboratory, Satoru Iwata,[4] as a successor to Shigesato Itoi's company Ape Inc.[5] It is best known for creating the Pokémon Trading Card Game, designing Pokémon toys, and developing various video games. Its current president is Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka, who was previously known for producing and composing music for various other Nintendo games. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo,[2] in proximity to Ichigaya Station.[6]

History[]

1989–1994: As Ape Inc.[]

Ape Inc. was founded in March 1989 with Shigesato Itoi as its chief executive officer (CEO). Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi had wanted to support new talent in game design. Liking Itoi's work, he proposed the idea of the company to Itoi and invested in it. Ape's staff included Tsunekazu Ishihara, who later became the Pokémon Company's CEO, and Ashura Benimaru Itoh, a renowned illustrator. They began working on Mother, which was released on 27 July 1989. Its music was composed by Hip Tanaka, who later became the second CEO of Creatures.[7] The team went on to develop Mother 2, which would be known in the Western world as EarthBound. When development of this game began to falter, Satoru Iwata of HAL Laboratory was brought in to help the project. The game was released in Japan on 27 August 1994. The Ape team was dismantled in 1995. Ape also produced a line of official guidebooks for Nintendo, in co-operation with Nintendo and Shogakukan. They began with Encyclopedia Mother on October 1989, and ended with Nintendo Official Guidebook—Pocket Monsters: Red, Green, Blue (Complete Compatibility, Revised Edition) on 10 January 1997. Shogakukan assumed Ape's role and continues to produce Nintendo Official Guidebooks in their stead.

1995–present: As Creatures Inc.[]

Creatures Inc. was established on 8 November 1995,[2] with Tsunekazu Ishihara as CEO, and consisting of former staff from Ape.[7]

At one point, Creatures had its headquarters on the 7th floor of the Nintendo Kanda Building (任天堂神田ビル, Nintendō Kanda Biru) in Sudachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo.[8] They later moved to the fifth floor annex of the Kawasakiteitoku Building (川崎定徳ビル, kawasakiteitoku Biru) in Nihonbashi, Chūō, Tokyo.[9]

Creatures is also known for developing the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various Pokémon toys.[10]

Nintendo owns a roughly 10% stake in Creatures.[11]

On 16 October 2020, Creatures announced the acquisition of Ambrella, the developer of a number of Pokémon spin-off games. Creatures acquired all property rights of Ambrella, and Ambrella disbanded, with its employees becoming part of Creatures.[12]

Games[]

Ape/Creatures has developed or has contributed to the development of the following games.

  = developer
  = co-developer
  = assistant developer
  = publisher

As Ape[]

  Year Title Platform Developer Role Notes
  1989 Mother NES Ape Developer Initially Japan only. Re-released worldwide in 2015 as EarthBound Beginnings.
  1993 Monopoly SNES CreamSoft, Ape Co-developer Japan only.
  1994 EarthBound SNES Ape, HAL Co-developer Released as Mother 2 in Japan.
  1995 Mario's Picross Game Boy Ape, Jupiter Co-developer
  1995 Tamori's Picross SNES Ape, Jupiter[13] Co-developer Series of small games distributed over the Satellaview network, coinciding with a radio show by Japanese celebrity Tamori. Japan only.[13][14]
  1995 The Monopoly Game 2 SNES Tomcat System Publisher Jointly published by Tomy and Ape. Japan only.
  1995 Mario's Super Picross SNES Ape, Jupiter Co-developer Japan only.
  2003 Mother 1+2 Game Boy Advance Ape, HAL Porting Compilation cartridge of Mother and Mother 2. Japan only.[15]

As Creatures[]

  Year Title Platform Developer Role Notes
  1996 Picross 2 Game Boy Creatures, Jupiter[16][17][18] Co-developer[19] Japan only.[20]
  1997 Mini Yonku GB: Let's & Go!! Game Boy Creatures, Jupiter[21][22] Co-developer[23] Based on mini yonku racing. Japan only.[24]
  1998 Game Boy Camera Game Boy Nintendo R&D1, Creatures, Game Freak, Jupiter[25][26] Software co-development.
  1998 Pokémon Stadium (Japanese version) Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD Pokémon modeling.[27] Japan only.
  1998 Hey You, Pikachu! Nintendo 64 Ambrella Pokémon modeling.[27]
  1998 Pokémon Trading Card Game Game Boy Color Hudson, Creatures Planning, game design, card design.[27]
  1999 Super Smash Bros. Nintendo 64 HAL Pokémon modeling, opening design.[28]
  1999 Pokémon Snap Nintendo 64 HAL Part of 2D illustrations, Pokémon modeling.[28]
  1999 Pokémon Stadium (international version) Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD Part of 2D illustrations, Pokémon modeling.[28] Upgraded version of the original Pokémon Stadium. Released in Japan as Pokemon Stadium 2.
  2000 Pokémon Stadium 2 Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD Pokémon modeling.[29] Released in Japan as Pokemon Stadium Gold Silver.
  2000 (canc​elled) Mother 3: The End of the Pig King Nintendo 64 HAL Character modeling.[30] Cancelled in 2000.[31] Not to be confused with the GBA game Mother 3. See also: Development of Mother 3.
  2001 Chee-Chai Alien Game Boy Color Creatures Developer Japan only.
  2001 Pokémon Card GB2: GR-dan Sanjo! Game Boy Color Hudson, Creatures Planning, game design, card design.[32] Japan only. Subtitle is often translated as Here Comes Team GR!,[33] and sometimes as The Invasion of Team GR![34]
  2001 Super Smash Bros. Melee GameCube HAL Character, stage, and figure modeling. Opening movie design.[32]
  2003 Pokémon Colosseum GameCube Genius Sonority Pokémon modeling.[35]
  2005 Nonono Puzzle Chailien Game Boy Advance Creatures, Nintendo[36] Co-developer Japan only. Chailien is sometimes spelled Chairian.[37]
  2005 Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness GameCube Genius Sonority Pokémon modeling.[38]
  2006 Pokémon Ranger Nintendo DS HAL Assistant developer.[39]
  2006 Project Hacker: Kakusei Nintendo DS Red Entertainment Assistant developer.[39] Japan only.
  2006 Pokémon Battle Revolution Wii Genius Sonority Pokémon modeling.[39]
  2007 Pokemon Battrio Arcade Tomy, AQ Interactive[40] Pokémon modeling, cabinet design.[41] Arcade cabinet. Japan only.
  2008 Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Nintendo DS Creatures Developer
  2008 Personal Trainer: Walking Nintendo DS Nintendo NSD, Creatures, Engines Software co-development.
  2009 PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Wii Creatures Developer
  2010 Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Nintendo DS Creatures Developer
  2011 Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS Nintendo 3DS Creatures, ZENER WORKS[42] Co-developer Instructional game on how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, included with a deck kit called the Beginning Set. Japan only.[43]
  2011 Pokédex 3D Nintendo 3DS Creatures[44] Developer Free app.[45] Discontinued after 1 October 2012.[46]
  2011 PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Wii Creatures Developer
  2012 Pokémon Dream Radar Nintendo 3DS Creatures, Game Freak[47][48] Co-developer
  2012 Pokédex 3D Pro Nintendo 3DS Creatures[49] Developer Upgraded version of Pokédex 3D. Paid app, unlike its precursor.[49]
  2012 Pokédex for iOS iOS Creatures[50] Developer Discontinued on 30 November 2015.[51]
  2013 Pokémon X and Y Nintendo 3DS Game Freak Pokémon modeling.[52]
  2016 Pokémon Go iOS, Android Niantic Pokémon modeling.[53]
  2016 Pokkén Tournament Wii U Bandai Namco Studios Pokémon modeling.[53]
  2016 Detective Pikachu Nintendo 3DS Creatures Developer
  2019 Pokémon Sword and Shield Nintendo Switch Game Freak Pokémon modeling.[54]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ Japanese: 株式会社クリーチャーズ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Kurīchāzu

References[]

  1. ^ Iggy (17 May 2018). "Creatures Inc. Gets A Logo And Website Makeover". NintendoSoup. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "COMPANY OUTLINE". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  3. ^ "COMPANY OUTLINE". 株式会社クリーチャーズ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Iwata Asks: Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version". Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  5. ^ "スペシャル対談／後編1・田尻さんと石原さんの6年". 任天堂マガジン表紙 (No.23). Nintendo. July 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Access Map". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2010. (direct link)
  7. ^ a b "Quick History of the MOTHER Series". EarthBound Central. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Creatures Welcome Page". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2 March 2000. Retrieved 4 October 2010. 千代田区神田須田町1–22任天堂神田ビル7F
  9. ^ "Welcome to Creatures Inc". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 1 April 2001. Retrieved 4 October 2010. 東京都中央区日本橋3-2-5川崎定徳ビル別館5F.
  10. ^ "Creatures Pokémon game cards and toys". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  11. ^ Booton, Jennifer (15 July 2016). "Nintendo stock a sell despite huge success of Pokémon Go". MarketWatch. Archived from the original on 17 July 2016.
  12. ^ "クリーチャーズ、ゲーム開発会社アンブレラを吸収合併].オタク産業通信". オタク産業通信 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 16 October 2020.
  13. ^ a b Jupiter. "Tamori's Picross". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017.
  14. ^ "Tamori's Picross". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Mother 1+2". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018.
  16. ^ Jupiter. "Picross 2". jupiter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008.
  17. ^ "Picross 2 cartridge". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018.
  18. ^ Mario's Picross 2 (Game Boy) (YouTube video). Enrique Garcia / kachorro 2. 14 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  19. ^ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1996". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  20. ^ "Picross 2". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018.
  21. ^ Jupiter. "Mini 4x4 GB Let's & Go!!". jupiter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24.
  22. ^ shisochou. "Mini Yonku 4WD Let's & Go Game Boy GB Japan import cartridge only" (direct link to picture of cartridge), eBay.
  23. ^ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1997". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Mini Yonku GB: Let's & Go!!". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018.
  25. ^ Jupiter. "Pocket Camera". jupiter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008.
  26. ^ Game Boy Camera And Printer Review (YouTube video). Michael's Retro Game Reviews / davidhass3lh0ff. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  27. ^ a b c Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1998". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  28. ^ a b c Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1999". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  29. ^ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2000". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  30. ^ 1101. "ほぼ日刊イトイ新聞 - ようこそ『ＭＯＴＨＥＲ３』の世界へ！". 1101.com (in Japanese).CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Official Earthbound 64 Cancellation Interview". Yomuka!. 18 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014.
  32. ^ a b Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2001". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  33. ^ "Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!". Bulbapedia.
  34. ^ "Pokemon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!". Arty's Generic Site. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017.
  35. ^ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2003". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  36. ^ "Nonono Puzzle Chairian cartridge". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018.
  37. ^ "Nonono Puzzle Chairian Releases". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018.
  38. ^ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2005". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  39. ^ a b c Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2006". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  40. ^ "ポケモンバトリオ | ポケモンバトリオとは" [Pokemon Batrio | What is Pokemon Batrio?]. battrio.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  41. ^ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2007". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  42. ^ Pokemon TCG DS 15 Minutes Gameplay (YouTube video). TheLoneSwordsmen. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  43. ^ "Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS". Bulbapedia.
  44. ^ Nintendo. "Pokédex 3D". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  45. ^ Miller, Zachary (14 June 2011). "Pokédex 3D". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018.
  46. ^ "Pokédex 3D Pro Coming Nov. 8; Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Debut New Features" (Press release). Nintendo. 2012-01-08. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018.
  47. ^ Pokémon Dream Radar title screen (screenshot). Giant Bomb. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018.
  48. ^ Nintendo. "Pokémon Dream Radar". nintendo.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018.
  49. ^ a b Nintendo. "Pokédex 3D Pro". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017.
  50. ^ "Pokédex for iOS". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013.
  51. ^ "Pokédex for iOS App Goes Out of Service". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017.
  52. ^ Gifford, Kevin. "How Game Freak built the new creatures and 3D models of Pokemon X and Y". Polygon. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017.
  53. ^ a b Creatures. "PRODUCTS". www.creatures.co.jp.
  54. ^ Leone, Matt. "Game Freak explains the 1,000 staff, missing creatures, and leek size of Pokémon Sword and Shield". Polygon. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019.

External links[]

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