Mages (company) explained

Mages Inc.
Native Name:株式会社メージス
Romanized Name:Kabushiki gaisha Mējisu
Former Name:5pb. Inc. (2005–2011)
Foundation:
Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Location City:Shibuya, Tokyo
Location Country:Japan
Key People:Chiyomaru Shikura (Executive Producer, Former Chairman)

, formerly, is a Japanese video game developer and record label for video game and anime music.

History

It was formed on April 6, 2005,[1] after Chiyomaru Shikura left Scitron to begin the company as its executive director, a position he formerly held until January 2023. The company is divided into two parts, 5pb. Games for the manufacturing of video games, and 5pb. Records for the record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of the TYO Group until Shikura purchased the remaining rights from the TYO Group on April 15, 2009.[2] Shikura co-owns 5pb. with AGOne, an affiliate of Dwango Japan.[3] Staff members include scenario writer Naotaka Hayashi, artist Yukihiro Matsuo, and producer Tatsuya Matsuhara.

In April 2011, a group of companies consisting of Arkray, Seed Project, Dwango Creative School, Animelo Summer Life, 5pb. Records, and 5pb. Games merged under the parent company Mages. Inc. led by executive director Chiyomaru Shikura.[4]

In July 2019, Mages was acquired by Shikura's concept studio Chiyomaru Studio, with the goal of being more flexible and fast in its decisions as a company independent from their parent company Dwango and from the Kadokawa group. With that said, while Mages would no longer be a part of Kadokawa Group following the management buyout, it still expected to maintain the same favorable relationship with the Group that it had so far. Along with this buyout, the company intended to strengthen its branding by consolidating the 5pb. brand into Mages.

In March 2020, Colopl acquired Mages from Chiyomaru Studio for ¥1.612 billion (approximately US$14.92 million).[5]

In December 2022, it was reported that Mages would enter insolvency as a result of financial losses of ¥613 million (approximately $4.6 million).[6] [7]

In January 2023, Chiyomaru Shikura announced via Twitter that he would resign as company Chairman and Executive Director,[8] but stated that he would still be part of Mages as an Executive Producer.[9]

Artists

Previously called 5pb. Records, since 2019 the brand does not exist anymore, with the Mages brand being the only one used for everything.

Video games

5pb. Games was a division of Mages, which dealt with video game development. The brand was originally named Five Games Kid, or 5gk. for short, but the name was changed in December 2007 to coincide with the name of 5pb's record label 5pb. Records. Some of 5pb. Games' developers arrived from KID, Tonkin House and Scitron, such as with Takeshi Abo in December 2006. Since 2019, the 5pb. Games brand is not used anymore, with the Mages brand being the only one used for everything.

YearTitlePlatform(s)
2007Que: Fairy of Ancient LeafPS2
PS2, PSP
UmishōPS2
2008PS2, PSP
Night Wizard! The Video Game: Denial of the WorldPS2
Chaos;HeadWindows
Memories OffPSP
Memories Off 2nd
Ghost Hound DSDS
Kanokon EsuiiPS2
L no Kisetsu 2: Invisible Memories
PSP
PS2, iOS, PSP, X360
PS2
2009PSP
Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa NaiPS3, PS Vita, Windows
DoDonPachi DaiOuJou Black Label ExtraX360
Kemeko Deluxe! DS: Yome to Mecha to Otoko to OnnaDS
KimokawaE!
11eyes CrossOverX360, PSP, iOS
Chaos;Head NoahX360, PS3, PSP, iOS, Android, PS Vita
PS2
Skip Beat!
Memories Off After RainPSP
Lucian Bee's: Resurrection Supernova
PS2, X360, PSP
Item Getter: Bokura no Kagaku to Mahō no KankeiDS
Steins;GateX360, PS3, Windows, PSP, iOS, PS Vita, Android, PS4
Taishō Baseball GirlsPSP
L no Kisetsu W pocket
X360
2010Chaos;Head Love Chu Chu!X360, PS3, PSP, PS Vita
X360
Lucian Bee's: Evil VioletPS2, PSP
Lucian Bee's: Justice Yellow
W.L.O. Sekai Renai KikōX360
Corpse PartyPSP, iOS, 3DS, PS4, Switch, XONE
X360
Lucian Bee's: Resurrection SupernovaPSP
Pastel Chime Continue
2011Bullet SoulX360
Windows, PSP
Phantom BreakerX360
X360, PS3, PSP, PS Vita, PS4, Switch, iOS
Dunamis 15X360, PS3, PSP
Corpse Party: Book of ShadowsPSP
Steins;Gate: Variant Space OctetWindows
Muv-LuvX360, PS3, PS Vita
Muv-Luv Alternative
Ever 17X360
Beyond the Future: Fix the Time ArrowsPS3, PSP
2012Robotics;NotesPS3, X360
Corpse Party: Sachiko's Game of Love Hysteric Birthday 2UPSP
Bravely Default3DS
2013X360, PS Vita, Windows
PS3, X360, PS Vita, iOS, PS4, Switch
Haiyore! Nyaruko-san Meijoshigatai Game no Yona MonoPS Vita
Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku Tachi ExtraPS3
Disorder 6PS3, X360
Phantom Breaker: Extra
Hero X Battle PrincessPS3
Eiyuu*Senki
Liberation Maiden SinPS3
2014Bullet Soul Infinite BurstX360
Corpse Party: Blood DrivePS Vita
Robotics;Notes ElitePS Vita, PS4, Switch, Windows
Chaos;Child[10] XONE, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, iOS, Windows, Android
Infinite Stratos: Versus ColorsWindows
2015XONE, PS4, PS Vita, Windows
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds OverdrivePS4, Switch
Steins;Gate 0[11] PS3, PS4, PS Vita, XONE, Switch, Windows
2016If My Heart Had Wings: Cruise SignPS3, PS Vita
Plastic Memories[12] PS Vita
2017New Game! The Challenge Stage[13] PS4, PS Vita
[14] PS Vita, Windows
Chaos;Child Love Chu Chu!!PS4, PS Vita
PS4, PS Vita, Switch, Windows
KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Judgment on this Greedy Game!PS4, PS Vita, Switch
Occultic;Nine[15] PS4, PS Vita, XONE
2018Steins;Gate ElitePS4, PS Vita, Switch, Windows, iOS
2019Judgement 7 - Our World is EndedPS4, Switch
Robotics;Notes DaSHPS4, Switch, Windows
2020Ogre TalePS4, XONE, XSXS, Switch, Windows
KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love for this Tempting AttirePS4, Switch
2021Memories Off Historia Vol. 1
Memories Off Historia Vol. 2
Quintessential Quintuplets ∬: Summer Memories
SINce Memories: Off the Starry SkyPS4, Switch, Windows
Switch
Miyamoto Mathematics Classroom KENKEN - The World's Most Exciting Math and Logic Puzzle -
TIMINGooo![16]
Yuru Camp△: Have a nice day!PS4, Switch
2022Phantom Breaker: OmniaPS4, XONE, Switch, Windows
The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie: Five Memories of My Time with YouPS4, Switch
Anonymous;Code[17] PS4, Switch, Windows
2023Summer Time Rendering

Another Horizon[18] [19]

PS4, Switch
2024KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love For These Clothes Of Desire!Windows
Iwakura Aria[20] Switch
Corpse Party II: Darkness DistortionPS4, Switch, Windows
Switch
Mystereet ~Yasogami Kaoru no Chousen!~[21] PS4, XONE, XSXS
Steins;Gate 0 Elite
Steins;???

Chiyomaru Studio

Chiyo St. Inc.
Trade Name:Chiyomaru Studio
Native Name:千代丸スタジオ
Native Name Lang:ja
Romanized Name:Chiyomaru Sutajio
Former Name:Chrome Edge
Successors:-->
Founders:-->
Key People:Chiyomaru Shikura
Subsid:Mages (2019–2020)

Chiyo St. Inc., doing business as, is a multimedia concept studio led by Chiyomaru Shikura, the representative director and president of Mages.[22] The company, which was originally named, was founded separately from Mages for the purpose of managing the copyrights to the media projects Shikura works on, including the Science Adventure, and for creating stories for use in various media. In July 2019, Chiyomaru Studio made a management buyout of Mages, acquiring all shares held by its former parent company Dwango;[23] the following year, Chiyomaru Studio sold all Mages shares to Colopl.[5]

While the concept work is done by Chiyomaru Studio, they work together with Mages to develop video games using the concepts, and with Kadokawa Corporation to print books and produce anime and manga.[24] The studio includes staff members from Mages, who communicate through instant messaging; as of 2015, Shikura was the only on-site staff.[25]

The first new intellectual property developed by Chiyomaru Studio was the video game Anonymous;Code, which was developed together with Mages' video games division 5pb. Games,[26] [27] and it is the 6th main title of the Science Adventure multimedia franchise.[28] [29] Chiyomaru Studio has also developed the Robotics;Notes spin-off Science Adventure game Robotics;Notes DaSH.[30] Since 2017, the studio organizes live music events where they also release updates on their media projects, called "Chiyo-ST Live".[31] [32]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 5pb. company information. 5pb.. 2009-06-16. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20090609204608/http://5pb.jp/company/index.html. 9 June 2009. dead.
  2. Web site: http://5pb.jp/news/20090415.html. ja:弊社株式の異動（譲渡）に関するお知らせ. Concerning Our Company Stock Change (Transfer) Notification. 5pb.. 2009-04-15. 2009-08-23. ja. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20090810033256/http://5pb.jp/news/20090415.html . 2009-08-10.
  3. Web site: Outline - Corporate. Dwango. February 1, 2011. ja. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120317102350/http://info.dwango.co.jp/english/corp/outline.html. March 17, 2012.
  4. Web site: Visual Novel Publisher 5pb Becomes Mages, 5pb Director Is Head Of The Company. Siliconera. April 21, 2011. October 4, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125910/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/04/21/visual-novel-publisher-5pb-becomes-mages-5pb-director-is-head-of-the-company/. September 24, 2015.
  5. Web site: Colopl acquires Mages . Romano, Sal . 2020-03-30 . Gematsu . 2020-03-30.
  6. Web site: rawmeatcowboy . 2022-12-26 . STEINS;GATE dev 'MAGES' entering insolvency . 2022-12-29 . GoNintendo . en.
  7. Web site: Kiwami . Soul . 2022-12-27 . MAGES. Enters Insolvency, Reports Massive Financial Losses in 2022 . 2022-12-29 . Final Weapon . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2023-01-04 . Chiyomaru Shikura steps down as MAGES. chairman and executive director . 2023-01-07 . Gematsu . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2023-01-04 . 【お知らせ】エグゼティブプロデューサー就任のお知らせ . 2023-01-07 . MAGES. Inc. . ja.
  10. Web site: Chaos;Child PlayStation versions and anime confirmed. Gematsu. March 28, 2015. March 30, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309165919/http://gematsu.com/2015/03/chaoschild-playstation-versions-and-anime-confirmed. March 9, 2016.
  11. Web site: Steins;Gate 0 announced. Gematsu. March 28, 2015. March 30, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309165537/http://gematsu.com/2015/03/steinsgate-0-announced. March 9, 2016.
  12. Web site: 5pb. announces Plastic Memories game. April 19, 2016. Gematsu. April 19, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160520131521/http://gematsu.com/2016/05/5pb-announces-plastic-memories-game . May 20, 2016.
  13. Web site: First Screens Of New Game! The Challenge Stage! Show Aoba, Hifumi, Kou, And Shizuku. Siliconera. July 20, 2016. July 20, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160721111908/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/07/20/first-screens-new-game-challenge-stage-show-aoba-hifumi-kou-shizuku/ . July 21, 2016.
  14. Web site: 2016-11-15 . Kamaitachi no Yoru remake announced for PS Vita [Update] ]. 2023-04-21 . Gematsu . en-US.
  15. Web site: Occultic;Nine game announced. Gematsu. March 28, 2015. March 30, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114610/http://gematsu.com/2015/03/occulticnine-game-announced . April 2, 2015.
  16. Web site: TIMINGooo!. Gematsu. 27 October 2021 . November 11, 2021.
  17. Web site: 5pb. announces Anonymous;Code. Gematsu. March 28, 2015. March 30, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310234132/http://gematsu.com/2015/03/5pb-announces-anonymouscode. March 10, 2016.
  18. Web site: Romano. Sal. September 6, 2022. Summer Time Rendering: Another Horizon confirmed for PS4, Switch. Gematsu. September 6, 2022.
  19. Web site: Summer Time Rendering: Another Horizon debut trailer. Gematsu. Sal. Romano. October 18, 2022.
  20. Web site: Romano. Sal. MAGES. announces suspense visual novel Iwakura Aria for Switch. Gematsu. February 29, 2024. June 14, 2024.
  21. Web site: ミステリート～八十神かおるの挑戦！～ 公式サイト. MAGES. November 11, 2021. Japanese.
  22. Web site: Mages.Inc.: Private Company Information . . 2018-03-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180410153021/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=208543277 . 2018-04-10 .
  23. Web site: Mages goes independent from Kadokawa Group, 5pb. to consolidate into Mages . Romano, Sal . 2019-07-26 . Gematsu . 2019-07-26.
  24. https://www.famitsu.com/news/201503/28075207.html . ja:『シュタインズ・ゲート』新作など千代丸スタジオが贈る新作タイトルについて志倉千代丸氏へ独占インタビュー(1/2) . ja . 1 . 2015-03-28 . . . 2018-03-28 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329121118/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201503/28075207.html . 2018-03-29 .
  25. Web site: 志倉千代丸「ADVをゲームとは思ってない」…その真意と「CHIYOMARU STUDIO」の正体とは . ja . Fushimachi, Yuzuru . 2015-03-30 . Inside Games . IID, Inc. . 2018-03-28 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180410153029/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/03/30/86357.html . 2018-04-10 .
  26. Web site: Anonymous;Code Visual Novel's 1st 2 Characters Revealed . 2016-03-07 . . 2016-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160327085634/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-07/anonymous-code-visual-novel-1st-2-characters-revealed/.99475 . 2016-03-27 . live .
  27. Web site: Anonymous;Code Is 5pb's Next Sci-Fi Visual Novel . Ishaan . 2015-03-29 . Siliconera . . 2016-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160101110240/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/29/anonymouscode-5pbs-next-sci-fi-visual-novel/ . 2016-01-01 . live .
  28. Web site: 【5pb.祭り2016】「ANONYMOUS;CODE」ステージでは"セーブ＆ロード"を用いる新システム「ハッキングトリガー」が明らかに！ . ja . Token . 2016-07-03 . Gamer . Ixll Co. . 2017-01-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170108115646/http://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/201607030022/ . 2017-01-08 . live .
  29. 本作のトリガーは"ハッキングトリガー"！？ 『アノニマス・コード』の見どころについて志倉千代丸氏が語る【5pb.祭り2016】 . ja . 2016-07-03 . . . 2017-01-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160821174550/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201607/03109939.html . 2016-08-21 . live .
  30. 東京ゲームショウ2017にて『ロボティクス・ノーツ ダッシュ』の映像が公開【TGS2017】. ja . 2017-09-21 . . . 2017-09-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170921170109/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201709/21142294.html . 2017-09-21 . live.
  31. https://www.famitsu.com/news/201705/28134044.html . ja:『シュタインズ・ゲート』と『ロボティクス・ノーツ』の新作などが発表――ライブイベント“チヨスタライブ”での発表内容をお届け！ . ja . May 28, 2017. . . May 28, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170528135923/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201705/28134044.html . May 28, 2017. live.
  32. おなじみの楽曲から一夜限りのスペシャルコラボまで！ 濃密過ぎる3時間!! "科学アドベンチャーライブ2018-SINGULARITY-"リポート . ja . April 30, 2018 . . . April 30, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180430175219/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201804/30156676.html . April 30, 2018 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mages (company)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.