Acquire (company) explained
is a Japanese video game developer and publisher, mainly known for their Tenchu and Way of the Samurai series.[1]
History
Acquire was founded on December 6, 1994, and in 1998 developed for the PlayStation, which turned into a franchise. The developer pushed for a more sandbox approach to the level design, which found its way in other Acquire titles like Way of the Samurai and .[2]
In 2011, the company was acquired by GungHo Online Entertainment.[3] It co-developed Octopath Traveler with Square Enix, releasing in 2018.
Acquire was chosen as development partner for the game based on their affinity with pixel-art and prior work on the What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord? series.[4] It developed Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story, which released in 2020, following the cancellation of a fifth Way of the Samurai entry.[5]
In 2024, the company was acquired by Kadokawa Corporation.[6]
Games developed
!Year!Title!Platform(s)!Notes| 1998 | | PlayStation | |
| 2000 | | PlayStation | |
| 2002 | Way of the Samurai | PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable | |
| 2003 | Way of the Samurai 2 | PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable | |
| 2005 | Samurai Western | PlayStation 2 | |
| PlayStation 2 | |
| PlayStation Portable | |
| 2006 | Kamiwaza | PlayStation 2 | |
| 2007 | What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord? | PlayStation Portable | |
| 2008 | Class of Heroes | PlayStation Portable | |
| What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord? 2 | PlayStation Portable | |
| Way of the Samurai 3 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows | |
| 2009 | | Wii, PlayStation Portable | |
| 2010 | Patchwork Heroes | PlayStation Portable | |
| No Heroes Allowed! | PlayStation Portable | |
| 2011 | Way of the Samurai 4 | PlayStation 3, Windows | |
| Clan of Champions | Windows, PlayStation 3 | |
| Akiba's Trip | PlayStation Portable | |
| PlayStation 3, iOS, PlayStation Vita, Windows | |
| PlayStation Vita | |
| 2012 | Orgarythm | PlayStation Vita, Android | Co-developed with Neilo |
| PlayStation Vita, Android | |
| 2013 | Mind Zero | PlayStation Vita, Windows | Co-developed by ZeroDiv |
| Divine Gate | Android, iOS | |
| Rain | PlayStation 3 | Co-developed with Japan Studio |
| PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows | |
| No Heroes Allowed: No Puzzles Either! | PlayStation Vita | [7] |
| 2014 | Fort Raiders SMAAASH! | Android, iOS | |
| 2015 | | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows | |
| 2016 | Akiba's Trip Festa! | Android | Co-developed with DMM Games |
| Akiba's Beat | PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita | |
| 2017 | No Heroes Allowed! VR | PlayStation 4 | |
| 2018 | Octopath Traveler | Nintendo Switch, Windows, Stadia, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Co-developed with Square Enix Business Division 11 |
| 2020 | Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | |
| Android, iOS | |
| 2021 | Labyrinth of Zangetsu | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | [8] |
| 2022 | Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | |
| 2023 | Octopath Traveler II | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Co-developed with Creative Business Unit II[9] |
| Amedama | Windows | Co-developed with IzanagiGames[10] |
| Xaladia: Rise of the Space Pirates X2 | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows | [11] |
| 2024 | Ancient Weapon Holly | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows | [12] [13] |
| Scars of Mars | Windows | [14] | |
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 会社概要 | 会社情報 | 株式会社アクワイア ACQUIRE Corp. 2021-10-31.
- Web site: Q&A: Tenchu developer talks stealth, now that it's back in fashion. 6 November 2012 . Gamasutra. December 6, 2021.
- Web site: Tenchu Developer to Become Subsidiary of GungHo Online. Anime News Network. 2021-11-14.
- News: 'We just created the game that we wanted to play as Japanese developers'. Eurogamer. 12 July 2018 . December 8, 2021.
- Web site: Acquire Developers on How a Cancelled Way of the Samurai 5 Led to Katanakami. 4 February 2020 . Siliconera. December 6, 2021.
- Web site: Kadokawa Corporation acquires ACQUIRE . Gematsu . 8 February 2024 . 8 February 2024.
- 2013-09-17, Holy Heroes, Badman Is Back For PlayStation Vita, Siliconera
- Web site: Prepare to Enter Labyrinth of Zangetsu in 2021. Siliconera. 7 January 2021 . 2021-11-03.
- Web site: Octopath Traveler has a sequel, due early next year. Polygon. Welsh. Oli. September 13, 2022. September 13, 2022.
- Web site: IzanagiGames and Acquire announce 'side-scrolling, soul-shifting action adventure' game AMEDAMA for PC. Gematsu. July 9, 2023.
- Web site: Acquire announces twin-stick shooter XALADIA: Rise of the Space Pirates X2 for PS5, Switch, and PC. Gematsu. Sal. Romano. June 26, 2023. June 26, 2023.
- Web site: Acquire announces roguelike action game Ancient Weapon Holly for PS5, PC. Gematsu. Sal. Romano. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023.
- Web site: Ancient Weapon Holly launches March 8 for PS5, Switch, and PC, later for PS4. Gematsu. January 28, 2024.
- Web site: Acquire announces real-time RPG Scars of Mars for PC. Gematsu. September 20, 2023.
