Creatures Inc. Explained

Creatures Inc.
Native Name:株式会社クリーチャーズ
Native Name Lang:ja
Romanized Name:Kabushiki gaisha Kurīchāzu
Type:Private KK
Industry:Video games
Predecessor:Ape Inc.
Hq Location:2-10-2 Fujimi
Hq Location City:Chiyoda, Tokyo
Hq Location Country:Japan
Num Locations:1 studio
Num Locations Year:2019
Products:Games
Num Employees:246
Num Employees Year:2024
Divisions:Pokemon CG Studio
Footnotes:[1] [2] [3]

is a Japanese video game company affiliated with Game Freak and Nintendo, and is one of the owners of the Pokémon franchise. It was founded by Tsunekazu Ishihara in 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]

Alongside Game Freak and Nintendo, Creatures jointly owns The Pokémon Company. It is best known for developing the Pokémon Trading Card Game and designing Pokémon toys. Creatures operates the Pokémon CG Studio, which focuses on the 3D modelling and animation of Pokémon models in all Pokémon games. Creatures has also developed Pokémon spin-off titles and various non-Pokémon titles.[6] The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo, in proximity to Ichigaya Station.[7]

History

1989–1995: 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 president, and Ashura Benimaru Itoh, a renowned illustrator. They began working on Mother, which was released on 27 July 1989. Its music was composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, who later became the second CEO of Creatures.[8] 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. Ape's game development activities ceased in 1995. Ape also produced a line of official guidebooks for Nintendo, in co-operation with Nintendo and Shogakukan. They began with Encyclopedia Mother in 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: Creatures Inc.

Creatures Inc. was established on 8 November 1995, with Tsunekazu Ishihara as CEO, and consisting of former staff from Ape. In 2000, Hirokazu Tanaka, a.k.a Hip Tanaka, a former Nintendo composer and sound designer, who joined Creatures in 1999, became President of the company as Ishihara went to become the President of The Pokémon Company in 2000, while still holding his CEO position in Creatures.

At one point, Creatures had its headquarters on the 7th floor of the in Sudachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo.[9] They later moved to the fifth floor annex of the in Nihonbashi, Chūō, Tokyo.[10]

Creatures has a division called Pokémon CG Studio that is dedicated solely to making Pokémon 3D models and animations. They only make the models and animations for the Pokémon themselves, as human characters are modeled and animated in-house at Game Freak. The studio as of 2017 had 22 full time 3DGC artists, however according to studio director Atsuko Ujiya they wanted to double it in the following years. She states that during its peak workload they have around 100 employees (including temporary contractors) to work on the creation of models and animations.[11] [12]

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.[13]

In April 2023, Creatures announced that Tsunekazu Ishihara has stepped down at his position as CEO and executive director, and Hirokazu Tanaka has stepped down as president and executive director. Ishihara continues as the President of The Pokémon Company, and will continue to commit to the management of the company as a founder, while Tanaka will remain as Creative fellow. Yuji Kitano assume Creatures as CEO and President, meanwhile, Tomotaka Komura will step into the role of Executive vice president.[14] [15]

Games

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

 = developer
 = co-developer
 = assistant developer

Ape

 YearTitlePlatformDeveloperRoleNotes
 1989MotherNESPax SoftnicaCo-developerInitially Japan only. Re-released worldwide in 2015 as EarthBound Beginnings.
1993MonopolySNESCreamSoftJapan only.
Sanrio World Smash Ball!Tomcat System
1994EarthBoundHAL LaboratoryReleased as Mother 2 in Japan.
1995Mario's PicrossGame BoyJupiter
Tamori's PicrossSNESJupiter[16] Series of small games distributed over the Satellaview network, coinciding with a radio show by Japanese celebrity Tamori. Japan only.[17]
Tomcat SystemJapan only.
Mario's Super PicrossJupiter
2003Mother 1+2Pax Softnica, HAL LaboratoryPortingCompilation cartridge of Mother and Mother 2. Japan only.[18]

Creatures

 YearTitlePlatformDeveloperRoleNotes
 1996Picross 2Game BoyJupiter[19] [20] [21] Co-developer[22] Japan only.[23]
1997Mini Yonku GB: Let's & Go!!Jupiter[24] [25] Co-developer[26] Based on mini yonku racing and a related manga and anime. Published by ASCII Corporation. Japan only.[27]
1998Game Boy CameraNintendo R&D1, Game Freak, Jupiter[28] [29] Software co-development.
 Pokémon Stadium (Japanese version)Nintendo 64Nintendo EAD[30] Japan only.
Hey You, Pikachu!AmbrellaPokémon modeling.
 Pokémon Trading Card GameGame Boy ColorHudsonPlanning, game design, card design.
 1999Super Smash Bros.Nintendo 64HAL LaboratoryPokémon modeling, opening design.[31]
Pokémon SnapPart of 2D illustrations, Pokémon modeling.
Pokémon Stadium (international version)Nintendo EADPart of 2D illustrations, Pokémon modeling.Upgraded version of the original Pokémon Stadium. Released in Japan as Pokemon Stadium 2.
2000Pokémon Stadium 2Pokémon modeling.[32] Released in Japan as Pokemon Stadium Gold Silver.
 2001Chee-Chai AlienGame Boy ColorCreaturesDeveloperJapan only.
 Pokémon Card GB2: GR-dan Sanjo!HudsonPlanning, game design, card design.[33] Japan only. Subtitle is often translated as Here Comes Team GR!,[34] and sometimes as The Invasion of Team GR[35]
 Super Smash Bros. MeleeGameCubeHAL LaboratoryCharacter, stage, and figure modeling. Opening movie design.
2003Pokémon ColosseumGenius SonorityPokémon modeling.[36]
 2005Nonono Puzzle ChailienGame Boy AdvanceNintendo[37] Co-developerJapan only. Chailien is sometimes spelled Chairian.[38]
 GameCubeGenius SonorityPokémon modeling.[39]
2006Pokémon RangerNintendo DSHAL Laboratory
Red EntertainmentAssistant developer.Japan only.
Pokémon Battle RevolutionWiiGenius SonorityPokémon modeling.
2007Pokemon BattrioArcadePokémon modeling, cabinet design.[40] Arcade cabinet. Japan only.
 2008Nintendo DSCreaturesDeveloper
 Nintendo NSD, EnginesSoftware co-development.
 2009WiiCreaturesDeveloper
2010Nintendo DS
 2011Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DSNintendo 3DSZENER WORKS[41] Co-developerInstructional game on how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, included with a deck kit called the Beginning Set. Japan only.[42]
 Pokédex 3DCreatures[43] DeveloperFree app.[44] Discontinued after October 1, 2012.[45]
WiiCreatures
 2012Pokémon Dream RadarNintendo 3DSGame Freak[46] [47] Co-developer
 Pokédex 3D ProCreatures[48] DeveloperUpgraded version of Pokédex 3D. Paid app, unlike its precursor.
Pokédex for iOSiOSCreatures[49] Discontinued on November 30, 2015.[50]
 2013Pokémon X and YNintendo 3DSGame FreakPokémon modeling.[51]
2014Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
2015Pokkén TournamentArcade, Wii UBandai Namco Studios
 2016Nintendo 3DSCreaturesDeveloper
 Pokémon DueliOS, AndroidHerozPokémon modeling.Discontinued on October 31, 2019.
Pokémon GoiOS, iPadOS, AndroidNiantic
Pokémon Sun and MoonNintendo 3DSGame Freak
2017Pokkén Tournament DXNintendo SwitchBandai Namco Studios
 2018Detective PikachuNintendo 3DSCreaturesDeveloper
 Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!Nintendo SwitchGame FreakPokémon modeling.
2019Pokémon Sword and Shield
2022
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
 2023Detective Pikachu ReturnsCreaturesDeveloper
 2024Pokémon Trading Card Game PocketiOS, AndroidDeNACo-developer[52]

Canceled

 2000 Mother 3: The End of the Pig KingNintendo 64HAL LaboratoryCharacter modeling.[53] Canceled in 2000.[54] Restarted development without the participation of Creatures as the GBA game Mother 3.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iggy . 17 May 2018 . Creatures Inc. Gets A Logo And Website Makeover . NintendoSoup . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703170113/https://nintendosoup.com/creatures-inc-gets-a-logo-and-website-makeover/ . 3 July 2020 . live.
  2. Web site: Company Outline . 2 July 2020 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20200728120733/https://www.creatures.co.jp/en/company/ . 28 July 2020 . live.
  3. Web site: Company Outline . 2 July 2020 . 株式会社クリーチャーズ . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20200618102844/https://www.creatures.co.jp/company/ . 18 June 2020 . live.
  4. Web site: Iwata Asks: Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version . 3 January 2018 . 19 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619204053/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/ds/pokemon/0/0 . live .
  5. Web site: 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) . . July 2007 . 3 January 2018 . 31 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153112/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan2/page01.html . dead .
  6. Web site: Creatures - Pokémon - Serebii.net . 2022-12-25 . www.serebii.net . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225130954/https://www.serebii.net/pokemon/companies/creatures.shtml . live .
  7. Web site: Access Map . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716212051/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/en/access-map/ . 16 July 2011 . dead . 4 October 2010. (direct link)
  8. Web site: Quick History of the MOTHER Series . EarthBound Central . 11 March 2009 . 3 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140625085608/http://earthboundcentral.com/2009/03/quick-history-of-the-mother-series/ . 25 June 2014 . live.
  9. Web site: Creatures Welcome Page . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20000302162544/http://www.creatures.co.jp/top.html . 2 March 2000 . 4 October 2010 . dead . 千代田区神田須田町1–22任天堂神田ビル7F.
  10. Web site: Welcome to Creatures Inc . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20010401201907/http://www.creatures.co.jp/ . 1 April 2001 . dead . 4 October 2010 . 東京都中央区日本橋3-2-5川崎定徳ビル別館5F..
  11. Web site: ポケモンの設定画に命を吹き込むクリーチャーズアセット制作にとどまらない現状と未来とは . 2022-12-25 . CG・映像の専門情報サイト CGWORLD.jp . ja . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225130959/https://cgworld.jp/interview/creatures-201707.html . live .
  12. Web site: 『ポケットモンスター サン・ムーン』の3Dアセット制作とそれを可能にする高度な3社協業体制 . 2022-12-25 . CG・映像の専門情報サイト CGWORLD.jp . ja . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225130954/https://cgworld.jp/feature/201707-cgw227GG-pokemon.html . live .
  13. Web site: 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 . 16 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020081232/https://otakuindustry.biz/archives/102918 . 20 October 2020 . ja.
  14. Web site: Writer . Jeffrey Rousseau Staff . 2023-04-05 . Creatures Inc. sees leadership change as CEO and president step down . 2023-04-06 . GamesIndustry.biz . en . 2023-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406041105/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/creatures-inc-sees-leadership-change-as-ceo-and-president-step-down . live .
  15. Web site: 役員人事に関するお知らせ . 2023-05-30 . 株式会社クリーチャーズ . ja . 2023-05-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530195436/https://www.creatures.co.jp/change_officer_2023/ . live .
  16. Web site: Tamori's Picross . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107123144/http://www.jupiter.co.jp/e/product/game/other/tamori.html . 7 November 2017 . live.
  17. Web site: Tamori's Picross . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306203015/https://www.giantbomb.com/tamoris-picross/3030-35961/ . 6 March 2018 . live.
  18. Web site: Mother 1+2 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180305223215/https://www.giantbomb.com/mother-12/3030-3775/ . 5 March 2018 . live.
  19. Web site: Picross 2 . jupiter.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080424020814/http://www.jupiter.co.jp/e/product/game/gb/picross2.html . 24 April 2008 . live.
  20. Web site: Picross 2 cartridge . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306195417/http://www.mobygames.com/game/picross-2/cover-art/gameCoverId,111326/ . 6 March 2018 . live.
  21. Mario's Picross 2 (Game Boy) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Zm-qiE_q1XA . 2021-12-21 . live. 14 December 2013 . YouTube video . Enrique Garcia / kachorro 2.
  22. Web site: Company >> History >> 1996 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925220957/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/1996/ . 2008-09-25 . dead . 8 March 2018 .
  23. Web site: Picross 2 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302162010/https://www.mobygames.com/game/picross-2 . 2 March 2018 . live.
  24. Web site: Mini 4x4 GB Let's & Go!! . jupiter.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080424020727/http://www.jupiter.co.jp/e/product/game/gb/mini4.html . 2008-04-24 . live.
  25. shisochou. "Mini Yonku 4WD Let's & Go Game Boy GB Japan import cartridge only" (direct link to picture of cartridge), eBay.
  26. Web site: Company >> History >> 1997 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221002/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/1997/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  27. Web site: Mini Yonku GB: Let's & Go!! . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306200351/https://www.giantbomb.com/mini-yonku-gb-lets-go/3030-59180/ . 6 March 2018 . live.
  28. Web site: Pocket Camera . jupiter.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080424020819/http://www.jupiter.co.jp/e/product/game/gb/pokekame.html . 24 April 2008 . live.
  29. Game Boy Camera And Printer Review . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/aprFmEIF1io . 2021-12-21 . live. 11 February 2013 . YouTube video . Michael's Retro Game Reviews / davidhass3lh0ff.
  30. Web site: Company >> History >> 1998 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221007/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/1998/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  31. Web site: Company >> History >> 1999 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221013/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/1999/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  32. Web site: Company >> History >> 2000 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221018/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/2000/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  33. Web site: Company >> History >> 2001 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221023/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/2001/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  34. Web site: Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR! . Bulbapedia . 2018-03-08 . 2018-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054023/https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Card_GB2:_Here_Comes_Team_GR! . live .
  35. Web site: Pokemon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR! . Arty's Generic Site . https://web.archive.org/web/20170717022541/http://artemis251.fobby.net/pkmntcg2/index.html . 17 July 2017 . live.
  36. Web site: Company >> History >> 2003 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221033/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/2003/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  37. Web site: Nonono Puzzle Chairian cartridge . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306183124/http://www.mobygames.com/game/gameboy-advance/nonono-puzzle-chairian/cover-art/gameCoverId,56798/ . 6 March 2018 . live.
  38. Web site: Nonono Puzzle Chairian Releases . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306183349/https://www.mobygames.com/game/gameboy-advance/nonono-puzzle-chairian/release-info . 6 March 2018 . live.
  39. Web site: Company >> History >> 2005 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221106/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/2005/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  40. Web site: Company >> History >> 2007 . creatures.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925221127/http://www.creatures.co.jp/html/outline/2007/ . 25 September 2008 . dead . 8 March 2018.
  41. Pokemon TCG DS 15 Minutes Gameplay . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/xa2VQI_3VVI . 2021-12-21 . live. 11 February 2013 . YouTube video . TheLoneSwordsmen.
  42. Web site: Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS . Bulbapedia . 2018-03-08 . 2018-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054157/https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Card_Game:_How_to_Play_DS . live .
  43. Web site: Pokédex 3D . nintendo.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20110811165111/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/S4uMLNWUAynIzk-8BzKdH6NiPmI4-VGz . 11 August 2011 . live . 8 March 2018.
  44. Web site: Zachary . Miller . Pokédex 3D . Nintendo World Report . 14 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307184906/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/26809/pokedex-3d-nintendo-3ds . 7 March 2018 . live.
  45. Pokédex 3D Pro Coming Nov. 8; Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Debut New Features . 2012-01-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307193751/https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/whatsnew/detail/QpSQUBav3pkaB52QRE5GgXSI03UiqlWA . . 7 March 2018 . live.
  46. Pokémon Dream Radar title screen . screenshot . . 17 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307210441/https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/16324/2456642-pokemon_dream_radar-1.jpg . 7 March 2018 . live.
  47. Web site: Pokémon Dream Radar . nintendo.co.uk . https://archive.today/20180306142729/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS-download-software/Pokemon-Dream-Radar-523679.html%23gameDetails . 6 March 2018 . live.
  48. Web site: Pokédex 3D Pro . nintendo.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20170810070639/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/R5TzHAhM4u2NMwJjN6EO41k-yV9_MDn6 . 10 August 2017 . live.
  49. Web site: Pokédex for iOS . . https://web.archive.org/web/20130122070737/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pokedex-for-ios/id573135437?mt=8 . 22 January 2013 . dead.
  50. Web site: Pokédex for iOS App Goes Out of Service . Anime News Network . https://web.archive.org/web/20170112045232/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-14/pokedex-for-ios-app-goes-out-of-service/.94204 . 12 January 2017 . live.
  51. Web site: Products . www.creatures.co.jp . 2018-05-31 . 2018-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202816/https://www.creatures.co.jp/products/ . live .
  52. Web site: Shares in DeNA soar on announcement of new Pokemon trading card game . japantimes.co.jp . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228085221/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/02/28/companies/new-pokemon-mobile-game/ . 28 February 2024 . live . 1 March 2024.
  53. Web site: ほぼ日刊イトイ新聞 - ようこそ『Mother3』の世界へ！ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20070210095730/http://www.1101.com:80/MOTHER3/i_liner_last.html . 2007-02-10 . 1101.com . ja.
  54. Web site: 18 August 2013 . Official Earthbound 64 Cancellation Interview . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141016182425/https://yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/earthbound-64-cancellation-interview-itoi-miyamoto-iwata/ . 16 October 2014 . Yomuka!.

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