Namco Tales Studio
Encyclopedia
, formerly , was a Japanese video game development company founded in 1986. The company was renamed in 2003 when Telenet Japan
Telenet Japan
was a Japanese video game and software developer founded in October 1983 by Kazuyuki Fukushima. The company was also known as Nippon Telenet . The company was best known for the Valis series as well as its Wolfteam & RiOT divisions...

 sold part of its stake and made Namco the majority shareholder. Namco Tales Studio continues to be the primary developer of the Tales RPG series, as they had been since the series' beginning. In November 21 2011 it was announced that the current Tales team will be dissolved and will merge with their publisher, Namco Bandai.

History

Originally headed by Masahiro Akishino, Wolfteam became independent from Telenet in 1987, was reintegrated in 1990 and got merged with another Telenet subsidiary called Lasersoft, then was completely absorbed in an internal restructuring at Telenet in 1993 at which point most of the staff left together with Akishino.

The remaining staff were the then-very-young programmer Yoshiharu Gotanda, designer Masaki Norimoto, director Joe Asanuma, graphic artist Yoshiaki Inagaki, sound composer Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba
is a Japanese composer of video games, anime series, and television dramas as well as independent progressive rock albums.-Biography:Motoi Sakuraba was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan...

, and sound effect designer Ryota Furuya. Wolfteam went on to create games such as Sol Feace and Hiouden: Mamono-tachi tono Chikai
Hiouden: Mamono-tachi tono Chikai
Hiōden: Mamono-tachi tono Chikai is a video game that was published in 1992 by Telenet Japan and developed by their Wolfteam subsidiary. It was released on the NEC PC-98 in the same year. The game was later ported to the Super Famicom in 1994. Its subtitle could be translated as "Legend of the...

, which faced weak sales due to Telenet's bad reputation. For Tale Phantasia, a game concept by Gotanda, they looked for an outside publisher with a better reputation. After approaching Enix
Enix
The was a Japanese company that produced video games, anime and manga. The company was founded by Yasuhiro Fukushima on September 22, 1975 as and renamed Enix in 1982...

, Telenet struck a contract with Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...

.

Namco, however, insisted upon many changes to the game, including renaming the title to Tales of Phantasia
Tales of Phantasia
is a Super Nintendo game in the RPG genre published by Namco and released in Japan in 1995, selling 212,000 copies. It is the first mothership title in the Tales RPG series and was later remade/re-released on the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable...

. The conflict over these changes pushed the game's release from 1994 into late 1995. Most of the initial staff left during this dispute and founded tri-Ace
Tri-Ace
is a Japanese video game development company formed in 1995 by former Telenet Japan employees Yoshiharu Gotanda , Masaki Norimoto and Joe Asanuma . The name is a play on words regarding the "three aces" who formed the company...

 in early 1995.

To continue the lucrative arrangement with Namco to develop the Tales series
Tales (role-playing game series)
The series is a franchise of fantasy console role-playing games published by Namco Bandai Games , and primarily developed by its subsidiary, Namco Tales Studio. Created in 1994, the series now spans over twelve flagship titles, over fifteen side games, and four animated productions, into several...

, Telenet re-staffed Wolf Team and retained some other staff, such as Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba
is a Japanese composer of video games, anime series, and television dramas as well as independent progressive rock albums.-Biography:Motoi Sakuraba was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan...

 on a freelance basis. They developed or co-developed nearly every game in the series until Wolf Team was renamed to Namco Tales Studio in early 2003, and Namco assumed majority ownership. In October 2007, Telenet filed for bankruptcy, and closed its doors, likely putting an end to the Wolf Team name.

Wolf Team was also notable for porting laserdisc video game
Laserdisc video game
A laserdisc video game is an arcade game that uses pre-recorded video played from a laserdisc, either as the entirety of the graphics, or as part of the graphics.-History:...

s to the Sega Mega-CD
Sega Mega-CD
The is an add-on device for the Mega Drive video game console, designed and produced by Sega and released in Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The device was also released in North America under the name Sega CD, for the Sega Genesis...

, including some Japan-only arcades like Time Gal
Time Gal
is an arcade video game developed and published by Taito, and was released in Japan in 1985. It is an adventure game which uses full motion video to display the on-screen action. The player must correctly choose the on-screen character's actions to progress the story.The game is set in a fictional...

and Ninja Hayate
Ninja Hayate
is a laserdisc arcade game first developed and released by Taito in Japan only. The game became better known when it was released in North America and Europe for the Sega Mega-CD as Revenge of the Ninja.- Plot :...

(released as Revenge of the Ninja for the Sega Mega-CD outside of Japan).

At the time of its renaming Namco owned 60% of this venture, Telenet Japan/Kazuyuki Fukushima retained 34%, and Tales series director Eiji Kikuchi
Eiji Kikuchi
Eiji Kikuchi is a video game director best known as the series director of the Tales role-playing game series. He presently works for Namco Tales Studio where he is a minority shareholder.-External links:* at MobyGames...

 received 6%. (Kikuchi, who was the head of Telenet's game development department for 10 years, left Telenet to head the new team full-time.) Effective on April 1, 2006, the then-newly merged Namco Bandai Holdings bought the remaining shares from Telenet Japan, cutting the last link to the developers' former employer and increasing its stockholding majority to 94%. Currently Namco Bandai now owns 100% of the company.

Namco Tales Studios remains the primary developer of the so-called Mothership titles of the Tales series, with the exception of Tales of Legendia
Tales of Legendia
, is a role-playing game that was developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was released in Japan on August 25, 2005 and in the United States on February 7, 2006. Tales of Legendia's characteristic genre name is . It is the seventh mothership title in the Tales...

and Tales of Innocence
Tales of Innocence
is the ninth mothership title in the Tales series for the Nintendo DS. The game was developed by Alfa System, and was released on December 6, 2007 in Japan. Tales of Innocences characteristic genre name is . The game has not been released outside of Japan although there is a full fan translation...

. Legendia was developed by an internal Namco development team called Team Melfes, featuring a unique battle system developed by some of the creators of the Soul Calibur series (also a Namco property), which is why it is so different from the others. Innocence was developed by an independent developer, Alfa System
Alfa System
Alfa System is a Japanese game development company that plans, develops and markets game software for consoles and personal computers. Alfa System is based out of Kumamoto City, Kyūshū...

, which also developed various spinoff games in the Tales series.

Developed games

Namco Tales Studio has developed or is currently developing games for the Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...

, Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...

, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

, PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...

, Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

, Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...

, Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

 and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

. | colspan=7 style="font-size:85%" bgcolor=#EEEEEE | Notes:
Tales Studio sound staff only>
Game Title Release Date Platform
Tales of Phantasia
Tales of Phantasia
is a Super Nintendo game in the RPG genre published by Namco and released in Japan in 1995, selling 212,000 copies. It is the first mothership title in the Tales RPG series and was later remade/re-released on the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable...

2003 Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...

Tales of Symphonia
Tales of Symphonia
is a video game first released for the Nintendo GameCube and later for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. It debuted in Japan on August 29, 2003, selling 953,000 copies, in Canada and the United States on July 13, 2004, and in Europe on November 19, 2004. The game received a Japanese-only PlayStation 2...

2003/2004 Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...

, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

Tales of Rebirth
Tales of Rebirth
is the sixth mothership title in Namco's Tales RPG series. It was released on December 16, 2004 in Japan for the Sony PlayStation 2. Tales of Rebirth's characteristic genre name is . Tales of Rebirth has an anime introductory video accompanied by the song Good Night by Every Little Thing. Notably,...

2004/2008 PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

, PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...

Tales of Eternia
Tales of Eternia
is a Japanese PlayStation action role-playing video game released by Namco on November 30, 2000, selling 873,000 copies and later ported to the PlayStation Portable on March 3, 2005, selling 398,000 copies. Tales of Eternia's characteristic genre name is...

2005 PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...

Tales of Legendia
Tales of Legendia
, is a role-playing game that was developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was released in Japan on August 25, 2005 and in the United States on February 7, 2006. Tales of Legendia's characteristic genre name is . It is the seventh mothership title in the Tales...

2005 PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

Tales of the Abyss
Tales of the Abyss
is a console role-playing game developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco in Japan and Namco Bandai Games in North America. Tales of the Abyss's characteristic genre name is The Meaning Of Birth RPG . It is the eighth mothership title in the Tales series, and was released for the...

2005 PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

Tales of the Tempest
Tales of the Tempest
is a console role-playing game in the Tales series developed by Dimps and Namco Tales Studio's sound staff for the Nintendo DS. The game, was released in Japan on October 26, 2006. Tales of the Tempest 's characteristic genre name is . The theme song is "VS" by Misono...

2006 Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

Tales of Destiny 2
Tales of Destiny 2
is the fourth mothership title in Namco's popular Tales RPG series, a true sequel to Tales of Destiny that takes place in the same fictional world...

2007 PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...

Tales of Destiny
Tales of Destiny
is a video game in the RPG genre published for the PlayStation console by Namco on December 23, 1997 in Japan, selling 1,139,000 copies. Tales of Destiny's characteristic genre name is...

 (Director's Cut)
2006/2008 PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, known in Japan as , is a console role-playing game developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai for the Wii as a cross of spin-off and sequel to Tales of Symphonia for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of...

2008 Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...

Tales of Vesperia
Tales of Vesperia
is the tenth main title in the Tales series. It was developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai Games for the Xbox 360. The title was announced on December 22, 2007 at Jump Festa, and was released on August 7, 2008 in Asia, and on August 26, 2008 in North America...

2008/2009 Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

, PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

Tales of Hearts
Tales of Hearts
is the eleventh mothership title in the Tales series exclusively for the Nintendo DS, which was released on December 18, 2008 in Japan. Tales of Hearts characteristic genre name is...

2008 Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

Tales of Graces
Tales of Graces
is the 12th mothership title and the newest generation in the Tales series for the Wii and PlayStation 3. It follows lead character Asbel Lhant, who desires to obtain greater strength. Its characteristic genre name is . The opening theme is by BoA...

2009 Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...

Keroro RPG: Kishi to Musha to Densetsu no Kaizoku
Keroro RPG: Kishi to Musha to Densetsu no Kaizoku
is an Role Playing Game exclusively for the Nintendo DS, which was released on March 4, 2010 in Japan. Developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai, The game is based on the popular Sgt...

2010 Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X
Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X
, pronounced Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon Cross, is a remake of the Game Boy Color RPG, Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon, for the PlayStation Portable developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai. It released in Japan on August 5, 2010. The original game was the first...

2010 PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...

Tales of Graces F
Tales of Graces
is the 12th mothership title and the newest generation in the Tales series for the Wii and PlayStation 3. It follows lead character Asbel Lhant, who desires to obtain greater strength. Its characteristic genre name is . The opening theme is by BoA...

2010 PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

Tales of Xillia 2011 PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...


As Wolf Team

  • Aisle Lord
    Aisle Lord
    is a video game released for the Sega Mega CD platform on May 29, 1992 by Telenet Japan and developed by Wolf Team.-Staff:*Animation Director, Character Designer: Haruhiko Mikimoto*Photography Staff: Mitomo Studio-Cast:*Rōru: Toshihiko Seki...

  • Anetto Futatabi
    Anetto Futatabi
    Annet Futatabi , is a 1993 side scrolling, beat-em-up video game released by Wolf Team, only in Japan for the Sega Mega CD game console. It is the final in a trilogy of games, which include Earnest Evans, and El Viento...

  • Arcus
  • Arcus II: Silent Symphony
    Arcus II: Silent Symphony
    is a computer game developed and released in Japan by Wolf Team. Narumi Kakinouchi, co-creator of Vampire Princess Miyu, was the art director for this game. The music for the game was composed by Masaaki Uno, Motoi Sakuraba, and Yasunori Shiono....

  • Arcus 3
  • Arcus Odyssey
    Arcus Odyssey
    Arcus Odyssey is an action role-playing game video game developed by Wolf Team. The game was released in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000 and Super Famicom...

  • Akushu: Kagerou no Jidai wo Koe te
  • Apros: Daichi no Shou Kaze no Tankyuu Sha hen
  • Cobra Command
  • Crystal Chaser: Tenkuu no Masuishou
  • D: European Mirage
  • Daitoua Mokujiroku Goh
  • Diamond Players
  • Devastator
  • Dino Land
    Dino Land
    is a pinball game developed by Wolfteam for the Sega Genesis. This game was originally released in 1991 for the North Americna and Japanese markets.-Summary:...

  • Earnest Evans
  • El Viento
    El Viento
    is a 2D platform video game released by Wolf Team and published by Renovation Products for the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis game console in 1991. It is the second in a trilogy of games, which include Earnest Evans and Anetto Futatabi....

  • Fhey Area
  • Final Zone (FZ Senki AXIS)
    Final Zone
    Final Zone is an isometric mecha shooter game created by Wolf Team for Telenet Japan and its Renovation Products subsidiary in 1990. Players take on the role of a mecha operator outfitted in the NAP suit...

  • Gaudi: Barcelona no Kaze
  • Granada
    Granada (game)
    is a shoot 'em up video game developed by Wolf Team and published by Telenet Japan in Japan first for the Sharp X68000 and later the Sega Mega Drive, with a North American Sega Genesis release by Renovation Products the following year.-Gameplay:...

  • Goh 2
  • Gulf War Soukouden
  • Hiōden
  • Hiōden 2
  • Hiōden: Mamono-tachi tono Chikai
  • Mid-Garts
  • Neugier: Umi to Kaze no Kōdō
  • Niko^2
  • Road Avenger
    Road Avenger
    is a interactive movie arcade game developed and published by Data East, with the help from Toei Animation in illustrating the animation. After Data East became defunct due to their bankruptcy back in 2003, G-Mode bought the intellectual rights to the arcade game as well as most other Data East...

  • Ryū: Naki no Ryū Yori
    Mahjong Hishō-den: Naki no Ryū
    is a mahjong centric Japanese manga by Junichi Nojo, which was also adapted into an OAV between 1988 and 1990.It was also adapted into four videos games, released between 1990 and 1995.-Video games:...

  • Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu Genshikou
  • Sol-Feace/Sol-Deace
    Sol-Feace
    is a shoot 'em up developed by Wolf Team. It was first released for the Sharp X68000 in Japan in 1990, and was later ported in to the Sega Mega-CD in 1991, with rearranged Redbook music. This version was available as a pack-in with the Sega CD when it was first released in North America. In Europe...

  • Span of Dream
  • Suzaku
    Suzaku
    Suzaku may refer to:* Suzaku, the Japanese name for the Chinese Vermilion Bird , bird guardian of the South*Emperor Suzaku, emperor of Japan*SUZAK Inc., also known as Suzaku, a video game developer* Suzaku Avenue, one of the ancient main streets e.g...

  • Tales of Phantasia
    Tales of Phantasia
    is a Super Nintendo game in the RPG genre published by Namco and released in Japan in 1995, selling 212,000 copies. It is the first mothership title in the Tales RPG series and was later remade/re-released on the PlayStation, Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable...

  • Tenbu Limited / Mankan Zenseki
  • Tenbu: Sangokushi Seishi
  • The Grail Hunter
  • Tokyo Twilight Busters
  • Time Gal
    Time Gal
    is an arcade video game developed and published by Taito, and was released in Japan in 1985. It is an adventure game which uses full motion video to display the on-screen action. The player must correctly choose the on-screen character's actions to progress the story.The game is set in a fictional...

  • Yasha
  • Zan: Kagerou no Toki
  • Zan: Yasha Enbukyoku
    Zan: Yasha Enbukyoku
    is a strategy video game that makes noble yaksha warriors go up against malevolent demons. There is a neutral party made of other Japanese generals and rulers. Units must be deployed for both protection and attack. Natural disasters occur on a random basis and diplomacy doesn't always work so that...

  • Zan II: Spirits
  • Zan 2: Kagerou no Jidai
  • Zan 2: Kagerou no Jidai Soshuhen
  • Zan 3: Tenun Ware ni Ari

External links

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