Nazca Corporation

Last updated

Nazca Corporation
Nazca
Native name
株式会社ナスカ
Romanized name
Kabushiki gaisha Nasuka
Company type Kabushiki gaisha
Industry Video games
FoundedMay 1994;30 years ago (May 1994)
DefunctOctober 1996;27 years ago (October 1996)
FateAcquired by and merged into SNK
Successor SNK
Headquarters Suita, Osaka, Japan
Area served
Japan
Key people
Yoshihiko Kodo (president)
Products Video games
Number of employees
Approx. 30 (1996)

Nazca Corporation [lower-alpha 1] was a Japanese company that developed video games for the Neo Geo games console. The company was formed in 1994 by a group of employees from Irem who were tired of the company's inactivity. [1] In 1996, the company was acquired by SNK. [2]

Contents

History

R-Type II 's graphical style bears great similarity to what this team is known for. However, it is generally thought their first game was Air Duel ; they would later make games such as Armed Police Unit Gallop , Undercover Cops , Pound For Pound, Ken-Go, and In the Hunt . Their final game for Irem was GunForce II , after which they left and created Nazca, creating Neo Turf Masters and Metal Slug ; the latter shares many stylistic similarities to the previous Irem works and both titles were made with the same development kits used for several Irem arcade games. SNK, impressed by the success of Nazca's titles, formally acquired the developer, and would make the second and third Metal Slug games. The team disbanded after SNK filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

Nine of the original Nazca staff (including planner Meeher, designers Akio and Susumu, and development manager Kawai) answered questions from an undated text interview that was translated and included in Metal Slug Anthology .

Because the common use of pseudonyms in arcade titles to hide identities, details of its staff remains scarce. One known key member is composer Takushi Hiyamuta (credited with names such as "HIYA!" and "HIYA-UNIT"), responsible for composing nearly every game listed here, in whole or part (he did not compose for Kaitei Daisensou; also, although he did not compose for R-Type II, he did for Super R-Type ). He was considered part of SNK's in-house band, the "Shinsekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan" ("New World Music Acrobatics"). He was interviewed for the Metal Slug Complete Sound Box released in 2008. The only works he is credited for since Metal Slug 3 are Yuusha 30 , and producer on Sammy Corporation's Dolphin Blue, a credit he shares with fellow Nazca staffer KOZO. He currently works as a freelance musician, serving as the lead guitarist in the rock band GRowTH.

Graphic designer Akio worked for SNK after their bankruptcy in 2001, serving as the lead character designer for Metal Slug Anthology , and as character designer for Metal Slug XX . His final involvement with the company was the design of Metal Slug protagonist Marco Rossi for 2010's Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting , released a few months after Metal Slug XX. Other contributions he made directly for the company are currently unknown. He currently works as a freelance artist, remaining fairly active on Japanese art website Pixiv, and has contributed illustrations to Mobius Final Fantasy and Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition . He created a Twitter account in early April 2023, and would later begin to post design documents from Metal Slug.

Kazuma Kujo, credited as KIRE-NAG in the first Metal Slug, went on to form Granzella after leaving both Irem and Nazca, but declined to comment on the status and identity of key staff members including lead designer Meeher and graphic artists Akio and Susumu. While he was responsible for the design of the gameplay, he left Nazca prior to Metal Slug's release due to internal disputes but has maintained friendship with the developers.

In May 2023, Akio Oyabu, Meeher, Kuichin, Takushi Hiyamuta and Shinichi Hamada reunited and announced they are developing a spiritual successor titled Black Finger JET for Steam under Kodachi Studio, with Märchen Forest developer Shinano Ishiguro serving as director.

Staff and design philosophy

Due to the common use of pseudonyms in arcade titles to hide identities, details of its staff remains scarce but various individuals have been important figures in the history of Nazca Corporation:

Atsushi Inaba, formerly of Capcom and current CEO at PlatinumGames, was a member of Nazca after leaving Irem, doing income management, then SNK after its acquisition, rekindling his interest in video game development. Although details were never delved, Inaba stated he did programming work on a Samurai Shodown title and was unhappy with his experience at SNK. [21] R-Type composer Masato Ishizaki was also a member of Nazca. [22]

Games

Developed

YearTitleOriginal platform(s)PublisherCo-developer
1996 Neo Turf Masters Arcade, Android, iOS, Linux, Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, Neo Geo Pocket Color SNK Saurus (NGPC), Dotemu (Mobile/PC)
Metal Slug Arcade, Android, iOS, Linux, Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, PlayStation, PlayStation Network, Sega Saturn SNKSNK (SS), Ukiyotei (PS), M2 (PSN), Dotemu (Mobile/PC)
1998 Metal Slug 2 Arcade, Android, iOS, Linux, Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, PlayStation NetworkSNKM2 (PSN), Dotemu (Mobile/PC)
1999 Metal Slug X Arcade, Android, iOS, Linux, Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Neo Geo AES, PlayStationSNKProsoft Corporation (PS), Dotemu (Mobile/PC)
2000 Metal Slug 3 Arcade, Android, iOS, Linux, Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Neo Geo AES, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Network, Xbox SNK Noise Factory (PS2), Dotemu (Mobile/PC), Code Mystics (PSN)

Notes

  1. Japanese: 株式会社ナスカ, Hepburn: Kabushiki gaisha Nasuka

Related Research Articles

<i>R-Type</i> 1987 video game

R-Type is a horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and released by Irem in 1987 and the first game in the R-Type series. The player controls a star ship, the R-9 "Arrowhead", in its efforts to destroy the Bydo, a powerful alien race bent on wiping out all of mankind. The R-9 can acquire a glowing orbicular device called a "Force", protecting it from enemy fire and providing additional firepower. The arcade version was distributed by Nintendo in North America; it is the last arcade title Nintendo distributed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SNK</span> Japanese video game company

SNK Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. The company was founded in 1978 as Shin Nihon Kikaku by Eikichi Kawasaki and began by developing coin-op games. SNK is known for its Neo Geo arcade system on which the company produced many in-house games and now-classic franchises during the 1990s, including Aggressors of Dark Kombat, Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, King of the Monsters, Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown, The King of Fighters, The Last Blade, Twinkle Star Sprites, and World Heroes; they continue to develop and publish new titles in some of these franchises on contemporary arcade and home platforms. Since the 2000s, SNK have diversified from their traditional arcade focus into pachislot machines, mobile game development and more recently character licensing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irem</span> Japanese video game and pachinko company

Irem Software Engineering is a Japanese video game developer and publisher, and formerly a developer and manufacturer of arcade games as well. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

<i>Metal Slug</i> (1996 video game) 1996 video game

Metal Slug is a 1996 run and gun arcade video game originally developed by Nazca Corporation and released by SNK for the Neo Geo MVS. It is the first installment in the eponymous series. Set in 2028, players assume the role of Peregrine Falcon Strike Force soldiers Marco Rossi and Tarma Roving on a fight against the Rebel Army led by Donald Morden and overthrow his coup d'état to prevent a New World Order.

<i>Image Fight</i> 1988 Video game

Image Fight is a 1988 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Irem. It was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System, PC Engine (Japan-only), Sharp X68000 (Japan-only), and FM Towns (Japan-only) in 1990. It was followed by Image Fight II: Operation Deepstriker.

<i>Disaster Report</i> 2002 video game

Disaster Report, known in Japan as Zettai Zetsumei Toshi and in the PAL region as SOS: The Final Escape, is a PlayStation 2 survival action-adventure video game created by Irem. It was released in Japan in 2002 by Irem, and in North America and Europe in 2003, localized by Agetec. It is the first game in the Disaster Report series.

<i>Metal Slug</i> Video game series

Metal Slug is a Japanese multimedia franchise and run and gun video game series originally created by Nazca Corporation before merging with SNK in 1996 after the completion of the first game in the series. Spin-off games include a third-person shooter to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the series and a tower defense game for the mobile platform. While originally created for Neo-Geo arcade machines hardware (MVS) and the Neo-Geo home game consoles (AES) hardware, the original games have also been ported to other consoles and mobile platforms throughout the years, with several later games created for various other platforms. The games focus on the Peregrine Falcon Squad, a small group of soldiers who fight against a rebel army, aliens, zombies, mummies and various other forces intent on world domination. Over the years since its debut, The franchise developed a small, but passionate cult following due to its unique visuals and slapstick humor.

<i>R-Type Leo</i> 1992 video game

R-Type Leo is a 1992 horizontal-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Nanao and published by Irem. It is a spin-off of the R-Type series and the last R-Type entry to be released in arcades. In Leo, players take control of the titular space fighter to travel the man-made mechanical planet Eden and destroy its supercomputer core Major. The game was initially conceived as an original shoot 'em up by Nanao before being retooled into an R-Type project by Irem. The title was met with positive reception from reviewers. It has since been re-released as part of Dotemu's 2010 Irem Arcade Hits compilation.

<i>In the Hunt</i> 1993 video game

In the Hunt is a 1993 scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Irem. It is the third installment of D.A.S. Tetralogy. Versions for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows were also released. The player assumes control of the Granvia, a submarine tasked with overthrowing the Dark Anarchy Society before they activate their doomsday device. Gameplay involves shooting enemies, collecting power-up items, and avoiding collision with projectiles. It runs on the Irem M-92 hardware.

<i>Metal Slug Anthology</i> 2006 video game

Metal Slug Anthology is a video game compilation for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PC and the Wii. The Wii version boasts different controller configurations, most taking advantage of the Wii Remote, with the Japanese version supporting the Classic Controller and all regional variants supporting the GameCube controller. The game also marks the return of SNK Playmore as a third-party developer for a Nintendo console since the SNES era.

<i>Neo Turf Masters</i> 1996 video game

Neo Turf Masters is a golf video game by Nazca for the Neo Geo, released in 1996. This is also one of the first two titles by Nazca, the other being the popular Metal Slug before being acquired by SNK.

<i>Pulstar</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Pulstar is a horizontally scrolling shooter released for arcades by SNK in 1995. Players control a starship in its mission to eradicate the Solar System of a hostile race of aliens that threaten mankind. Its gameplay has been compared to the R-Type series for its similar premise and mechanics; players must complete each of the game's eight stages by destroying constantly-moving formations of enemies and avoiding their projectiles. There are power-ups that can be collected that provide additional abilities for the player. It runs on the Neo Geo MVS arcade system board.

Kazuma Kaneko is a Japanese video game artist and designer for Japanese video game company Atlus. Kaneko is best known for his work in the Megami Tensei series of video games, acting as a character designer across multiple games. Kaneko is often referred to as the "Demon Artist" due to his artistic ability to represent otherworldly and demonic forms. During his professional career, Kaneko has also done freelance work for videogame companies Capcom and Konami, designing Dante and Vergil's Devil Trigger forms in the video game Devil May Cry 3, as well as designing the characters Inhert and Lloyd in Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner.

<i>Superior Soldiers</i> 1993 video game

Superior Soldiers, known in Japan as Perfect Soldiers (パーフェクトソルジャーズ), is a 1993 fighting arcade game developed and published by Irem. It was created during the fighting game trend of the 1990s that began with Capcom's Street Fighter II. Several graphic designers of this and several other Irem titles later moved to Nazca, and designed the graphics of the Metal Slug franchise for SNK.

<i>Major Title</i> 1990 video game

Major Title is a golf sports video game that was released by Irem to arcades in 1990. A version of the game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as well as an arcade sequel, Major Title 2: Tournament Leader, were released in 1992. The SNES game and the arcade sequel were released in the United States as The Irem Skins Game.

Takashi Nishiyama, sometimes credited as "Piston" Takashi Nishiyama or T. Nishiyama, is a Japanese video game designer, director and producer who worked for Irem, Capcom and SNK before founding his own company Dimps. He is best known for developing the scrolling shooter title Moon Patrol, the beat 'em up title Kung-Fu Master, and the fighting game titles Street Fighter, Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters. He also helped to develop the Neo Geo system.

Granzella Inc. is a Japanese video game developer based in Ishikawa, Japan. The company is formed from former Irem staff and engaged in planning, production and sales of console games. The company is known for developing the latest entry in the Disaster Report and R-Type series. Granzella was established in April 2011 by former staff of Irem Software Engineering Inc. after the cancellation of multiple video game projects as a result of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The name of the company is derived from "Granzella Revolution Army," which appeared in R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, a game from the R-Type series developed by the staff at Irem.

<i>GunForce II</i> 1994 video game

GunForce II is a run and gun arcade video game developed and originally published by Irem on September 1994. It is the sequel to the original GunForce and one of the last arcade games, if not the last to be released by the company before ceasing development of video games in the same year, after which a group of employees from the gaming division of Irem would go on to form Nazca Corporation due to being tired of the company's inactivity.

<i>R-Type Final 2</i> 2021 video game

R-Type Final 2 is a horizontal-scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Granzella. Part of Irem's long-running R-Type series, it is a sequel to R-Type Final released in 2004, and the first R-Type game in over a decade, after the release of R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate in 2009. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on April 29, 2021. An updated version titled R-Type Final 3 Evolved was released for the PlayStation 5 on March 23, 2023.

<i>Prehistoric Isle</i> 1989 video game

Prehistoric Isle is a 1989 scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by SNK. Set during the 1930s, where ships at The Bahamas mysteriously disappeared, players assume the role of U.S. Marine pilots taking control of biplanes in a reconnaissance assignment at "Greenhell Isle", a fictional island inhabited by dinosaurs and creatures thought to be extinct. Headed by a director under the pseudonym of "Yah!", the game was developed by most of the same team that would later work on several projects for the Neo Geo platforms at SNK. First launched in arcades, the title has since been re-released through download services and compilations for various consoles. It received positive reception since its initial arcade release from critics who praised the visuals, sound design, gameplay and originality. A sequel, Prehistoric Isle 2, was released in 1999 for the Neo Geo MVS but garnered less success than its predecessor.

References

  1. "Overseas Readers Column - Irem Reduces Its Video Game R&D Division". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 470. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 April 1994. p. 26.
  2. "SNK 会社ナスカ". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 528. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 October 1996. p. 7.
  3. "Overseas Readers Column - N. Ota for President of Irem Corp". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 466. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 February 1994. p. 26.
  4. "SNK 会社ナスカ". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 473. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 June 1994. p. 7.
  5. "Overseas Readers Column - New SNK President; Yoshihiko Kodo". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 511. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 February 1996. p. 22.
  6. Leone, Matt (14 December 2011). "The Man Who Created Street Fighter". 1UP.com . IGN. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  7. 1 2 Ishii, Zenji; Suzuki, GOD (December 1987). "R-TYPE開発座談会; R-TYPE Q&A". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 15. Shinseisha. pp. 10–12. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine ).
  8. Szczepaniak, John (January 2012). "The Making Of: Metal Slug". Retro Gamer . No. 98. Imagine Publishing. pp. 24–31. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  9. Szczepaniak, John (4 November 2015). Kazuma KUJO. Vol. 2. S.M.G. Szczepaniak. p. 322. ISBN   978-1518818745.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  10. Mielke, James (25 June 2019). "How R-Type came back from the dead". Polygon . Vox Media. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  11. "Metal Slug – 1999 Developer Interview". shmuplations.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  12. @PG_kurooka (18 October 2014). "Latest The Wonderful 101. Oldest GunForce2, MetalSlug1 RT @HokutoAndy: @PG_kurooka Other than Korra, what video games have you worked on?" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2020 via Twitter.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Games 96-09: Metal Slug: Super Vehicle-001; Interviews: Kazuma Kujo; Interviews: Shinichi Hamada & Takeshi Okui; Interviews: Andoh Kenji. Bitmap Books. 11 November 2019. pp. 70–111, 390–394, 407–414, 423–427. ISBN   978-1-9993533-5-3.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  14. "ゲームデザ イナー大全集". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 151. ASCII Corporation. 8 November 1991. pp. 85–100. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-05-20 at the Wayback Machine ).
  15. "AKIO". Monthly Arcadia (in Japanese). No. 119. Enterbrain. April 2010. pp. 23–25.
  16. Akio (2012). "Welcome to the Akio Laboratory". Akio Lab. FC2. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  17. aiko (24 March 2009). "akio". Pixiv . Pixiv Inc. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  18. Bitmap Books (25 June 2022). "Birth of the cool: How The King of Fighters came to be". eurogamer.
  19. "SNK". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 1545. Gzbrain. 26 July 2018. (Translation by One Million Power. Archived 2019-12-23 at the Wayback Machine ).
  20. "Neo Turf Masters with Takushi Hiyamuta". pixelatedaudio.com. Pixelated Audio. December 2016. Archived from the original on 13 December 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  21. Sheffield, Brandon (23 October 2006). "Capcom & Clover, Over and Over: Former Clover Head Atsushi Inaba on a Post-Capcom World". Gamasutra . UBM Technology Group. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  22. Tanaka, Haruhisa (25 March 2014). "R-Type Creator Interview (クリエイターインタビュー): Masato Ishizaki (石崎正人)". Shooting Gameside (in Japanese). Vol. 9. Micro Magazine. pp. 50–57. ISBN   978-4896374551. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-01-23 at the Wayback Machine ).