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Creatures (company)

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Creatures Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryVideo games
FoundedApe: March 1989; 35 years ago (1989-03)
Creatures: November 8, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-11-08)
HeadquartersChiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Tsunekazu Ishihara
(Chairman)
Hirokazu Tanaka
(President)
ProductsVarious video game titles
Number of employees
110 (2017)
Websitewww.creatures.co.jp

Creatures Inc. (株式会社クリーチャーズ, Kabushiki-gaisha Kurīchāzu) is a Japanese video game development company affiliated with The Pokémon Company.[1] It was founded by Tsunekazu Ishihara in November 1995, with the assistance of Nintendo's Satoru Iwata,[2] as a successor to Shigesato Itoi's company Ape Inc.[3] It is well known for producing Pokémon trading cards and toys, as well as developing many video games. Its current president is Hirokazu Tanaka, who was previously known for producing and composing various other Nintendo games. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo,[1] in proximity to the Ichigaya Station.[4]

History[]

Ape Inc. was founded in March 1989 and Shigesato Itoi became its chief executive officer. 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 CEO, and Ashura Benimaru Itoh, a renowned illustrator. They began work on Mother, which released in July. Its music was composed by Hip Tanaka, who later became the second CEO of Creatures.[5] The team continued with work on Mother 2. When the project began to falter, Satoru Iwata of HAL Laboratory was brought in to help the project. The game was released in August 1994 and the Ape team dismantled in 1995.

Creatures, Inc. was established on November 8, 1995 under CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara and former staff from Ape.[5]

Previously Creatures had its headquarters on the 7th floor of the Nintendo Kanda Building (任天堂神田ビル, Nintendō Kanda Biru) in Sudachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo.[6] At a later point it was headquartered in the fifth floor annex of the Kawasakiteitoku Building (川崎定徳ビル, kawasakiteitoku Biru) in Nihonbashi, Chūō, Tokyo.[7] Creatures are also well known for making Pokémon card games and toys for the Pokémon Franchise.[8]

Gameography[]

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

  = developer
  = co-developer
  = assistant developer

As Ape[]

  Year Title Platform Developer Role Notes
  1989 Mother NES Ape Developer Initially Japan only. Re-released worldwide in 2015 as EarthBound Beginnings.
  1994 EarthBound SNES Ape, HAL Co-developer Released as Mother 2 in Japan.
  1995 Mario's Picross Game Boy Ape, Jupiter Co-developer
  1995 Tamori's Picross SNES Ape, Jupiter[9] Co-developer Series of small games distributed over the Satellaview network, coinciding with a radio show by Japanese celebrity Tamori. Japan only.[9][10][11]
  1995 Mario's Super Picross SNES Ape, Jupiter Co-developer Japan only.
  2003 Mother 1+2 Game Boy Advance Ape, HAL Porting Compilation cartridge of Mother and Mother 2. Japan only.[12]

As Creatures[]

  Year Title Platform Developer Role Notes
  1996 Picross 2 Game Boy Creatures, Jupiter[13][14] [15] Co-developer[16] Japan only.[17]
  1997 Mini Yonku GB: Let's & Go!! Game Boy Creatures, Jupiter[18][19] Co-developer[20] Based on mini yonku racing. Japan only.[21]
  1998 Game Boy Camera Game Boy Nintendo R&D1, Creatures, Game Freak, Jupiter[22][23] Software co-development.
  1998 Pokemon Stadium (Japanese version) Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD Pokémon modeling.[24] Japan only.
  1998 Hey You, Pikachu! Nintendo 64 Ambrella Pokémon modeling.[24]
  1998 Pokémon Trading Card Game Game Boy Color Hudson, Creatures Planning, game design, card design.[24]
  1999 Super Smash Bros. Nintendo 64 HAL Pokémon modeling, opening design.[25]
  1999 Pokémon Snap Nintendo 64 HAL Pokémon animation and 2D illustrations.[25]
  1999 Pokémon Stadium (international version) Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD Part of 2D illustration, Pokémon modeling.[25] Upgraded version of the original Pokémon Stadium. Released in Japan as Pokemon Stadium 2.
  2000 Pokémon Stadium 2 Nintendo 64 Nintendo EAD Pokémon modeling.[26] Released in Japan as Pokemon Stadium Gold Silver.
  2001 Chee-Chai Alien Game Boy Color Creatures Developer Japan only.
  2001 Pokémon Card GB2: GR-dan Sanjo! Game Boy Color Hudson, Creatures Planning, game design, card design.[27] Japan only. Subtitle is often translated as Here Comes Team GR!,[28] and sometimes as The Invasion of Team GR![29]
  2001 Super Smash Bros. Melee GameCube HAL Character, stage, and figure modeling. Opening movie design.[27]
  2003 Pokémon Colosseum GameCube Genius Sonority Pokémon modeling.[30]
  2005 Nonono Puzzle Chailien Game Boy Advance Creatures, Nintendo[31] Co-developer Japan only. Chailien is sometimes spelled Chairian.[32]
  2005 Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness GameCube Genius Sonority Pokémon modeling.[33]
  2006 Pokémon Ranger Nintendo DS HAL Assistant developer.[34]
  2006 Project Hacker: Kakusei Nintendo DS Red Entertainment Assistant developer.[34] Japan only.
  2006 Pokémon Battle Revolution Wii Genius Sonority Pokémon modeling.[34]
  2007 Pokemon Battrio Arcade Tomy, AQ Interactive[35] Pokémon modeling, package design.[36] Arcade cabinet. Japan only.
  2008 Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Nintendo DS Creatures Developer
  2008 Personal Trainer: Walking Nintendo DS Nintendo NSD, Creatures, Engines Software co-development.
  2009 PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Wii Creatures Developer
  2010 Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Nintendo DS Creatures Developer
  2011 Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS Nintendo 3DS Creatures, ZENER WORKS[37] Co-developer Instructional game on how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, included with a deck kit called the Beginning Set. Japan only.[38]
  2011 Pokédex 3D Nintendo 3DS Creatures[39] Developer Free app.[40] Discontinued after 1 October 2012.[41]
  2011 PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Wii Creatures Developer
  2012 Pokémon Dream Radar Nintendo 3DS Creatures, Game Freak[42][43] Co-developer
  2012 Pokédex 3D Pro Nintendo 3DS Creatures[44] Developer Upgraded version of Pokédex 3D. Paid app, unlike its precursor.[44]
  2012 Pokédex for iOS iOS Creatures[45] Developer Discontinued on 30 November, 2015.[46]
  2013 Pokémon X and Y Nintendo 3DS Game Freak Pokémon modeling.[47]
  2018 Detective Pikachu Nintendo 3DS Creatures Developer

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "会社概要". Creatures Inc. Retrieved 2018-01-03. {{cite web}}:
  2. ↑ "Iwata Asks". Retrieved 2018-01-03. {{cite web}}:
  3. ↑ "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). Nintendo. July 2007. Retrieved 2018-01-03. {{cite web}}:
  4. ↑ "Access Map Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine." (Direct image link Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine) Creatures Inc. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Quick History of the MOTHER Series". 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2018-01-03. {{cite web}}:
  6. ↑ "Creatures Welcome Page." Creatures Inc. 2000-03-02. Retrieved 2010-10-04. "千代田区神田須田町1–22任天堂神田ビル7F"
  7. ↑ "Welcome to Creatures Inc." Creatures Inc. Retrieved 2010-10-04. "東京都中央区日本橋3-2-5川崎定徳ビル別館5F."
  8. ↑ "Creatures Pokémon game cards and toys." Creatures Inc. Retrieved 2010-10-04. "ポケモンカードゲームXY スーパーレジェンドデッキ60「ゼルネアスEX・イベルタルEX」2014.11.14"
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Jupiter. "Tamori's Picross". Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  10. ↑ "Tamori no Picross". Picross Wiki. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  11. ↑ "Tamori's Picross". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  12. ↑ "Mother 1+2". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 2018-03-05. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  13. ↑ Jupiter. "Picross 2". jupiter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  14. ↑ "Picross 2 cartridge". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  15. ↑ (YouTube video) Mario's Picross 2 (Game Boy). Enrique Garcia / kachorro 2. 2013-12-14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm-qiE_q1XA. 
  16. ↑ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1996". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  17. ↑ "Picross 2". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2018-03-02. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  18. ↑ Jupiter. "Mini 4x4 GB Let's & Go!!". jupiter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  19. ↑ shisochou. "Mini Yonku 4WD Let's & Go Game Boy GB Japan import cartridge only" (direct link to picture of cartridge), eBay.
  20. ↑ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1997". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  21. ↑ "Mini Yonku GB: Let's & Go!!". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  22. ↑ Jupiter. "Pocket Camera". jupiter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  23. ↑ (YouTube video) Game Boy Camera And Printer Review. Michael's Retro Game Reviews / davidhass3lh0ff. 2013-02-11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aprFmEIF1io&t=62s. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1998". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Creatures. "Company >> History >> 1999". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  26. ↑ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2000". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2001". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  28. ↑ "Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!". Bulbapedia. {{cite web}}:
  29. ↑ "Pokemon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!". Arty's Generic Site. Archived from the original on 2017-07-17. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  30. ↑ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2003". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  31. ↑ "Nonono Puzzle Chairian cartridge". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  32. ↑ "Nonono Puzzle Chairian Releases". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  33. ↑ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2005". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2006". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  35. ↑ "ポケモンバトリオ | ポケモンバトリオとは". battrio.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  36. ↑ Creatures. "Company >> History >> 2007". creatures.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  37. ↑ (YouTube video) Pokemon TCG DS 15 Minutes Gameplay. TheLoneSwordsmen. 2013-02-11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa2VQI_3VVI. 
  38. ↑ "Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS". Bulbapedia. {{cite web}}:
  39. ↑ Nintendo. "Pokédex 3D". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  40. ↑ Miller, Zachary (2011-06-14). "Pokédex 3D". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2018-03-07. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  41. ↑ "Pokédex 3D Pro Coming Nov. 8; Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Debut New Features" (Press release). Nintendo. 2012-01-08. Archived from the original on 2018-03-07. https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/whatsnew/detail/QpSQUBav3pkaB52QRE5GgXSI03UiqlWA. 
  42. ↑ (screenshot) Pokémon Dream Radar title screen. Giant Bomb. 2013-03-17. Archived from the original on 2018-03-07. https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/16324/2456642-pokemon_dream_radar-1.jpg. 
  43. ↑ Nintendo. "Pokémon Dream Radar". nintendo.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Nintendo. "Pokédex 3D Pro". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-10. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  45. ↑ "Pokédex for iOS". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  46. ↑ "Pokédex for iOS App Goes Out of Service". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2017-01-12. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl
  47. ↑ Gifford, Kevin. "How Game Freak built the new creatures and 3D models of Pokemon X and Y". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2017-08-14. {{cite web}}: ; deadurl

External links[]

Pokémon The official Pokémon series logo
Owners Nintendo • Game Freak (Satoshi Tajiri • Ken Sugimori • Junichi Masuda) • Creatures Inc. • The Pokémon Company (Tsunekazu Ishihara)
Media Main Anime series • Books • Concerts (Pokémon Live! • Pokémon Symphonic Evolutions) • Films • Poképark • Theme songs • Trading Card Game (sets) • Trading Figure Game • Video games
Manga (volume list) Volume list • Pocket Monsters (Adventures • characters • volumes (1–20 • 21–40 • 41–current) • Black and White) • The Electric Tale of Pikachu • Magical Pokémon Journey • Challenge! Battle Frontier • Ginji's Rescue Team • Diamond and Pearl Adventure! • Pocket Monsters RéBURST (chapters)
Universe Species by
generation 		I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII
Individual
species 		Bulbasaur • Venusaur • Charmander • Charizard • Squirtle • Pikachu • Jigglypuff • Meowth • Psyduck • Kadabra • Cubone • Mr. Mime • Jynx • Magikarp • Gyarados • Lapras • Eevee • Snorlax • Mewtwo • Mew • Pichu • Togepi • Unown • Lugia • Celebi • Lucario • Greninja • Popplio • Mimikyu • Wooloo
Characters Ash Ketchum • Brock • Misty • Team Rocket • Rivals • Cynthia • Serena • Lillie • Nessa • Nemona • Larry • Liko • List of Pokémon
Other Lavender Town • MissingNo.
Competitive play Play! Pokémon • World Championships (2023) • Wolfe Glick • Ray Rizzo • Park Se-jun
Other Pokémon Pikachu • Pokémon Mini • Poké Ball Plus • Super Smash Bros. • Trading Card Game (sets • video game • TCG Online) • Trading Figure Game • Twitch Plays Pokémon
Related Burger King Pokémon container recall • Pikachu sculpture • 4Kids Entertainment • Media Factory • OLM • Pokémon Live! • Pokémon Apokélypse • List of books • Symphonic Evolutions
[Edit]
NintendoNintendo development teams
Divisions Current Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) • Platform Technology Development (PTD)
Former Research & Development 1 • Research & Development 2 • Integrated Research & Development (IRD) • Research & Engineering (RED) • Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD) • Software Planning & Development (SPD) • System Development (NSD)
Subsidiaries 1-Up Studio • iQue • Monolith Soft • Next Level Games • Nintendo Cube • Nintendo European Research & Development (NERD) • Nintendo Pictures • Nintendo Software Technology (NST) • Retro Studios • Shiver Entertainment
Major affiliates Current Bandai Namco (Studios ) • Camelot Software Planning • Creatures Inc. • Cygames • DeNA • Game Freak • Genius Sonority • Good-Feel • Grezzo • HAL Laboratory • indieszero • Intelligent Systems • Koei Tecmo (Omega Force • Team Ninja ) • PlatinumGames • The Pokémon Company
Former AlphaDream • Artoon • Angel Studios • Argonaut Games • Cing • DMA Design • Factor 5 • Hudson Soft • Left Field Productions • Marigul Management (Ambrella • Noise • Param) • Monster Games • Rare • Silicon Knights • Skip Ltd. • syn Sophia • Vanpool
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