Difference between revisions of "Bits Laboratory"

From Game Developer Research Institute
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(→‎Saturn)
 
(122 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
Bits Lab was formed by a group of former freelancers in the game industry. They were first known as Workss, judging by NES Ghostbusters, where the name of the developer was changed to Bits Laboratory between the Japanese and American releases. Some of the main staff have been Toshio Tabeta, Satoru Miyazaki, Junichi Takao and Masashi "Masas" Shimizu.
+
__NOTOC__
 +
[[Image:Bitslogo.gif|Bits Laboratory logo|right]]
 +
''Not to be confused with British developer [[Bits Studios]]''
 +
 
 +
'''Bits Laboratory Co.''' (有限会社ビッツラボラトリー) was established on December 24, 1985 [https://web.archive.org/web/20030804073735/http://www.highway.ne.jp/bitslabo/bits/index.htm], by Satoru Miyazaki (宮崎暁) with fellow part-time workers from ASCII. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060211004803/http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_213.htm] Presumably it was originally called '''Workss'''. (The Famicom version of ''Ghostbusters'' credits "Workss"; The NES version credits "Bits." The Workss name is also present in the Famicom version of ''King's Knight''.)
 +
 
 +
Bits Laboratory had a close relationship with [[Game Arts]] for years and worked with Square a number of times during the Famicom era. In the 1990s, the company had a hit with the PlayStation dating sim ''True Love Story''. It was also a member of Game Developers Network (GD-NET), a collective of smaller Japanese game developers. [https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume4Issue11November1996ALT/page/n165/mode/1up]
 +
 
 +
In 2017, Bits Laboratory entered into a formal business partnership with Miya Engineering [http://miyaeng.com/], a software development company run by Toyokazu Miyazaki (宮崎豊和). [http://miyaeng.com/company.html]
 +
 
 +
Yasunori Takahara (高原保法) and Motoyuki Kanayama (金山泰志) started GameCrab in 2001, which continued development of the ''True Love Story'' series. [https://web.archive.org/web/20030814070536/http://gamecrab.jp:80/profile.htm]
 +
 
 +
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, code comparisons, online resources, shared staff
 +
 
 +
===Famicom/NES===
 +
*''Gambler Jiko Chuushinha'' (programming; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Asmik)
 +
:<small>Music: Mecano Associates</small>
 +
*''Gambler Jiko Chuushinha 2'' (some music [sound programming?]; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Asmik)
 +
:<small>Some Music (Composition?): Mecano Associates</small>
 +
*''Ghostbusters'' (JP Publisher: Tokuma Shoten; US Publisher: Activision)
 +
*''Hanjuku Hero'' (main programming, sound programming?) (JP Publisher: Square)
 +
*''King's Knight'' (programming?) (JP/US Publisher: Square)
 +
*''Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Remember Dream'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
 +
:<small>Music Composition: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Minna no Taabou no Nakayoshi Daisakusen'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Character Soft)
 +
:<small>Original Concept: Game Arts; Planning: ASCII; Some Music: T's Music</small>
 +
*''SD Gundam Gachapon Senshi 4: New Type Story'' (programming; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
 +
:<small>Direction, Scenario: Game Arts; Graphics: Japan Art Media?</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''SD Gundam Gachapon Senshi 5: Battle of Universal Century'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka) [https://twitter.com/kouji_matuda/status/1618230450841063424]</div>
 +
*''Seiken Densetsu'' (unreleased) (co-developer) (Square)
 +
:<small>A 3D dungeon RPG in development before the release of ''Dragon Quest''. The game was half-finished when it was put on hold. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210330172448/https://tokyo.whatsin.jp/320584]</small>
 +
*''Thexder'' (JP Publisher: Square)
 +
 
 +
===Famicom Disk System===
 +
*''Kiki Kaikai: Dotou-hen'' (JP Publisher: Taito)
 +
*''Magma Project Hacker'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: Tokuma Soft)
 +
:<small>Some Programming: OSS</small>
 +
:<small>Says "Workss" even though this came out after the NES version of ''Ghostbusters''</small>
 +
 
 +
===Game Boy===
 +
*''Kitchen Panic'' (JP Publisher: Coconuts Japan)
 +
 
 +
===Mega CD/Sega CD===
 +
*''Lunar: Eternal Blue'' (some animation graphics/painting) (JP Publisher: Game Arts; US Publisher: Working Designs)
 +
*''Prince of Persia'' (under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Victor; US/EU Publisher: Sega)
 +
:<small>Graphics: [[M.P.Run]]</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Rise of the Dragon'' (JP Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Dynamix)</div>
 +
*''Urusei Yatsura: Dear My Friends'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: Game Arts)
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Wing Commander'' (US Publisher: Electronic Arts; JP Publisher: Sega)</div>
 +
 
 +
===Mobile===
 +
*''Nyankoro Solitaire 10-ko-iri'' (some planning, some graphics, script) (JP Publisher: G-mode)
 +
:<small>Some Planning, Programming, Some Graphics: opti-wave</small>
 +
 
 +
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 +
*''After Burner II'' (programming, graphics) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
*''Darius Alpha'' ([some?] programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
*''Darius Plus'' ([some?] programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
*''Fantasy Zone'' (programming, some graphics) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue; US Publisher: NEC)
 +
*''Toilet Kids'' (JP Publisher: Media Rings) [https://twitter.com/kouji_matuda/status/1618203177756819457]
 +
:<small>Music: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Veigues Tactical Gladiator'' (programming; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Victor; US Publisher: NEC)
 +
 
 +
===PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD===
 +
*''Ai Cho Aniki'' (game design, programming) (JP Publisher: Masaya)
 +
:<small>Planning, Graphics: Vanguard; Sound: Two-Five</small>
 +
*''CD Mahjong: Bishoujo Chuushinha'' (JP Publisher: Games Express)
 +
:<small>Some Programming: Yellow Horn?; Music: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Doukyuusei'' (opening direction, some programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
*''Gain Ground SX'' ([some?] direction, programming?, some graphics?) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
:<small>Some Graphics: [[Fill in Cafe]]; Sound: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Gambler Jiko Chuushinha: CD dayo Zenin Shuugou!! Gekitou 36 Janshi'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 +
*''Hi-Leg Fantasy'' (JP Publisher: Games Express)
 +
*''Rainbow Islands'' (programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
:<small>Main Programming?: Yellow Horn</small>
 +
*''Side Arms Special'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Space Invaders: The Original Game'' (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)</div>
 +
*''Splash Lake'' (programming) (JP/US Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
:<small>Sound: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Super Darius'' ([some?] programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
 +
*''Uchuu Senkan Yamato'' (some music) (JP Publisher: [[Human]])
 +
 
 +
===PlayStation===
 +
*''Charumera'' (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Soft)
 +
:<small>Sound: T's Music</small>
 +
*''TearRingSaga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki'' (some graphics?) (JP Publisher: Enterbrain)
 +
:<small>Developer: Tirnanog; Battle CG, Animation Production: [[Dream Japan]]; Some Graphics: Marchen Breaker; Some Graphics?: Ferga; 2D Character Graphics: Earthly Production; ?: Studio Ingaohboo; Debugging?: Pole To Win</small>
 +
*''True Love Story'' (JP Publisher: ASCII)
 +
*''True Love Story 2'' (JP Publisher: ASCII)
 +
*''True Love Story Fan Disc'' (JP Publisher: ASCII)
 +
*''True Love Story: Remember My Heart'' (JP Publisher: ASCII)
 +
 
 +
===PlayStation 2===
 +
*''Amagami'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Enterbrain)
 +
*''Chenuen no San Goku Shi'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Game Arts)
 +
*''Kimi Kiss'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Enterbrain)
 +
*''Gungrave O.D.'' / ''Gungrave: Overdose'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Red; US Publisher: Mastiff; UK/AU Publisher: Play It)
 +
 
 +
===Saturn===
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Derby Stallion'' (JP Publisher: ASCII)</div>
 +
:<small>Some Programming?: [[ScriptArts]]; Sound Data Conversion: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Game BASIC for SegaSaturn'' (JP Publisher: ASCII)
 +
:<small>Sample Game/Tool Creation: ScriptArts</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Kekkon Zenya'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Mahou Gakuen Lunar'' (JP Publisher: Game Arts)</div>
 +
*''Ooedo Renaissance'' (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Soft)
 +
:<small>Graphics: [[Neverland]]?; Sound: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Puyo Puyo 2'' (some programming? [https://tcrf.net/Puyo_Puyo_Tsuu_(Sega_Saturn)]) (JP Publisher: [[Compile]])
 +
 
 +
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
 +
*''Cho Aniki: Bakuretsu Rantou-hen'' (game design, some graphics, motion design, balance direction) (JP Publisher: Masaya)
 +
:<small>Programming: Yellow Horn?; Sound Production, Music: Two-Five; Sound Effects, Sound Driver: Cube</small>
 +
*''Gambler Jiko Chuushinha: Mahjong Kouisen'' (some programming?; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: PalSoft)
 +
:<small>Some Programming: Yellow Horn; Music: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Gambler Jiko Chuushinha 2: Dorapon Quest'' (under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
 +
:<small>Music: T's Music</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Lasabirdie: Get in the Hole'' (JP Publisher: Ricoh)</div>
 +
*''Monstania'' (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
 +
:<small>Character Design?: Amccus; Some Graphics?: Japan Art Media</small>
 +
*''Pokonyan! Henpokorin Adventure'' (some programming, some coordination) (JP Publisher: Toho)
 +
:<small>Planning, Production: Toho, Shougakukan Production; Game Design, Direction: Vanguard; Some Programming, Graphics: [[Radical Plan]]?; Sound: Two-Five?; Some Coordination: Game Arts</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''SD Gundam X: Super Gachapon World'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka)</div>
 +
:<small>Some Music (Composition?): T's Music</small>
 +
*''Sengoku no Hasha: Tenka Fubu e no Michi'' (programming?; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Banpresto) [https://w.atwiki.jp/sfcall/pages/804.html]
 +
 
 +
===Vita===
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Yuusha Shisu.'' (JP Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software) [http://maximum.minimum.me/m/index.php?%E5%87%BA%E6%9D%A5%E4%BA%8B/2016%E5%B9%B4/02%E6%9C%88/%E5%8B%87%E8%80%85%E6%AD%BB%E3%81%99%E3%80%82%28PSV%29%E3%80%81%E7%99%BA%E5%A3%B2%E3%80%82]</div>
 +
 
 +
===Wii===
 +
*''Dairantou Smash Brothers X'' / ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' (development cooperation) (JP/US/AU/EU/KR Publisher: Nintendo)
 +
 
 +
===Wii U===
 +
*''Gotouchi Tetsudou: Gotouchi Chara to Nihon Zenkoku no Tabi'' (development cooperation) (JP Publisher: Bandai Namco Games) [https://twitter.com/Diospada_009/status/538007123586580480]
 +
 
 +
===Windows===
 +
*''Favorite Dear for Windows'' (graphics) (JP Publisher: InterChannel)
 +
 
 +
==Links==
 +
*[http://bits-labo.com/ Official website] (Japanese)
 +
*[http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.highway.ne.jp/bitslabo/ Official website (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)] (Japanese)
 +
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100612201244/http://review-site.net/dt/index.php/%E3%81%B2#.E3.83.93.E3.83.83.E3.83.84.E3.83.A9.E3.83.9C.E3.83.A9.E3.83.88.E3.83.AA.E3.83.BC.EF.BC.88Bits_Laboratory.EF.BC.89 Developer Table entry (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)] (Japanese)
 +
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20030420164337/http://www.sofarts.com/software/history/main.htm Naozumi Honma's works List 1], [http://web.archive.org/web/20080328130934/www.sofarts.com/oldnew/software/history/index.html 2] (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (Japanese)
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Companies]]

Latest revision as of 00:39, 26 February 2024

Bits Laboratory logo

Not to be confused with British developer Bits Studios

Bits Laboratory Co. (有限会社ビッツラボラトリー) was established on December 24, 1985 [1], by Satoru Miyazaki (宮崎暁) with fellow part-time workers from ASCII. [2] Presumably it was originally called Workss. (The Famicom version of Ghostbusters credits "Workss"; The NES version credits "Bits." The Workss name is also present in the Famicom version of King's Knight.)

Bits Laboratory had a close relationship with Game Arts for years and worked with Square a number of times during the Famicom era. In the 1990s, the company had a hit with the PlayStation dating sim True Love Story. It was also a member of Game Developers Network (GD-NET), a collective of smaller Japanese game developers. [3]

In 2017, Bits Laboratory entered into a formal business partnership with Miya Engineering [4], a software development company run by Toyokazu Miyazaki (宮崎豊和). [5]

Yasunori Takahara (高原保法) and Motoyuki Kanayama (金山泰志) started GameCrab in 2001, which continued development of the True Love Story series. [6]

Research Methods: Actual mentions, code comparisons, online resources, shared staff

Famicom/NES

  • Gambler Jiko Chuushinha (programming; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Asmik)
Music: Mecano Associates
  • Gambler Jiko Chuushinha 2 (some music [sound programming?]; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Asmik)
Some Music (Composition?): Mecano Associates
  • Ghostbusters (JP Publisher: Tokuma Shoten; US Publisher: Activision)
  • Hanjuku Hero (main programming, sound programming?) (JP Publisher: Square)
  • King's Knight (programming?) (JP/US Publisher: Square)
  • Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Remember Dream (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
Music Composition: T's Music
  • Minna no Taabou no Nakayoshi Daisakusen (programming) (JP Publisher: Character Soft)
Original Concept: Game Arts; Planning: ASCII; Some Music: T's Music
  • SD Gundam Gachapon Senshi 4: New Type Story (programming; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
Direction, Scenario: Game Arts; Graphics: Japan Art Media?
  • SD Gundam Gachapon Senshi 5: Battle of Universal Century (JP Publisher: Yutaka) [7]
  • Seiken Densetsu (unreleased) (co-developer) (Square)
A 3D dungeon RPG in development before the release of Dragon Quest. The game was half-finished when it was put on hold. [8]
  • Thexder (JP Publisher: Square)

Famicom Disk System

  • Kiki Kaikai: Dotou-hen (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Magma Project Hacker (some programming) (JP Publisher: Tokuma Soft)
Some Programming: OSS
Says "Workss" even though this came out after the NES version of Ghostbusters

Game Boy

  • Kitchen Panic (JP Publisher: Coconuts Japan)

Mega CD/Sega CD

  • Lunar: Eternal Blue (some animation graphics/painting) (JP Publisher: Game Arts; US Publisher: Working Designs)
  • Prince of Persia (under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Victor; US/EU Publisher: Sega)
Graphics: M.P.Run
  • Rise of the Dragon (JP Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Dynamix)
  • Urusei Yatsura: Dear My Friends (some programming) (JP Publisher: Game Arts)
  • Wing Commander (US Publisher: Electronic Arts; JP Publisher: Sega)

Mobile

  • Nyankoro Solitaire 10-ko-iri (some planning, some graphics, script) (JP Publisher: G-mode)
Some Planning, Programming, Some Graphics: opti-wave

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16

  • After Burner II (programming, graphics) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Darius Alpha ([some?] programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Darius Plus ([some?] programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Fantasy Zone (programming, some graphics) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue; US Publisher: NEC)
  • Toilet Kids (JP Publisher: Media Rings) [9]
Music: T's Music
  • Veigues Tactical Gladiator (programming; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Victor; US Publisher: NEC)

PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD

  • Ai Cho Aniki (game design, programming) (JP Publisher: Masaya)
Planning, Graphics: Vanguard; Sound: Two-Five
  • CD Mahjong: Bishoujo Chuushinha (JP Publisher: Games Express)
Some Programming: Yellow Horn?; Music: T's Music
  • Doukyuusei (opening direction, some programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Gain Ground SX ([some?] direction, programming?, some graphics?) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
Some Graphics: Fill in Cafe; Sound: T's Music
  • Gambler Jiko Chuushinha: CD dayo Zenin Shuugou!! Gekitou 36 Janshi (some programming) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  • Hi-Leg Fantasy (JP Publisher: Games Express)
  • Rainbow Islands (programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
Main Programming?: Yellow Horn
  • Side Arms Special (some programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Space Invaders: The Original Game (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Splash Lake (programming) (JP/US Publisher: NEC Avenue)
Sound: T's Music
  • Super Darius ([some?] programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • Uchuu Senkan Yamato (some music) (JP Publisher: Human)

PlayStation

  • Charumera (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Soft)
Sound: T's Music
  • TearRingSaga: Yutona Eiyuu Senki (some graphics?) (JP Publisher: Enterbrain)
Developer: Tirnanog; Battle CG, Animation Production: Dream Japan; Some Graphics: Marchen Breaker; Some Graphics?: Ferga; 2D Character Graphics: Earthly Production; ?: Studio Ingaohboo; Debugging?: Pole To Win
  • True Love Story (JP Publisher: ASCII)
  • True Love Story 2 (JP Publisher: ASCII)
  • True Love Story Fan Disc (JP Publisher: ASCII)
  • True Love Story: Remember My Heart (JP Publisher: ASCII)

PlayStation 2

  • Amagami (programming) (JP Publisher: Enterbrain)
  • Chenuen no San Goku Shi (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Game Arts)
  • Kimi Kiss (programming) (JP Publisher: Enterbrain)
  • Gungrave O.D. / Gungrave: Overdose (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Red; US Publisher: Mastiff; UK/AU Publisher: Play It)

Saturn

  • Derby Stallion (JP Publisher: ASCII)
Some Programming?: ScriptArts; Sound Data Conversion: T's Music
  • Game BASIC for SegaSaturn (JP Publisher: ASCII)
Sample Game/Tool Creation: ScriptArts
  • Kekkon Zenya (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Mahou Gakuen Lunar (JP Publisher: Game Arts)
  • Ooedo Renaissance (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Soft)
Graphics: Neverland?; Sound: T's Music
  • Puyo Puyo 2 (some programming? [10]) (JP Publisher: Compile)

Super Famicom/Super NES

  • Cho Aniki: Bakuretsu Rantou-hen (game design, some graphics, motion design, balance direction) (JP Publisher: Masaya)
Programming: Yellow Horn?; Sound Production, Music: Two-Five; Sound Effects, Sound Driver: Cube
  • Gambler Jiko Chuushinha: Mahjong Kouisen (some programming?; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: PalSoft)
Some Programming: Yellow Horn; Music: T's Music
  • Gambler Jiko Chuushinha 2: Dorapon Quest (under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
Music: T's Music
  • Lasabirdie: Get in the Hole (JP Publisher: Ricoh)
  • Monstania (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
Character Design?: Amccus; Some Graphics?: Japan Art Media
  • Pokonyan! Henpokorin Adventure (some programming, some coordination) (JP Publisher: Toho)
Planning, Production: Toho, Shougakukan Production; Game Design, Direction: Vanguard; Some Programming, Graphics: Radical Plan?; Sound: Two-Five?; Some Coordination: Game Arts
  • SD Gundam X: Super Gachapon World (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
Some Music (Composition?): T's Music
  • Sengoku no Hasha: Tenka Fubu e no Michi (programming?; under subcontract with Game Arts?) (JP Publisher: Banpresto) [11]

Vita

  • Yuusha Shisu. (JP Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software) [12]

Wii

  • Dairantou Smash Brothers X / Super Smash Bros. Brawl (development cooperation) (JP/US/AU/EU/KR Publisher: Nintendo)

Wii U

  • Gotouchi Tetsudou: Gotouchi Chara to Nihon Zenkoku no Tabi (development cooperation) (JP Publisher: Bandai Namco Games) [13]

Windows

  • Favorite Dear for Windows (graphics) (JP Publisher: InterChannel)

Links

Retrieved from "http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bits_Laboratory&oldid=27911"