Difference between revisions of "HighTech Lab. Japan"

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[[File:Htlj.png|right|HighTech Lab. Japan logo]]
 
[[File:Htlj.png|right|HighTech Lab. Japan logo]]
'''HighTech Lab. Japan Inc.''' (株式会社ハイテックラボジャパン) was a company particularly active in the field of computer graphics production. It was established in December 1986 by Takeshi Yoshizaki (吉崎武) of ASCII Laboratories, a part of ASCII Corporation dedicated to researching human-computer interface design. While half the main members of ASCII Corporation went to the new Microsoft Japan in 1986, the members of ASCII Laboratories joined HighTech Lab. Japan instead to continue their research. [http://psychiclab.net/IBVA/ASCIILAB.html]
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'''HighTech Lab. Japan Inc.''' (株式会社ハイテックラボジャパン) was a pioneering computer graphics production company that worked on such projects as NHK TV programs and the animated films ''Akira'' and ''Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise''. It was established in Nakameguro, Meguro, Tokyo, in December 1986 by Takeshi Yoshizaki (吉崎武), the former head of ASCII HighTech Lab. at ASCII Corporation, which developed the MSX LaserDisc game ''Starfighters''. Yoshizaki allegedly left ASCII due to a disagreement with president Kazuhiro Nishi.
  
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), shared staff
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The company focused on video game production by the early 1990s, then closed in March 1997. Its last game was ''Deep Sea Adventure'' for the PlayStation; the team behind that title, with the help of publisher Takara, started developer [[Barnhouse Effect]] that same month.
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Transpegasus Limited, a maker of adult titles, was apparently related. In 1987, former employee Toshiharu Nishizawa started [https://www.denno.co.jp/ Den'no Shokai], which developed a couple of LaserActive games. (Nishizawa had also worked at ASCII HighTech Lab.) [http://web.archive.org/web/19971012004957/http://www.denno.co.jp:80/staff/hary-n/index.htm]
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'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, interviews, online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), shared staff
  
 
===3DO===
 
===3DO===
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===Arcade===
 
===Arcade===
 
*''Bouken-Ou Topple'' (CG production) (Taito) [http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm23772874]
 
*''Bouken-Ou Topple'' (CG production) (Taito) [http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm23772874]
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*''Pyramid Patrol'' (CG production) (Taito)
  
 
===FM Towns===
 
===FM Towns===
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===LaserActive===
 
===LaserActive===
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*''The Great Pyramid'' (some CG production) (JP/NA Publisher: Pioneer)
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:<small>Programming: [[CRC Research Institute]]; Video Production: Japan Academic Documentation; Translation: GK Associates; Music Selection: Vancl; Some CG Production: Plus One, A&L, Fuji TV; Package Design: FIS Incorporated</small>
 
*''Hyperion'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
 
*''Hyperion'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
 
*''Pyramid Patrol'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
 
*''Pyramid Patrol'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
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*''Rocket Coaster'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
 
*''Rocket Coaster'' (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
 
*''Time Gal'' (JP Publisher: Taito)
 
*''Time Gal'' (JP Publisher: Taito)
*''Virtual Cameraman'' (JP Publisher: Transpegasus Limited)
 
*''Virtual Cameraman 2'' (JP Publisher: Transpegasus Limited)
 
  
 
===Macintosh===
 
===Macintosh===
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===PlayStation===
 
===PlayStation===
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*''Deep Sea Adventure: Kaiteiguu Panthalassa no Nazo'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
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:<small>Some CG Support: [[Act Japan]]; Sound: Reeb</small>
 
*''Galaxian³'' (JP Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
 
*''Galaxian³'' (JP Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
 
*''Starblade α'' (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
 
*''Starblade α'' (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
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===Saturn===
 
===Saturn===
*''Tokyo Shadow'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito)
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*''Tokyo Shadow'' (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito)
*''Virtua Photo Studio'' (JP Publisher: Acclaim)
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==Links==
 
==Links==

Revision as of 15:57, 19 August 2018

HighTech Lab. Japan logo

HighTech Lab. Japan Inc. (株式会社ハイテックラボジャパン) was a pioneering computer graphics production company that worked on such projects as NHK TV programs and the animated films Akira and Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise. It was established in Nakameguro, Meguro, Tokyo, in December 1986 by Takeshi Yoshizaki (吉崎武), the former head of ASCII HighTech Lab. at ASCII Corporation, which developed the MSX LaserDisc game Starfighters. Yoshizaki allegedly left ASCII due to a disagreement with president Kazuhiro Nishi.

The company focused on video game production by the early 1990s, then closed in March 1997. Its last game was Deep Sea Adventure for the PlayStation; the team behind that title, with the help of publisher Takara, started developer Barnhouse Effect that same month.

Transpegasus Limited, a maker of adult titles, was apparently related. In 1987, former employee Toshiharu Nishizawa started Den'no Shokai, which developed a couple of LaserActive games. (Nishizawa had also worked at ASCII HighTech Lab.) [1]

Research Methods: Actual mentions, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff

3DO

  • Pyramid Intruder (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Starblade (JP Publisher: Namco; US/CA Publisher: Panasonic)

Arcade

  • Bouken-Ou Topple (CG production) (Taito) [2]
  • Pyramid Patrol (CG production) (Taito)

FM Towns

  • Lupin Sansei: Seikon no Mashu (JP Publisher: CRI)

LaserActive

  • The Great Pyramid (some CG production) (JP/NA Publisher: Pioneer)
Programming: CRC Research Institute; Video Production: Japan Academic Documentation; Translation: GK Associates; Music Selection: Vancl; Some CG Production: Plus One, A&L, Fuji TV; Package Design: FIS Incorporated
  • Hyperion (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
  • Pyramid Patrol (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
[Some?] Programming, [Some?] Graphics: C-lab.
  • Rocket Coaster (JP/NA Publisher: Taito)
  • Time Gal (JP Publisher: Taito)

Macintosh

  • Derby Analyst (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)
  • Digital Gallery: Rocket Coaster (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Europe Vol. 1 (?)
  • Sekai no Kessaku Sentouki Vol. 1 (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)
  • Time Gal (JP Publisher: Taito)

PlayStation

  • Deep Sea Adventure: Kaiteiguu Panthalassa no Nazo (JP Publisher: Takara)
Some CG Support: Act Japan; Sound: Reeb
  • Galaxian³ (JP Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
  • Starblade α (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
  • Tokyo Shadow (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Toshinden 2 / Battle Arena Toshinden 2 (opening movie - production management, computer graphics) (JP Publisher: Takara; US Publisher: Playmates Interactive Entertainment; EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
  • Zeitgeist / Jupiter Strike (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito; US/EU Publisher: Acclaim)

Saturn

  • Tokyo Shadow (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Taito)

Links