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 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 | + | '''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 founded in 1986 and headed by Takeshi Yoshizaki (吉崎武), formerly of ASCII. Yoshizaki was the editor-in-chief of ''ASCII'' magazine and established ASCII HighTech Lab., which developed the MSX LaserDisc game ''Starfighters''. [https://archive.org/details/TNM_CD-I_Compact_Disc_Interactive_News_Vol1_No9_J_20171113_0131/page/n5/mode/1up] |
− | + | HighTech Lab. Japan was originally based in Higashiyama, Meguro, Tokyo [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Japan_Directory/5JqZAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22hightech%20lab%20japan%22], and later moved to Shibuya, Tokyo. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_CD_ROM_Directory_1996/74bo17LYjxQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22hightech%20lab%20japan%22] | |
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+ | CG production proved to be a profitable business for HighTech Lab. Japan because of Japan's bubble economy. However, the bubble eventually burst and in the 1990s, the company shifted its focus to video game production. [https://twitter.com/Dream_Library_/status/1442062124553949189] | ||
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+ | HighTech Lab. Japan shut down in 1997. The company's last game was ''Deep Sea Adventure'' for the PlayStation, released in March 1997; much of the team behind that title, with the backing 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 [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] Yoshizaki currently runs a company called Gijyutu Shounen Publishing, which is involved with computer kits and technical books. [https://www.gijyutu-shounen.co.jp/] | 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] Yoshizaki currently runs a company called Gijyutu Shounen Publishing, which is involved with computer kits and technical books. [https://www.gijyutu-shounen.co.jp/] |
Revision as of 04:12, 7 July 2022
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 founded in 1986 and headed by Takeshi Yoshizaki (吉崎武), formerly of ASCII. Yoshizaki was the editor-in-chief of ASCII magazine and established ASCII HighTech Lab., which developed the MSX LaserDisc game Starfighters. [1]
HighTech Lab. Japan was originally based in Higashiyama, Meguro, Tokyo [2], and later moved to Shibuya, Tokyo. [3]
CG production proved to be a profitable business for HighTech Lab. Japan because of Japan's bubble economy. However, the bubble eventually burst and in the 1990s, the company shifted its focus to video game production. [4]
HighTech Lab. Japan shut down in 1997. The company's last game was Deep Sea Adventure for the PlayStation, released in March 1997; much of the team behind that title, with the backing 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.) [5] Yoshizaki currently runs a company called Gijyutu Shounen Publishing, which is involved with computer kits and technical books. [6]
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) [7]
- 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
This section is sketchy due to lack of information on these titles.
- 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)
PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD
- Let's Be Friends (unreleased) (Linguaphone Japan) [8]
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)
Windows
- Sekai no Kessaku Sentouki Vol. 1 (JP Publisher: HighTech Lab. Japan)