HighTech Lab. Japan

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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.

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] Yoshizaki currently runs a company called Gijyutu Shounen Publishing, which is involved with computer kits and technical books. [2]

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) [3]
  • 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) [4]

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)

Links