|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | __NOTOC__ | | __NOTOC__ |
| − | '''Santos''' was a company headed by Takeshi Tozu (戸津猛), who previously ran Orca (''Game Machine'' 1983/8/15, pg. 6), Sesame Japan, and [[Crux]]. [https://twitter.com/Area51_zek/status/525992587824353280] It was established in July 1985 as '''Whiteboard''' (株式会社ホワイトボード) [https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E6%83%85%E5%A0%B1%E7%94%A2%E6%A5%AD%E7%B7%8F%E8%A6%A7/Vre1AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%E6%A0%AA%E3%83%9B%E3%83%AF%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89] [https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E6%83%85%E5%A0%B1%E7%94%A2%E6%A5%AD%E7%B7%8F%E8%A6%A7/Vre1AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%E4%B8%89%E6%9C%A8%E6%98%A5%E8%80%95] | + | '''Megasoft''' (株式会社メガソフト) was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sega (as of December 1991), allegedly the company formerly known as [[Santos]]. [http://web.archive.org/web/20150109230617/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_3/4.html] However, there is some conflicting information. |
| | | | |
| − | In December 1991, Santos allegedly became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sega called Megasoft [http://web.archive.org/web/20150109230617/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_3/4.html], but the circumstances surrounding this transaction are unclear. For more information on [[#Megasoft|Megasoft]], see the section below.
| + | A former Santos staffer said Santos went bankrupt. [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1363122004128272387] Also, the book ''Japanese Corporate Groups'' (''日本の企業グループ'') has December 1991 ("平3.12") listed as when Megasoft was established [https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AE%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97/7Sy1AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%E6%A0%AA%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%82%BD%E3%83%95%E3%83%88], which would suggest this was a new company. Of course, neither of these things would preclude Sega from buying Santos or its assets. |
| | | | |
| − | Tozu did not join Megasoft, however; he apparently started a new company [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1363125426378264576], also called Santos. You can find more on that in the section below.
| + | Tokinori Kaneyasu [兼安時紀], formerly of Data East, appears to have been the president of Megasoft. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AE%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97/9JpGAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%E5%85%BC%E5%AE%89%E6%99%82%E7%B4%80] The company was located in the same building as Treasure (東京都台東区上野 7 - 9 - 15 根本ビル 4F). [https://twitter.com/TreasureCoLtd/status/1189052046197981184] [https://twitter.com/Dr_Purple2155/status/1058400300485099520] It was allegedly merged into Sega in November 1992 [http://web.archive.org/web/20150109230617/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_3/4.html] during the production of the games listed below, but it looks like only the staff was folded into Sega; the company itself was liquidated in 1996. [https://twitter.com/gdri/status/1335653744252506121] [https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E5%AE%98%E5%A0%B1/wKhWAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%82%BD%E3%83%95%E3%83%88] |
| | | | |
| − | [[Gai Brain]] was started by former Santos staff.
| + | '''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Interviews, online resources, shared staff |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, code comparisons, hidden data, interviews, online resources, shared staff | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==As Whiteboard==
| + | |
| − | ===Arcade===
| + | |
| − | *''Airwolf'' (Kyugo) [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1096733670222622720]
| + | |
| − | *''Dakko-chan House'' (Sega)
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Flashgal'' (Sega)</div>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Legend'' (Sega)</div>
| + | |
| − | *''Photo Mahjong: Gekisha'' (Whiteboard)
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''S.R.D. Mission'' (Taito)</div>
| + | |
| − | *''Sukeban Janshi Ryuuko'' (Sega)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Famicom/NES===
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Airwolf'' (sound?) (JP Publisher: Kyugo)</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Programming: [[C-lab.]]?</small>
| + | |
| − | *''Space Harrier'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
| + | |
| − | :<small>Started out as a game based on Licca-chan, Takara's popular fashion doll</small>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Mark III/Master System===
| + | |
| − | *''Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars'' (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
| + | |
| − | *''Danan: The Jungle Fighter'' (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
| + | |
| − | *''Dynamite Dux'' (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
| + | |
| − | *''Masters Golf'' / ''Great Golf'' (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega)
| + | |
| − | *''Megumi Rescue'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
| + | |
| − | *''Nekkyuu Koushien'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
| + | |
| − | *''Opa Opa'' / ''Fantasy Zone: The Maze'' (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
| + | |
| − | *''Reggie Jackson Baseball'' / ''American Baseball'' (US/CA/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Artist Ano Shimizu has said he worked on ''Dynamite Dux'' and ''Nekkyuu Koushien'' at Whiteboard. [http://www.smspower.org/forums/16643-NekkyuuKoushienCheatCodeAndDeveloperTeam#97872] A code comparison between the two revealed shared code in the rest of the games on this list except ''Alex Kidd'' and ''Great Golf''.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ''Alex Kidd'', ''Fantasy Zone'', ''Great Golf'', ''Megumi Rescue'', and ''Nekkyuu Koushien'' have the same initials, "YM," in the header. [http://www.smspower.org/Development/NamesInHeaders] Additionally, the standings screen in ''Great Golf'' has the name "KEI M," likely a reference to Whiteboard programmer Kei Maruyama (though some of the other names appear to be Sega staff). [http://www.smspower.org/forums/15286-WhodunitSantos#98144]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ''Danan: The Jungle Fighter'', ''Nekkyuu Koushien'', and ''Reggie Jackson Baseball'' share a font. The other games use a variation of a font seen in Sega-developed titles like ''Black Belt'' with a less angular "A."
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Whiteboard is named as a third party owed royalties for ''Danan: The Jungle Fighter'' on a list of Sega games that could be licensed to Atari Corp. as part of a settlement between the two companies over alleged patent infringement by Sega (referred to herein as "the Atari list"). [http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Blog:Legal_Brief:_Atari_vs._Sega]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Possible games (and reasons for inclusion on this list):
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Great Baseball'' (overseas)</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Similar graphics</small>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''The Pro Yakyuu Pennant Race''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Similar fonts/graphics</small>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Walter Payton Football'' / ''American Pro Football''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Uses fonts similar to ones used in ''Flashgal''</small>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Wonder Boy''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Displays same Mark III logo at startup on Japanese systems as ''Masters Golf'' / ''Great Golf'' and ''Opa Opa'' / ''Fantasy Zone: The Maze''</small>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''World Games''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Similar fonts/graphics</small>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Mega Drive/Genesis===
| + | |
| − | *''Mahjong Cop Ryuu: Hakurou no Yabou'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===SG-1000===
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Wonder Boy'' (JP Publisher: Sega)</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Names of several staff members are found throughout the ROM: Kamei, Maruyama, Nakayama, Tanaka</small>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Possible games (and reasons for inclusion on this list):
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Ninja Princess''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Has the same Sega logo animation at startup as ''Wonder Boy''</small>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==As Santos==
| + | |
| − | ===Arcade===
| + | |
| − | *''Hammer Away'' (unreleased) (Sega)
| + | |
| − | :<small>Went on location test but was cancelled</small>
| + | |
| − | *''Mahjong Quest'' (Taito)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Game Gear===
| + | |
| − | Possible games (and reasons for inclusion on this list):
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''The Pro Yakyuu '91''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Based on ''The Pro Yakyuu Pennant Race'' (Master System)</small>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Space Harrier''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Appears on the Atari list, but there's no other evidence of Santos' involvement</small>
| + | |
| − | *<div style="color:red">''Wonder Boy'' / ''Revenge of Drancon''</div>
| + | |
| − | :<small>Based on ''Wonder Boy'' (Master System)</small>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Mega Drive/Genesis===
| + | |
| − | *''Battle Golfer Yui'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
| + | |
| − | *''Toki: Going Ape Spit'' / ''JuJu Densetsu'' (US/EU/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; KR Publisher: Samsung)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Neo Geo===
| + | |
| − | *''Janshin Densetsu'' [MVS] (Yubis)
| + | |
| − | :<small>According to the game's director, Santos went bankrupt in the middle of development, and they (the director) were sent to a Sega subsidiary (presumably Megasoft). [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1363122004128272387] They go on to say the staff of Tozu's new company (presumably the revived Santos) finished developing the game. [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1363125426378264576]</small>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Megasoft==
| + | |
| − | '''Megasoft''' (株式会社メガソフト) was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sega, allegedly the company formerly known as Santos. [http://web.archive.org/web/20150109230617/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_3/4.html] However, there is conflicting information about the underlying details of this acquisition.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A former Santos staffer said Santos went bankrupt. [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1363122004128272387] Also, the book ''Japanese Corporate Groups'' (日本の企業グループ) has December 1991 ("平3.12") listed as when the company was established [https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AE%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97/7Sy1AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%E6%A0%AA%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%82%BD%E3%83%95%E3%83%88], which would suggest this was a new company. Of course, neither of these things would preclude Sega from buying Santos or its assets.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Tokinori Kaneyasu [兼安時紀], formerly of Data East, appears to have been the president of Megasoft. [https://books.google.com/books?id=3ZhGAAAAMAAJ&q=%22%E5%85%BC%E5%AE%89+%E6%99%82%E7%B4%80%22&dq=%22%E5%85%BC%E5%AE%89+%E6%99%82%E7%B4%80%22] The company was located in the same building as Treasure (東京都台東区上野 7 - 9 - 15 根本ビル 4F). [https://twitter.com/TreasureCoLtd/status/1189052046197981184] [https://twitter.com/Dr_Purple2155/status/1058400300485099520]
| + | |
| | | | |
| | ===Game Gear [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1088737878065143810]=== | | ===Game Gear [https://twitter.com/kin68000/status/1088737878065143810]=== |
| Line 107: |
Line 18: |
| | ==Links== | | ==Links== |
| | *[http://www.smspower.org/forums/15286-WhodunitSantos SMS Power! thread] | | *[http://www.smspower.org/forums/15286-WhodunitSantos SMS Power! thread] |
| − | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20160323022746/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_3/1.html Sega.jp interview with Santos/Megasoft/Wavemaster sound creator Hirofumi Murasaki (村崎弘史) (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)] (Japanese) | + | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20160323022746/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_3/1.html Sega.jp interview with sound designer Hirofumi Murasaki (村崎弘史) (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)] (Japanese) |
| | | | |
| | [[Category:Companies]] | | [[Category:Companies]] |
Tokinori Kaneyasu [兼安時紀], formerly of Data East, appears to have been the president of Megasoft. [4] The company was located in the same building as Treasure (東京都台東区上野 7 - 9 - 15 根本ビル 4F). [5] [6] It was allegedly merged into Sega in November 1992 [7] during the production of the games listed below, but it looks like only the staff was folded into Sega; the company itself was liquidated in 1996. [8] [9]
