Atlus
Description from its website:
Video game publisher Atlus has established itself as one of its industry's most consistent, celebrated companies. With proven success across a variety of genres and platforms, including enthusiast-oriented games like the Shin Megami Tensei franchise of award-winning, fan beloved roleplaying games (including the hit Persona sub-series of games and the prestigious Nocturne) and Demon's Souls (winner of GameSpot.com's 2009 Game of the Year Award), Atlus provides quality critically acclaimed interactive entertainment to a wide spectrum of customers.
Atlus has published games for every major video game console and handheld system, including the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, DS™, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable), and PC.
Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is the privately held subsidiary of Index Corporation, located in Tokyo, Japan.
HISTORY
Atlus was founded in Southern Calfornia in 1991 as Asuka, an American branch of then Atlus Co., Ltd., with the stated mission of publishing high quality video games for North America. High quality localization of these titles became the most important facet of this mission statement, and the company gained a following within the gaming industry for its excellent translations and ability to "speak" to the audience in the North American market.
First recognized for its bold, visionary roleplaying games-most notably the highly acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei franchise (which includes such classics as Nocturne, Persona 4, and Digital Devil Saga 1&2), Atlus also experienced success in other genres, like the medical action of the Trauma Center series and the family-friendly fun of the 101-in-1 Megamix games.
NOTABLE FRANCHISES
Shin Megami Tensei: After testing the waters by releasing Revelations: Persona and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment on the PSone, the Shin Megami Tensei series has become Atlus's flagship RPG series. Developed by the renowned R&D1 studio, the series is known for challenging gameplay and mature themes in each of its many and varied installments. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2, and Devil Summoner 1 & 2, and Strange Journey have showcased artist Kazuma Kaneko's designs with stunningly detailed graphics perfectly evoking the series' stylish modern aesthetic.
Trauma Center: An unexpected hit early in the lifecycle of the popular Nintendo DS handheld system, Trauma Center: Under the Knife was another creation of Atlus's internal studios that was met with great success upon its American release. The saga of a fledgling doctor working to eradicate the mysterious disease known as GUILT proved popular enough to gain a sequel, which exceeded its predecessor's success as it launched alongside Nintendo's revolutionary new Wii console. The series has continued its prosperity, delivering three additional entries including the recent critically acclaimed Trauma Team for Wii in 2010.
Demon's Souls: One of the biggest sleeper hits of all time, Demon's Souls single-handedly redefined the boundaries between single- and multiplayer roleplaying experiences. The game's revolutionary online functionality boasted passive and active interactivity between players, both cooperative and competitive in nature, throughout a substantial adventure set in a desolate world. Uniquely haunting visuals and sounds treated daring adventurers to entirely original gaming wonders and helped establish Demon's Souls as one of the most relevant, impactful video games ever made.
