Quintet (game developer)
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese video game developer, founded in 1987 or 1989. The company name is derived from musical terminology, as well as 5 elements of game design - planning, graphics, sound, programmers, and producers. Quintet was most active in the 1990s, when it had a strong relationship with Enix
(now incorporated into Square Enix
); the company was also a member of GD-NET group of Sega Saturn
developers. The current status of Quintet is unclear.
series. Masaya Hashimoto, the main director, designer and programmer for those same Ys titles, is also a member. The first game that the company was credited for was Falcom's Dragon Slayer
action role-playing game
title Legacy of the Wizard
(Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family), released in July 1987, despite the company's official founding in 1989. Nevertheless, thanks to the Ys connection, composer Yuzo Koshiro
(also an Ys veteran) lent his talents to the score of the company's official inaugural title, Actraiser
, a soundtrack which has since been adapted for orchestra. Koshiro's sister, Ayano Koshiro
, drew the character designs.
The later releases of Soul Blazer
, Illusion of Gaia
, and Terranigma
, known to fans as the Soul Blazer Trilogy, established a defining feature of Quintet games - the strong, sometimes dark themes addressed in their titles. Quintet's games frequently revolve around a conflict between a being that brings destruction and a being that controls creation as symbols of duality. The world has two aspects which both oppose and complement each other, and everything in existence is built upon that relationship. Unflinching portrayals of the suffering and sacrifices that are a part of life set Quintet games apart, and have attracted many fans. However, around 2000, release of games that contained characteristic Quintet themes declined. Currently, the company appears to have been inactive since 2002.
on the official site until March 29, 2002 (the release date of the Game Boy Advance
Action RPG Magical Houshin, or Mystic Heroes
in North America). In response to angry comments from fans made impatient by the lack of news, Quintet staff posted, Afterward, the bulletin board was shut down. In March 2008, Quintet's website was also shut down.
's Super Robot Wars
series. In 2004 Miyazaki was also credited in InuYasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask
on (PlayStation 2).
Fans are sighting the names of Quintet staff members in the ending credits of numerous games. This provides evidence that currently, staff members are contracting specialized work on a wide variety of games that are dissimilar from their work with Quintet.
Furthermore, the "Quintet" name as a company has appeared in the credits for Gust's Atelier Iris
series, specifically for item design. This is a small but important role, as item synthesis in each game leads to about 400 designs needed, each intricately done by the Quintet staff.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese video game developer, founded in 1987 or 1989. The company name is derived from musical terminology, as well as 5 elements of game design - planning, graphics, sound, programmers, and producers. Quintet was most active in the 1990s, when it had a strong relationship with Enix
Enix
The was a Japanese company that produced video games, anime and manga. The company was founded by Yasuhiro Fukushima on September 22, 1975 as and renamed Enix in 1982...
(now incorporated into Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
); the company was also a member of GD-NET group of Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
developers. The current status of Quintet is unclear.
Company background
The director and president of Quintet is Tomoyoshi Miyazaki, the scenario writer for the first three entries of Nihon Falcom's classic YsYs (video game)
is a Japanese computer and console role-playing video game series, and Nihon Falcom corporation's flagship franchise. It started on the NEC PC-8801 in 1987, created by Masaya Hashimoto and Tomoyoshi Miyazaki...
series. Masaya Hashimoto, the main director, designer and programmer for those same Ys titles, is also a member. The first game that the company was credited for was Falcom's Dragon Slayer
Dragon Slayer
is an early action role-playing game developed and published by Nihon Falcom in 1984 for the NEC PC-88 computer system and ported by Square for the MSX. Designed by Yoshio Kiya, the game gave rise to a series of sequels, nearly all of them created by Falcom, with the exception of Faxanadu by Hudson...
action role-playing game
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
title Legacy of the Wizard
Legacy of the Wizard
is a fantasy-themed action role-playing platform game released for the MSX and Famicom in Japan and for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the United States. Legacy of the Wizard is the fourth installment in Falcom's Dragon Slayer series...
(Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family), released in July 1987, despite the company's official founding in 1989. Nevertheless, thanks to the Ys connection, composer Yuzo Koshiro
Yuzo Koshiro
is a Japanese video game music composer and audio programmer. He is regarded as one of the most influential innovators in chiptune music and video game sound design...
(also an Ys veteran) lent his talents to the score of the company's official inaugural title, Actraiser
ActRaiser
is a 1990 Super Nintendo Entertainment System action and city-building simulation game developed by Quintet and published by Enix that combines traditional side-scrolling platforming with urban planning god game sections. A sequel, ActRaiser 2, was released for the Super Nintendo in 1993...
, a soundtrack which has since been adapted for orchestra. Koshiro's sister, Ayano Koshiro
Ancient (company)
Ancient Corp. is a video game developer founded on April 1st, 1990, and managed by the game music composer Yuzo Koshiro. The company was founded by his mother, Tomo Koshiro, while his sister Ayano Koshiro also works at the company as an art/character/graphic designer...
, drew the character designs.
The later releases of Soul Blazer
Soul Blazer
The soundtrack of the game was composed by Yukihide Takekawa. It was published in Japan by the record label Apollon on February 21, 1992.- Reception :The game was reviewed in 1993 in Dragon #200 by Sandy Petersen in the "Eye of the Monitor" column...
, Illusion of Gaia
Illusion of Gaia
, known in Europe as Illusion of Time, is an action role-playing game that was released on September 1, 1994, for the Super NES . It was developed by Quintet. Enix published the game in Japan, and Nintendo published it worldwide...
, and Terranigma
Terranigma
Terranigma, known as in Japan, is a 1995 action role-playing game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System developed by Quintet. It was published by Enix in Japan before Nintendo localized the game and released an English version in Europe and Australia. The game was never officially released...
, known to fans as the Soul Blazer Trilogy, established a defining feature of Quintet games - the strong, sometimes dark themes addressed in their titles. Quintet's games frequently revolve around a conflict between a being that brings destruction and a being that controls creation as symbols of duality. The world has two aspects which both oppose and complement each other, and everything in existence is built upon that relationship. Unflinching portrayals of the suffering and sacrifices that are a part of life set Quintet games apart, and have attracted many fans. However, around 2000, release of games that contained characteristic Quintet themes declined. Currently, the company appears to have been inactive since 2002.
Mysterious silence
There was an active bulletin boardInternet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
on the official site until March 29, 2002 (the release date of the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
Action RPG Magical Houshin, or Mystic Heroes
Mystic Heroes
is a beat 'em up video game developed by Koei. The game is based on Fengshen Yanyi, a supernatural Chinese novel about the fall of the Shang Dynasty and the rise of the Zhou Dynasty....
in North America). In response to angry comments from fans made impatient by the lack of news, Quintet staff posted, Afterward, the bulletin board was shut down. In March 2008, Quintet's website was also shut down.
Recent activity
Since 2002, games have been released that credit Quintet staff members, but make no mention of Quintet as a company. Tomoyoshi Miyazaki is credited on Mystic Heroes (GBA) from Koei, and another Quintet staff member worked as a sound designer on four Game Boy Advance installments of BanprestoBanpresto
is a Japanese toy company, best known in America for game development, headquartered in the Shinagawa Seaside West Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It was founded April 1977 as Hoei Sangyo, Co. Ltd. The company was renamed Coreland in 1982, and during the 1980s it worked mainly as a subcontractor for...
's Super Robot Wars
Super Robot Wars
is a series of tactical role-playing video games produced by Banpresto, which is now a Japanese division of Namco Bandai. The main feature of the franchise is having a story that crosses over several popular mecha anime, manga and video games, allowing characters and mecha from different titles to...
series. In 2004 Miyazaki was also credited in InuYasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask
InuYasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask
InuYasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask, known in Japan as , is a role-playing game for the PlayStation 2 based on the manga and anime series InuYasha. The player is able to choose to play as a female named Kaname Kururugi or as a male called Michiru Kururugi. Regardless of the chosen gender, the...
on (PlayStation 2).
Fans are sighting the names of Quintet staff members in the ending credits of numerous games. This provides evidence that currently, staff members are contracting specialized work on a wide variety of games that are dissimilar from their work with Quintet.
Furthermore, the "Quintet" name as a company has appeared in the credits for Gust's Atelier Iris
Atelier (series)
The Atelier series is a series of role-playing video games developed by the Gust Corporation since 1997, primarily for the PlayStation consoles , though portable versions for the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable have also been made. Two of the games in the...
series, specifically for item design. This is a small but important role, as item synthesis in each game leads to about 400 designs needed, each intricately done by the Quintet staff.
Works developed
- Legacy of the WizardLegacy of the Wizardis a fantasy-themed action role-playing platform game released for the MSX and Famicom in Japan and for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the United States. Legacy of the Wizard is the fourth installment in Falcom's Dragon Slayer series...
- ActRaiserActRaiseris a 1990 Super Nintendo Entertainment System action and city-building simulation game developed by Quintet and published by Enix that combines traditional side-scrolling platforming with urban planning god game sections. A sequel, ActRaiser 2, was released for the Super Nintendo in 1993...
- Soul BlazerSoul BlazerThe soundtrack of the game was composed by Yukihide Takekawa. It was published in Japan by the record label Apollon on February 21, 1992.- Reception :The game was reviewed in 1993 in Dragon #200 by Sandy Petersen in the "Eye of the Monitor" column...
- ActRaiser 2ActRaiser 2ActRaiser 2, released in Japan as , is a side-scrolling platform game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game console developed by Quintet and published by Enix in 1993 and is the sequel to the popular game ActRaiser...
- Illusion of GaiaIllusion of Gaia, known in Europe as Illusion of Time, is an action role-playing game that was released on September 1, 1994, for the Super NES . It was developed by Quintet. Enix published the game in Japan, and Nintendo published it worldwide...
- RobotrekRobotrekRobotrek is a role-playing game released in 1994. It was published by Enix and developed by Quintet and Ancient for the SNES video game console.As its Japanese name implies, Robotrek was intended as a humorous game...
- TerranigmaTerranigmaTerranigma, known as in Japan, is a 1995 action role-playing game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System developed by Quintet. It was published by Enix in Japan before Nintendo localized the game and released an English version in Europe and Australia. The game was never officially released...
- The Granstream SagaThe Granstream Sagais an action role-playing game for the PlayStation. The game was developed by a team consisting of staff from the developer Quintet under the name Shade....
- Solo Crisis
- Code R
- Planet LaikaPlanet Laikais a role-playing video game developed by Quintet and Zeque for the PlayStation home game console. The game follows the main character, Laika, through a mission to Mars which forces the player to manipulate Laika's multiple-personality disorder in order to solve puzzles. All the characters in the...
(codeveloped with Zeque) - Brightis
- Simple 1500 Series vol.78 The ZeroyonSimple seriesThe Simple series are a number of series of budget-priced console games, published by Japanese company D3 Publisher and developed by a variety of companies, covering many systems...
- Godzilla Generations: Maximum ImpactGodzilla Generations: Maximum ImpactGodzilla Generations: Maximum Impact is an Action game released by Sega for the Dreamcast in 1999. The game serves as a sequel to Godzilla Generations, one of the system's launch titles....