is a Japanese

video game developer A video game developer is a software developer specializing in video game development – the process and related disciplines of creating video games. A game developer can range from one person who undertakes all tasks to a large business with em ...

and

publisher Publishing is the activities of making information, literature, music, software, and other content, physical or digital, available to the public for sale or free of charge. Traditionally, the term publishing refers to the creation and distribu ...

. They are primarily known for hosting the Japanese server of ''

Ragnarok Online ''Ragnarok Online'' (, ''Rageunarokeu Onrain'' marketed as ''Ragnarök'', and alternatively subtitled ''The Final Destiny of the Gods'') is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) created by Gravity (Korean company), Gravity based ...

'' (developed by its listed Korean subsidiary

Gravity In physics, gravity (), also known as gravitation or a gravitational interaction, is a fundamental interaction, a mutual attraction between all massive particles. On Earth, gravity takes a slightly different meaning: the observed force b ...

), as well as their development of ''

Ragnarok DS ''Ragnarok DS'', known in Japan as , is a Nintendo DS video game based on the MMORPG '' Ragnarok Online'' and was released in Japan on December 18, 2008. Xseed Games published the game in North America on February 16, 2010. The game was also re ...

'' for the

Nintendo DS The is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens worki ...

. More recently, the company has reported huge financial success thanks to its mobile game ''

Puzzle & Dragons is a puzzle video game with Role-playing video game, role-playing and strategy games, strategy elements, developed and published by GungHo Online Entertainment for the iOS, Android (operating system), Android, and Amazon Fire platforms. ''Puzz ...

'', which, in 2013, was reportedly responsible for 91% of the company's $1.6 billion revenues for the year.

History

The company was established as ONSale Co., Ltd. on July 1, 1998, as a joint venture between

Softbank is a Japanese multinational Investment company, investment holding company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, that focuses on investment management. The group primarily invests in companies operating in technology that offer goods and services ...

and onSale Inc. to engage in the online interactive auction business in the US. *In 2000, the company moved its headquarters to Chiyoda,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

and changed its focus to providing auction systems, etc. using ASP. *In 2002, the company once again changed its focus, this time to Online Game Services. Primarily hosting the Japanese server of ''

''. *In 2004 the company began joint development of

online games An online game is a video game that is either partially or primarily played through the Internet or any other computer network available. Online games are ubiquitous on modern gaming platforms, including PCs, consoles and mobile devices, a ...

with Game Arts Co., Ltd. *In March 2005, the company was listed on the Hercules Nippon New Market. *In August 2005, the company invested in G-Mode Co., Ltd. a game manufacturer for

mobile phones A mobile phone or cell phone is a portable telephone that allows users to make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while moving within a designated telephone service area, unlike fixed-location phones ( landline phones). This radio ...

. *In December 2005, the

MMORPG A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game. As in role-playing games (RPGs), the player assumes the role of a Player charac ...

developed by GungHo, ''

Emil Chronicle Online ''Emil Chronicle Online'' (), often referred to as ''ECO'', was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by Headlock and published by GungHo. It was first released in Japan on November 24, 2005 for Microsoft Windows. Gravity purc ...

'', was officially released. *In August 2006, they completed the contract to distribute '' Ragnarok Online II''. *In October 2007, GungHo Works, Inc., behind the development of ''

'', was established. *In November 2007, the company acquired the video game assets of

Interchannel was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. History Interchannel was founded on October 2, 1995 as an NEC subsidiary named . Its founding was a result of divisions within NEC being spun off. NEC Interchannel took over NEC Avenue's music ...

from

Index Corporation , formerly known as , is a Japanese corporate information and communications technology company owned by Sawada Holdings. "Index Corporation" was a corporate name used by three different Japanese companies, between 1997 and 2016, the last one b ...

. *In April 2008, Gravity Co., Ltd. was acquired as a subsidiary. *In January 2013, GungHo acquired

Grasshopper Manufacture is a Japanese video game developer founded on March 30, 1998 by Goichi Suda. They are well known for creating titles such as '' killer7'' and the '' No More Heroes'' series. History The company was founded on March 30, 1998 in Suginami, J ...

, the studio behind titles such as ''

Killer7 is a 2005 action-adventure game developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and Capcom and published by Capcom for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. The game was written and directed by Goichi Suda and produced by Hiroyuki Kobayashi (producer), Hiroyuki ...

'', the '' No More Heroes'' franchise and '' Lollipop Chainsaw''. *On June 3, 2016, Softbank agreed to sell most of its stake in GungHo (approximately 23.47%) for about $685 million, which would end Softbank's majority ownership of the company, resulting in Gungho no longer being an associate of Softbank. The offer was accepted by Gungho and completed by June 22, thus allowing Gungho to become an independent company. *In October 2021, GungHo sold Grasshopper Manufacture to

NetEase NetEase, Inc. () is a Chinese Internet technology company founded by Ding Lei in June 1997. It provides online services with content, community, communications, and commerce. The company develops and operates online PC and mobile games, adverti ...

. *In February 2024, GungHo sold Acquire Corp. to

Kadokawa Corporation , formerly is a Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate based in Fujimi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. Created as a result of the merger of the original Kadokawa Corporation and Dwango (company), Dwango Co., Ltd. on October 1, 2014, the company has ...

Games

Active online games

*''

TEPPEN (stylized as ''TEPPƎN'') is a free-to-play digital collectible card game developed by GungHo Online Entertainment and Capcom. It released in North America and Europe on July 4, 2019 and in Asia on August 8 for Android, and iOS. The game was ...

'' (July 4, 2019) *''

'' (December 1, 2001) *''Tantra'' (March 10, 2004) *''

'' (August 1, 2005) *''

Hiten Online ''Clannad'' is a Japanese visual novel developed by Key (company), Key and released on April 28, 2004, for Microsoft Windows, Windows. While both of Key's first two previous works, ''Kanon (video game), Kanon'' and ''Air (video game), Air'', had ...

'' (April 19, 2007) *''

ROSE Online ''ROSE Online'', or ''Rush On Seven Episodes Online'' (), is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) previously published by Korean company Gravity Corporation and developed by its subsidiary, Triggersoft. Up until 2007, the ...

'' (March 26, 2009) *''Lucent Heart'' (2009) *''Blade Chronicle'' (2009) *''

'' (February 1, 2010) *''Eternal City 2'' (June 23, 2010) *''Divina'' (September 9, 2010) *'' Grand Fantasia'' *''

'' *''Le Ciel Bleu'' *''Toy Wars'' *''Fishdom: Seasons under the Sea'' *''

'' *''Summons Board'' *''Chrono Ma:Gia'' (2018) *''Ragnarok Mobile'' (2019) *''Ninjala'' (2020)

Inactive online games

*'' Survival Project'' (June 29, 2004 - August 31, 2006) *''A3'' (October 15, 2004 - November 1, 2007) *''

Saiyuki Reload Gunlock is a sequel and the third season of the '' Saiyuki'' anime television series produced by Studio Pierrot. Adapted from the manga of ''Saiyuki Reload'' by Kazuya Minekura, the series is directed by Tetsuya Endo, written by Tetsuya Endo and compo ...

'' (September 1, 2004 - January 31, 2006) *''Squirrel Pot 2'' (May 25, 2004 - December 28, 2007) *''eXtreme Soccer'' (β August 11, 2006 – 2008) *''

Mahjong Mahjong (English pronunciation: ; also transliterated as mah jongg, mah-jongg, and mahjongg) is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. It is played ...

'' (May 31, 2007 - March 26, 2008) *''Koi Koi Playing Cards'' (May 31, 2007 - March 26, 2008) *''

Poker Poker is a family of Card game#Comparing games, comparing card games in which Card player, players betting (poker), wager over which poker hand, hand is best according to that specific game's rules. It is played worldwide, with varying rules i ...

'' (May 31, 2007 - March 26, 2008) *''Millionaire'' (May 31, 2007 - March 26, 2008) *''

Shanghai Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...

'' (May 31, 2007 - March 26, 2008) *''Chat'' (May 31, 2007 - March 26, 2008) *'' Ragnarok Online II'' (β May 28, 2007 - August 2010) *''Pachinko Slot'' (September 6, 2007 - November 4, 2008) *''Hakenden'' (June 4, 2008 - October 29, 2008) *''

Yogurting ''Yogurting'' ( ''Yogureuting'') was an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) developed by NTIX Soft in South Korea and released as open-beta on May 10, 2005, and was also released in Japan on November 24, 2005. Yogurting was ...

'' (September 1, 2005 - May, 2010) *'' Tetris Online'' (October 23, 2007 - July 5, 2011) *'' Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine'' (June 26, 2007 - May, 2016) *''

Grandia Online was a Japanese free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Game Arts and published by GungHo Online Entertainment for Microsoft Windows as part of their ''Grandia'' series. Although originally announced in 2004, the ...

'' (August 26, 2009 - September 28, 2012)

PC

*'' Grandia II: Anniversary Edition'' *'' Let It Die'' *'' Grandia HD Collection'' (''

Grandia is a series of role-playing video games developed by Game Arts and published over the years by Entertainment Software Publishing, Sony Computer Entertainment, Ubisoft, Hudson Soft, Enix, Square Enix and GungHo Online Entertainment. Games in the ...

'' & ''

Grandia II is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts originally for the Dreamcast console as part of their ''Grandia'' series. Initially released in Japan by Game Arts in August 2000, the game was published by Ubi Soft in North America in Decembe ...

'' Remaster) *'' Lunar Remastered Collection ( Lunar: Silver Star Story & Lunar: Eternal Blue Remaster)'' *''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter''

PlayStation 2

*''Nadepro!!: Kisama mo Seiyū Yattemiro!''

PlayStation Portable

*''Solfege: Sweet Harmony'' *'' Mimana Iyar Chronicle'' *'' Cho Aniki Zero'' *''P.W: Project Witch'' *'' Lunar: Silver Star Harmony'' *'' Ragnarok Tactics''

PlayStation 3

*''

Ragnarok Odyssey Ace is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts and published by GungHo Online Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita. It is based on the universe of Lee Myung-jin's manhwa ''Ragnarok'' and its MMORPG adaptation ''Ragnarok Online'', contain ...

PlayStation Vita

*'' Ragnarok Odyssey'' *''

'' *''Picotto Knights'' *'' Dokuro''

PlayStation 4

*'' Let It Die'' * '' Grandia HD Collection'' (''

'' & ''

'' Remaster) * '' Lunar Remastered Collection ( Lunar: Silver Star Story & Lunar: Eternal Blue Remaster)''

PlayStation 5

* ''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter''

Nintendo DS

*''

Otometeki Koi Kakumei Love Revo!! is an otome game originally released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2. A manga adaptation has been made, and the manga is published in English by Yen Press as ''Ugly Duckling’s Love Revolution''. There are also drama CDs based on the story. Some ...

'' *''Nakamura Tooru Kanshuu: India Shiki Keisan Drill DS'' (''The Method of Indian Calculation'') *''Aquazone DS'' *''

'' *'' Hero's Saga Laevatein Tactics'' *''Minna de Jibun no Setsumeisho: B-Gata, A-Gata, AB-Gata, O-Gata'' *''Ecolis: Aoi Umi to Ugoku Shima''

Nintendo 3DS

* '' Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition'' * ''

Puzzle & Dragons X is a spinoff of the mobile game ''Puzzle & Dragons'' for the Nintendo 3DS by GungHo Online Entertainment. It was released in two versions simultaneously on July 28, 2016; the and the . An anime adaptation by Pierrot aired from July 4, 2016, t ...

'' (Japan only)

Nintendo Switch

* '' Grandia HD Collection'' (''

'' & ''

'' Remaster) * '' Puzzle & Dragons Gold'' * ''

Ninjala ''Ninjala'' is a free-to-play multiplayer action video game developed and published by GungHo Online Entertainment with some involvement from Soleil. Unveiled at E3 2018, it was released on June 24, 2020 for the Nintendo Switch. The game receive ...

'' * ''Volta-X'' * '' Galak-Z: Variant S'' * '' Lunar Remastered Collection ( Lunar: Silver Star Story & Lunar: Eternal Blue Remaster)'' * ''The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter''

Xbox One

* '' Grandia HD Collection'' (''

'' & ''

'' Remaster) * ''Lunar Remastered Collection ( Lunar: Silver Star Story & Lunar: Eternal Blue Remaster)''

Mobile

*Teppen (Battle Project) *''

'' *''Casino Komodo'' *''Puzzles and Dragons'' *''Yo-kai Watch World'' * '' Galak-Z: Variant Mobile'' * ''Disney Pixel RPG''

References

External links

* * {{SoftBank Japanese brands Japanese companies established in 1998 SoftBank Group Software companies based in Tokyo Video game companies established in 1998 Video game companies of Japan Video game development companies Video game publishers