Granzella

Granzella Inc.
Native name
株式会社グランゼーラ
Kabushiki gaisha guranzeera
Company typeKabushiki gaisha
IndustryVideo games
FoundedApril 2011; 13 years ago (2011-04)
Headquarters
Nonoichi, Ishikawa Prefecture
,
Japan
ProductsConsole games
Websitegranzella.co.jp

Granzella Inc. is a Japanese video game developer based in Ishikawa, Japan. The company is formed from former Irem staff and engaged in planning, production and sales of console games. The company is known for developing the latest entry in the Disaster Report and R-Type series. Granzella was established in April 2011 by former staff of Irem Software Engineering Inc. (hereafter referred as Irem) after the cancellation of multiple video game projects as a result of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[1] The name of the company is derived from "Granzella Revolution Army," which appeared in R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, a game from the R-Type series developed by the staff at Irem.[2]

After the company's establishment, Granzella mainly focused on developing content for PlayStation Home. On June 30, 2014, the company was split into two business divisions: "Granzella Inc." which focused on visuals and "Granzella Overseas Entertainment Inc." which focused on developing games for Western audiences and smartphones.[3]

In December 2014, Granzella acquired IP and distribution rights of the Disaster Report series in all areas of the world, including future titles, from Irem.[4] The company then announced the restart of development work for Disaster Report 4 Plus: Summer Memories, which was previously in limbo after Irem halted development of the game, and began distribution of previous titles through downloadable services and arcades.

In September 2015, the company announced a joint project with Bandai Namco Entertainment, which eventually became City Shrouded in Shadow. The game was described as a spiritual successor to the Disaster Report series.[5] In November of that year, the company announced the establishment of Gz Studios, a video game development studio,[6] and Granzella Music, a music sub-label.[7]

In August 2019, Gz Studios was renamed to Granzella Game Studios.[8]

  1. ^ "Kazuma Kujo Interview: Keeping Irem's Spirit Alive". forum.digitpress.com. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  2. ^ "九条一馬 on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  3. ^ "グランゼーラ 事業分社化、新会社「グランゼーラビジュアル」「グランゼーラ・オンラインエンターテインメント」設立のお知らせ". granzella.co.jp. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  4. ^ "グランゼーラ、絶体絶命都市の版権を取得". Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  5. ^ Barder, Ollie. "'City Shrouded In Shadow' Adds 'Patlabor' To The Mix". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  6. ^ "グランゼーラが制作部門を分社化、新会社"Gzスタジオ"を設立 - ファミ通.com". ファミ通.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  7. ^ "グランゼーラ、音楽レーベル「Granzella Music」立ち上げ＆音楽配信のお知らせ". Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  8. ^ Granzella. "Granzella Game Studios - Official Site (en)". Retrieved December 30, 2023.