Rumor: Japanese Developer Treasure Could Be Done Making Video Games

By: Brandon Orselli On March 23, 2016, 10:10 am EDT @brandonorselli

We’ve learned of a rumor (via NeoGAF) surrounding independent Japanese developer Treasure.

The developer, known for classic action games like Gunstar Heroes, Guardian Heroes, Mischief Makers, and Ikagura, is reportedly going to cease game development production.

In the podcast (via Giantbomb) Japanese localization company 8-4’s Mark Mcdonald and John Ricciardi said the developer is now essentially a licensing company, re-using their older games and IPs.

According to the 8-4 folks, the company’s president, Masato Maegawa, is “still around,” Treasure still exists and was always essentially run by Maegawa himself, meaning they’re not necessarily in trouble of closing their doors.

They speculate (Editor’s Note: this is pure speculation) that the developer’s latest outing, Gaist Crusher, didn’t perform well and furthered their decision to simply focus on licensing out their IPs for now, saying they could still resurface with a new game in the future.

It’s worth mentioning back in 2014 the developer teased an original PC game, one that they were thinking of developing at the time.

Treasure was founded back in 1992 by former Konami developers. While they’ve employed a few dozen employees over the years, a large majority tend to be independent contractors – with key staff usually only including a handful of people.

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About Brandon Orselli

Founder & Editor-in-Chief at Niche Gamer. Italian, but I love Asian culture. I also write about music, comedy, noodles and beer.

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Sylveria Shini

Its a smart move if things aren’t going well. Sell some licences, let bigger studios make the games, get some money, bring some attention back to your brand, then try again.
British_Otaku

Gaist Crusher (finished) and Gaist Crusher God (starting sorta) are pretty good even if they aren’t the peak of Treasure’s output.

First I heard of the team being so small typically, I know they have one primary composer but still.

I imagine Nintendo and SEGA will give them work again at some point but this seems to be wise enough.
Carlos Roberto

Sad how “style over substance” companies like Platinum are the new big deal while developers who genuinely understand about action games are left in dust.

Guess this is a result of most gamers not caring about gameplay.
orbo

While it’s sad to see the company that made my favorite platformer, Mischief Makers, considering closing their doors, I’m not actually aware of any of the games they’ve made in a long ass time.
alterku

Gunstar Heroes is the last thing I remember personally from Treasure, and it’s a great game.
Chocolate ISISCream

lmao
Immahnoob

Platinum Games have the best combat… What are you saying, dude?
scemar

Aw man that’s a real shame to hear about.
InfectedAI

Even our resident troll is laughing at this comment.
Immahnoob

Who’s the resident troll?
InfectedAI

Chocolate ISISCream. This is the first time I’ve seen him post anything other than inflammatory comments made just to get people mad. Carlos comment is too much even for him.
FREECELL.EXE

The last decade has been really hard on them. it seems like they’re one of those Japanese companies that didn’t transition well into the modern era. A real shame, because there’s some real talent in that company, but it seems like they perceive the gaming market wants different games than what they outputed in the 90s, so they twist their products until they’re no longer recognizable, instead of just doing exactly what they like. At least that’s my perception of them. I just wish they went crazy again and go balls to the walls arcade-style action.

Please don’t die Treasure, I know you’re generally not very fond of sequels, but please make Mischief Makers 2.
MusouTensei

That’s sad, they should have made Mischief Makers 2 though.
http://www.plurk.com/Nonscpo Nonscpo

Oh no!
Dawn Blast

Please don’t be true….
Malcolm_Ecks

Fucking hell, just put Gaurdian Heroes on PC please.
Malcolm_Ecks

There’s Guardian Hereos, also known as the best brawler not called Rivier City Ransom of all time. It was put on the Sega Saturn though so that explains things…
Zombie_Barioth

What in the world did i just read?

This post has more holes in it than swiss cheese.XD
Darkrulershadowlord007

I hope they don’t close, nedd another Sin and Punishment in my life.
Thanatos2k

Damn shame if true, but what the heck have they been doing lately? I haven’t played a Treasure game since the excellent Bleach DS fighter.
Edith Reese!

GO FUCK YOURSELF!
Edith Reese!

New fag? -_- I was around in the mid 2000s when I looked up a few of their games online on sites like YouTube. People like you are the reason why our generation is so fucked up right now!

This and the March 22 attacks are making me wanna go live in a cave for the next 20 years.

-_-
FREECELL.EXE

That’s a weird thing to say, considering it’s literally their first game.
alterku

I know. I probably wouldn’t comment on an article with someone not weird or important to say. I also realize it might be a weird opinion, which I why I’m seeking others’ opinions on their games, and why they might be memorable.
alterku

True enough. I’ve heard of Guardian Heroes, seen some gameplay; didn’t realize that was Treasure. It was very pretty.
FREECELL.EXE

Well, memorable and Treasure unfortunately don’t go hand in hand. Their games always were critically praised but not very popular, at least in mainstream circles. And yes Gunstar Heroes is probably their most popular game.

If you want Treasure recommendations, depending on your preferences you can try looking at:

Guardian Heroes
Mischief Makers
Dynamite Headdy
Radiant Silvergun
Ikaruga
Sin and Punishment
Silhouette Mirage

They are usually known for their insane over-the-top arcade-style action games, if you’re a fan of that, give them a look, because they’re one of the best at what they do. And if you already know Gunstar Heroes, then that’s a good representative of their style, crazy action, lot’s of explosions, chaos, and they shine the best on bosses.
orbo

lol what the heck? I’m not even sure of what you’re complaining about.
I said it’s my favorite platformer, not that it’s the only game I know of that they made.
eltonBorges

Companies like them should keep making smaller games. They know how to be creative, so, they should try to use it to their advantage! And, by the way, re-release their games everywhere. Their creations are fantastic, and it would be great for them, and for the gaming to culture, to see their games, well ported, to more consoles and PCs.
vonSanneck

You forgot Alien Soldier, but that is the higher level game you play after getting accustomed to Gunstar Heroes.
FREECELL.EXE

I actually got Alien Soldier a few months ago but still haven’t gotten around to hunker down and play it properly.

I’m looking forward to recommending it as well, since everything about it sounds fucking amazing.
catazxy

i think you mean “Ikaruga” (not”Ikagura”) but I never even heard of any game on that list….