Omega Force
Native name
オメガフォース
TypeDivision
IndustryVideo games
Founded1996 (1996)
FounderAkihiro Suzuki
Kenichi Ogasawara
Headquarters
Ashikaga, Tochigi
,
Japan
Key people
Tomohiko Sho (president)[1]
ProductsDynasty Warriors series
Samurai Warriors series
One Piece: Pirate Warriors series
ParentKoei (1996–2010)
Koei Tecmo (2010–present)

Omega Force (Japanese: オメガフォース) (stylised as ω-Force) is a Japanese video game developer and a division of Koei Tecmo, founded in 1996 by Akihiro Suzuki and Kenichi Ogasawara,[2][3] and is best known for the Dynasty Warriors video games.

History

Omega Force was founded in 1996 as the fourth Business Division of Koei, with the intention of widening the appeal of Koei's portfolio outside of their strategy and simulation games, such as Romance of Three Kingdoms and Nobunaga's Ambition. Kenichi Ogasawara originally joined Koei in hopes of being able to work on Nobunaga's Ambition, of which he was fan, as a planner. Due to his lack of programming skills he was assigned to a training course to become a programmer, whilst porting games from NEC PC-9801 to the Super Nintendo. Ogasawara, after being promoted to planner, was then tasked by Koei to create a 3D action game utilising the technological capabilities of the PlayStation. This resulted in the development of Dynasty Warriors and the establishment of Omega Force.[4]

The studio was originally going to be named after the letter Z, however this idea never came to fruition as the letter Z can have different meanings outside of Japanese culture. Wanting to keep the last letter of the alphabet, they settled for Omega from the Greek alphabet. However, because of copyright concerns with the clock manufacturing company Omega SA, Force was added – a Japanese homophone for "fourth" – representing that they are the fourth business division.[4]

WinBack, released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, pioneered the cover-based third-person shooter and inspired games such as Kill Switch, Gears of War, and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It also featured an early rendition of a laser sight mechanic for weapon aiming, which would later be seen in games such as Resident Evil 4. The cover system has since become a staple of the third-person shooter genre.[5][6] With WinBack, which was originally shown off at the 1999 Electronic Entertainment Expo and later at the 1999 Nintendo Space World trade show,[7] Omega Force was once again tasked by Koei to create a title it wasn't known for.[8]

In 2016 Kenichi Ogasawara mentioned during an interview with Famitsu that the next entry in their key franchise Dynasty Warriors, titled Dynasty Warriors 9, was in development. He hoped to have a greater impact with Dynasty Warriors 9, as he mentioned "the evolution from Dynasty Warriors 7 to 8 was insufficient".[9] Producers Masaki Furusawa and Akihiro Suzuki planned to overhaul the franchise's often criticized combat system.[10][11] In 2018, Omega Force released Dynasty Warriors 9, moving the franchise from its arena-based combat to an open-world.[10]

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, the third collaboration project between Omega Force and Nintendo, released in 2020, became the best-selling Warriors game,[12] as well as the developer's best-selling title, shipping over 4 million copies as January 2022.[13]

In 2022, Omega Force announced a partnership with Electronic Arts, along with its parent company Koei Tecmo. Their new game, Wild Hearts, would be published under their EA Originals label.[14] The game was officially announced on September 23, 2022.[15] Wild Hearts' director, Kotaro Hirata, mentioned that Dynasty Warriors has become a pillar franchise for Omega Force, and that with Wild Hearts, they wanted another strong pillar franchise for Omega Force, hoping to widen their audience, and create more internationally appealing titles.[16] EA's Andrew Wilson mentioned in an investor meeting, that the success of Monster Hunter led to EA greenlighting the title.[17]

Games

Koei, the main developer and publisher of Warriors series before being merged with Tecmo in 2009

Warriors games

The Warriors series, known in Japan as the Musō (無双, lit. "Unrivaled") series, is an action game series created by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo. The meta-series contains various series, such as the Dynasty Warriors games, the One Piece: Pirate Warriors games, and various spin-offs.

Dynasty Warriors

Dynasty Warriors, known in Japan as Sangokumusou (三國無双, Sangokumusō, lit. "Three Kingdoms Unrivaled"), is the first and the largest Warriors subseries. In Japanese, all games after Dynasty Warriors 2 carry the Shin · Sangokumusou (真・三國無双, Shin · Sangokumusō, lit. "True · Three Kingdom Unrivalled") title, but English localizations continue to use Dynasty Warriors, putting all international releases a number ahead of their Japanese counterparts.

Logo of Koei Tecmo after the merger in 2009, introduced in 2016
Main series
Year TitleGenrePlatform(s)Notes
1997[18] Dynasty WarriorsFighting gamePlayStationKnown as Sangokumusou (三國無双, Sangoku Musō) in Japan.
2000[19] Dynasty Warriors 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3[20]Known as Shin · Sangokumusou (真・三國無双) in Japan.
2001[21][22] Dynasty Warriors 3Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, XboxAn expansion Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends (known as Shin · Sangokumusou 2 Moushouden in Japan) was released in 2002
2003[23] Dynasty Warriors 4Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft WindowsSeveral expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends, Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper
2005 Dynasty Warriors 5Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Microsoft WindowsSeveral expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends, Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 5: Special
2007[24][25][26] Dynasty Warriors 6Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable,[27] Xbox 360Several expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 6: Special
2011 Dynasty Warriors 7Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows[28]Several expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends, Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 7: Special
2013[29][30] Dynasty Warriors 8Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft WindowsSeveral expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends and Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires
2018[31][32][33] Dynasty Warriors 9Action, Hack and slashNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft WindowsAn expansion Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires was released
Spin-offs
Year TitleGenrePlatform(s)Notes
2004 Dynasty WarriorsAction, Hack and slashPlayStation PortableKnown as Shin · Sangokumusō (真・三國無双) in Japan.
Shin · Sangokumusō BBMMORPGMicrosoft Windows
2005 Dynasty Warriors AdvanceAction, Hack and slashGame Boy Advance
2006 Dynasty Warriors OnlineMMORPGPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation Portable
Jan · SangokumusōMahjong gamePlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
2007 Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's BattleAction, Hack and slashNintendo DS
2009 Dynasty Warriors: StrikeforceAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360[34]
2010 Shin · Sangokumusō Multi Raid 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation Portable
2011[35] Dynasty Warriors NextAction, Hack and slashPlayStation Vita
2012 Shin · Sangokumusō VsAction, Hack and slashNintendo 3DS
2014 Shin · Sangokumusō BlastTactical role-playingAndroid, iOS
2016 Dynasty Warriors: GodseekersTactical role-playingPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

Samurai Warriors

Samurai Warriors, known as Sengokumusou (戦国無双, Sengoku Musō, lit. "Unrivaled Warring States") is the series based loosely around the Sengoku ("Warring States") period of Japanese history.

Year TitleGenrePlatform(s)Notes
2004 Samurai WarriorsAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, XboxAn expansion released: Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends.
2006 Samurai Warriors 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft WindowsSeveral expansions were released: Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends, Samurai Warriors 2: Empires.
2007 Samurai Warriors: KatanaRail shooterNintendo Wii
2009 Samurai Warriors 3Action, Hack and slashNintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation PortableSeveral expansions were released: Samurai Warriors 3: Moushouden, Samurai Warriors 3: Empires
2011 Samurai Warriors: ChroniclesAction, Hack and slashNintendo 3DS
2012 Sengoku Musō Chronicles 2ndAction, Hack and slashNintendo 3DS
2014 Sengoku Musou ShootArcadeAndroid, iOS
Samurai Warriors 4Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo SwitchAn expansion was released: Samurai Warriors 4: Empires
Samurai Warriors: Chronicles 3Action, Hack and slashPlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS
2015 Samurai Warriors 4-IIAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
2016 Samurai Warriors: Spirit of SanadaAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft WindowsKnown as Sengoku Musou ~Sanada Maru~ (戦国無双 ～真田丸～) in Japan.
2021 Samurai Warriors 5Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Warriors Orochi and Warriors All-Stars

Warriors Orochi, known as Musou Orochi (無双OROCHI, Musō Orochi) in Japan, is a series developed by Koei and Omega Force. It is a crossover of Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors.

Year TitleGenrePlatform(s)Notes
2007 Warriors OrochiAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
2008 Warriors Orochi 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360Known as Musou Orochi Maou Sairin (無双OROCHI 魔王再臨, Musō Orochi Maō Sairin, lit. "Unrivalled Orochi Demon Lord Rebrith") in Japan.
2009 Musou Orochi ZAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows
2011 Warriors Orochi 3Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, Microsoft WindowsKnown as Musou Orochi 2 (無双OROCHI 2, Musō Orochi Tsū) in Japan.
2017 Warriors All-StarsAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft WindowsCrossover between multiple Koei Tecmo franchises such as Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Toukiden and Atelier.[36]
2018 Warriors Orochi 4Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Licensed

Year TitleGenrePlatform(s)Notes
2007 Dynasty Warriors: GundamAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Known as Gundammusou (ガンダム無双) in Japan, published by Bandai Namco.
2008 Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Published by Bandai Namco.
2010 Fist of the North Star: Ken's RageAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, Xbox 360Known as Hokutomusou (北斗無双) in Japan.
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, Xbox 360Published by Bandai Namco.
2012 One Piece: Pirate WarriorsAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii UKnown as Shin · Hokutomusou (真・北斗無双) in Japan.
2013 One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation VitaPublished by Bandai Namco.
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam RebornAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation VitaKnown as Shin · Gundammusou (真・ガンダム無双) in Japan, published by Bandai Namco.
2014 Hyrule WarriorsAction, Hack and slashNintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo SwitchCo-developed with Team Ninja, published by Nintendo outside of Japan.
2015 Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below Action role-playing, hack and slash Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows Published by Square Enix
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft WindowsPublished by Bandai Namco.
Arslan: The Warriors of LegendAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
2016 Dragon Quest Heroes II Action role-playing, hack and slash Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows Published by Square Enix
Berserk and the Band of the HawkAction, Hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita Microsoft WindowsKnown as Berserk Musou (ベルセルク無双, Beruseruku Musō) in Japan
2017 Fire Emblem WarriorsAction, Hack and slashNew Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo SwitchCo-developed with Team Ninja, published by Nintendo outside of Japan.
2020 Persona 5 Strikers Action role-playing, hack and slash Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One Published by Atlus.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft WindowsPublished by Bandai Namco.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of CalamityAction, Hack and slashNintendo SwitchPublished by Nintendo outside of Japan.
2022 Touken Ranbu WarriorsAction, Hack and slash, OtomeNintendo Switch, Microsoft WindowsPublished by DMM Games in Japan, and co-developed with Ruby Party.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three HopesAction, Hack and slashNintendo SwitchPublished by Nintendo outside of Japan.

Other

Year TitleGenrePlatform(s)Notes
1998 EnigmaAdventure gamePlayStation
DestregaFighting gamePlayStation
1999 WinBackThird-person shooterNintendo 64, PlayStation 2
2007 Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' WarReal-time tacticsPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
2008 Saihai no YukueStrategy, adventureNintendo DS
2010 Trinity: Souls of Zill O'llRole-playingPlayStation 3
2013 Toukiden: The Age of DemonsAction role-playingPlayStation Portable, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
2014 Quiz Battle ToukidenPartyAndroid, iOS
2016 Attack on TitanAction, hack and slashPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Microsoft WindowsBased on Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan
Toukiden 2Action role-playingPlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
2018 Attack on Titan 2Action, Hack and slashPlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Dragon Quest Builders 2Action role-playing, sandboxNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox OneCo-developed and published by Square Enix
2023 Wild Hearts[37][38]Action role-playingPlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/SPublished by Electronic Arts under EA Originals label
Fate/Samurai RemnantAction role-playingNintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Dragon Quest ChampionsRole-playingAndroid, iOSPublished by Square Enix

References

  1. ↑ "ゲーム業界の165人が2022年を振り返り，新年への抱負を語る。年末恒例のコメント集企画". 4gamer (in Japanese). December 29, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ Phillips, Tom (September 24, 2014). "How a passion for Zelda is driving Dynasty Warriors to fresh audiences". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Nioh 2 Reveal and More Possibly Coming from Koei Tecmo in 2019". PlayStation LifeStyle. December 28, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Iwata, Satoru (April 26, 2012). "Iwata Asks: "Nintendo 3DS" Software Maker Creator Edition: Dynasty Warriors VS". Iwata Asks (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Gaming's most important evolutions". GamesRadar. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  6. ↑ Gordon, Shawn (October 11, 2009). "Greatest "Retro" Console Games of All Time". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Winback (Preview)". N64 Magazine. No. 34. Future Publishing. November 1999. p. 22.
  8. ↑ "All Format Previews: Winback". Gamers' Republic. No. 5. October 1998. p. 58.
  9. ↑ Ramsey, Robert (May 18, 2016). "Dynasty Warriors 9 Announcement will 'Have a Greater Impact than You Can Imagine'". Push Square. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Romano, Sal (December 17, 2016). "Dynasty Warriors 9 announced". Gematsu. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  11. ↑ Higley, Christian (September 9, 2011). "Five Problems With the Dynasty Warriors Formula and How to Fix Them". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  12. ↑ Craddock, Ryan (November 24, 2020). "Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Is Already The Best-Selling Warriors Game Of All Time". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ Romano, Sal (January 5, 2022). "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity shipments and digital sales top four million". Gematsu.
  14. ↑ Carter, Justin (September 14, 2022). "EA partners with Koei Tecmo and Omega Force on new game". Game Developer. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  15. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (September 28, 2022). "EA and Dynasty Warriors devs reveal their take on Monster Hunter". Polygon. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ Webster, Andrew (October 11, 2022). "Wild Hearts' monsters will make you feel threatened — even the cute ones". The Verge. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  17. ↑ Obedkov, Evgeny (November 2, 2022). "EA betting big on Wild Hearts, expects Marvel partnership to have same impact on its business as Star Wars games". Game World Obeserver. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  18. ↑ "『真・三國無双7』完成披露発表会が開催 布袋寅泰ほか豪華ゲストが登場、"HOTEI呂布"など衝撃コラボも発表 - ファミ通.com". ファミ通.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  19. ↑ Perry, Doug (October 23, 2000). "Dynasty Warriors 2". Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  20. ↑ "The Game That Started The Dynasty Warriors Empire Is Now A PS2 Classic". November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  21. ↑ "『真・三國無双シリーズコレクション上巻』の発売が決定！ - ファミ通.com". www.famitsu.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  22. ↑ Perry, Doug (November 28, 2001). "Dynasty Warriors 3". Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  23. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (March 21, 2003). "Dynasty Warriors 4". Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  24. ↑ "KOEI official site". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  25. ↑ Article Detail – PlayStation 3 News – QJ.NET Archived November 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ Parfitt, Ben (November 20, 2007). "Dynasty Warriors 6 announced". www.mcvuk.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Shin Sangokumusou 5 Special Release Information for PSP". GameFAQs. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Dynasty Warriors 7 Hits PC on March 9". Andriasang.com. January 6, 2012. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  29. ↑ PS3F (December 6, 2012). "Dynasty Warriors 8: New Faces Plus Japanese Release Date Announced". PlayStation News International. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2012. Shin Sangokumusou 7 will storm PS3s in Japan on February 28th. A western release is likely but remains TBA.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ↑ "DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 RELEASE DATE CHANGE". Tecmo Koei Europe. June 21, 2013. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
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  34. ↑ Tanaka, John (July 29, 2009). "Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce Set for Xbox 360". IGN. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Dynasty Warriors Next International Releases". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Koei Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden, Toukiden and Atelier cross over in Musou Stars". Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  37. ↑ Wheeler, CJ (September 13, 2022). "The next EA Original is a fantasy hunting game set in feudal Japan from Koei Tecmo". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  38. ↑ Robinson, Andy (September 26, 2022). "EA's Koei Tecmo hunting game is 'Wild Hearts'". VGC. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
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