Overview
From fanzine to phenomenon. Game Freak began as a handmade video game magazine created by Satoshi Tajiri, evolved into a development studio, and created Pokémon—inspired by Tajiri’s childhood insect collecting. The Game Boy title’s six years of development nearly bankrupted them; its success created the most profitable media franchise in history.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1989.
- Origin: Fan magazine (1983).
- Founders: Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori.
- Key franchise: Pokémon.
Origins
| Phase | Period |
|---|
| Fanzine | 1983-1989 |
| Company | 1989 |
| First game | Quinty/Mendel Palace (1989) |
| Pokémon dev | 1990-1996 |
Pokémon development
| Challenge | Reality |
|---|
| Development time | Six years |
| Financial strain | Nearly bankrupt |
| Staff departure | Many left |
| Persistence | Tajiri’s vision |
Key people
| Person | Role |
|---|
| Satoshi Tajiri | Creator, director |
| Ken Sugimori | Art director, Pokémon designs |
| Junichi Masuda | Composer, director |
Pre-Pokémon games
| Title | Year | Publisher |
|---|
| Quinty | 1989 | Namco |
| Yoshi | 1991 | Nintendo |
| Pulseman | 1994 | Sega |
| Mario & Wario | 1993 | Nintendo |
Pokémon success
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|
| Sales | Hundreds of millions |
| Franchise value | Highest-grossing ever |
| Cultural impact | Global phenomenon |
| Ongoing | Continuous releases |
Nintendo relationship
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| IP ownership | Shared (The Pokémon Company) |
| Exclusivity | Primary platform partner |
Beyond Pokémon
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Drill Dozer | 2005 |
| HarmoKnight | 2012 |
| Tembo | 2015 |
| Little Town Hero | 2019 |
See also