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Omega Force

Summary

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.

Omega Force
Native name
オメガフォース
Company typeDivision
IndustryVideo games
Founded1996; 28 years ago (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)

History edit

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 edit

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

Warriors games edit

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 edit

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 edit
Year Title Genre Platform(s) Notes
1997[18] Dynasty Warriors Fighting game PlayStation Known as Sangokumusou (三國無双, Sangoku Musō) in Japan.
2000[19] Dynasty Warriors 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3[20] Known as Shin · Sangokumusou (真・三國無双) in Japan.
2001[21][22] Dynasty Warriors 3 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, Xbox An expansion Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends (known as Shin · Sangokumusou 2 Moushouden in Japan) was released in 2002
2003[23] Dynasty Warriors 4 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows Several expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends, Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper
2005 Dynasty Warriors 5 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows Several expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends, Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 5: Special
2007[24][25][26] Dynasty Warriors 6 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, [27] Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows Several expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires and Dynasty Warriors 6: Special
2011 Dynasty Warriors 7 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 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 8 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows Several expansions were released: Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends and Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires
2018[31][32][33] Dynasty Warriors 9 Action, Hack and slash Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows An expansion Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires was released
Spin-offs edit
Year Title Genre Platform(s) Notes
2004 Dynasty Warriors Action, Hack and slash PlayStation Portable Known as Shin · Sangokumusō (真・三國無双) in Japan.
Shin · Sangokumusō BB MMORPG Microsoft Windows
2005 Dynasty Warriors Advance Action, Hack and slash Game Boy Advance
2006 Dynasty Warriors Online MMORPG PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation Portable
Jan · Sangokumusō Mahjong game PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
2007 Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle Action, Hack and slash Nintendo DS
2009 Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360[34]
2010 Shin · Sangokumusō Multi Raid 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation Portable
2011[35] Dynasty Warriors Next Action, Hack and slash PlayStation Vita
2012 Shin · Sangokumusō Vs Action, Hack and slash Nintendo 3DS
2014 Shin · Sangokumusō Blast Tactical role-playing Android, iOS
2016 Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers Tactical role-playing PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

Samurai Warriors edit

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 Title Genre Platform(s) Notes
2004 Samurai Warriors Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox An expansion released: Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends.
2006 Samurai Warriors 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows Several expansions were released: Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends, Samurai Warriors 2: Empires.
2007 Samurai Warriors: Katana Rail shooter Nintendo Wii
2009 Samurai Warriors 3 Action, Hack and slash Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable Several expansions were released: Samurai Warriors 3: Moushouden, Samurai Warriors 3: Empires
2011 Samurai Warriors: Chronicles Action, Hack and slash Nintendo 3DS
2012 Sengoku Musō Chronicles 2nd Action, Hack and slash Nintendo 3DS
2014 Sengoku Musou Shoot Arcade Android, iOS
Samurai Warriors 4 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch An expansion was released: Samurai Warriors 4: Empires
Samurai Warriors: Chronicles 3 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS
2015 Samurai Warriors 4-II Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
2016 Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows Known as Sengoku Musou ~Sanada Maru~ (戦国無双 ～真田丸～) in Japan.
2021 Samurai Warriors 5 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Warriors Orochi and Warriors All-Stars edit

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 Title Genre Platform(s) Notes
2007 Warriors Orochi Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
2008 Warriors Orochi 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 Known 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 Z Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows
2011 Warriors Orochi 3 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows Known as Musou Orochi 2 (無双OROCHI 2, Musō Orochi Tsū) in Japan.
2017 Warriors All-Stars Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows Crossover between multiple Koei Tecmo franchises such as Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Toukiden and Atelier.[36]
2018 Warriors Orochi 4 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Licensed edit

Year Title Genre Platform(s) Notes
2007 Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Known as Gundammusou (ガンダム無双) in Japan, published by Bandai Namco.
2008 Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Published by Bandai Namco.
2010 Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Known as Hokutomusou (北斗無双) in Japan.
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Published by Bandai Namco.
2012 One Piece: Pirate Warriors Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U Known as Shin · Hokutomusou (真・北斗無双) in Japan.
2013 One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Published by Bandai Namco.
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Known as Shin · Gundammusou (真・ガンダム無双) in Japan, published by Bandai Namco.
2014 Hyrule Warriors Action, Hack and slash Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch Co-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 3 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows Published by Bandai Namco.
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 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 Hawk Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita Microsoft Windows Known as Berserk Musou (ベルセルク無双, Beruseruku Musō) in Japan
2017 Fire Emblem Warriors Action, Hack and slash New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch Co-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 4 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows Published by Bandai Namco.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Action, Hack and slash Nintendo Switch Published by Nintendo outside of Japan.
2022 Touken Ranbu Warriors Action, Hack and slash, Otome Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows Published by DMM Games in Japan, and co-developed with Ruby Party.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Action, Hack and slash Nintendo Switch Published by Nintendo outside of Japan.

Other edit

Year Title Genre Platform(s) Notes
1998 Enigma Adventure game PlayStation
Destrega Fighting game PlayStation
1999 WinBack Third-person shooter Nintendo 64, PlayStation 2
2007 Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War Real-time tactics PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
2008 Saihai no Yukue Strategy, adventure Nintendo DS
2010 Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll Role-playing PlayStation 3
2013 Toukiden: The Age of Demons Action role-playing PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
2014 Quiz Battle Toukiden Party Android, iOS
2016 Attack on Titan Action, hack and slash PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows Based on Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan
Toukiden 2 Action role-playing PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
2018 Attack on Titan 2 Action, Hack and slash PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Dragon Quest Builders 2 Action role-playing, sandbox Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One Co-developed and published by Square Enix
2023 Wild Hearts[37][38] Action role-playing PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S Published by Electronic Arts under EA Originals label
Fate/Samurai Remnant Action role-playing Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Dragon Quest Champions Role-playing Android, iOS Published by Square Enix

References edit

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External links edit

  • Koei Tecmo America
  • Koei Tecmo Europe
  • Koei Tecmo Japan (in Japanese)

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