Cygames Explained

Cygames, Inc.
Type:Subsidiary
Parent:CyberAgent
Num Employees:3,644
Num Employees Year:2023
Hq Location:Shibuya
Hq Location City:Tokyo
Hq Location Country:Japan
Num Locations:14
Native Name:株式会社
Romanized Name:Kabushiki gaisha Saigēmusu

is a Japanese video game development studio established in 2011 by CyberAgent. Mobile and e-commerce company DeNA acquired a 24% stake in the studio in 2012, and Nintendo acquired another 5% stake in 2018, leaving CyberAgent with 69% of the shares and as such, they are the parent company of Cygames. From its formation, the company produced mobile games, initially on the Mobage platform, and from 2013 on Android and iOS. The company headquarters is located in Tokyo while other divisions are located in Osaka and Saga in Japan and Seoul, South Korea.

Key IPs include (2021), (2018), Shadowverse (2016), Granblue Fantasy (2014), The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls (2011, with Bandai Namco Entertainment), and Rage of Bahamut (2011). The company began development of console games in 2015.

In 2016, Cygames began funding anime adaptations for its mobile property and for new projects and adaptations for anime. During the same period, the company also entered the manga, music and design market in the same time period. It later announced the establishment of its own animation studio, CygamesPictures. The studio was later consolidated under CyberAgent through a direct share acquisition in February 2026.

History

2011–2016

Cygames, Inc. was established in 2011 by CyberAgent,[1] a Japanese web services company. In 2012, DeNA purchased a 24% stake in Cygames.[2] Shortly thereafter, the studio was chosen by Game Developer (formerly Gamasutra) as one of the top ten game developers of the year.[3] In June 2012, Cygames founded CyDesignation, a company specialized in Design, Illustration, Game planning and Game development.[4]

In March 2016, Cygames announced the establishment of its own anime production division and anime studio as a subsidiary known as CygamesPictures to do planning, production, and animation both for Cygames own IPs and original anime projects as well.[5] [6] [7] In June 2016, Cygames announced the acquisition of the gaming and anime background studio Kusanagi.[8] [9]

2016–2026

In 2016, Cygames announced that it was developing Project Awakening, its first large-format title for consoles,[10] as well as the establishment of their Osaka studio focused on console games.[11]

In May 2017, Cygames and Kodansha announced that they formed a partnership to launch a new label called Cycomi to release volumes in print distributed by Kodansha for manga already published online by Cygames on its digital manga website called Cycomics, while Cygames' established its first overseas subsidiary, Cygames Korea.[12] [13] In April 2019, Cygames formed a new partnership with Hitotsubashi Group (Shogakukan and Shueisha).[14]

In June 8, 2017, Cygames and its parent company CyberAgent announced that they jointly established CA-Cygames Anime Fund, a fund for investing in anime IP which will inject funds to the anime production committee to obtain the rights to stream anime videos on the Internet and produce games, with a total amount of funds to be three billion yen.[15] [16]

In 2017, Cygames founded its esports team, Cygames Beast, with Street Fighter players Daigo Umehara, Snake Eyez, and PR Balrog.[17] [18] In April 2018, a partnership with Nintendo was announced to develop the game Dragalia Lost, for the purpose of facilitating the partnership Nintendo will obtain approximately five percent of Cygames's issued stocks.[19] [20] In May 2018, Cygames announced the establishment of a subsidiary for music production and artist management called Cymusic.[21]

In April 2021, Cygames announced the establishment of a subsidiary called CySphere which is focused on 3DCG production for anime and games.[22] Cygames produced the anime The Marginal Service, which started airing in 2023.

In April 2023, Cygames opened two more international offices focused in marketing for its regions; one in Los Angeles called Cygames America and one in London called Cygames Europe.[23]

In December 2024, the company established a subscription-based video game service called Cygames ID for the purpose of using various services.[24]

In January 2026, the company established Cygames AI Studio, a subsidiary that develops and provides services and tools using artificial intelligence.[25]

Sponsorships

In July 2017, Cygames became a sponsor of Italian football team Juventus; after a pause in 2019–20 following its signing of competitor Konami, the sponsorship was renewed in 2020.[26] [27] In January 2024, it became a sponsor of J.League football team Sagan Tosu.[28]

As a tie-in with the Umamusume franchise, Cygames began to notably sponsor a number of international thoroughbred racing events, beginning with a title sponsorship of the Breeders' Cup Sprint in 2024. In 2025, Cygames sponsored the Unbridled Sidney Stakes, held as part of the Kentucky Derby weekend; the company also ran an infield booth at Churchill Downs, featuring demos of Cygames titles such as the then-upcoming English release of Umamusume: Pretty Derby.[29] [30] [31] [32] In June 2025, Cygames and France Galop announced that the company would become title sponsor of the Grand Prix de Paris.[33] [34]

On December 22, 2025, Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Cygames would become the "Platinum Sponsor" of Wrestle Kingdom 20, featuring Hiroshi Tanahashi's last match. In addition, Tanahashi appeared in a TV commercial for Granblue Fantasy, portraying Beelzebub.[35]

Games developed

Mobile/web browser games

TitleOriginal release datePublisher(s)PlatformsJPWWNotes / Remarks
Rage of Bahamutmobage
The Idolmaster Cinderella Girlsmobage, Android, iOS, AndAppServers were closed on March 30, 2023
mobage
mobage
Super Sentai Heroesmobage
Battle Spirits: Hasha no Houkoumobage
Sakatsuku S World Starsmobage
mobage
Tiger & Bunny: Lord of Heromobage
Sangokushi Puzzle TaisenAndroid, iOS
Knights of Glorymobage[36]
La Rudiaia Chroniclemobage
Dragon Quest Monsters

Super Light

Android, iOSServers were closed on January 31, 2024
Granblue Fantasy
Android, iOS
Ameba
LINE Paper Dash WorldLINE GAME
Android, iOS
Android, iOS
Android, iOS
ShadowverseAndroid, iOS, DMM Games, Microsoft Windows (through Steam)
Android, iOSClosed Beta Test was held in August, 2017
Android, iOSClosed on December 27, 2022
Android, iOS[37]
Android, iOSEnglish servers were closed April 30, 2023
Dragalia LostAndroid, iOSServers were closed November 30, 2022
Android, iOSJP servers were closed February 20, 2024. TW servers were closed May 24, 2024. WW servers were closed July 25, 2024. CN servers to close August 15, 2025.
Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows (through DMM Games and Steam)Current Active Servers: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mainland China and Global (5 in total) [38] [39]
Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows (through Steam, Epic)The server was launched on June 17, 2025[40]

Console/PC games

TitleOriginal release datePublisher(s)Platforms
PlayStation Vita
Windows
The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls: Viewing RevolutionPlayStation VR
Anubis: Zone of the Enders -- M∀RSPlayStation 4, Windows
PlayStation 4, Windows
Shadowverse

Champion's Battle[41]

Nintendo Switch
[42] Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
PlayStation 4
Console (TBA)
Untitled Metal Max project

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History – Cygames . Cygames . https://web.archive.org/web/20241228051326/https://www.cygames.co.jp/en/corporate/history/ . December 28, 2024 . live.
  2. Web site: DeNA to buy into Cygames - Mobile World Live. 7 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20170929231441/https://www.mobileworldlive.com/apps/news-apps/dena-to-buy-into-cygames/. 29 September 2017. live.
  3. Web site: The top 10 game developers of 2012 . Gamasutra, GD mag. staff. Game Developer (formerly Gamasutra). https://web.archive.org/web/20121216011059/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/183402/The_top_10_game_developers_of_2012.php. December 16, 2012. live.
  4. デザイン制作子会社　株式会社CyDesignationの設立について. Cygames. June 4, 2012. December 8, 2012 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212101449/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/?p=419&s_year=2012&s_month=06 . December 12, 2022 . live.
  5. Web site: Rage of Bahamut Developer Cygames Establishes Anime Company . https://web.archive.org/web/20160330181316/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-28/rage-of-bahamut-developer-cygames-establishes-anime-company/.100391 . 30 March 2016 . live.
  6. News: Cygamesがアニメ事業部を新設！　“日本を代表するアニメーションブランド”を目指す. ねとらぼ. 2015-03-10. 2015-03-11 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20150310114233/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1503/10/news125.html . March 10, 2015 . live.
  7. アニメーション制作子会社を立ち上げ 株式会社CygamesPictures設立のお知らせ. Cygames. 2016-04-05. 2016-04-06 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20160409161452/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-15308 . 9 April 2016 . live.
  8. Web site: Cygames Makes Anime Background Studio Kusanagi Its Subsidiary . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602191041/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-06-02/cygames-makes-anime-background-studio-kusanagi-its-subsidiary/.102771 . June 2, 2016 . live.
  9. 株式会社草薙の株式取得（子会社化）に関するお知らせ. Cygames. 2016-06-02. 2016-06-02 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20160605130914/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-15400/ . June 5, 2016 . live.
  10. Web site: Cygames Announces "Project Awakening" for Current-Gen Home Consoles. August 21, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180427120247/https://www.dualshockers.com/cygames-announces-project-awakening-for-current-gen-consoles/ . April 27, 2018 . live.
  11. Web site: Cygames opens PS4-focused Osaka studio . Gematsu. May 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150521193737/https://gematsu.com/2015/05/cygames-opens-ps4-focused-osaka-studio . May 21, 2015 . live.
  12. Web site: Granblue Fantasy's Cygames, Kodansha Launch Manga Label. Anime News Network. 28 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170528221858/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-28/granblue-fantasy-cygames-kodansha-launch-manga-label/.116679 . May 28, 2017 . live.
  13. 株式会社Cygames初の海外拠点韓国現地法人「Cygames Korea」設立のお知らせ. Cygames. 2017-06-12. 2017-06-12. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816012148/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-16689/ . August 16, 2017 . live.
  14. Web site: ja:株式会社Cygames、株式会社小学館とWebコミック事業における業務提携を発表 新コミックスレーベル「サイコミ×裏サンデー」を創設. https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-19632/. cygames.co.jp. Cygames. December 5, 2022. ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20190428121623/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-19632/ . April 28, 2019 . live.
  15. 株式会社Cygames　サイバーエージェントと共同でアニメファンドを組成　ゲーム化展開を促進. Cygames. 2017-06-08. 2017-06-12 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20170807023125/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-16665/ . August 7, 2017 . live.
  16. サイバーエージェントとCygamesが共同でアニメファンドを組成. サイバーエージェント. 2017-06-08. 2017-06-12 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107170731/https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/newsinfo/press/detail/id=13798 . November 7, 2017 . live.
  17. Web site: 格闘ゲームプレイヤー・梅原大吾、 スネーク・アイズ、PRバルログとのスポンサー契約締結、 ならびに、「Cygames Beast」発足に関するお知らせ - 株式会社Cygames . https://web.archive.org/web/20170305201145/https://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-16404/ . March 5, 2017 . live.
  18. Web site: Cygames Jumps Into eSports By Signing Daigo Umehara, PR Balrog, And Snake Eyez. 2 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170813150951/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/03/02/cygames-jumps-esports-signing-daigo-umehara-pr-balrog-snake-eyez/ . August 13, 2017 . live.
  19. Web site: Data . www.nintendo.co.jp . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20180427163102/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2018/180427_2e.pdf . April 27, 2018 . live.
  20. Web site: 任天堂、Ｃｙｇａｍｅｓとゲームアプリで提携発表　株５％取得 . 2018-04-27 . 2018-04-27 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20180427184420/https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFL27HQS_27042018000000/ . April 27, 2018 . live.
  21. Web site: 株式会社Cygames、音楽制作子会社を立ち上げ 株式会社Cymusic設立のお知らせ - 株式会社Cygames . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20180601100023/http://www.cygames.co.jp/press/press-17693/ . June 1, 2018 . live.
  22. Web site: Cygames Creates 3DCG Studio Subsidiary CySphere . 2023-04-28 . Anime News Network . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428220048/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-04-28/cygames-creates-3dcg-studio-subsidiary-cysphere/.172220 . April 28, 2021 . live.
  23. Web site: Cygames establishes Cygames America, Cygames Europe. Romano. Sal. Gematsu. April 27, 2023. April 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230428031011/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/04/cygames-establishes-cygames-america-cygames-europe . April 28, 2023 . live.
  24. News: Cygamesの各種サービスをご利用いただくための共通アカウント 「Cygames ID」提供開始のお知らせ. Cygames. 2024-12-18. 2025-01-05. ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20250220155857/https://www.cygames.co.jp/news/id-24180 . February 20, 2025 . live.
  25. Web site: はくまいさん . 2026-01-09 . Cygames、AIを活用したサービスやツールの提供・開発を行う子会社「Cygames AI Studio」を設立。ゲーム開発で培った経験をもとに、クリエイターが安心・安全に利用できるAI技術を追求 . 2026-01-09 . 電ファミニコゲーマー – ゲームの面白い記事読んでみない？ . ja.
  26. Web site: Bassam . Tom . 2020-07-08 . Juventus and Cygames reunite in deal 'worth up to €10m' . 2025-07-15 . SportsPro . December 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241227125731/https://www.sportspro.com/news/juventus-cygames-sponsor-worth-jeep-adidas-konami/ . live.
  27. Web site: June 29, 2022 . Cygames and Juve, together again: On to the Next! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816132715/https://www.juventus.com/en/news/articles/cygames-and-juve-together-again-on-to-the-next . August 16, 2022 . Juventus Football Club.
  28. Web site: Sports Partnerships Cygames, Inc. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241228051326/https://www.cygames.co.jp/en/csr/sports/ . December 28, 2024.
  29. Web site: Lada . Jenni . April 21, 2025 . Umamusume Developer Cygames Is 2025 Kentucky Derby Sponsor . July 15, 2025 . Siliconera . April 21, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250421185809/https://www.siliconera.com/umamusume-developer-cygames-is-2025-kentucky-derby-sponsor/ . live.
  30. Web site: Bishop . Rollin . May 7, 2025 . I walked an hour in the rain to play horse girl gacha game Umamusume: Pretty Derby at the actual Kentucky Derby . July 15, 2025 . GamesRadar+ . May 8, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250508215642/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/racing/i-walked-an-hour-in-the-rain-to-play-horse-girl-gacha-game-umamusume-pretty-derby-at-the-actual-kentucky-derby/. live.
  31. Web site: May 1, 2025 . Cygames ties in activation for its horse-themed video game to Kentucky Derby deal . July 15, 2025 . Sports Business Journal . May 9, 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250509005722/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/05/01/cygames-ties-in-activation-for-its-horse-themed-video-game-to-kentucky-derby-deal/ . live.
  32. Web site: October 2, 2024 . Japanese Video Game Company Cygames Partners With Breeders' Cup . July 15, 2025 . Thoroughbred Daily News . October 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241002193021/https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/japanese-video-game-company-cygames-partners-with-breeders-cup/ . live.
  33. Web site: June 16, 2025 . Cygames Appointed Main Sponsor of French G1 Grand Prix de Paris, to be Held as the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250617142424/https://www.cygames.co.jp/en/news/id-24412 . June 17, 2025 . June 30, 2025 . Cygames.
  34. Web site: June 16, 2025 . 株式会社Cygames、フランスGⅠレース「パリ大賞典」のメインスポンサーに就任 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250617091547/https://www.cygames.co.jp/news/id-24401/ . June 17, 2025 . June 30, 2025 . Cygames . ja.
  35. Web site: December 22, 2025 . 【WK20】株式会社Cygamesが『WRESTLE KINGDOM 20 in 東京ドーム 棚橋弘至引退』のプラチナ協賛に決定！さらに『グランブルーファンタジー』新TVCMに、ベルゼバブに扮した棚橋弘至選手が出演!! . January 5, 2026 . . ja.
  36. Web site: Knights of Glory Released Steparu.com. Steparu. steparu.com. en-gb. 2018-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20131125005505/https://steparu.com/news/front-page/1457-knights-of-glory-released . November 25, 2013 . live.
  37. Web site: Odin Crown – Japanese studio announces new mobile MOBA MMO Culture. mmoculture.com. 7 March 2017 . en-US. 2018-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20170307205233/http://mmoculture.com/2017/03/odin-crown-japanese-studio-announces-new-mobile-moba/ . March 7, 2017 . live.
  38. Web site: Tai. Anita. Umamusume: Pretty Derby Game's English Release Slated for June 26. Anime News Network. April 27, 2025. April 27, 2025. April 28, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250428014843/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-27/umamusume-pretty-derby-game-english-release-slated-for-june-26/.223971. live.
  39. Web site: Sal. Romano. Umamusume: Pretty Derby – English version launches June 26. Gematsu. April 27, 2025. April 28, 2025. April 27, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250427165745/https://www.gematsu.com/2025/04/umamusume-pretty-derby-english-version-launches-june-26. live.
  40. Web site: Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond launches June 17. Steparu. Gematsu. March 24, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250313142042/https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/shadowverse-worlds-beyond-launches-june-17. March 13, 2025. live.
  41. Web site: Shadowverse: Champion's Battle launches November 5 in Japan, debut trailer and details . Gematsu . May 29, 2020 . June 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200529065428/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/05/shadowverse-champions-battle-launches-november-5-in-japan-debut-trailer-and-details . May 29, 2020 . live.
  42. Web site: Little Noah: Scion of Paradise now available for Xbox Series, Xbox One. Romano. Sal. Gematsu. November 1, 2023. November 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231102023050/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/little-noah-scion-of-paradise-now-available-for-xbox-series-xbox-one . November 2, 2023. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Cygames".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2026, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.