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MONOLITH SOFT was founded twenty years ago

Momo

Momo

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Oct 25, 2017
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Today marks the twentieth anniversary since Monolith Soft was founded (October 1st, 1999).

Since the studio's founding, they have created multiple games under Bandai Namco and now Nintendo. They're responsible for the Xenosaga and Xenoblade Chronicles series. They've also created lesser known series such as Baten Kaitos, Project X Zone, and many individual games such as Soma Bringer, Disaster: Day of Crisis, etc.

Let's celebrate one of the most talented gaming studio in the world. Here's to another twenty years!
 
there is no if

there is no if

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Oct 29, 2017
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I have the Xenosaga trilogy on disc and still have not played the latter two. I can't believe it's been that long already.
 
Oregano

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Shout out to that thread on GAF when it was announced Nintendo was buying them.
 
PucePikmin

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Probably devoted more of my life to grinding through their games than any other developer's over the past 15 years.
 
Post Call Gaming

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I've gone through Baten Kaitos, the three Xenosaga games, and the Xenoblade games, and remain a huge fan. Can't wait to see their next project.
Have they always won me over? No. But I appreciate all the efforts that they take to try!
 
KtotheRoc

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Square should have just given Takahashi some money to make more Xenogears games instead of not doing that. (I love Monolith Soft.)
 

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happy birthday
man, what a fantastic get this acquisition was for nintendo. such a prolific studio that not only makes amazing games at a great pace, but also has helped nintendo on some of their best games.
 
Velezcora

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Soul Lab said:
My favorite studio together with PlatinumGames.
Happy anniversary!
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What if they combined forces? Monolith's open world expertise with Platinum's combat expertise.

Okay I know it would never happen I just hope Monolith takes some pointers from Platinum on their action RPG IP.
 
sir_crocodile

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Fantastic studio. Still hope at some point Nintendo get together with Square/Namco and get Monolith working on a Xenogears directors cut and Xenosaga remasters.
 
Naga

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They've made some really great games, and one of Nintendo's best acquisitions in the end.
Not a fan of their combat systems, but looking forward to their next games nonetheless!
Oregano said:
Shout out to that thread on GAF when it was announced Nintendo was buying them.
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Reading it again, that was something else.
 
Yazuka

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One of my favorite studios. I fell in love with them with the Xenosaga series.
God I wish they could get the HD remaster treatment.

So hyped for Xenoblade Chronicles D.E next year.
Looking forward to see their new IP and what the future brings.
 
Velezcora

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sir_crocodile said:
Fantastic studio. Still hope at some point Nintendo get together with Square/Namco and get Monolith working on a Xenogears directors cut and Xenosaga remasters.
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Honestly if Namco isn't willing to do anything with the IPs they should give Xenosaga and Baten Kaitos back to Monolith. I've given up on Square Enix properly respecting their backcatalog that isn't Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest.
 

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Not really on topic, but why did Nintendo buy them? They aren't really a company that believes in acquisitions.
 
OP
OP
Momo

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Joseki said:
Not really on topic, but why did Nintendo buy them? They aren't really a company that believes in acquisitions.
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IIRC, they tried to acquire Bandai Namco, but got Monolith Soft (which was then owned by BN) instead. I don't know if it's the truth or the whole story, but that's what I've seen online.
 
Oregano

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Joseki said:
Not really on topic, but why did Nintendo buy them? They aren't really a company that believes in acquisitions.
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IIRC the head of Monolithsoft(Sugiura?) and Iwata thought they shared a culture and vision.

There was also some crazy theory that it was a consolation prize to fend off Nintendo trying to buy Bandai.
 
Harpoon

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Quite a few classics made in those 20 years. Here's to more in the next 20!

Joseki said:
Not really on topic, but why did Nintendo buy them? They aren't really a company that believes in acquisitions.
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Nintendo hardly does acquisitions because, IIRC, they don't want to bother unless the talent is going to stick around. In Monolith's case, they very much wanted to become part of Nintendo as they had similar creative visions and were feeling more restricted under the new management at Bamco. And the rest is history.
 
Hero of Legend

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By far the greatest acquisition Nintendo had ever made. Retro pales in comparison in terms of output, especially when we're now approaching 6 years since Tropical Freeze...

The studio's expanded like mad and their output is absolutely stellar. I wouldn't be surprised if Bandai Namco is kicking themselves since I don't think it'd be hyperbole to say that Monolith is actually more acclaimed than BN is. Like what have BN made in the last decade that's been so highly praised as the Xenoblade series? Maybe the Tekken series if anything? I dunno. Basically, BN have more than enough resources and money to have done the same for Monolith but instead had Monolith left forgotten in their back pocket like a stale Cheeto. :P

Monolith being so prolific (prolifith?) is absolutely a big reason Nintendo needs to open their wallets once in a blue moon. Just imagine what they could do for any other mid-sized dev. If only. :(
 
Dnomla

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I'm really happy for Monolithsoft. I think them ending up with Nintendo is the best thing that could have happened to them. And I can't wait for XCDE and whatever else they have coming.

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Instro

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Hero of Legend said:
Monolith being so prolific (prolifith?) is absolutely a big reason Nintendo needs to open their wallets once in a blue moon. Just imagine what they could do for any other mid-sized dev. If only. :(
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Yeah, and this isn't just a Nintendo problem. Japanese businesses in general have been really bad about cash hoarding for many years, even though it makes little fiscal or business sense to do so.
 
Onix555

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Oregano said:
IIRC the head of Monolithsoft(Sugiura?) and Iwata thought they shared a culture and vision.

There was also some crazy theory that it was a consolation prize to fend off Nintendo trying to buy Bandai.
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It was moreso about the large amount of shares that Nintendo had left over in Namco after the merger happened.
BN would of had to pay out a large amount of cash to Nintendo if they sold them off, so the shares were swapped out for Monolith ones.
 
Man God

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So Nintendo in 2003 was starting to buy up more and more Bandai stock, leading them to be one of the top ten investors in the company. Potentially angling for a buyout or the very least a seat on the board, which would have changed things pretty dramatically over the last three generations vis a vis anime games. Bandai went in another direction instead merging with amusement/video game titan namco instead, and Nintendo basically turned that investment into getting Namco's stake in Monolithsoft.

It's low key the biggest move in the industry between MS/Rare and Activision Blizzard forming.
 
Oregano

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Onix555 said:
It was moreso about the large amount of shares that Nintendo had left over in Namco after the merger happened.
BN would of had to pay out a large amount of cash to Nintendo if they sold them off, so the shares were swapped out for Monolith ones.
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Man God said:
So Nintendo in 2003 was starting to buy up more and more Bandai stock, leading them to be one of the top ten investors in the company. Potentially angling for a buyout or the very least a seat on the board, which would have changed things pretty dramatically over the last three generations vis a vis anime games. Bandai went in another direction instead merging with amusement/video game titan namco instead, and Nintendo basically turned that investment into getting Namco's stake in Monolithsoft.

It's low key the biggest move in the industry between MS/Rare and Activision Blizzard forming.
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Nintendo are actually still one of their biggest shareholders(though it's a tiny amount overall)
 
Man God

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Oregano said:
Nintendo are actually still one of their biggest shareholders(though it's a tiny amount overall)
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NB didn't want Nintendo to have enough stock in the new company to have any real say on the board, possibly alienating the other console manufacturers so they agreed to this acquisition of MONOLITHSOFT. It generally worked out well for all involved; Namco wasn't really into RPGs and has farmed out almost all of them to MONOLITHSOFT anyways. Nintendo wanted more games like Baiten Kaitos to help liven up their roster. MONOLITHSOFT wanted someone to give them a real shot after Xenosaga.

This trade also was another step that improved the Namco/Nintendo relationship that had been growing bit by bit since the GCN era started. Triforce Board, Link in SCII, Tales of Symphonia.
 
Tibarn

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As a big JRPG player, I'm so glad they are here and stronger than ever.

As I'm shifting slowly to more "niche" JRPG games (basically Falcom) because most big JRPG companies are releasing disappoiting or too safe games as of late, I'm happy that Monolith is the one that can keep a good balance between games that have some news to offer while not feeling like an indie game.

Xenoblade has become in only 3 entries one of my top 5 JRPG franchises, and I'm really happy to play DE next year.
 

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They are the best developers who weave tonal dissonance in the fabric of their work at even the most basic mechanical levels a la Xenoblade 2's hot womanservant lottery
 
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