Technosoft (also spelled Techno Soft, Tecnosoft, or Tecno Soft) is a Japanese video game developer that is better known for the Thunder Force series of shooter games, as well as Herzog series, regarded as the world's first real time strategy game. Other notable Technosoft games include the conversion of Turbo Grafx 16 game Devil's Crush (dubbed Dragon's Fury and released in North America by Tengen), Elemental Master, Neorude series and My Garden.

It was located at city of Sasebo(佐世保), at Nagasaki prefecture. Founded by Oozono Tomio in February 1980 at 2-15, Minato-cho(湊町) as Sasebo mycom center, and moved after to 2-8, Matsuura-cho(松浦町).^[1] In April 1982, Sasebo mycom center is moved to 4-14, Fukuishi-cho(福石町), converted to a limited company and renamed to Technosoft. After Thunder Force IV, They built a new office building at 165-1, Katsuumi-cho(勝海町) and moved in March 1993. Technosoft ceased game development in 1999 and defunct in 2001, and merged as R&D division of it's associated company, Twenty-one Company.

Some Technosoft staff left after Thunder Force III to found a development team named Team Raimon^[2],[3] at Red company, and developed Gate of Thunder and Lords/Winds of Thunder. Team Raimon later became a new independent game development company, CA Production^[4] in 1993. After Technosoft ceased game development in 1999, also some staff left and start another game development company, Ganbarion^[5].

In 2006, the URL Tecnosoft.com was registered and updated. However, as of January 2008, no updates other than "We will restart soon! Please wait for a while." and "THUNDERFORCE is a registered trademark." have been added to the website. However, with the announcement of Thunder Force VI, the copyright for the game has been apparently turned over to one of the series' creators and may no longer apply.

In September 2016, at the Tokyo Game Show, Sega announced that they owned all the intellectual property rights from Technosoft. To commemorate this, Sega re-released Thunder Force III in 3D as part of Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: Final Stage (Sega 3D Classics Collection 3) for the Nintendo 3DS.

Principal persons

• Oozono Tomio(大園富美男) : Founder, president and producer.
• Arai Naosuke(新井直介) : Director, sound programmer.
• Fukuda Izumi(福田泉) : Programmer. He is the main programmer of Thunder Force II and III, and found CA Production with Tsuzikawa Osamu.
• Hirose Yuichi(廣瀨祐一) : a.k.a. TEKTEK. Sound composer and sound programmer. He transfered to Ganbarion as founding member.
• Kanaya Yasusuke(金崎泰輔) : Illustrator, character designer.
• Matsuoka Kazue(松岡和江) : Worked as board of director, and furthely managed copyrights at Twenty-one.
• Ootani Tomomi(大谷智巳) : Sound composer.
• Toyama Yuichi(外山雄一) : Programmer. He worked at Feedback, Herzog. Dissatisfied to his treatment, he put a hidden message in files of games. He transfered to Compile, Raizing and Taito.
• Tsukumo Hyakutaro(九十九百太郎) : Sound Composer.
• Tsuzikawa Osamu(辻川治) : Graphic designer. He is the graphic designer of Thunder Force II and III, and found CA Production with Fukuda Izumi. He is president CEO of CA Production(As of 2021)^[6].
• Watanabe Yasuhito(渡辺靖仁) : Sound composer. He worked mainly at Neorude series.
• Yoshida Takeshi(吉田猛) : a.k.a. OMEN, Sound composer. He appears only at Thunder Force AC and IV.
• Yoshimura Kotori(吉村功成) : a.k.a. URDcat. Programmer. He worked at Thunder Force, Plazma Line.
• Yamakura Chikako(山倉千賀子) : Founder of Ganbarion. She worked as sales employee at Technosoft.
• Yamanishi Toshiharu(山西利治) : a.k.a. Funky Surounin(ふぁんきい素浪人). Sound Composer. He transfered to Gust.
• Gal's Club : Group of staffs for advertising.

Known Releases

1981

• 2001年宇宙の旅 / 2001: A Space Odyssey (Sharp MZ-80, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-8001, Toshiba Pasopia)
• 2001年宇宙の旅 パート2 / 2001: A Space Odyssey Continue over side of star gate (Sharp MZ-80, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-8001)
• パターンエディター / Pattern Editor (Sharp MZ-80, Fujitsu FM-7) (This is a graphic tool, not a game)

1982

• バックギャモン / Back Gammon (Sharp MZ-700, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-8801, MSX) (PC-8801 version is released in 1983, MSX version in 1985)
• コンピュータ BUG-9000 / Computer BUG-9000 (Sharp MZ-700, Fujitsu FM-7)
• ドンキーコリラ / Donkey Gorilla (Sharp MZ-700)
• マッドファイター / Mad Fighter (NEC PC-8801)
• フェニックス・2772 / Pheonix 2772-Space fire bird (NEC-PC-8801)
• プラネットウォーズ / Planet Wars(Sharp MZ-80, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-8801)
• スターフリート/B / Star fleet/B (Sharp MZ-2000, Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801) (PC-8801 version is released in 1983)
• ザ・スターワールドⅡ / The Star World II (Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-8801)
• ウォーク・ワン / Walk Wan (Sharp MZ-700, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001)
• ホワイトホール / White Hole (Fujitsu FM-7)
• 四人麻雀^[7] / Yoninmahjong (Sharp MZ-700, Sharp MZ-2000, Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801)
• グラフィック バイオリズム / Graphic Biorhythm (Sharp MZ-700) (Not a game)

1983

• ベースアタッカー / Base Attacker (NEC PC-8801)
• ゴルフアイランド / Golf Island (Sharp MZ-2000, Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801)
  • ゴルフアイランド 拡張コース1 / Golf Island Expansion Course 1(Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801)
  • ゴルフアイランド 拡張コース2 / Golf Island Expansion Course 2(Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801)
  • ゴルフアイランド 拡張コース3 / Golf Island Expansion Course 3(Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801)
• 万馬券／ダービー / Jackpot Betting ticket/Durby (Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-8801)
• ミサイルパニック / Missile Panic (NEC PC-8801)
• ネイラー＆モンスター / Naylor & Monster (NEC PC-8801)
• プリンセスレスキュー / Princess Rescue (NEC PC-8801)
• スネーク＆スネーク / Snake & Snake (Sharp MZ-700, Sharp MZ-2000)
• スペースフラッパー / Space Flapper (NEC PC-8801)
• タンク・タンク / Tank Tank (Sharp MZ-700)
• サンダーフォース / Thunder Force (Sharp MZ-1500, Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801) (X1 version, FM-7 version and PC-8801 version is released in 1984)
• ラインエディター / Line Editor (Sharp MZ-80, Fujitsu FM-7) (This is a graphic tool, not a game)
  • スペシャルグラフィックツールセット / Special Graphic Toolset (Fujitsu FM-7) (Not a game, Compilation of Pattern Editor and Line Editor)

1984

• エキサイト四人麻雀 / Excite Yoninmahjong (Sharp MZ-1500, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, MSX)
  • スペシャル四人麻雀 / Special Yoninmahjong (NEC PC-8801/PC-9801) (The game works at PC88 and PC98 both)
• ゴルフアイランド 拡張コース4 / Golf Island Expansion Course 4(Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801)
  • ゴルフアイランド スペシャル / Golf Island Special(Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801) (Compilation of Golf Island and Expansion Course 4)
• プラズマライン / Plazma line (Sharp MZ-2000, Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, MSX)
• サンダーフォースコンストラクション / Thunder Force Construction (Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, Fujitsu FM-16, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801)

Release date unknown

• 初心者用逆アセンブラー / Beginner's Disassembler (Sharp MZ-80, NEC PC-8801) (This is a programming tool, not a game)
• キャラクターメーカー / Character Maker (Sharp MZ-80) (This is an utility, not a game)
• パターンエキスパンダー / Pattern Expander (Sharp MZ-80) (This is a graphic tool, not a game)
• パターンリダクター / Pattern Reductor (Sharp MZ-80) (This is a graphic tool, not a game)
• プログラムデバッガーセット / Program Debugger Set (Sharp MZ-80) (This is a programming tool, not a game)
• シフトファンクション+フルーキオートリピート / Shift Function+Full key auto repeat (Sharp MZ-80) (This is an utility, not game)
• スーパーCRTコピー / Super CRT Copy (Sharp MZ-80) (This is an utility, not game)
• タイピング練習 / Typing Practice (Sharp MZ-80) (This is a typing practice, not a game)
• 高速スクリーンメーカー / High speed screen maker (Sharp MZ-80) (This is an utility, not game)

1985

• バックギャモンエクセレント / Back Gammon Excellent(Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7, Fujitsu FM-16, NEC PC-8801)
• ばってんタヌキの大冒険^[8] / Batten Tanuki no Daibouken (Sharp MZ-1500, Sharp X1, Sharp FM-7, NEC PC-8801, MSX) (MSX version is released in 1986)
• オービットIII / Orrbit III (Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801)

1986

• 九玉伝 / Kyuugyokuden: Legendly nine gems (Sharp MZ-2500, Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, Fujitsu FM77AV, MSX) (MSX version is released in 1987)

1987

• コムサイト / Comsight(NEC PC-8801)
• 雀友^[9] / Jong Yu (MSX)

1988

• D'^[10] (Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, MSX)
• フィードバック / Feedback (MSX)
• ヘルツォーク / Herzog (Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX)
• 新九玉伝 / Shin Kyuugyokuden (Sharp X1, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX)
• サンダーフォース２ / Thunder Force II (Sharp X68000)
  • サンダーフォース２MD / Thunder Force II MD (Megadrive / Genesis) (Downgraded port of Thunder Force II, Released in 1989)

1989

• ヘルツォークツヴァイ / Herzog Zwei (Megadrive / Genesis)
  • SEGA AGES ヘルツォークツヴァイ / SEGA AGES Herzog Zwei (Nintendo Switch) (Developed by M2 under license of SEGA, released in 2020)

1990

• エレメンタルマスター / Elemental Master (Megadrive / Genesis)
• サンダーフォース３ / Thunder Force III (Megadrive / Genesis)
  • サンダーフォースAC / Thunder Force AC (Arcade)
    • サンダースピーリッツ / Thunder Spirits (Super Famicom / Super Nintendo Entertainment System) (Slightly varied port of Thunder Force AC, retailed by Toshiba EMI, released in 1991)
    • SEGA AGES サンダーフォースAC / SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC (Nintendo Switch) (Developed by M2 under license of SEGA, released in 2020)
  • セガ3D復刻アーカイブス3: Final Stage / Sega 3D Classics Collection 3 (Nintendo 3DS) (Developed by M2 under license of SEGA, released in 2016, Coupled with Turbo Outrun, Alien Syndrome, Columns, After Burner 2, Super Hang-on, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Gunstar Heroes, Bare Knuckle 2/Street of Rage 2)

1991

• デビルクラッシュMD / Dragon's Fury / Devil's Crush / Devil Crash (Megadrive / Genesis) (Port from PC Engine/Turbo Grafx 16, originally developed by Compile and retailed by Naxat)

1992

• サンダーフォース４ / Thunder Force IV (Megadrive / Genesis)
  • SEGA AGES サンダーフォース４ / SEGA AGES Thunder Force IV (Nintendo Switch) (Developed by M2 under license of SEGA, released in 2018)

1993

• ハイパーデュエル / Hyper Duel (Arcade, Sega Saturn) (Saturn version is released in 1996)

1994

• マジカルエラーをさがせ!^[11] / Magical error wo sagase! (Arcade)
• 熱血親子^[12] / Nekketsu Oyako (Sega Saturn, PlayStation) (Saturn version is released in 1995)
• スターブレード / Star blade (Mega CD / Sega CD version only) (Developed for Namco OEM)

1995

• 球転界 / Fantastic Pinball Kyuutenkai (PlayStation, Sega Saturn)
• リヴァーシオン / Reverthion(PlayStation)
  • ハイパーリヴァーシオン / Hyper Reverthion (Sega Saturn) (slightly varied port of Reverthion, released in 1996)

1996

• 鋼鉄霊域~スティールダム / Kotetsu Reiki: Steeldom (PlayStation, Sega Saturn)
• サンダーフォースゴールドパック１ / Thunder Force Gold Pack 1 (Sega Saturn)
• サンダーフォースゴールドパック２ / Thunder Force Gold Pack 2 (Sega Saturn)

1997

• ブラストウィンド / Blast Wind (Sega Saturn)
• ネオリュード / Neorude (PlayStation)
  • テクコレ２: ネオリュード / Tech Colle 2: Neorude (PlayStation) (Low-priced repackage version, released in 1999)
• ネオリュード２ / Neorude 2 (PlayStation)
  • テクコレ３: ネオリュード２ / Tech Colle 3: Neorude II (PlayStation) (Low-priced repackage version, released in 1999)
• サンダーフォース５ / Thunder Force V (Sega Saturn)
  • サタコレ サンダーフォース５ / Satacolle: Thunder Force V (Sega Saturn) (Low-priced repackage version, released in 1998)
  • サンダーフォース５ パーフェクトシステム / Thunder Force V: Perfect System (PlayStation) (power-up port of Thunder Force V, released in 1998)
    • テクコレ１: サンダーフォース５ パーフェクトシステム / Tech Colle 1: Thunder Force V: Perfect System (PlayStation) (Low-priced repackage version, released in 1999)

1998

• 風の丘公園にて / Kaze no Oka Kouen nite (PlayStation)
• 組み立てバトル くっつけっと / Kuttu Ketto (PlayStation, Sega Saturn)
• サイレントメビウス～幻影の堕天使^[13] / Silent Moebius: Gen-ei no Datenshi(PlayStation) (Developed for Bandai Visual OEM)

1999

• ゲッターロボ大決戦! / Getter Robo Daikessen!^[14] (PlayStation) (Developed for Bandai Visual OEM)
• マイガーデン / My Garden (PlayStation)
• ネオリュード～刻まれた紋章^[15] / Neorude: Kizamareta Monshou (PlayStation) - The final title developed by Technosoft.
• お店de店主^[16] / Omise de Tensyu (PlayStation)

2008

• サンダーフォース６ / Thunder Force VI (PlayStation 2) (Developed under license by SEGA)

References