What Kairosoft Co. Ltd. does

Kairosoft Co. Ltd. (株式会社カイロソフト), founded in 1996 and headquartered at 4-33-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, is a privately held Japanese video game developer specializing in pixel-art simulation and management games for mobile, PC, and console platforms. The company maintains a catalog of 60+ simulation titles spanning restaurant management, sports team management, town-building, hospitality, entertainment industry, and RPG-style scenarios — including flagship franchises such as Game Dev Story, Hot Springs Story, Pocket Academy, Dungeon Village, and Dream House Days. Its products are built on a consistent template-based game engine that supports cross-platform deployment to Google Play, Apple App Store, Apple Arcade, Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Marketplace, with localization into 13+ languages.

Kairosoft's technology stack relies on a reusable pixel-art asset pipeline and a mature simulation framework that enables prolific title output from a relatively small team (51–100 employees). The company generates revenue through multiple streams: one-time app purchases (typically ~300 yen for standard content, up to 10,000 yen for premium), in-app purchases for virtual currency and content upgrades, freemium-with-ads models, monthly subscriptions (e.g., Gold Pass in High Sea Saga at up to 1,080 yen/month), and — most recently — major IP licensing and co-development deals such as One Piece: Grand Gourmet with Bandai Namco Entertainment America. The customer base is overwhelmingly B2C, distributed across global mobile gamers and simulation enthusiasts, with the Bandai Namco partnership representing a notable B2B enterprise relationship.

Strategically, Kairosoft is executed through a marketplace-centric go-to-market motion — distributing via major app stores with app store optimization, supported by a centralized web portal (kairopark.jp), social media presence (Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LINE), email newsletters, and an official merchandise store. Leadership is concentrated among the Usui family: Kazuyuki Usui serves as Representative Director (CEO equivalent) and Shinichiro Usui as Director. The company has remained privately held with no disclosed external funding, no subsidiaries, and no acquisition activity identified in the source materials.

Name

Kairosoft Co. Ltd.

Legal name

株式会社カイロソフト (KairoSoft Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://kairopark.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kairosoft Co. Ltd. is a privately held Japanese video game developer founded in 1996 that designs and publishes pixel-art simulation and management games across mobile, PC, and console platforms for a global consumer audience, with over 60 titles in its catalog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Simulation Games

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321), Software Publishers (513210)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores (BPAMAKAB), AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)

Keywords

• Simulation game development
• Mobile management games
• Indie game studio
• Pixel art games
• Casual simulation apps

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. App Content Sales (One-time Purchase): Users pay a one-time fee to purchase game content. Pricing ranges from free to 10,000 yen (tax included) per content purchase. Some games offer a one-time purchase option without in-app purchases.
2. In-App Purchases: Many Kairosoft games offer in-app purchases for virtual currency (medals, coins), premium items, and content upgrades. Some games offer a separate paid version that removes in-app purchases.
3. Monthly Subscription: Some games offer monthly subscription services (such as Gold Pass in High Sea Saga) with pricing up to 1,080 yen (tax included) per month.
4. Licensing and Co-development: Kairosoft licenses its game development expertise to create branded games for major IP holders, as demonstrated by the One Piece: Grand Gourmet collaboration with Bandai Namco.
5. Freemium Games: Many Kairosoft titles offer a freemium model with free versions supported by in-app purchases or advertising, and optional premium upgrades.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kairosoft Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game developer that creates pixel-art style simulation and management games for mobile (iOS and Android), PC (Steam), and console platforms (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox). The company develops and self-publishes a catalog of more than 60 distinct game titles spanning genres such as town-building, restaurant/hospitality management, sports team management, entertainment industry simulations, and RPG-style resource management. Kairosoft also engages in IP licensing and co-development deals, producing branded simulation games with major Japanese franchises.

Product overview

Kairosoft Co. Ltd. is a Japanese mobile game developer specializing in simulation and management games. Their product portfolio consists of over 80 distinct game titles across various simulation genres, including town-building, restaurant/hospitality management, sports team management, entertainment industry simulations (gaming arcs, TV stations, movie/animation studios, music agencies), and RPG-style simulations. The core products are simulation games released primarily as mobile apps for Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store), with many also available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Key franchises include the Pocket Academy series (school management), Dungeon Village (town-building RPG), Hot Springs Story (hospitality management), Game Dev Story (game company simulation), and various other management sims. The company also produces licensed games featuring popular IPs like Doraemon and One Piece. Their business model includes free-to-play games with optional in-app purchases, as well as premium titles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Game Dev Story A management simulation where players run a game development studio, create consoles, hire staff, and develop hit games. Available on Apple Arcade.
• Hot Springs Story A Japanese hot springs (onsen) resort management simulation where players build and operate a traditional ryokan inn.
• Hot Springs Story 2 Sequel to Hot Springs Story, continuing the Japanese hot springs inn management simulation with expanded features.
• Pocket Academy Series A school management simulation series where players run academies, manage classes, clubs, and school events.
• Dream House Days An apartment/condo management simulation where players design dream homes for residents.
• Dungeon Village 2 Sequel to Dungeon Village where players build an RPG-style town, recruiting adventurers and monsters.
• Grand Prix Story Series A racing team management simulation where players develop cars, train drivers, and compete in Grand Prix championships.
• High Sea Saga A pirate adventure simulation where players build a pirate crew, explore islands, and engage in sea battles. Offers monthly subscription (Gold Pass) up to 1,080 yen.
• Skyship Quest Story An airship simulation RPG where players travel between islands in a steampunk airship world, managing their vessel and crew.
• Demon Castle Story An RPG simulation where players become a demon lord, building dungeons and defending against invading adventurers.
• Final Frontier Story A shooting/exploration simulation where players explore new worlds and build space cities on planets.
• Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story A licensed simulation game featuring the Doraemon IP where players create a traditional Japanese sweets shop serving dorayaki and other confections.
• Cafeteria Nipponica A restaurant management simulation where players run a gourmet restaurant serving various dishes.
• Anime Studio Story An animation studio simulation where players produce anime shows.
• Jumbo Airport Story An airport management simulation where players build and operate a world-famous airport.
• Dream Park Story An amusement park management simulation where players build and customize their own theme park.
• Dream Town Island A town-building simulation where residents work, play, get married and have children across generations.
• One Piece: Grand Gourmet A restaurant management simulation featuring the One Piece Straw Hat crew, co-developed with Bandai Namco Entertainment America. Scheduled for release on October 23, 2026.
• Pocket Arcade Story A game center arcade management simulation with coin games and photo booths.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bandai Namco Entertainment AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Kairosoft announced a new One Piece video game titled 'One Piece: Grand Gourmet' in partnership with Bandai Namco Entertainment America. The game is a restaurant management simulation featuring the Straw Hat crew from the One Piece anime/manga franchise. The announcement trailer debuted during a Nintendo Direct presentation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Bandai Namco Entertainment: Major Japanese publisher and IP holder co-developing One Piece: Grand Gourmet with Kairosoft. Included as a strategic partner and IP licensor rather than a direct competitor.
• Devolver Digital: Indie games publisher and distributor bringing stylized, niche titles to PC, console and mobile. Adjacent as an indie publishing/distribution ecosystem participant rather than a direct genre competitor.

Direct peers

• NimbleBit: US indie studio behind Tiny Tower and Pocket Frogs, making pixel-art, bite-sized management/tycoon mobile sims. Directly comparable in art style, genre, casual mobile audience and IAP monetization.
• Two Point Studios: Developer of Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, specializing in humorous management simulation games across PC, console and mobile. Shares Kairosoft's core management-sim genre, though more premium and PC/console-led.

Broad incumbents

• Playrix: Large mobile developer of Township, Gardenscapes and Homescapes, blending management/simulation mechanics for a broad casual audience. Overlaps on mobile simulation gameplay at far greater scale.
• Gameloft: Global mobile game publisher with numerous simulation and management titles across app stores and consoles. Overlaps on multi-platform mobile distribution and casual/management genres at large scale.

Emerging players

• Kolibri Games: Maker of Idle Miner Tycoon and idle management mobile games. Intersects with Kairosoft on business/tycoon management simulation and free-to-play mobile monetization.
• Klei Entertainment: Independent studio known for Don't Starve and management/survival sims with a distinctive art style. Comparable as an indie developer specializing in stylized simulation gameplay across platforms.

Regional players

• Colopl: Japanese mobile game developer and publisher serving primarily the domestic market. Comparable as a Japan-based mobile studio but focused on RPG/gacha rather than pixel management sims.
• GungHo Online Entertainment: Japanese mobile and console game company (Puzzle & Dragons). A domestic peer in Japan's mobile gaming ecosystem with multi-platform distribution, though different core genres.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kairosoft
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVidj3Qs-LeQI4_X5RFYlZw
• Instagraminstagram.com/kairosoft_studio
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kairosoft-Co-Ltd-279648482093802
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kairosoft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kairosoft Co. Ltd.