ArtPlay
ArtPlay is a Tokyo-based private video game studio founded in 2014 by Koji Igarashi, the legendary Castlevania producer, developing premium gothic-themed Metroidvania action games — primarily the Bloodstained franchise — for global consumers across console, PC, and mobile platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What ArtPlay does
ArtPlay, Inc. (株式会社ArtPlay) is a privately held Tokyo-based video game development studio founded in September 2014 by Koji Igarashi (IGA), the longtime producer of Konami's Castlevania series. The company specializes in high-quality 2D and 2.5D action games with gothic dark fantasy themes, anchored by its proprietary Bloodstained intellectual property. Core development is built on Unreal Engine 4 with a proprietary 2.5D graphics pipeline that combines 3D-rendered models within 2D side-scrolling environments, supplemented by Houdini-based procedural asset generation. The flagship product is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (released June 2019, 2M+ copies sold), supported by retro spinoffs Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (May 2018) and Curse of the Moon 2 (July 2020), and the upcoming Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement announced for 2026.
The business model rests on one-time-purchase licenses of premium console and PC games distributed across PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam, GOG, and (planned) Epic Games Store, with revenue shares negotiated through co-publisher 505 Games. The mobile port of Ritual of the Night (December 2020) was co-developed and published with NetEase Games across iOS and Android in 11 languages, and the company also earned co-development revenue from Re:volvers8, a mobile real-time strategy title with character concepts by IGA published by Sega Games. Ancillary revenue includes paid DLC (costumes, modes) alongside free updates (Boss Revenge Mode, Color Change, Speed Runner Mode, upcoming online Co-op and PvP via WayForward). The go-to-market model has been demonstrably event-driven: Ritual of the Night was community-financed through a 2015 Kickstarter that raised $5.55M against a $500K goal — among the most-funded video game campaigns on the platform — converting fan capital into a multi-platform launch that reached #1 on Steam's best-seller list in 2019.
Customers are overwhelmingly individual global gamers (SMBs/consumers) segmented into global video-game enthusiasts who favor Metroidvania exploration, retro-gaming fans, and mobile gamers, with 505 Games (enterprise co-publisher/distributor) as the principal B2B counterparty. The company operates with a small specialist team of 11–50 employees in Tokyo and extends capacity through external development partners (Inti Creates for retro sub-titles, NetEase for mobile, WayForward for online multiplayer, and Unbits for upcoming features). Headquartered at Kanda Center Building 5F, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, ArtPlay is founder-controlled, with no disclosed institutional investors and no parent company.
ArtPlay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ArtPlay
- Legal name
- 株式会社ArtPlay
- Website
- https://artplay.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ArtPlay is a Tokyo-based private video game studio founded in 2014 by Koji Igarashi, the legendary Castlevania producer, developing premium gothic-themed Metroidvania action games — primarily the Bloodstained franchise — for global consumers across console, PC, and mobile platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ArtPlay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios (MPAFAAAL)
Keywords
Where ArtPlay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
ArtPlay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales (Physical and Digital): One-time purchase model for console and PC games distributed through major platforms (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Steam, GOG). Revenue from initial game sales plus potential for expansion content.
- Mobile Game Distribution: Mobile ports of flagship titles (Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night mobile) co-developed and distributed via NetEase Games, generating revenue through app store sales.
- Downloadable Content (DLC): Paid DLC for costumes and new content. Free updates include Boss Revenge Mode, Color Change feature, Speed Runner Mode, and online Co-op/PvP modes.
- Licensing and Publishing Rights: 505 Games serves as co-publisher, handling distribution while ArtPlay retains IP ownership and creative control. Character designs and world licensing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night - Base game console/PC |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon - Retro-style action game |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
ArtPlay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ArtPlay is a Tokyo-based video game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes action games, most notably the Bloodstained franchise including Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (a 2.5D Metroidvania action RPG built on Unreal Engine 4) and its companion retro-style titles Curse of the Moon and Curse of the Moon 2. The studio self-publishes games across PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile (iOS/Android) platforms, and also co-develops titles with partners such as NetEase Games and Inti Creates.
Product overview
ArtPlay is a video game development company founded by Koji Igarashi (IGA), known for his work on the Castlevania series. The company operates as a single-studio developer focused on action games, particularly the Bloodstained franchise. Their product portfolio centers on the Bloodstained series: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (2019) is their flagship Metroidvania action RPG that sold 2 million copies; Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (2018) and its sequel Curse of the Moon 2 (2020) are 8-bit style companion titles developed with Inti Creates; Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement (planned 2026) is an upcoming 2.5D side-scroller with dual protagonists. The company also co-developed the mobile version of Ritual of the Night with NetEase Games. Additionally, ArtPlay provided character concept work for Re:volvers8, a mobile real-time strategy game published by Sega Games. The company uses Unreal Engine 4/5 for development and has released games across PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile (iOS/Android) platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night A Metroidvania exploration-focused side-scrolling action RPG featuring protagonist Miriam, an alchemist's orphan cursed with gradual crystallization, set in an 18th century gothic dark fantasy world. Built on Unreal Engine 4 and released across consoles and PC.
- Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (Mobile) Mobile port of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night co-developed with NetEase Games, faithfully reproducing the console experience with touch-optimized controls and an achievement system. Available globally on iOS and Android in 11 languages.
- Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon Retro 8-bit style 2D side-scrolling action game developed by Inti Creates under ArtPlay's supervision, featuring sword and whip combat with an expandable character roster drawn from Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.
- Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 Sequel to Curse of the Moon, a retro 8-bit style 2D side-scrolling action game with multiple scenarios, three new playable characters and returning characters from the original, supervised by IGA.
- Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Upcoming 2.5D side-scrolling action RPG set in a 16th century gothic world, featuring dual protagonists Leonardo and Alexander with instant character switching, the series' largest map ('Formless Castle'), and full English and Japanese voice acting.
- Re:volvers8 (リボルバースエイト) Mobile real-time strategy game featuring 8-card deck battles in 3-minute matches, with character concept by Koji Igarashi and design by Ryota-H, published globally by Sega Games.
Quantifiable outcome
- Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night sold 2 million copies worldwide by 2023
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ArtPlay
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ArtPlay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ArtPlay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- NetEase GamescoreNetEase Games co-developed and published the mobile version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, optimizing the game for iOS and Android platforms. The mobile version includes achievements system and touch-optimized controls.
- Inti Creates (インティ・クリエイツ)coreInti Creates developed Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon and Curse of the Moon 2, handling the 8-bit style retro action game development. The studio previously worked on Mega Man 9 and other retro-style games.
- 505 Gamescore505 Games serves as co-publisher for the Bloodstained franchise, handling global distribution alongside ArtPlay. The partnership was established during the original Kickstarter campaign in 2015 and continues through all subsequent titles.
- Koji Igarashi (IGA)coreKoji Igarashi (五十嵐孝司) is the founder, President and Executive Producer of ArtPlay. He brings Castlevania series expertise and serves as the creative lead for all Bloodstained titles.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ArtPlay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Team Cherry: Developer of Hollow Knight, a leading indie Metroidvania with strong critical and commercial reception. Directly comparable as a small-team indie developer whose single franchise defines the studio in the same premium action-exploration niche.
- WayForward: Long-running American 2D action game developer (Shantae, Contra 4) currently developing online Co-op and PvP modes for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Comparable as a partner studio with overlapping 2D action-platformer capabilities and audience.
- Moon Studios: Independent developer of Ori and the Blind Forest / Ori and the Will of the Wisps, a critically acclaimed Metroidvania action-platformer franchise. Directly comparable as a small independent studio competing in the premium Metroidvania category.
- Yacht Club Games: Independent developer of Shovel Knight, a retro-styled 2D action platformer with Kickstarter origins. Comparable as a small studio combining Kickstarter-funded launches with retro-aesthetic action titles and strong community engagement.
- Inti Creates: Co-development partner on the Curse of the Moon series and a Japanese indie studio specializing in 2D action-platformers (Mega Man 9/10, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon). Directly comparable as a small specialist 2D action studio working on the same IP family.
Broad incumbents
- Konami: Original publisher/owner of the Castlevania franchise that IGA created and ArtPlay's games are spiritual successors to. Relevant as the IP incumbent whose licensing decisions and franchise decisions shape ArtPlay's market positioning.
- MercurySteam: Spanish studio that succeeded Koji Igarashi on the modern Castlevania series (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow). Comparable as the closest large-scale Metroidvania action developer with overlapping creative lineage to ArtPlay.
Others
- NetEase Games: Chinese publisher that co-developed and publishes the mobile version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night globally. Relevant as a partner with material influence on ArtPlay's mobile revenue and APAC reach.
- 505 Games: Italian publisher serving as co-publisher on the Bloodstained franchise since 2015. Included as an ecosystem participant with direct involvement in ArtPlay's commercial outcomes via distribution.
Emerging players
- Dotemu: French publisher/developer specializing in reviving classic 2D and arcade franchises (Streets of Rage 4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge). Comparable as a publisher with strong 2D action-platformer expertise that could partner or compete with ArtPlay.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ArtPlay social profiles
Digital presenceArtPlay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ArtPlay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ArtPlay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ArtPlay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ArtPlay
What does ArtPlay do?
ArtPlay is a Tokyo-based video game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes action games, most notably the Bloodstained franchise including Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (a 2.5D Metroidvania action RPG built on Unreal Engine 4) and its companion retro-style titles Curse of the Moon and Curse of the Moon 2. The studio self-publishes games across PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile (iOS/Android) platforms, and also co-develops titles with partners such as NetEase Games and Inti Creates.
Is ArtPlay a public or private company?
ArtPlay is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ArtPlay founded?
ArtPlay was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ArtPlay based?
ArtPlay is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does ArtPlay make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Game Sales (Physical and Digital) is the primary driver. The others are mobile Game Distribution, downloadable Content (DLC) and licensing and Publishing Rights.
Who are ArtPlay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Team Cherry, WayForward, Moon Studios, Yacht Club Games and Inti Creates. Broad incumbents are Konami and MercurySteam. Others are NetEase Games and 505 Games. Dotemu is listed as an emerging player.
Does ArtPlay have an API?
No public API is recorded for ArtPlay.
What industry is ArtPlay in?
ArtPlay's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAL, Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 33993 and its SIC code is 3944.