What Matrix Software does

Matrix Software (株式会社マトリックス) is a Tokyo-headquartered Japanese game development studio founded in 1994 by representative director Kosuke Ohori. The company employs 119 staff as of January 2026 across its Tokyo headquarters in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district and a Fukuoka Development Office. Matrix operates two business lines: commissioned game development (one-stop planning, design, programming, art, and QA) for major Japanese publishers and IP holders, and specialized pachinko/pachislot content development including liquid-crystal display programming, sub-control systems, video production, and simulator smartphone apps, a unit established in 2003 that has produced more than 50 titles. Across its 30+ year history the company has delivered over 150 commissioned titles and earned five consecutive Famitsu Cross Review Gold Hall of Fame (900+ score) designations between 2015 and 2020.

The studio works primarily on Unity and Unreal Engine across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/PS Vita, iOS, Android, Steam, and legacy platforms, supplemented by a broad creative tool chain (Maya, ZBrush, CLIP STUDIO, SubstancePainter, Spine, Live2D, Photoshop, Illustrator) and internally developed frameworks. Notable client work includes Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series asset production for Square Enix, Professor Layton smartphone ports for Level-5, Eiyū Densetsu Switch and Chinese/Korean ports for Nihon Falcom, Drift Spirits for Bandai Namco, and Wizardry Variants Daphne for Drecom. In April 2025 Matrix formalized a group company structure with HINATA Inc., pushing combined headcount above 150, and in September 2025 it launched the Matrix Creators sub-brand to publish original premium Steam titles developed with veteran creators Kenji Kohji (Mukuro no Rasen) and Kenji Kaido (SAKA-DOH: THE REVERSAL ARTS), with both titles released in February 2026.

Matrix's revenue model is hybrid: the majority comes from professional-services, project-based commissioned development contracts with publishers and pachinko/pachislot manufacturers, supplemented by a smaller but growing stream of direct-to-consumer revenue from original Steam titles (premium, e.g., ¥1,380 for SAKA-DOH), mobile free-to-play titles with in-app purchases, and ancillary services such as localization and platform porting. The company is privately held, founder-controlled, and registered in Tokyo with a stated capital of ¥10 million; no venture funding, institutional investors, or stock exchange listing are disclosed.

Name

Matrix Software

Legal name

株式会社マトリックス

Website

https://matrixsoft.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Matrix Software is a Tokyo-based Japanese game studio founded in 1994 that delivers commissioned console, mobile, and PC game development for major Japanese publishers, pachinko/pachislot content, and original premium titles under the Matrix Creators brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Game Development Services

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)

Keywords

• Commissioned game development
• Pachinko content development
• Mobile game development
• Game porting localization
• Original game publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Game Development: The primary revenue driver. Matrix develops games on a commissioned/contract basis for major publishers (Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Konami, Level-5, Falcom, D3 Publisher, GungHo, and others) and pachinko/pachislot manufacturers. Revenue is earned through project-based contracts covering full-cycle development from planning through programming, art, and QA. The company has produced over 150 commissioned titles.
2. Original Title Sales: Revenue from self-published original titles sold directly to consumers via Steam, App Store, and Google Play. Includes premium paid titles (e.g., '逆道' at ¥1,380) and free-to-play titles with in-app purchases (e.g., 'ビビッド・ビート・スプライト'). Original titles are a growing focus with the 'Matrix Creators' brand launching in 2025.
3. Smartphone App Revenue: Matrix develops and contributes to smartphone games published by partners. Revenue flows through the publishing partner's monetization model (free-to-play with IAP and ads). Titles include 'Wizardry Variants Daphne', 'ドリフトスピリッツ', and 'アナザーエデン'.
4. Pachinko/Pachislot Content Development: Specialized revenue stream from developing liquid crystal display content, sub-control systems, and video production for pachinko and pachislot machines. Since the 2003 launch of this business unit, over 50 titles have been delivered. Also includes smartphone simulator apps for pachinko/pachislot products.
5. Porting and Localization Services: Revenue from adapting and porting existing game titles to new platforms (e.g., Switch, mobile) and languages (Traditional Chinese, Korean). Examples include '英雄伝説 創の軌跡' Switch port and '英雄伝説 閃の軌跡IV' Chinese/Korean language versions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Matrix Software is a Japanese game development studio that provides full-cycle commissioned game development (planning, design, programming, art, and QA) for major publishers such as Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Konami, Level-5, and D3 Publisher, with over 150 titles delivered since 1994. The company also develops pachinko and pachislot content for amusement manufacturers, offers porting and localization services, and since 2025 has published its own original titles under the Matrix Creators sub-brand.

Product overview

Matrix Corporation (株式会社マトリックス) is a Japanese game development studio founded in 1994 with approximately 119 employees. The company operates two core business segments: game/mobile application development and pachinko/pachislot (遊技機) content development. It has produced over 150 titles across its history. The company's portfolio spans console, PC (Steam), and mobile platforms, including original IPs and work-for-hire on major licensed titles. In September 2025, Matrix established a new sub-brand called 'Matrix Creators' to produce ambitious premium Steam titles in partnership with legendary Japanese game creators. Notable products include '骸ノ螺旋' (a roguelight action game directed by Kenji Kohji) and '逆道' (a retro 2D fighting action by Kenji Kaido), both released on Steam in early 2026. The company also developed 'Wizardry Variants Daphne' (2024, iOS/Android) and contributed art direction to the 'Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster' series (2021–2024). In the pachinko/pachislot segment, Matrix has produced 50+ titles since 2003 and provides end-to-end development including animation, sound implementation, and simulator apps. The company also co-developed the physical attraction 'ダンジョン∞スパイラル' at THE TOKYO MATRIX in Shinjuku.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Matrix Creators: A game brand established in 2025 that partners with legendary creators to produce ambitious game titles. First releases include 'Mukuro no Rasen' directed by Kohji Kenjo and 'SAKA-DOH' by Kenji Kaido.

Products and services

• Commissioned Game Development Services End-to-end outsourced game development for major Japanese game publishers and IP holders, covering planning, design, programming, art production, and QA across console, mobile, and PC platforms.
• Pachinko/Pachislot Content Development Specialized development of liquid crystal display content, sub-control systems, video production, and smartphone simulator apps for pachinko and pachislot machine manufacturers, plus the company's own simulator apps.
• Porting and Localization Services Platform porting and multi-language localization of game titles for publishers such as Nihon Falcom, with distribution into regional markets through publishers like Clouded Leopard Entertainment.
• Matrix Creators Original game publishing label that partners with veteran Japanese game creators to produce and publish high-quality premium PC titles, currently distributed via Steam.
• 髑ノ螺旋 (Mukuro no Rasen) Japanese dark fantasy roguelight action game for PC (Steam) featuring minimalist 1-stick/1-button controls, an auto-attack system, permanent upgrade mechanics, and vertical dungeon traversal. Directed by Kenji Kohji.
• 逆道 SAKA-DOH: THE REVERSAL ARTS 2D fighting action game for PC (Steam) with retro 80s arcade-style pendulum combat, a 4-stage special move system, and rope-swinging mechanics. Designed by Kenji Kaido.
• Wizardry Variants Daphne 3D dungeon-crawler RPG for iOS/Android with 6-person turn-based command battles, character/monster 3D modeling, and world-building across towns and dungeons, developed as a co-development partner with Drecom.
• ドリフトスピリッツ (Drift Spirits)
• ダンジョン∞スパイラル (Dungeon Infinity Spiral) Bodily-controlled action RPG attraction at THE TOKYO MATRIX entertainment venue in Shinjuku, where players use full-body motion capture to control avatars and defeat monsters in team-based mini-games.
• ビビッド・ビート・スプライト (Vivid Beat Sprite) High-speed puzzle action mobile game featuring music-synced Sprite characters and hand-card matching puzzle mechanics, distributed as free-to-play with in-app purchases on iOS and Android.
• 侍Slash (Samurai Slash) Runner action mobile game featuring sword-slash combat, 20+ weapon types, and player skins, developed for Ketchapp and published by indigames.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 consecutive console titles achieved ファミ通クロスレビュー ゴールド殿堂入り (900+ Famitsu score), signaling consistent quality recognized by Japan's leading gaming media
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TeamYAMASA (operated by 株式会社MELM)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 January 2026E-sports team sponsorship agreement. Matrix sponsors TeamYAMASA, an e-sports team active in the Tekken series, operated by MELM Inc. The team competes under the TeamYAMASA name.
• HINATA株式会社 (HINATA Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2025Formalized group company structure under the same holding company, building on a trial period starting 2024. Both companies share the same floor at Hygia Building in Shinjuku. Combined headcount exceeds 150 employees, enabling deeper development coordination and creative synergy between the two companies.
• 白群 (Byakugun) Five-Company Partnership GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2023Five-company strategic business partnership comprising: 株式会社マトリックス (Matrix), 株式会社スタジオアートディンク/ジーチョイス (Studio Art Dink / G-CHOICE), 株式会社プロファイア (Profire), 株式会社メテオライズ (Meteorize), and 株式会社アルファ・システム (Alpha System). Formed August 2023 to combine each company's strengths and create a new model for game companies. Collective expertise spans game development, publishing, and infrastructure. Joint website: byakugun-group.com.
• 株式会社スタジオアートディンク + 株式会社プロファイア (Joint 3-company partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2022Formalized three-way business partnership (Matrix + Studio Art Dink + Profire) to deepen the relationship established through individual partnerships. Enabled joint development of '遊戯王ラッシュデュエル 最強バトルロイヤル!!' and '47HEROINES'.
• 株式会社プロファイア (Profire)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2021Business partnership combining Matrix's content development with Profire's large-scale, high-load game development and operations expertise, plus safe, cost-effective infrastructure design and build capabilities. Preceded the larger 白群 partnership.
• 株式会社スタジオアートディンク (Studio Art Dink)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2020Technical and business partnership leveraging Matrix's development capabilities and Studio Art Dink's strengths to build a stronger content development system. Preceded the larger 白群 partnership. First joint development was '遊戯王ラッシュデュエル 最強バトルロイヤル!!'.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Alpha System: Japanese game developer and Byakugun 5-company group member. Alpha System focuses on console/action game development for major Japanese publishers, with a similar commissioned-studio model and overlapping IP relationships (e.g., Sega titles). Comparable in size and service offering to Matrix.
• Meteoraize: Japanese game developer and Byakugun 5-company group member. Meteoraize operates as a commissioned development studio for Japanese publishers, with a comparable service-based business model and similar scale to Matrix. Joined the Byakugun consortium in 2023.
• Shade Inc. Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed Japanese developer with both B2B software (3D tools) and game development operations. Shade's dual segment model (software + games) and Japan-centric commissioned work make it a comparable peer, though somewhat broader in scope than Matrix.
• Acquire Corp. Tokyo-based Japanese game developer known for Tenchu, Way of the Samurai, and Octopath Traveler (co-development with Square Enix). Acquire combines first-party IP with commissioned development for major publishers, mirroring Matrix's dual model, and operates at a similar scale with overlapping client relationships.
• Arika: Tokyo-based Japanese game studio known for Street Fighter EX and Tetris: The Grand Master series. Arika operates a similar dual model of first-party IP development plus commissioned work, with comparable scale to Matrix and overlapping Japanese publisher relationships.
• PROFIRE: Tokyo-based game developer and Byakugun co-partner. PROFIRE combines large-scale, high-load game development and operations with infrastructure capabilities, complementing Matrix's content focus. Direct peer in the same partnership alliance with overlapping Japanese publisher clients.
• Lancarse: Tokyo-based game developer with a technology partnership with Matrix (announced May 2022). Lancarse takes a distinctive, design-driven approach to game development and operates as a similarly-sized boutique commissioned studio, making it a directly comparable peer in business model and geography.
• Cattle Call (CAVE subsidiary): Japanese game developer (formerly CAVE subsidiary) that does commissioned console and mobile game development for major Japanese publishers. Similar service model to Matrix with comparable scale, providing a direct peer in the Japanese work-for-hire development segment.
• Studio Art Dink: Tokyo-based game development studio and direct Byakugun co-partner. Both studios share a similar commissioned-development model serving Japanese publishers and have shipped joint titles (Yu-Gi-Oh Rush Duel). The closest direct comparable in terms of size, client base, and engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• Tose Co., Ltd. Japan's largest pure commissioned (work-for-hire) game developer, headquartered in Kyoto. Tose operates at significantly larger scale than Matrix, with thousands of employees and a global client base, but follows the same services-led model without owning major IPs. Represents the scaled incumbent version of Matrix's business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Matrix_Corp0714
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Matrix_Corp
• Facebookfacebook.com/matrixsoft.co.jp
• Instagraminstagram.com/matrixsoft_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 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 Matrix Software