{{Short description|Defunct Japanese video game developer}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2010}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox company | name = AQ Interactive, Inc. | native_name = {{lang|ja|株式会社AQインタラクティブ}} | logo = AQ Interactive Logo.svg | logo_size = 220px | caption = | slogan = | type = Kabushiki gaisha | fate = Merged with Marvelous Entertainment and Liveware | successor = Marvelous AQL | foundation = {{start date and age|2005|10|1}} | defunct = {{end date and age|2011|10|5}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Marvelous AQL Celebrates Consolidation with Party and New Title Announcement Press Conference|url=http://andriasang.com/comyg1/|publisher=Adriansang|access-date=October 6, 2011|archive-date=October 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008135449/http://andriasang.com/comyg1/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | location = Tokyo, Japan | key_people = Shuichi Motoda, CEO | industry = Video games | products = | revenue = | net_income = | owner = | num_employees = 393 (as of March 2010) | parent = | divisions = | subsid = Refer to subsidiary | homepage = {{URL|www.aqi.co.jp}} }} '''AQ Interactive, Inc.''' was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. AQ stands for '''Artistic Quality'''. It was the parent company of the developers Artoon, Cavia and feelplus, and most recently the U.S. publisher Xseed Games. AQ Interactive and its subsidiaries produced games both under the AQ Interactive name, as well as developing for other publishers such as Microsoft Studios (now Xbox Game Studios) and Nintendo.
== History == AQ Interactive was founded on October 1, 2005, when Cavia, established on March 1, 2000, changed its name and became a holding company responsible for the management of subsidiary companies as well as sales and promotion of video game software. The old company's game planning & development business became Cavia Inc. which remained a subsidiary of AQI, until July 2010, when Cavia was re-absorbed as a part of AQI.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamingunion.net/news/nier-to-be-cavias-last-title-company-ceases--2175.html |title=NieR To Be Cavia's Last Title, Company Ceases |author=Darryl |date=July 12, 2010 |publisher=Gaming Union |access-date=March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715061743/http://www.gamingunion.net/news/nier-to-be-cavias-last-title-company-ceases--2175.html |archive-date=July 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
It published its first game in November 2005, the Xbox 360 launch title ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE''.
On March 12, 2009, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced relocating its headquarters to Shinagawa, Tokyo, between June and August 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=689580 |title=本店移転に関するお知らせ |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306085044/http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=689580 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On March 26, 2009, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced the establishment of its mobile contents and overseas business divisions, effective on April 1, 2009.<ref>[http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=692278 組織変更および人事異動のお知らせ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023041310/http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=692278|date=2013-10-23}}</ref>
In August 2010, AQ Interactive merged and relocated the Artoon, feelplus, Cavia web sites into a single AQI Development product page.<ref>{{cite web|title=Artoon And Feelplus Also Absorbed Into AQ Interactive|date=August 13, 2010 |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/08/13/artoon-and-feelplus-also-absorbed-into-aq-interactive/|publisher=siliconera|access-date=October 13, 2011}}</ref>
On March 31, 2011, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced merging its software and amusement business departments into consumer business department.<ref>[http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20110331_2.pdf 組織変更および人事異動のお知らせ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017103901/http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20110331_2.pdf|date=2013-10-17}}</ref>
On June 23, 2011, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced its merger with Marvelous Entertainment and Liveware, effective on October 1, 2011.<ref>[http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20110623.pdf 株式会社マーベラスエンターテイメント、株式会社AQインタラクティブ及び株式会社ライブウェアの合併に関するお知らせ]</ref>
== Subsidiaries == *XSEED JKS, Inc.: On May 15, 2007, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced the acquisition of XSEED JKS, Inc., with share transfer before June 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=499588 |title=XSEED JKS，Inc.の株式の取得（子会社化）に関するお知らせ |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305220138/http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=499588 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=513282 |title=XSEED JKS，Inc.の株式の取得(子会社化)完了のお知らせ |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023041326/http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=513282 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 1, 2009, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced increasing its stake of XSEED JKS, Inc. from 55.0% (486636 shares) to 90.0% (766859 shares) on the day of announcement.<ref>[http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20090501_2.pdf 子会社株式の追加取得に関するお知らせ]</ref> *LINKTHINK Inc. (株式会社リンクシンク): On April 16, 2009, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced the acquisition of LINKTHINK Inc., effective on April 16, 2009. AQ Interactive, Inc. would own 66.8% stake (1030 shares) of the subsidiary.<ref>[http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20090416.pdf 株式会社リンクシンクの株式の取得（子会社化）に関するお知らせ]</ref><ref>[http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0904/17/news011.html AQインタラクティブ、「ウェブカレ」のリンクシンクを子会社化]</ref> On November 6, 2009, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced increasing its stake of LINKTHINK Inc. to 100% (1540 shares).<ref name="merge20110801" />
=== Former subsidiaries === {{anchor|Microcabin}} *Microcabin Corporation (株式会社マイクロキャビン): On 2008-05-09, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced the acquisition of Microcabin Corporation via share purchase, with trade on May 16, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=595477 |title=株式会社マイクロキャビンの株式の取得（子会社化）に関するお知らせ |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023041332/http://eir.eol.co.jp/EIR/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=595477 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On January 14, 2011, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced selling its 85% stake (312704 shares) of Microcabin Corporation to Fields Corporation (フィールズ株式会社), and Microcabin Corporation became a consolidated subsidiary of Fields Corporation.<ref>[http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20110114_2.pdf 子会社の異動（株式譲渡）及びこれに伴う特別損益の計上並びに業績予想の修正に関するお知らせ]</ref><ref>[http://www.fields.biz/ir/j/files/press/2011/press_20110114b.pdf 子会社化（株式会社マイクロキャビンの株式取得）に係る株式会社AQインタラクティブとの株式譲渡契約締結に関するお知らせ]</ref><ref>[http://www.fields.biz/ir/j/files/press/2011/press_20110114be.pdf Notification regarding a Share Transfer Agreement on the Acquisition of Shares Held by AQ INTERACTIVE INC. in MICROCABIN CORP. to Make It a Subsidiary of Fields Corporation]</ref><ref>[http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/1101/14/news093.html マイクロキャビンをパチンコ機販売のフィールズが子会社化]</ref> *feelplus Inc. (株式会社フィールプラス): A carryover subsidiary of cavia inc. On April 28, 2011, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced merging feelplus Inc. into AQ Interactive, Inc., effective on August 1, 2011.<ref name=merge20110801>[http://www.maql.co.jp/ir/press/pdf/aqi/20091106.pdf 子会社株式の追加取得に関するお知らせ]</ref> *Cavia Inc. (株式会社キャビア): On April 28, 2011, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced merging Cavia Inc. into AQ Interactive, Inc., effective on August 1, 2011.<ref name=merge20110801 /> *Artoon (株式会社アートゥーン): On April 28, 2011, AQ Interactive, Inc. announced merging Artoon into AQ Interactive, Inc., effective on August 1, 2011.<ref name=merge20110801 />
== Released games == The following are games developed and/or published by AQ Interactive.
=== Arcade === *''Pokémon Battrio'' (2007): Fighting *''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong'' (''Higurashi When They Cry'' characters mahjong video game) (2009) : Mahjong *''Touch the Numbers'' (TBA) *''Cubemall'': UFO catcher *''Minna de Derby'': Horse racing
=== PlayStation 2 === *''Love Com'' (2006): Adventure *''Driver: Parallel Lines'' (Japanese version) (2006): Action *''Arcana Heart'' (2007): Fighting *''Suggoi! Arcana Heart 2'' (2009): Fighting
=== PlayStation 3 === *''Vampire Rain: Altered Species'' (2008): Action-adventure/Stealth
=== PlayStation Portable === *''Jitsuroku Oniyome Nikki'' (2006): Action *''Anata wo Yurusanai'' (2007): Sound novel *''Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan'' (2009): Mahjong *''CR Hana no Keiji Zan'' (Cancelled): Pachinko simulator
=== Wii === *''Victorious Boxers: Revolution'' (2007): Fighting *''The World of Golden Eggs: Nori Nori Rhythm-kei'' (2008): Rhythm action *''Ju-on: The Grudge'' (2009): Survival horror/Graphic adventure *''Club Penguin: Game Day! (2010): Minigame collection''
=== Nintendo DS === *''Boing! Docomodake DS'' (2007): Puzzle *Korg DS-10 (2008): Music synthesizer software *''Blue Dragon Plus'' (2008): Tactical role-playing *''Away: Shuffle Dungeon'' (2008): Role-playing *Korg DS-10 Plus (2009): Music synthesizer software *Korg M01 (2010): Music synthesizer software
=== Nintendo 3DS === *''Cubic Ninja'' (2011): Action puzzle
=== Xbox 360 === *''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (2005): Puzzle *''Tsuushin Taisen Mahjong Touryuumon'' (2006): Mahjong *''Bullet Witch'' (2006): Action-adventure *''Vampire Rain'' (2007): Action-adventure/Stealth
=== Browser game === *''Browser Sangokushi'' (2009): Strategy/Simulation *''Baka to Test to Shōkanjū for Mixi'' (2010): Quiz/Simulation *''Derby Master'' (2010): Horse racing/Simulation *''Browser Baseball'' (2010): Sports/Simulation
=== iPhone === *''Glandarius Wing Strike'' (2009): Shoot 'em up
== Developed games ==
=== Wii === *''The Last Story'' (2011) – co-developed with Mistwalker / published by Nintendo
=== Nintendo 3DS === *''Animal Resort'' (2011) – published by Marvelous Entertainment
=== PlayStation 3 === *''No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise'' (2010) – published by Marvelous Entertainment and Konami
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20110719072908/http://www.aqi.co.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}<small> (archived from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20110719072908/http://www.aqi.co.jp/ original])</small> *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060106152517/http://games.ign.com/objects/787/787921.html AQ Interactive] profile at IGN *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110902002828/http://www.linkthink.co.jp/ LINKTHINK Inc. page]
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Category:Japanese companies established in 2005 Category:Japanese companies disestablished in 2011 Category:Video game companies established in 2005 Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2011 Category:Software companies based in Tokyo Category:Defunct video game companies of Japan Category:Video game development companies Category:Video game publishers Category:AQ Interactive