Artdink

Japanese video game developer founded in 1986, known for simulation and strategy games like the A-Train series and Aquanaut's Holiday.

Role-playing (RPG)

Action

Puzzle

Adventure

Special edition

Website

Founded

1986

HQ

Tokyo, Japan

Known for

Simulation / Strategy / Adventure

35

Games

1991–2023

Years

13

Platforms

$20.23

Ø CIB

-11.9%

24M change

About

Artdink is a Japanese game development studio established in 1986. The company is highly regarded for its unique and experimental simulation games, including the long-running A-Train railway simulation series. They also developed notable PlayStation-era titles such as Aquanaut's Holiday, Tail of the Sun, and Carnage Heart.

Initially focusing on personal computer platforms like the PC-9801, the developer transitioned to console development in the 1990s, finding a receptive audience on the Sony PlayStation. The release of A Ressha de Ikou (1991) expanded the studio's reach internationally, leading to localized iterations such as A IV Evolution Global (1996).

During the mid-1990s, the studio diversified into non-traditional genres. Aquanaut's Holiday (1995) and its subsequent 1996 releases pioneered peaceful, non-violent exploration gameplay focused on underwater marine life. Concurrently, the studio published Lunatic Dawn (1995), an open-world role-playing game emphasizing player freedom over linear storytelling.

The developer's willingness to publish unconventional concepts was further demonstrated by Taiyou no Shippo: Wild, Pure, Simple Life (1996), a prehistoric survival game driven by experimental AI, and Carnage Heart (1997), a tactical strategy game where players programmed the artificial intelligence of giant mechs. This period cemented the studio's reputation for prioritizing mechanical depth and player agency over mainstream gaming conventions.