ASCII Corporation

Originally founded in 1977 as ASCII Publishing, the company began as a publisher of computing magazines before diversifying into software distribution. During its early software expansion, the publisher released a diverse catalog of titles in 1983, including the action and strategy games Exchanger, High Way Star, Crazy Bullet, Break Out, Falc, Flipper Slipper, Comet Tail, and Marine Battle. These releases helped establish the company's presence in the burgeoning home software sector.

Beyond software publishing, the company played a pivotal role in hardware development, collaborating with Microsoft to co-develop and promote the MSX home computer architecture. As the gaming industry transitioned to consoles, the publisher expanded its portfolio to include popular franchises like the Derby Stallion series on Nintendo and Sony platforms. The company also manufactured specialized controllers and peripherals, such as the ASCII Grip. Following a series of corporate restructurings, the entity was acquired by Kadokawa Group Holdings in 2004, eventually merging with Media Works in 2008 to form ASCII Media Works, integrating its publishing and gaming legacy into a larger media conglomerate.