【Riverhill Soft】Staff from This Game Company Later Founded Famous Game Companies! What Kind of Company Was Riverhill Soft?

Riverhill Soft was a game development company founded in Fukuoka City in 1982, and its name embodies the meaning “to move forward with our own beliefs, unaffected by trends.”This company established a unique position in the game industry and thrived during the peak era of adventure games in the 1980s.

When thinking of Riverhill Soft, titles like Murder Club and The Amber Testament come to mind.These games were known for their hard-boiled, mystery-novel-like scenarios, standing out among adventure games of the time.These scenarios were crafted by Rika Suzuki, a founding member of CING Inc., whose intricate storytelling captivated many players.

In the early days, Riverhill Soft handled development while Union Planning managed sales, but in 1985, with the release of the ported version of Lizard, they ventured into self-publishing.This bold transition strengthened the company's identity and laid the groundwork for a more flexible production system.

However, repeated departures of staff weakened their production capabilities, gradually leading to tougher management conditions.Even so, Riverhill Soft never gave up and attempted a shift towards mobile content business starting in 2000.This swift response to changing times reflects the company's flexibility and willingness to take on challenges.However, amid a harsh market environment, in 2004, they transferred business operations to Alty and eventually declared bankruptcy.

Riverhill Soft's story doesn't end there. The staff who thrived at the company went on to establish new businesses.Among them, Level-5 and CING Inc. continue to shine in the industry.These companies carry on the DNA of Riverhill Soft and continue to exert a significant influence on next-generation game development.

Although Riverhill Soft ended its history through bankruptcy, its spirit and creativity have been carried on by successors, continuing as a foundation of the gaming industry.The challenges faced by this company, which steadfastly followed its own path, remain an inspiration for many creators even today.

The journey of Riverhill Soft teaches us the importance of having a unique vision and passion, no matter how the gaming industry changes.