【Chatnoir】 Speaking of long-established Mahjong game makers, this is the place! Spreading the fun of Mahjong to the world with over 20 years of history

In the 1980s, when the Japanese game industry was still in its infancy, a single company was quietly born. That was “Chatnoir, Inc.,” founded in 1983 by Shoji Taguchi. At first glance, the name is modest, but behind it lies a software maker with a strong backbone that has maintained its own unique philosophy for many years. Especially in the Mahjong genre, it's no exaggeration to say they were an entity that helped establish its status as an intellectual game beyond mere “play.”

When speaking of Chatnoir's synonym, it has to be Mahjong games. The number of titles is far more than just one or two. Among them, the “Professional Mahjong” series surely remains a special memory for many players. Starting with “Professional Mahjong Goku” in 1986, followed by “Tenjiku” in 1994 and “Taisei” in 2000, this series stood out as works that brilliantly fused narrative and character elements rather than being games that simply followed rules. By adding story elements to Mahjong, players could experience a drama that went beyond winning or losing.

The greatest feature of the “Mahjong Goku” series lies in fusing the classical literature “Journey to the West” with the modern intellectual game of Mahjong. Sun Wukong, trapped in Five Elements Mountain, awakens to Mahjong and eventually sets out on a journey to fight over good and evil through Mahjong...... Such an incredibly unique setting is a charm that involuntarily draws players in. The depth unique to Chatnoir's works is how the confrontations with yokai are not just events, but are elevated into a dense experience where every single round touches the core of the story.

Another indispensable element of this series is the existence of the “Mahjong thinking routine,” which is highly evaluated within the industry. The AI developed by Chatnoir was so strong it was even said that “you can't win against it as is.” The creator's deep commitment can be felt in the fact that they dared to adjust it with parameters like “habits” and “personality,” designing it to provide just the right amount of tension for the player rather than just being strong. Because of this sense of balance, it stands as a Mahjong game that everyone can enjoy.

Even now, more than 20 years after its release, the “Mahjong Goku” series continues to be developed on mobile apps and other platforms. This is proof that not only the nostalgia, but also the game's level of completion, the individuality of the characters, and above all, the power that makes you think “I want to play again” have not faded. This group of works, which has gained depth with each series and grown together with its fans, is truly worthy of the name “long-seller.”