NetEase Games recently made a big announcement about their newest addition to the gaming world: PinCool, Inc. Yep, that’s right, they’ve established a brand-new game studio under the NetEase Games division. What’s interesting about PinCool is that it’s based in the bustling city of Tokyo, Japan. And let me tell you, this studio is packed with industry experts who know their stuff when it comes to interactive entertainment. We’re talking about folks with a wealth of experience in video games, movie creatives, live events, and even IP licensing.

Who’s behind PinCool?

At the helm of PinCool is none other than Ryutaro Ichimura, who serves as the Representative Director & President. This guy is a true veteran, with an impressive 20-year track record in the games industry. Oh, and did I mention that he’s been a long-time producer for the famous Dragon Quest franchise? Yeah, he’s been the brains behind games like “Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King” and “Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies.” But his talents don’t stop there. Ichimura has also worked on anime properties like “Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai” and played a leading role in various aspects of the Dragon Quest IP franchise, including live events and exhibitions.

Joining the PinCool team as a board member is Takashi Ogura. This guy knows a thing or two about branding, marketing, business development, and business strategy. He’s been involved with big names like “Doraemon” at Epoch Co., Ltd., “Duffy” at Oriental Land Co., Ltd., and yes, you guessed it, “Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai” at Square Enix Co., Ltd.

So, what’s PinCool’s game plan? Well, they aim to use their diverse knowledge as an entertainment production company to bring top-notch entertainment experiences to users all over the world. While their main focus will be on developing games for consoles, they’re not stopping there. PinCool will also dip their toes into planning and producing various other forms of entertainment.

And let’s hear it from the man himself, Ryutaro Ichimura, the President of PinCool. He says, “Our philosophy revolves around ‘creativity to make life more enjoyable.’ The name PinCool is derived from the Japanese phrase ‘pin to kuru,’ which represents that eureka moment when a brilliant idea clicks. We’ve tweaked it a bit in English to include the word ‘cool’ because, well, we are cool! We’re here to offer something unique, something you won’t find anywhere else. Our goal is to deliver fun experiences to people all over the world by embracing untethered creative freedom and bringing fresh ideas to life. And guess what? We’ll also be releasing smaller titles while we work on those big-scale projects. Get ready for the PinCool adventure!”

NetEase Games also had a few words to say about this exciting new development. Simon Zhu, the global president of investments and partnerships, expressed their admiration for Ichimura-san and his incredible contributions to the Dragon Quest series.

They believe that his commitment to quality and innovation is what has made the franchise so enduring.

So, you can imagine how thrilled they are to have him join the NetEase Games family and embark on this new journey with PinCool. They’re dedicated to providing an environment where Ichimura-san can thrive, explore new ideas, and keep creating unforgettable gaming experiences for all the game lovers out there.