Hudson Soft Company, Limited
株式会社ハドソン(かぶしきかいしゃはどそん)
- Since
- 1973-5-18
Summary
A former game software development and sales company that originated in Hokkaido. It was founded in Sapporo's Toyohira Ward as "Hudson Ltd.," aiming to sell communication equipment and art photography.
In 1978, it became the first in Japan to sell game software for personal computers. When Nintendo announced the Family Computer, Hudson approached them before the boom and became Nintendo's first third-party developer. Since then, the development of software for home game consoles became its main focus.
In 1987, Hudson announced the "PC Engine," a home game console it designed and developed independently. In December 1994, it also released the next-generation game console "PC-FX."
In 2001, KONAMI (now Konami Group) became the major shareholder, and Hudson was made a subsidiary in 2005. On March 1, 2012, it was absorbed by KONAMI Digital Entertainment (KDE), its parent company at the time, leading to the disappearance of the Hudson brand by the end of 2013. From January 2014, it was unified under the KONAMI brand.
In 1978, it became the first in Japan to sell game software for personal computers. When Nintendo announced the Family Computer, Hudson approached them before the boom and became Nintendo's first third-party developer. Since then, the development of software for home game consoles became its main focus.
In 1987, Hudson announced the "PC Engine," a home game console it designed and developed independently. In December 1994, it also released the next-generation game console "PC-FX."
In 2001, KONAMI (now Konami Group) became the major shareholder, and Hudson was made a subsidiary in 2005. On March 1, 2012, it was absorbed by KONAMI Digital Entertainment (KDE), its parent company at the time, leading to the disappearance of the Hudson brand by the end of 2013. From January 2014, it was unified under the KONAMI brand.
