Nihon Falcom

Founded in 1981 by Masayuki Kato, Falcom emerged as a humble yet ambitious player in the burgeoning world of interactive entertainment. The seeds of its inception were sown by the aspirations of visionaries like Yoshio Kiya, one of the programmers in Falcom's formative years, who drew inspiration from iconic titles such as "Wizardry" and "Ultima."

A Galactic Inspiration

Kato's fascination with the science fiction genre, particularly the iconic Star Wars franchise, led him to a moment of serendipitous inspiration. The name "Falcom" finds its roots in the legendary starship, the Millennium Falcon, piloted by the iconic Han Solo in the Star Wars saga. The name resonated deeply with Kato, encapsulating a sense of adventure, exploration, and limitless possibilities—all qualities he envisioned for his nascent game development venture.

Dragon Slayer: Forging the RPG Legacy

At the heart of Falcom's storied journey lies the pivotal role of Dragon Slayer, a game that not only marked the company's breakthrough but also left an enduring influence on the landscape of video game RPGs. This landmark title laid the foundation for many of the genre's conventions and set the stage for Falcom's future innovations.

The impact of Dragon Slayer rippled throughout the RPG genre, inspiring both developers and gamers alike. The game's innovative mechanics and immersive storytelling inspired a new wave of game designers to experiment with similar concepts, resulting in the proliferation of RPGs that incorporated experience-based character progression and intricate fantasy worlds.

The nature of Dragon Slayer's game elements laid the groundwork for the interconnected narratives and world-building that would become a hallmark of later RPG series, including Falcom's own Trails sub-series. The success of Dragon Slayer emboldened other developers to explore the potential of narrative-driven gameplay, leading to the rich and intricate storytelling that RPG enthusiasts cherish.

Ys: An Epic Evolution

The Ys series, another jewel in Falcom's crown, centers around the adventures of Adol Christin, a red-haired protagonist with an insatiable thirst for exploration. Known for its real-time action combat, engaging storylines, and exceptional soundtracks, Ys offers players a fast-paced RPG experience that strikes a balance between adrenaline-pumping battles and deep lore in contrast to the more traditional turn-based combat of the Dragon Slayer series.

Central to the game's impact is its music, a hallmark of Falcom's games. The evocative compositions by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa, and Hideya Nagata from the early days of the series have become inseparable from the Ys experience, creating an auditory journey that enhances the game's emotional resonance. This musical synergy breathed life into Falcom's worlds, fostering a sense of immersion that would become a defining characteristic of the company's RPGs.

Falcom's Influential Music

One of the most distinctive hallmarks of Falcom's games is the unparalleled impact of its music. The company's in-house music team, known as Falcom Sound Team JDK, has crafted melodies that transcend mere background accompaniment, elevating gameplay to an emotional and immersive experience.

Notable Staff

Current / Former

Masayuki Kato

Founder of Falcom, currently serves as the company's chairman.

Toshihiro Kondo

Current president of Falcom. He also does story writing and directing for games such as the Trails series.

Yoshio Kiya

One of the main programmers in Falcom's early games like the Dragon Slayer series.

Makoto Shinkai

A former artist and animator for Falcom who is now a renowned anime director and writer.

Yuzo Koshiro

One of the early composers for Falcom that left a lasting impact on the company's music.

Hayato Sonoda

Current leader of Falcom Sound Team jdk who is known for his expressive compositions that fits every narrative.

Takahiro Unisuga

A former member of Falcom Sound Team jdk who is known for his memorable compositions of various genres.

Yukihiro Jindo

An independent musician who made a lot of iconic and epic-sounding compositions and arrangements for Falcom.