Mages

Mages Inc. operates as a Japanese video game developer and publisher based in Minato, Tokyo. The studio originally launched under the name 5pb. Inc., a title derived from "The Five powered & basics," before rebranding to Mages following a corporate restructuring in 2012. This transition allowed the company to pivot toward a dual business model that combines original visual novel development with music production for anime franchises.

Chiyomaru Shikura served as the representative director and primary creative force behind many of the studio's early flagship titles. Financial difficulties led to a bankruptcy filing in 2012, which necessitated a buyout by DMM.com (now DMM Games) and subsequent reorganization. Despite this turbulence, the entity remains active under the DMM umbrella, utilizing their infrastructure to continue releasing games and soundtracks.

The company has achieved global recognition for its Science Adventure series, which includes Steins;Gate, Chaos;Head, and Robotics;Notes. These titles are known for complex narratives blending scientific concepts with psychological thriller elements. In August 2026, Mages announced an upcoming occult suspense visual novel titled Seeker Eye for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, signaling continued investment in the console market. [edit]