iFANN
    Last updated
    Koei Tecmo Holdings
    video game industry

    Koei Tecmo Holdings

    Japan flagJapan

    "Masters of historical strategy and musou action"

    Founded April 1, 2009 Yokohama, Japan CEO: Yōichi Erikawa
    Community

    About

    On April 1, 2009, two of Japan's oldest game developers, Koei, founded in 1978 by Yōichi Erikawa, and Tecmo, which began as Tehkan in 1967, merged to form Tecmo Koei Holdings. The company rebranded to Koei Tecmo Holdings in 2014, though the KT monogram logo never changed. Erikawa, who had built Koei from a small software house into a strategy-game powerhouse, remained CEO of the combined entity. The merger united Koei's historical simulation pedigree with Tecmo's action and horror muscle.

    The company's catalog reads like a greatest-hits of Japanese gaming. Koei contributed Nobunaga's Ambition (1983), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1985), and the genre-defining Dynasty Warriors (1997), which spawned the entire musou subgenre. Tecmo brought Dead or Alive (1996), Ninja Gaiden (1988), and the eerie Fatal Frame (2001). More recent successes include the punishing Nioh series (2017, 2020) and the alchemy-focused Atelier franchise, which Koei Tecmo fully absorbed when it acquired developer Gust in 2022.

    Koei Tecmo also works on external IPs, producing crossover titles like Fire Emblem Warriors (2017) and Persona 5 Strikers (2020). The company has faced criticism over aggressive microtransactions in Dead or Alive 6, DMCA takedowns of fan mods, and reports of overwork among developers. Despite these controversies, it remains a profitable mid-tier publisher, with fiscal 2023 revenue of ¥79.4 billion (about $530 million) and a market cap hovering around ¥800 billion.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Dynasty WarriorsNobunaga's AmbitionRomance of the Three KingdomsSamurai WarriorsDead or AliveNinja GaidenFatal FrameMonster RancherNiohAtelierFire Emblem WarriorsPersona 5 StrikersRise of the RoninWo Long: Fallen Dynasty

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns Koei Tecmo?
    Koei Tecmo Holdings is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 3635. Founder Yōichi Erikawa is the largest shareholder, owning roughly 25% of shares. Other major holders include Japanese banks and investment funds.
    Who is the CEO of Koei Tecmo?
    Yōichi Erikawa has been CEO since the 2009 merger. He co-founded Koei in 1978 and remains actively involved in strategic decisions and product direction.
    How much is Koei Tecmo worth?
    As of early 2025, its market capitalization is approximately ¥800 billion (about $5.3 billion). For fiscal year 2023, revenue was ¥79.4 billion ($530 million) with net income of ¥30.1 billion.
    Koei Tecmo vs Capcom: which is better?
    They target different genres. Koei Tecmo leads in historical strategy (Nobunaga's Ambition) and musou action (Dynasty Warriors), while Capcom dominates fighting games (Street Fighter) and survival horror (Resident Evil). The better choice depends on what you prefer to play.
    Is Koei Tecmo still in business?
    Yes. The company continues releasing major titles like Rise of the Ronin (2024) and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (2023), and maintains a strong presence in Japanese and global gaming markets.

    Keywords

    Koei Tecmovideo game publisherJapanese game developermusouDynasty WarriorsDead or AliveNinja GaidenNiohTeam NinjaYōichi Erikawa

    Company Info

    Founded
    April 1, 2009
    Founder
    Yōichi Erikawa
    CEO
    Yōichi Erikawa
    Headquarters
    Yokohama, Japan
    Industry
    video game industry
    Revenue
    ¥79.4 billion (FY2023)
    Market Cap
    ≈¥800 billion (early 2025)
    Stock Ticker
    TYO: 3635
    Number of Employees

    Official Website

    www.koeitecmo.co.jp/

    Links

    Join the community

    fans discussing