# CAVE

> video game company

**Wikidata**: [Q2495040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2495040)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_(company))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cave

## Summary
CAVE is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded in 1994, specializing in shoot 'em up (shmup) games. Known for iconic titles like *DonPachi* and *Deathsmiles*, CAVE has been a key player in the arcade and console gaming scenes, blending high-intensity gameplay with intricate scoring systems.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** June 15, 1994, in Japan.
- **Legal Name:** 株式会社ケイブ (Kabushiki gaisha Keibu).
- **Industry:** Video game development and publishing.
- **Headquarters:** Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
- **Stock Exchange:** Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 3760) since July 16, 2013.
- **Notable Franchises:** *DonPachi*, *Deathsmiles*, *Espgaluda*.
- **Social Media:** Active on Twitter (@cavegames), Twitch (cave_shooters), and YouTube (UCjLkv9RkW8CQP8kge0ea5AA).
- **Online Presence:** Official website in Japanese (https://www.cave.co.jp/) and English (https://www.cave.co.jp/en/).
- **Identifiers:**
  - Freebase ID: `/m/05f94n`
  - Wikidata: Q? (entity for “Cave (company)”)
  - MusicBrainz Label ID: `066d70dd-8418-423f-b505-fbbfa0b7fe1a`
  - Mobygames Company ID: 3485
- **Community:** Engages with fans via Mastodon (peoplemaking.games) and Reddit (r/gamedev).

## FAQs
### Q: What type of games does CAVE develop?
**A:** CAVE is best known for its bullet-hell shoot 'em up (shmup) games, such as *DonPachi* and *Deathsmiles*, which emphasize fast-paced action and complex scoring mechanics.

### Q: When was CAVE founded?
**A:** CAVE was established on June 15, 1994, in Japan.

### Q: Is CAVE publicly traded?
**A:** Yes, CAVE has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 3760) since July 16, 2013.

### Q: What are CAVE’s most famous games?
**A:** Some of CAVE’s most iconic titles include *DonPachi*, *Deathsmiles*, and *Espgaluda*, all of which are highly regarded in the shmup genre.

### Q: Where is CAVE headquartered?
**A:** CAVE’s headquarters is located in Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.

### Q: Does CAVE have an official English website?
**A:** Yes, CAVE maintains an English-language website at https://www.cave.co.jp/en/.

## Why It Matters
CAVE has played a pivotal role in preserving and evolving the shoot 'em up genre, particularly in arcade gaming. Their titles are celebrated for their technical precision, artistic design, and challenging gameplay, influencing both competitive gaming and game development trends. As a publicly traded company, CAVE also represents the intersection of creative game design and commercial success in the Japanese gaming industry.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering the bullet-hell shmup genre** with titles like *DonPachi* and *Deathsmiles*.
- **Publicly traded status** on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 3760).
- **Strong community engagement** through social media (Twitter, Twitch, YouTube) and gaming forums.
- **Multilingual presence** with official websites in Japanese and English.
- **Diverse identifiers** across platforms like Freebase, MusicBrainz, and Mobygames, ensuring broad recognition in gaming databases.

## Body
### History and Founding
CAVE was founded on June 15, 1994, as a Japanese video game developer and publisher. Originally named **Computer Art Visual Entertainment**, the company quickly gained recognition for its expertise in shoot 'em up games, particularly in the arcade market. Over the years, CAVE has expanded its reach to console and digital platforms while maintaining its reputation for high-quality, fast-paced gameplay.

### Corporate Structure and Legal Details
- **Legal Form:** Kabushiki gaisha (株式会社), a type of Japanese corporation.
- **Official Name:** 株式会社ケイブ (Kabushiki gaisha Keibu).
- **Stock Exchange Listing:** CAVE has been publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 3760) since July 16, 2013.
- **Corporate Number (Japan):** 2011101006189.

### Notable Games and Franchises
CAVE is renowned for its contributions to the shoot 'em up genre, with several flagship titles:
- **DonPachi Series:** A long-running franchise known for its intense bullet patterns and scoring systems.
- **Deathsmiles:** A gothic-themed horizontal shooter with a unique aesthetic and gameplay mechanics.
- **Espgaluda:** A vertically scrolling shooter with a distinctive visual style and challenging gameplay.

### Online and Community Presence
CAVE maintains an active presence across multiple platforms:
- **Twitter:** @cavegames (active since February 24, 2011).
- **Twitch:** cave_shooters (active since June 21, 2017).
- **YouTube:** CAVE Official (channel ID: UCjLkv9RkW8CQP8kge0ea5AA, active since September 1, 2009).
- **Mastodon:** Community engagement via https://peoplemaking.games.
- **Reddit:** Participation in r/gamedev, a hub for game developers.

### Identifiers and Database Entries
CAVE is documented in numerous gaming and corporate databases:
- **Freebase ID:** `/m/05f94n`
- **Wikidata:** Q? (entity for “Cave (company)”)
- **MusicBrainz Label ID:** `066d70dd-8418-423f-b505-fbbfa0b7fe1a`
- **Mobygames Company ID:** 3485
- **Visual Novel Database ID:** p3011
- **Crunchbase Organization ID:** cave-world

### Social Media and Follower Statistics
CAVE’s social media presence includes:
- **Twitter Followers:** 21,035 (as of February 9, 2023).
- **YouTube Subscribers:** 690 (as of December 11, 2025).
- **Twitch Followers:** 105,000 (as of December 11, 2025).

### Related Entities and Industry Relationships
CAVE is part of a broader ecosystem of game developers and publishers, often collaborating with or competing against other studios in the shmup genre. Its games are frequently discussed in communities like r/gamedev and featured in gaming databases such as Mobygames and MusicBrainz.

### Cultural Impact
CAVE’s influence extends beyond gaming, contributing to the preservation of arcade culture and inspiring indie developers. Their games are staples in competitive gaming circles, and their legacy continues to shape the shoot 'em up genre.

## References

1. LastDodo
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Cave_(company)-ZX6DAM)
5. VideoGameGeek