# Entertainment Software Publishing

> Japanese video game publisher

**Wikidata**: [Q3055077](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3055077)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Publishing)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/entertainment-software-publishing

## Summary
Entertainment Software Publishing was a Japanese video game publisher that operated from 1997 to 2010. The company, also known as ESP, specialized in publishing video games and was particularly noted for releasing the cult classic shoot-em up title Radiant Silvergun.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan
- Dissolved on April 1, 2010
- Operated as a joint-stock company under Japanese corporate law
- Published the notable game Radiant Silvergun
- Also known as ESP Software, Entertainment Software Publishing Inc., ESP, and エンターテインメント・ソフトウェア・パブリッシング
- Had 5 Wikipedia sitelinks across multiple languages (English, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese)
- Maintained a website at http://www.esp-web.co.jp (archived version available)
- Had a MobyGames company ID of 2879
- Had a MusicBrainz label ID of 4eb689f8-2764-4bbd-9ff0-693535858fed

## FAQs
### Q: When was Entertainment Software Publishing founded and when did it dissolve?
A: Entertainment Software Publishing was founded in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan. The company dissolved on April 1, 2010, after 13 years of operation in the video game industry.

### Q: What notable games did Entertainment Software Publishing publish?
A: Entertainment Software Publishing published several games during its operational period, with Radiant Silvergun being its most notable title. This shoot-em up game has since become a cult classic among gaming enthusiasts.

### Q: What was Entertainment Software Publishing's legal structure?
A: Entertainment Software Publishing operated as a joint-stock company under Japanese corporate law. This legal form allowed the company to be owned by shareholders who held shares in the business.

### Q: What were some of the aliases used by Entertainment Software Publishing?
A: Entertainment Software Publishing was also known by several aliases including ESP Software, Entertainment Software Publishing Inc., ESP, and its Japanese name エンターテインメント・ソフトウェア・パブリッシング.

## Why It Matters
Entertainment Software Publishing played a role in the Japanese video game industry during a transformative period from 1997 to 2010. The company contributed to the diversity of the global video game market by publishing notable titles like Radiant Silvergun, which has achieved cult status in the shoot-em up genre. As a specialized publisher, it demonstrated the viability of focused publishing strategies in the competitive video game industry. The company's operational span coincided with important transitions in gaming, including the rise of 3D graphics and the expansion of console gaming markets. While not as prominent as larger publishers, Entertainment Software Publishing's work helped shape the landscape of niche gaming genres and provided distribution opportunities for innovative titles that might not have found a market through larger publishers.

## Notable For
- Publishing Radiant Silvergun, a critically acclaimed shoot-em up game that has become a cult classic
- Operating as a specialized publisher focused on specific gaming genres rather than maintaining a broad portfolio
- Maintaining a distinct identity through its ESP branding and Japanese localization efforts
- Having a relatively short but impactful operational period from 1997 to 2010
- Being one of the Japanese publishers that contributed to the international distribution of niche gaming titles

## Body
### History
- Entertainment Software Publishing was founded in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan
- The company operated as a joint-stock company under Japanese corporate law
- It dissolved on April 1, 2010, ending its 13-year operation in the video game industry

### Business Operations
- The company was primarily engaged in publishing video games
- It maintained a website at http://www.esp-web.co.jp (archived version available)
- The company had a presence in multiple markets, as evidenced by its Wikipedia articles in English, French, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese

### Notable Products
- Entertainment Software Publishing published Radiant Silvergun, a notable shoot-em up game
- The company was involved in the development and distribution of video games during its operational period
- Its product portfolio appears to have focused on specific gaming genres rather than broad appeal

### Company Identity
- The company operated under several aliases including ESP Software, Entertainment Software Publishing Inc., and ESP
- Its Japanese name was エンターテインメント・ソフトウェア・パブリッシング
- The company maintained a distinct identity through its ESP branding

### Industry Recognition
- The company had 5 Wikipedia sitelinks across different languages
- It had a MobyGames company ID of 2879
- It had a MusicBrainz label ID of 4eb689f8-2764-4bbd-9ff0-693535858fed
- It had a media arts database ID of C45719

## References

1. LastDodo
2. MusicBrainz