# Windmill

> Japanese video game developing company

**Wikidata**: [Q8024279](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8024279)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/windmill-q8024279

## Summary
Windmill is a Japanese video game development company founded in 2002, legally incorporated as a kabushiki gaisha (stock company). Specializing in the visual novel genre, the company operates within the video game industry and is also known by aliases such as Windmill Oasis, ARES, and various Japanese transliterations.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 2002 (Inception year)
- **Country of Origin**: Japan
- **Legal Form**: Kabushiki gaisha (Japanese stock company)
- **Industry**: Video game industry
- **Product Specialization**: Visual novels
- **Headquarters**: Japan
- **Official Website**: Primary URL is https://windmill.suki.jp/ (secondary: http://windmill.suki.gr.jp/index.html)
- **Twitter Handle**: @windmill_oasis (Joined June 10, 2010; 42,009 followers as of Feb 7, 2023)
- **Aliases**: Windmill Oasis, ARES, うぃんどみる, ういんどみるOasis, 有限会社アレス, アレス, 風車社
- **Corporate Number (Japan)**: 3013302015315

## FAQs
### Q: What type of games does Windmill develop?
A: Windmill specializes in the development of visual novels, a genre of video games that emphasizes storytelling and narrative through static or animated graphics.

### Q: When was Windmill founded?
A: Windmill was founded in the year 2002. It is legally incorporated as a kabushiki gaisha in Japan.

### Q: What is Windmill's social media presence?
A: Windmill maintains a Twitter account under the handle @windmill_oasis, which they joined on June 10, 2010. As of February 7, 2023, the account had 42,009 followers.

### Q: Does Windmill operate under any other names?
A: Yes, Windmill is also known by several aliases including Windmill Oasis, ARES, うぃんどみる (Windmill in Japanese), ういんどみるOasis, 有限会社アレス (ARES Co., Ltd.), アレス, and 風車社.

## Why It Matters
Windmill represents a distinct entity within the Japanese niche of visual novel development. Operating for over two decades since its inception in 2002, the company contributes to the diversity of the video game industry by producing specialized narrative-driven content. Their sustained presence, evidenced by an active website and consistent social media engagement over more than a decade, highlights their stability and continued relevance in a competitive market. The use of multiple brand aliases suggests potential diversification or branding strategies specific to the Japanese market, while their specific identification as a producer of visual novels categorizes them clearly for enthusiasts of the genre. Their Japanese corporate registration grounds them formally within the regulatory framework of Japan's business sector.

## Notable For
- **Specialization**: Dedicated focus on the visual novel genre, distinguishing it from broader game developers.
- **Longevity**: Operating since 2002, indicating over 20 years of activity in the industry.
- **Brand Diversity**: Utilizes multiple aliases, including Windmill Oasis and ARES, for different branding contexts.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains a consistent online footprint with a dedicated website and an active Twitter account established in 2010.
- **Formal Incorporation**: Registered as a kabushiki gaisha with a specific Japanese corporate number (3013302015315).

## Body
### Corporate Identity and Structure
Windmill is a Japanese video game development company officially classified as a video game developer. The entity is legally structured as a *kabushiki gaisha* (a type of Japanese business corporation). Its inception date is recorded as 2002. The company is headquartered in Japan and holds a unique Japanese corporate number: 3013302015315.

### Product Focus
The primary product produced by Windmill is the **visual novel**. This genre is a key classification for the company, distinguishing its output within the wider video game industry.

### Brand Names and Aliases
Windmill operates under several distinct names and aliases, reflecting different transliterations and potential sub-brands. These include:
- **Windmill Oasis**
- **ARES**
- **うぃんどみる** (Japanese transliteration of Windmill)
- **ういんどみるOasis**
- **有限会社アレス** (Yūgen-gaisha Aresu - formerly Limited Company ARES)
- **アレス**
- **風車社** (Fūshasha)

### Digital and Social Media Footprint
Windmill maintains a digital presence through its official website and social media channels.
- **Websites**: The current preferred website is `https://windmill.suki.jp/`. A historical or secondary website is also listed as `http://windmill.suki.gr.jp/index.html`.
- **Twitter**: The company uses the handle `windmill_oasis`. The account was created on June 10, 2010.
- **Social Media Growth**: Follower counts on Twitter show a trajectory over several years:
  - April 24, 2020: 37,729 followers
  - January 10, 2021: 38,513 followers
  - January 8, 2022: 41,550 followers
  - February 7, 2023: 42,009 followers (most recent data)

### External Identifiers and Databases
Windmill is indexed in several industry and knowledge databases, providing unique identifiers for the entity:
- **Wikidata ID**: Not explicitly provided in the structured properties, but referenced via Wikipedia sitelinks.
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Listed in Japanese (`ja`) and Chinese (`zh`) language Wikipedias.
- **Visual Novel Database ID**: `p221`
- **Media Arts Database ID**: `C46243`
- **MusicBrainz Label ID**: `745daae4-f46e-4b83-9fb7-6fb3cb4a3f2b`
- **Freebase ID**: `/m/0g7161`

## References

1. MusicBrainz