Data East was a game developer responsible for publishing many noteworthy arcade titles during the 80s and 90s. Some of their more recognized products include Bad Dudes, BurgerTime, Heavy Barrel, Magical Drop, Windjammers and the Joe & Mac series. Data East’s entire library was acquired by G-Mode, a mobile developer in Japan, in 2004. History has repeated itself again in 2015 because this statement indicates that Marvelous just acquired G-Mode. And naturally, with that acquisition they get the formidable Data East library.
There are no further details yet on what Marvelous, publishers of the popular Bokujō Monogatari series as well as the Senran Kagura series, intends to do with their newly acquired IPs. But it seems likely they saw enough value in G-Mode’s properties to pull the trigger on the deal. Anyone who takes a look at Data East’s library can attest that there are many valuable franchises that could be well received by today’s gaming market. The only questions about Marvelous’ intentions are when and how? Will they be mobile? PSN and XBL? Nintendo platforms? Compilations? Only time will tell.
