View source for Monolith Soft

{{Short description|Japanese video game developer}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Monolith Productions]], an American video game studio}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Monolith Software Inc.
| trade_name = Monolith Soft
| logo = Monolith Soft.png
| logo_alt = Monolith Soft logo, in black
| image = NakameguroGT tower.JPG
| image_alt = Nakameguro GT Tower, Monolith Soft's headquarters, in Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| image_caption = Headquarters in Nakameguro GT Tower's 12th floor in [[Meguro]], Tokyo, Japan
| native_name = 株式会社モノリスソフト
| native_name_lang = ja
| romanized_name = Kabushiki gaisha Monorisu Sofuto
| former_name = 
| type = Subsidiary
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| genre = [[Video game developer]]
| fate = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1999|10|1}} in Tokyo, Japan
| founders = {{Unbulleted list
  | Hirohide Sugiura
  | [[Tetsuya Takahashi]]
  | [[Yasuyuki Honne]]
  }}
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| hq_location_city = Meguro, Tokyo
| hq_location_country = Japan
| num_locations = 3{{Efn|As of 2022, Monolith Soft has 3 studios in the following locations: one studio in Meguro, Tokyo, one studio in [[Shinagawa]], and one studio in [[Minami-ku, Kyoto]].}}
| num_locations_year = 2022
| area_served = 
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list
  | '''Representative Director and CEO'''
  | Hirohide Sugiura
  | '''Directors'''
  | Tetsuya Takahashi
  | Tadashi Nomura
  | Tomohiro Yahara
  | Yasuyuki Honne
  }}
| products = [[#Games|Games]]
| brands = {{Unbulleted list | ''[[Xenosaga]]'' series | ''[[Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean|Baten Kaitos]]'' series | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles]]'' series | ''[[Project X Zone]]'' series}}
| services = 
| net_income = {{Increase}} {{JPYConvert|491|m}}
| net_income_year = 2020
| owner = 
| num_employees = 299
| num_employees_year = 2024
| parent = {{Unbulleted list|[[Namco]] {{small|(1999–2006)}}|[[Namco Bandai Games]]<br>{{Small|(2006–2007)}}|[[Nintendo]] {{Small|(2007–present)}}}}
| divisions = 
| subsid = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp}}
| footnotes = <ref name="Profile"/><ref name="Profit2020"/>
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''Monolith Software Inc.''',|株式会社モノリスソフト|Kabushiki gaisha Monorisu Sofuto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} [[trade name|trading as]] '''Monolith Soft''', is a Japanese [[video game developer]] based in [[Tokyo]]. It is best known for creating the [[Xeno (series)|''Xeno'']] series. Originally founded in 1999 by [[Square (video game company)|Square]] alumnus [[Tetsuya Takahashi]] as a studio under [[Namco]] (later [[Namco Bandai Games]]), it was bought out by [[Nintendo]] in 2007. Their first project was the ''[[Xenosaga]]'' series, a [[spiritual successor]] to the Square-developed ''[[Xenogears]]''. With Nintendo, they developed the ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles]]'' series in addition to developmental assistance on Nintendo-developed games. Multiple Square alumni would join Takahashi at Monolith Soft, including Hirohide Sugiura and [[Yasuyuki Honne]].

In addition to the ''Xeno'' series, Monolith Soft worked on other projects including ''[[Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean|Baten Kaitos]]'' and ''[[Namco × Capcom]]'', the precursor to their later ''[[Project X Zone]]'' series, along with assisting on projects from other developers. While several of its games have released on the [[PlayStation 2]], the majority of its games have released on Nintendo platforms following the acquisition. 

As of 2022, Monolith Soft operates in three locations in Japan; its main office in [[Meguro]], Tokyo and the secondary Osaki Studio similarly based in Tokyo, who produce the company's original video game properties; and a studio in [[Kyoto]] with mainly artists as its employees, which acts as an assisting developer for both Monolith Soft Tokyo and for some [[Nintendo]] internal franchises. According to an interview published on the website of the company in February 2022, Monolith Soft's Kyoto studio has over 30 employees, which would leave the Tokyo studios with roughly 230 staff in total.<ref>{{Cite web |title=『あつまれ どうぶつの森』家具デザイン担当 {{!}} 京都スタジオ スタッフインタビュー {{!}} インタビュー {{!}} RECRUIT |url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/interview/kyoto/vol01.html |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=モノリスソフト |language=ja}}</ref>

The design approaches of Monolith Soft have shifted over its lifetime, with early games such as ''Xenosaga'' and ''Baten Kaitos'' being distinguished by a narrative-heavy approach, while later games have focused more on gameplay. The company's stated goals are to create projects with wide creative freedom and to allow younger developers to contribute to these projects. The company is also notable for its focus on promoting a comfortable working environment with little to no overtime in contrast to the majority of other Japanese game developers, alongside collaborating with other studios and companies.

==History==
===Origins===
Monolith Soft was founded by [[Tetsuya Takahashi]], a developer who had previously worked at [[Nihon Falcom]] and later at [[Square (video game company)|Square]], in which the latter was merged into [[Enix]] in 2003 to form [[Square Enix]].<ref name="MonolithStructure"/><ref name="SQEXmerger"/> While at Square, he and his wife [[Soraya Saga|Kaori Tanaka]] (also known as Soraya Saga) would contribute to the development of multiple games including entries in the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series.<ref name="EuroInterview"/><ref name="SilSaga1"/> Following their work on ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', Takahashi and Tanaka created a proposal for ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''; while deemed too dark for the ''Final Fantasy'' series, they were allowed to develop it as their own project titled ''[[Xenogears]]''.<ref name="SilSaga2"/> Takahashi's ambition and drive prompted ''Final Fantasy'' creator [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]], then Executive Vice President at Square, to appoint him as director.<ref name="EuroInterview"/><ref name="Sakaguchi"/> Takahashi also wrote the script with Tanaka.<ref name="SilSaga1"/><ref name="SilSaga2"/> Following the release of ''Xenogears'', Takahashi became dissatisfied with Square's business approach at the time, which prioritized their major intellectual properties including ''Final Fantasy''. This left Takahashi with no funding or creative room to develop further independent projects or continue his planned ''Xenogears'' series.<ref name="MonolithOrigin"/><ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="SPinterview"/>

In 1999, Takahashi talked with Hirohide Sugiura, who had likewise worked at Square and was beginning to feel frustrated due to a lack of creative freedom. After discussing the matter, the two decided to create their own company and pursue projects they wanted to create. When planning their new company, Takahashi and Sugiura decided that they needed a publisher with substantial market presence to help them rather than being an independent studio. Takahashi and Sugiura approached multiple companies for support, but most of the companies they contacted outright rejected their offer as they believed that Monolith Soft should be an independent company. However, [[Namco]] were interested in investing into Monolith Soft as a dedicated subsidiary, while handling logistics and marketing so that the core staff could focus on game development.<ref name="MonolithOrigin"/> An important supporter of Monolith Soft was Namco's founder [[Masaya Nakamura (businessman)|Masaya Nakamura]], who shared many of Takahashi and Sugiura's goals and ideals.<ref name="MonolithNamcoNintendo"/> Monolith Soft is noted as being one of a group of video game companies—alongside [[Sacnoth]], [[Love-de-Lic]] and [[Mistwalker]]—founded by Square staff who had worked on notable games produced during the 1990s.<ref name="ANNstudios"/> The company was officially founded on 1 October 1999 by Takahashi, Sugiura, and [[Yasuyuki Honne]], who had worked at Square on both the ''[[Chrono (series)|Chrono]]'' series and with Takahashi on ''Xenogears''.<ref name="MonolithStructure"/><ref name="MonolithOrigin"/><ref name="SPinterview"/> The company's offices were originally based in [[Yokohama]].<ref name="MonolithHistoryArchive"/>

===2000s===
====Namco era====
Monolith Soft's first project was ''[[Xenosaga Episode I]]'', a role-playing game (RPG) for the [[PlayStation 2]]. ''Xenosaga'' was a [[spiritual successor]] to ''Xenogears''; development began in 2000 when enough staff had been gathered, lasting approximately two years.<ref name="GSinterview"/><ref name="CreatorInterview"/><ref name="DengInterview"/> As with ''Xenogears'', the game was scripted by Takahashi and Tanaka, who planned out the ''Xenosaga'' series as a [[hexalogy]].<ref name="SPinterview"/><ref name="GSsoraya"/> In 2001, Namco producer Shinji Noguchi and Monolith Soft's Tadashi Nomura conceived a new IP for the [[GameCube]] unconnected to ''Xenosaga''. Titled ''[[Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean]]'', development began six months after the concept was formed, with Honne acting as director.<ref name="KaitosIGN1"/><ref name="KaitosIGN2"/><ref name="BatenKaitosGuide"/> The game development staff of the company was now divided between the ''Xenosaga'' series and ''Baten Kaitos'', the latter a project driven by the younger developers at Monolith Soft.<ref name="Xeno2Weekly"/> ''Baten Kaitos'' was co-developed with [[tri-Crescendo]], which came about due to both submitting designs to Namco, which suggested they work together on the project.<ref name="BatenKaitosGuide"/><ref name="DengAnnouncements"/> In 2003, Honne was approached by then-CEO of [[Nintendo]] [[Satoru Iwata]] about developing a new entry in the ''[[Mother (video game series)|Mother]]'' series for GameCube. Honne created a pitch themed around a "[[felt]]-style recreation of 80s America", but the idea was firmly rejected by series creator [[Shigesato Itoi]].<ref name="MonolithMother"/>

Following the release of the first ''Xenosaga'' game, Takahashi and Sugiura reassessed the internal structure of Monolith Soft, determining that the current lead developers were too old, clashing with their intended goals for the company to foster young talent. With this mindset, Takahashi stepped down from his lead role in the ''Xenosaga'' series. He continued to work for the company in a supervisory role by providing the series' scenario drafts, while younger staff continued the series development. This move also allowed Takahashi a greater degree of creative freedom in a number of projects as opposed to being tied to a single series.<ref name="FamInterview"/> In May 2002, Monolith Soft moved from Yokohama to their current offices in [[Meguro]], Tokyo.<ref name="MonolithStructure"/><ref name="MonolithHistoryArchive"/><ref name="NinXenWiiDev"/> The next entry in the ''Xenosaga'' series, ''[[Xenosaga Episode II]]'', began development under a new team following the release of ''Episode I''. While developing ''Episode II'', the staff shifted their focus from the main series to help tell the story through multiple media.<ref name="Xeno2Weekly"/><ref name="DengAnnouncements"/> Among these additional projects was ''[[Xenosaga: Pied Piper]]'', a spin-off title for [[mobile devices]] co-developed with Tom Create and Namco Mobile.<ref name="Xeno2Weekly"/><ref name="Xeno2guide"/><ref name="MonolithTCreate"/> ''Pied Piper'' was Tanaka's last work on the ''Xenosaga'' series.<ref name="GSsoraya"/> Beginning in 2003, Monolith Soft also developed ''[[Namco × Capcom]]'', a PlayStation 2 crossover game featuring characters from various Namco and [[Capcom]] video games. The idea was proposed by Monolith Soft, with development lasting two years.<ref name="MonolithNxC1"/><ref name="MonolithNxC2"/>

In 2006, Monolith Soft was involved in four released games; ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]'', ''[[Xenosaga I & II]]'', ''[[Xenosaga Episode III]]'' and ''[[Baten Kaitos Origins]]''.<ref name="MonolithGames"/> ''Dirge of Cerberus'' was primarily developed by Square Enix with Monolith Soft providing development support.<ref name="MonolithGames"/><ref name="GSdirge"/> ''Xenosaga I & II'' was an expanded re-imagining of the first two games for the [[Nintendo DS]], and is notable for being Monolith Soft's first title for [[handheld game console]]s.<ref name="Xeno12overview"/><ref name="XenosagaDSannounced"/> The game was co-developed by Tom Create in collaboration with multiple staff who had worked on the [[Xenosaga: The Animation|anime adaptation]] for the first ''Xenosaga''.<ref name="MonolithTCreate"/><ref name="Xeno12overview"/> ''Xenosaga Episode III'' began development in 2004. While ''Xenosaga'' was planned as a hexalogy, the new team decided to restructure the series as a trilogy. ''Episode III'' was the last planned entry in the series, with further games depending on its commercial success.<ref name="Xeno2Weekly"/><ref name="XenosagaIIIign"/> The mixed commercial and critical performance of the ''Xenosaga'' series left Monolith Soft's development staff in a state of low morale.<ref name="IwataXenoblade3DS"/> ''Baten Kaitos Origins'', again co-developed with tri-Crescendo, was released late in the lifespan of the GameCube shortly before the release of Nintendo's new home console the [[Wii]].<ref name="CubedBKorigins"/> A ''Baten Kaitos'' game for the DS was also in development at Monolith Soft, but Namco, which by this point had merged with [[Bandai]] to become [[Namco Bandai Games]], cancelled the project.<ref name="XenosagaDSannounced"/><ref name="CubedBKorigins"/> A third ''Baten Kaitos'' game was in early development for "a long time" according to Honne, but was cancelled due to unspecified circumstances. Future efforts with the series depended upon both fan demand and the cooperation of IP owners Namco.<ref name="MonolithBaten3"/>

====Nintendo era====
According to Sugiura, Monolith Soft's relations with Namco soured considerably after Nakamura retired as head of Namco in 2002, three years before the merger with Bandai.<ref name="MonolithNamcoNintendo"/><ref name="nytimes"/> The company underwent changes and Monolith Soft felt they were being given less creative freedom, and the newly created Namco Bandai was less willing to take creative risks. The company then received consultation from Shinji Hatano, an executive director at Nintendo, who advised them to continue creating innovative projects. Spurred on by Hatano's supportive attitude, Monolith Soft decided to break away from Namco Bandai to become a Nintendo subsidiary; this provided Monolith Soft creative freedom in exchange for software development exclusivity for Nintendo platforms.<ref name="MonolithNamcoNintendo"/> Nintendo's purchasing of the majority of Monolith Soft's shares from Namco Bandai Holdings was publicly announced in April 2007. Nintendo became the majority shareholder of Monolith Soft with 80% of shares, while Namco Bandai retained 16% and remained as a development partner. Namco Bandai stated that the exchange of Monolith Soft shares would strengthen their relationship with Nintendo.<ref name="NinMonolithPurchase"/> The remaining shares were divided between Takahashi, Sugiura and Honne.<ref name="MonolithShares2011"/> By the beginning of April 2011, Namco Bandai had sold its remaining 400 shares in Monolith Soft to Nintendo, getting Nintendo 96% of the shares.<ref name="MonolithShares2011"/><ref name="MonolithShares2012"/> By December 2024, Nintendo fully acquired 100% of Monolith Soft's shares.<ref name=":0" /> In a statement on the matter, Iwata said that the deal was initiated due to the positive relations between Sugiura and Nintendo, and the two companies' parallel design and development philosophies.<ref name="NinMonolithStatement"/>

Monolith Soft's first releases following its acquisition by Nintendo were ''[[Soma Bringer]]'' and ''[[Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier]]'' for the Nintendo DS and ''[[Disaster: Day of Crisis]]'' for the Wii, all released in 2008.<ref name="MonolithGames"/> ''Soma Bringer'' was the company's first portable title to be developed entirely in-house, it was designed as an experience driven by gameplay rather than narrative. Multiple returning staff from the ''Xenosaga'' series including Takahashi and Tanaka contributed to the game.<ref name="SilSaga1"/><ref name="NinDStakahashi"/> ''Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier'', a crossover RPG, was co-developed with Namco Bandai and featured cameo appearances from Monolith Soft's ''Xenosaga'' series.<ref name="SuperTaisen1"/><ref name="SuperTaisen2"/> ''Disaster: Day of Crisis'', Monolith Soft's first and to-date only non-RPG game, was intended as a showcase for the capabilities of the Wii. Due to quality concerns and Monolith Soft's unfamiliarity with the Wii hardware, it was delayed from its planned 2006 release by two years.<ref name="MonolithGames"/><ref name="DisasterInterview1"/><ref name="DisasterInterview2"/> Monolith Soft was also chosen to develop ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans]]'' due to their pedigree at developing RPGs.<ref name="MonolithDragonBall"/> During this period they assisted in the development of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.<ref name="MonolithGames"/>

From mid 2006, Takahashi was working on a separate project; struck by an idea of rival civilizations emerging on the frozen bodies of two warring gods, he and Honne constructed a model of the two gods to better visualize the idea. After bringing their idea to Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamagami, the team began development in 2007. Takahashi later stated that the game's development acted as a means of boosting company morale after the failure of the ''Xenosaga'' series. The director, Koh Kojima, started his directorial debut with this game, having previously written the scenario for ''Baten Kaitos Origins''. This game also saw a shift away from the narrative-heavy approach of Monolith Soft<nowiki>''</nowiki>s earlier work, which Takahashi stated had been called out as old-fashioned.<ref name="NinXenWiiDev"/><ref name="IwataXenoblade3DS"/> In contrast to many earlier Monolith Soft projects, the game was designed with an international release in mind.<ref name="XenoGamespot"/> The intended scale of the game caused problems, and Takahashi reluctantly went to Yamagami with a list of proposals to cut down the game to a suitable size as he was accustomed to doing for previous projects. Yamagami rejected all of Takahashi's suggestions, instead persuading Nintendo to keep supporting the project and allow the team to complete their work as envisioned.<ref name="EuroInterview"/> Originally titled ''Monado: Beginning of the World'', Iwata had the title changed to honor Takahashi's previous work on ''Xenogears'' and the ''Xenosaga'' franchise. The new title was ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles (video game)|Xenoblade Chronicles]]''.<ref name="WiredNin"/>

===2010s===
''Xenoblade Chronicles'' released in 2010 in Japan, and after multiple delays, also released worldwide to unexpected critical and commercial success.<ref name="XenoGamespot"/> Also released that year was ''[[Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier Exceed]]'', a sequel to the original game co-developed with Namco Bandai Games that expanded upon the mechanics of the original and featured further ''Xenosaga'' cameos.<ref name="SuperExceedMonolith"/><ref name="SuperExceed1"/><ref name="SuperExceed2"/> In 2011, Monolith Soft founded a new studio in Kyoto, closer to Nintendo's home base so the two companies could better interact with each other. Despite some initial reservations, the staff quickly settled into their new offices and the studio became a lauded place of work.<ref name="MonolithKyoto1"/><ref name="MonolithKyoto2"/> Rather than original projects, the Kyoto branch acts as a supplementary studio, providing support for Monolith Soft and on Nintendo's in-house projects. The Kyoto branch has provided support for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]'' (2011), ''[[Animal Crossing: New Leaf]]'' (2012), ''[[Pikmin 3]]'' (2013), ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds]]'' (2013), ''[[Splatoon]]'', (2015), ''[[Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer]]'' (2015), ''[[Splatoon 2]]'' (2017), and ''[[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]'' (2020).<ref name="MonolithGames"/><ref name="MonolithKyoto2"/><ref name="MonolithSupport1"/><ref name="MonolithSupport2"/><ref name="MonolithSupport3"/><ref name="Horizons"/>

The next game released from Monolith Soft, again in collaboration with Namco Bandai Games, was ''[[Project X Zone]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. A successor to ''Namco × Capcom'', the game received development support from and featured characters from franchises owned by Namco Bandai, Capcom and [[Sega]].<ref name="PXZ1a"/><ref name="PXZ1b"/><ref name="PXZ1c"/> Following the release of ''Xenoblade Chronicles'', Monolith Soft was also working on a follow-up titled ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles X]]'' for the [[Wii U]]. A spiritual successor to the first game, and the company's first high-definition video game title, ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' shifted from a story-driven to an open world gameplay-driven structure.<ref name="MonolithSupport2"/><ref name="IwataXenobladeWiiu"/> The incorporation of an extensive multiplayer element resulted in its release being delayed and the narrative being substantially altered.<ref name="XenoXartbook"/><ref name="Xeno2times"/> Monolith Soft also developed a sequel to ''Project X Zone'', ''[[Project X Zone 2]]''. In addition to changing the character roster selected from Sega, Capcom and Bandai Namco, the game introduced characters from the Nintendo franchise ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' in addition to characters from ''Xenoblade Chronicles''.<ref name="PXZ2a"/><ref name="PXZ2b"/><ref name="PXZ2c"/>

During the last development stages of ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'', Monolith Soft began work on a new ''Xenoblade'' title for the [[Nintendo Switch]]. Titled ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 2]]'', the game returned to the story-driven structure of ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' while building upon the gameplay and technology of ''Xenoblade Chronicles X''.<ref name="Xeno2times"/><ref name="Xeno2a"/><ref name="Xeno2b"/> One of the game's story prototypes was later turned into an expansion titled ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country]]'', released in 2018.<ref name="MonolithXenoTorna"/> In addition to this, Monolith Soft also began development of an action game, hiring new staff for the project.<ref name="MonolithMystery"/> The company opened new studios in [[Nakameguro]] and [[Iidabashi]] during 2017 and 2018.<ref name="MonolithIidabashiStudio"/><ref name="MonolithStructureB"/> The 1st Production team, known for their work on the ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles (series)|Xenoblade Chronicles]]'' series, started hiring staff for development of a new RPG project in October 2018.<ref name="Monolith1stProductionRPG"/><ref name="Monolith1stProductionRPG1"/> In March 2019, the 2nd Production team started hiring staff for a new project in ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' franchise.<ref name="Monolith2ndProductionZelda"/><ref name="Monolith2ndProductionZelda1"/> Between 2018 and 2019, the Iidabashi studio closed.<ref name="MonolithIidabashiStudio"/><ref name="MonolithIidabashiShut"/> In April 2019, in the wake of high revenue during the 2018–2019 fiscal period, the company opened a new studio in [[Ōsaki, Tokyo]].<ref name="MonolithOsaki"/>

===2020s===
In 2020 Monolith Soft released ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition]]'' for the Nintendo Switch, a remaster to the original title released in 2010. In 2022 Monolith Soft released ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 3]]'', another sequel to the ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' franchise following ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' and ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2'', and the title ending the original trilogy of the series. Monolith Soft also provided development support to ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]'' (2023). By 2022, Monolith Soft shut down their second Nakameguro office and relocated their Kyoto office to a new building located directly next to Nintendo's headquarters.

Nintendo acquired full control of Monolith Soft by December 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 December 2024 |title=After pumping out Xenoblade Chronicles games for a decade and helping out on Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Monolith Soft is now fully owned by Nintendo |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/xenoblade-chronicles/after-pumping-out-xenoblade-chronicles-games-for-a-decade-and-helping-out-on-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-monolith-soft-is-now-fully-owned-by-nintendo/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref>

==Development organization==
Monolith Soft currently has 3 different buildings in Japan dedicated to development, with 2 being located in Tokyo and 1 in Kyoto. The company has shared the organization of its divisions over the years, being organized as the following:
* '''''Monolith Soft Tokyo, 1st Production Team''''': Headed by [[Tetsuya Takahashi]], this is the group responsible for the development of the ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles]]'' franchise and the games lead in development by Monolith Soft, being the largest team in the studio with over 140 staff.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2018 |title=Monolith Soft recruiting 1st Production development staff for new RPG project |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/10/monolith-soft-recruiting-1st-production-development-staff-for-new-rpg-project |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref> 
* '''''Monolith Soft Tokyo, 2nd Production Team''''': This group consists of the Monolith Soft staff in Tokyo that assisted on the development of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]'' as a support studio, with around 50 employees working on ''Breath of the Wild'' and after hiring more staff over the years for the group, having 110 employees working on ''Tears of the Kingdom'', in both cases supporting over 400 developers from the lead developer [[Nintendo EPD]]. Staff in this group previously worked on [[Xenoblade Chronicles (video game)|''Xenoblade Chronicles'']], ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]'', and ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles X]]'' before the team was created to work as support for the Nintendo Switch mainline ''Zelda'' titles. The team also consists of newer staff that were recruited following the completion of ''Breath of the Wild'', including artists, programmers, planners, designers, and project managers who began working in the company during the development of ''Tears of the Kingdom''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2019 |title=Monolith Soft hiring The Legend of Zelda series development staff |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2019/03/monolith-soft-hiring-the-legend-of-zelda-series-development-staff |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2018 |title=Monolith Soft Boss Talks To Katsura Hashino About Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Development Struggles |url=https://www.siliconera.com/monolith-soft-boss-talks-katsura-hashino-xenoblade-chronicles-2-development-struggles/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''''Monolith Soft Kyoto''''': Founded in 2011, Monolith Soft's Kyoto studio is a branch dedicated to support other titles, having no lead development roles since it has been established. It has assisted in projects worked on by the Tokyo studio like the ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' series, as well as [[Nintendo EPD]] projects the Tokyo studio wasn't involved with, such as ''[[Pikmin 3]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds]]'', ''[[Splatoon]]'' series and recent entries in the ''[[Animal Crossing]]'' series. The staff at the Kyoto Studio is mainly focused in art, graphics and asset creation, having around 30 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=『あつまれ どうぶつの森』家具デザイン担当 {{!}} 京都スタジオ スタッフインタビュー {{!}} インタビュー {{!}} RECRUIT |url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/interview/kyoto/vol01.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=モノリスソフト |language=ja}}</ref>

==Games==

=== Lead development ===
''This list is for games to which Monolith Soft contributed substantially, being either a major co-developer or the main developer.''

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of games developed by Monolith Soft<ref name="Games">{{Cite web|title=株式会社モノリスソフト|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/|website=株式会社モノリスソフト|language=ja|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" |[[Video game platform|Platform]]
! scope="col" |[[Video game publisher|Publisher]]
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2002
! scope="row" |''[[Xenosaga Episode I]]''
| [[PlayStation 2]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Namco]]
| 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2003
! scope="row" | ''[[Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="tri-Crescendo"}}
| [[GameCube]]
|<ref name="BatenKaitosGuide"/>
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 2004
! scope="row" | [[Xenosaga#Additional media|''Xenosaga Freaks'']]
| rowspan="3" | [[PlayStation 2]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=PS2/ゼノサーガ フリークス {{!}} バンダイナムコゲームス公式サイト|url=https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/xenofreaks/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=www.bandainamcoent.co.jp}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | ''[[Xenosaga Episode II]]''
| {{Video game release|JP/NA|[[Namco]]}}
|
|-
| {{Video game release|EU|[[Sony Computer Entertainment]]}}
|
|- 
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenosaga: Pied Piper]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Namco Mobile"}}{{Refn|group=co|name="Tom Create"}}
| [[Mobile devices]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Namco]]
|<ref name="Xeno2guide" /><ref name="MonolithTCreate" />
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2005
! scope="row" | ''[[Namco × Capcom]]''
| [[PlayStation 2]]
| 
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | 2006
! scope="row" | ''[[Baten Kaitos Origins]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="tri-Crescendo"}}
| [[GameCube]]
| [[Nintendo]]
|<ref name="CubedBKorigins" />
|- 
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenosaga I & II]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Tom Create"}}
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| [[Namco]]
|<ref name="MonolithTCreate" />
|- 
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenosaga Episode III]]''
| [[PlayStation 2]]
| [[Namco Bandai Games]]
| 
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 2008
! scope="row" | ''[[Soma Bringer]]''
| rowspan="3" | [[Nintendo DS]]
| [[Nintendo]]
| 
|- 
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | ''[[Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Banpresto"}}
| {{Video game release|JP|[[Namco Bandai Games]]}}
| rowspan="2" |<ref name="SuperTaisen2" />
|-
| {{Video game release|NA|[[Atlus]]}}
|- 
! scope="row" | ''[[Disaster: Day of Crisis]]''
| [[Wii]]
| [[Nintendo]]
| 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2009
! scope="row" | ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans]]''
| rowspan="2" | [[Nintendo DS]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Namco Bandai Games]]
| 
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2010
! scope="row" | ''[[Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier Exceed]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Banpresto"}}
|
|- 
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles (video game)|Xenoblade Chronicles]]''
| [[Wii]]
| [[Nintendo]]
| 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2012
! scope="row" | ''[[Project X Zone]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Banpresto"}}
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| [[Namco Bandai Games]]
|<ref name="PXZ1b" />
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2015
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles X]]''
| [[Wii U]]
| [[Nintendo]]
| 
|- 
! scope="row" | ''[[Project X Zone 2]]''
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]]
| 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2017
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 2]]''
| rowspan="5" | [[Nintendo Switch]]
| rowspan="5" | [[Nintendo]]
| 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2018
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country]]''
|<ref name="MonolithXenoTorna" />
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2020
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition]]''
|
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2022
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 3]]''
| 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2025
! scope="row" | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles X|Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition]]''
|}

=== Support development ===
''This list is for titles where a studio of Monolith Soft acted in a lesser supporting role to the main developer. Refers to development organization for more information about the groups responsible for support development.''

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of games with assistance by Monolith Soft<ref name="Games" />
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | [[Video game platform|Platform]]
! scope="col" | [[Video game publisher|Publisher]]
!Additional Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2006
! scope="row" | ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Square Enix"}}
| [[PlayStation 2]]
| [[Square Enix]]
| rowspan="2" |
|<ref name="Games" />
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2008
! scope="row" | ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Brawl"}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Wii]]
| rowspan="14" | [[Nintendo]]
|
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2011
! scope="row" | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"}}
|Monolith Soft Tokyo
|<ref name="Skyward" />
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2012
! scope="row" | ''[[Animal Crossing: New Leaf]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"}}
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| rowspan="5" |Monolith Soft Kyoto
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2013
! scope="row" | ''[[Pikmin 3]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"}}
| [[Wii U]]
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"}}
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2015
! scope="row" | ''[[Splatoon (video game)|Splatoon]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"}}
| [[Wii U]]
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"}}
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | 2017
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EPD"}}
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
| rowspan="2" |Monolith Soft Tokyo 2nd Production Team
|
|-
| [[Wii U]]
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Splatoon 2]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EPD"}}
| rowspan="4" | [[Nintendo Switch]]
| rowspan="3" |Monolith Soft Kyoto
| rowspan="3" |<ref name="Horizons" />
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2020
! scope="row" | ''[[Animal Crossing: New Horizons]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EPD"}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2022
! scope="row" | ''[[Splatoon 3]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EPD"}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2023
! scope="row" | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]''{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EPD"}}
|Monolith Soft Tokyo 2nd Production Team
|
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |2025
! scope="row" | ''[[Mario Kart World]]''
|[[Nintendo Switch 2]]
|Monolith Soft Kyoto
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=モノリスソフト |url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=モノリスソフト |language=ja}}</ref>
|}

==Philosophy==
From the company's inception, Takahashi and Sugiura wanted to give creative freedom to pursue projects outside genre standards, in addition to hiring young staff.<ref name="MonolithOrigin"/><ref name="Xeno2Weekly"/> An early aim was to encourage younger developers to make their mark in the industry, which at the time was dominated by people in the late 30s and up. This outlook was the reason why younger staff were given charge of the ''Xenosaga'' series.<ref name="FamInterview"/> Kojima stated that younger developers were preferred as they could bring interesting ideas to a project.<ref name="MonolithStaff"/> According to Sugiura, a major element during the period in which Monolith Soft was under Namco was the focus on creativity. They wanted to balance this with the financial logistics of game design rather than having budgetary concerns stifle the creative flare of the staff.<ref name="Xeno2Weekly"/> When talking about their Wii U projects in 2012, Monolith Soft staff member Michihiko Inaba stated that the company wanted to show that Japan could keep up with the Western market in terms of ambitious games that pushed the industry forward, comparing Monolith Soft to [[Bethesda Softworks]] in this desire.<ref name="MonolithBethesda"/>

Speaking about the move from Namco Bandai to Nintendo, Sugiura commented that it was a challenge to only be developing games for a single group of consoles. Nintendo endorsed the challenge to Monolith Soft with incentives such as making a particular game within given hardware specifications, providing the company time and resources to accomplish that. Another factor that changed within Monolith Soft's development process was Nintendo's increased quality control, which would moot any project that did not have the desired quality for their systems.<ref name="MonolithNamcoNintendo"/> This sense of challenge was also echoed by Takahashi, who described both ''Xenoblade Chronicles'' and ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' as being defined by self-imposed challenges to the development team when creating the environments on limited gaming hardware.<ref name="EuroInterview"/> Monolith Soft's scope and goals are often attributed to Takahashi's drive and ambition.<ref name="EuroInterview"/><ref name="IwataXenoblade3DS"/> While commonly associated with [[Japanese role-playing game]]s (JRPGs), Monolith Soft focuses more on making role-playing games for a worldwide audience.<ref name="XenoXstaffGS"/>

Rather than a fixed development structure, Monolith Soft chooses to freely assign staff based on the direction a project takes, in addition to believing in collaborations with other companies on projects rather than developing entirely in-house.<ref name="MonolithStructure"/> According to a 2012 interview with Takahashi, a prerequisite for working at Monolith Soft is a deep passion for games in addition to general knowledge outside the field.<ref name="MonolithStaff"/> As opposed to many other Japanese and Western studios which have come under criticism for excessive overtime and poor working conditions, Monolith Soft strives for a friendly working environment and reasonable hours for its staff. Overtime is also negotiated with the management and receives payment, a rarity in Japanese business. Speaking in relation to this approach, Honne recited the company's motto; "Zero overtime and creative work allowed".<ref name="MonolithKyoto3"/> Despite the gaming industry's workforce being dominated by men, Monolith Soft has a notably high proportion of female developers working at the company, with more than a quarter of its workforce in total.<ref name="MonolithStructure"/><ref name="MonolithKyoto3"/>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em|group=co|refs=
{{Refn|group=co|name="tri-Crescendo"|Co-developed with [[tri-Crescendo]].}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Namco Mobile" |Co-developed with Namco Mobile.}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Tom Create"   |Co-developed with Tom Create.}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Banpresto"    |Co-developed with [[Banpresto]].}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Square Enix" |Development cooperation for [[Square Enix]].}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Brawl"       |Development cooperation for [[Nintendo]]'s [[ad-hoc]] development team for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EAD"|Development cooperation for [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development]].}}
{{Refn|group=co|name="Nintendo EPD"|Development cooperation for [[Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development]].}}
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Profile">{{Cite web|title=株式会社モノリスソフト|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|access-date=2020-06-25|website=株式会社モノリスソフト|language=ja}}</ref>

<ref name="Profit2020">{{cite web|url=https://gamebiz.jp/?p=271069|script-title=ja:モノリスソフト、20年3月期の最終利益は78.8％増の4.91億円…『ゼノブレイド ディフィニティブ・エディション』を開発|language=ja|website=GameBiz.jp|date=9 July 2020|access-date=2020-08-12}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithOrigin">{{cite web|url=http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/interview.html|script-title=ja:ザ・プレ特別インタビュー|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|date=20 December 1999|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010421124204/http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/interview.html|archive-date=21 April 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithStructure">{{cite web|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|script-title=ja:モノリスソフトとは / 株式会社モノリスソフト|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927183638/https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|archive-date=27 September 2018|url-status=live|title=Company }}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithStructureB">{{cite web|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|script-title=ja:モノリスソフトとは / 株式会社モノリスソフト (2017)|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926202532/https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithGames">{{cite web|url=http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/games/|script-title=ja:開発実績 / 株式会社モノリスソフト|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927161543/http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/games/|archive-date=27 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithHistoryArchive">{{cite web|url=http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/history.html|script-title=ja:会社情報 / 株式会社モノリスソフト|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711221037/http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/history.html|archive-date=11 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="CreatorInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.playstation.jp/psstyle/talk/02/01.html|script-title=ja:Creator's Talk – Tetsuya Takahashi|language=ja|publisher=[[Sony]]|date=2002|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205173819/http://www.playstation.jp/psstyle/talk/02/01.html |archive-date=5 February 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="DengInterview">{{cite web|url=http://dengekionline.com/soft/recommend/xenosaga/|script-title=ja:インタビュー『ゼノサーガ』 – 電撃オンライン|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works|Dengeki Online]]|language=ja|date=2002|access-date=20 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120181643/http://dengekionline.com/soft/recommend/xenosaga/|archive-date=20 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="DengAnnouncements">{{cite web|url=http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2003/7/21/d6702af1cb8c0c4abd4b313c3d711c5b.html|script-title=ja:モノリスの新作3タイトル発表！『ゼノサーガエピソードII』では『I』の謎が明らかに！|language=ja|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works|Dengeki Online]]|date=21 July 2003|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905192948/http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2003/7/21/d6702af1cb8c0c4abd4b313c3d711c5b.html|archive-date=5 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithTCreate">{{cite web|url=http://www.tomcreate.co.jp/k_rireki.htm|script-title=ja:トムクリエイト 開発履歴|language=ja|publisher=Tom Create|access-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314193654/http://www.tomcreate.co.jp/k_rireki.htm|archive-date=14 March 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Xeno12overview">{{cite web|url=http://bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/xenosaga1_2/outline/|script-title=ja:ゼノサーガ エピソードI・II / 製品概要 / バンダイナムコゲームス公式サイト|language=ja|publisher=Xenosaga I & II Website|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730082702/http://bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/xenosaga1_2/outline/|archive-date=30 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithShares2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/plofile.html|script-title=ja:会社情報 / 株式会社モノリスソフト (2011)|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927000419/http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/plofile.html|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithShares2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/profile.html|script-title=ja:会社情報 / 株式会社モノリスソフト (2012)|language=ja|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102211549/http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/profile.html|archive-date=2 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="NinDStakahashi">{{cite web|url=http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol9/001.html|script-title=ja:Creator's Voice: 高橋 哲哉 x 光田 康典|language=ja|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2008|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225193804/http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol9/001.html|archive-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="SuperTaisen1">{{cite web|url=https://bandainamcoent.co.jp/blog/2008/03/post_69.html|script-title=ja:フロンティア、集う！|language=ja|publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment]]|date=14 March 2008|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227183644/https://bandainamcoent.co.jp/blog/2008/03/post_69.html|archive-date=27 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="SuperTaisen2">{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/1212897_1493.html|script-title=ja:バンプレストとモノリスソフトが生み出す新たなRPG！『無限のフロンティア スーパーロボット大戦OGサーガ』【映像インタビューつき】|language=ja|publisher=[[Famitsu]]|date=11 January 2008|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113221354/https://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/1212897_1493.html|archive-date=13 January 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="DisasterInterview1">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom//0810/disaster/index.html|script-title=ja:N.O.M 2008年10月号 No.123：『DISASTER DAY OF CRISIS』開発スタッフインタビュー|language=ja|publisher=Nintendo Official Magazine|date=2008|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002191103/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom//0810/disaster/index.html|archive-date=2 October 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithDragonBall">{{cite web|url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/05/13/35216.html|script-title=ja:DBが最新デジタル技術で復活！DS『ドラゴンボール改 サイヤ人来襲』プレイレポート|language=ja|publisher=Inside Games|date=13 May 2009|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828102308/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/05/13/35216.html|archive-date=28 August 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SuperExceedMonolith">{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1228227_1407.html|script-title=ja:戦闘シーンの動画つきロングインタビュー『無限のフロンティアEXCEED スーパーロボット大戦OGサーガ』|language=ja|publisher=[[Famitsu]]|date=9 October 2009|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010175358/https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1228227_1407.html|archive-date=10 October 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SuperExceed1">{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1231902_1407.html|script-title=ja:【動画つき】新キャラクター＆序盤シナリオ紹介！『無限のフロンティアEXCEED スーパーロボット大戦OGサーガ』|language=ja|publisher=[[Famitsu]]|date=10 February 2010|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213163032/https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1231902_1407.html|archive-date=13 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SuperExceed2">{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/101/G010104/20100122045/|script-title=ja:ゼノサーガシリーズからM.O.M.O.が参戦！ 「無限のフロンティアEXCEED」最新情報|language=ja|publisher=[[4Gamer.net]]|date=22 January 2010|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005024043/http://www.4gamer.net/games/101/G010104/20100122045/|archive-date=5 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="PXZ1c">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/interview/creators/vol21/index.html|script-title=ja:社長が訊く『ニンテンドー3DS』ソフトメーカークリエーター 篇 – 第21回：『PROJECT X ZONE』|language=ja|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2012|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212125215/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/interview/creators/vol21/index.html|archive-date=12 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="IwataXenobladeWiiu">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/interview/ax5j/vol1/index.html|script-title=ja:社長が訊く『XenobladeX（ゼノブレイドクロス）』|language=ja|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=28 April 2015|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428012639/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/interview/ax5j/vol1/index.html|archive-date=28 April 2015|url-status=live}} [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wiiu/xenoblade-chronicles-x/0/0 Official translation]</ref>

<ref name="PXZ2a">{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/20076868.html|script-title=ja:『PROJECT X ZONE 2：BRAVE NEW WORLD（プロジェクト クロスゾーン2：ブレイブニューワールド）』開発者インタビュー|language=ja|publisher=[[Famitsu]]|date=20 April 2014|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193520/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/20076868.html|archive-date=28 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Xeno2a">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/switch/adena/assets/img/top/message_modal.png|script-title=ja:ゼノブレイド2 Message – 高橋 哲哉|last=Takahashi|first=Tetsuya|author-link=Tetsuya Takahashi|publisher=Xenoblade 2 Website|date=2017|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615090805/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/switch/adena/assets/img/top/message_modal.png|archive-date=15 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="FamInterview">{{cite magazine|date=23 May 2003|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=6 June 2003|publisher=[[Enterbrain]]|language=ja|pages=34–35}}</ref>

<ref name="Xeno2Weekly">{{cite journal|date=2004|script-title=ja:週刊ゼノサーガ|journal=Weekly Xenosaga Episode II|issue=3|pages=6–12|publisher=[[SoftBank Group|SoftBank Creative]]|language=ja}}</ref>

<ref name="BatenKaitosGuide">{{cite book|date=1 October 2004|script-title=ja:バテン・カイトス 終わらない翼と失われた海 公式設定資料集|trans-title=Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean Setting Data Collection|publisher=[[Ohzora Publishing]]|isbn=4-7767-9056-4}}</ref>

<ref name="Xeno2guide">{{cite book|date=27 July 2004|script-title=ja:ゼノサーガ エピソード2 [善悪の彼岸] 公式コンプリートガイド|trans-title=Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse Official Complete Guide|publisher=[[Namco]]|isbn=4-9023-7203-7|pages=358–363}}</ref>

<ref name="XenoXartbook">{{cite book|script-title=ja:ゼノブレイドクロス ザ・シークレットファイル アート・オブ・ミラ|trans-title=Xenoblade Cross: The Secret File - Art of Mira|publisher=[[ASCII Media Works]]|isbn=978-4-0486-5556-9|language=ja|date=25 December 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="PXZ1a">{{cite web|url=http://jpgames.de/2012/04/ein-interview-und-viele-screenhots-zu-project-x-zone/|title=Ein Interview und viele Screenhots zu Project X Zone|language=de|publisher=JPGames.de|date=13 April 2012|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406063346/http://jpgames.de/2012/04/ein-interview-und-viele-screenhots-zu-project-x-zone/|archive-date=6 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SPinterview">{{cite journal|author=Johansson, Martin|date=2002|title=Xenosaga – The Power of Will|journal=SUPER Play|issue=April 2002|language=sv}}</ref>

<ref name="ANNstudios">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2013-02-06|title=The X Button – Squared Circle|last=Ciolke|first=Todd|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=6 February 2013|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209060440/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2013-02-06|archive-date=9 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SQEXmerger">{{cite news|title=Game software firms Enix, Square to merge on April 1|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2002/11/27/business/game-software-firms-enix-square-to-merge-on-april-1/|newspaper=[[The Japan Times]]|date=27 November 2002|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713015547/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2002/11/27/business/game-software-firms-enix-square-to-merge-on-april-1/|archive-date=13 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="EuroInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-11-29-takahashis-castle-the-man-behind-xenoblades-breathtaking-worlds|title=Takahashi's castle: An RPG master's journey from Final Fantasy to Xenoblade|last=Parkin|first=Simon|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=29 November 2015|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117050833/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-11-29-takahashis-castle-the-man-behind-xenoblades-breathtaking-worlds|archive-date=17 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GSinterview">{{cite web|last=Sato|first=Ike|title=Xenosaga Interview |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenosaga-interview/1100-2823598/ |website=[[GameSpot]]|date=8 November 2001|access-date=31 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205032858/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenosaga-interview/1100-2823598/ |archive-date=5 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="XenoXstaffGS">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenoblade-chronicles-x-developers-weigh-in-on-the-/1100-6428409/|title=Xenoblade Chronicles X Developers Weigh in on the Term "JRPG"|last=Brown|first=Peter|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=24 June 2015|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106021739/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenoblade-chronicles-x-developers-weigh-in-on-the-/1100-6428409/|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SilSaga1">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/04/reflections-with-soraya-saga-part-1/|title=Reflections With Soraya Saga Part 1|last=Yip|first=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=4 June 2010|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312012030/http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/04/reflections-with-soraya-saga-part-1/|archive-date=12 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="SilSaga2">{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/11/soraya-saga-on-xenogears-and-xenosaga/|title=Soraya Saga On Xenogears And Xenosaga|last=Yip|first=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=11 June 2010|access-date=27 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222161735/http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/11/soraya-saga-on-xenogears-and-xenosaga/|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithMother">{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/2019/07/11/baten-kaitos-director-shows-off-a-gamecube-mother-game-that-never-was/|title=Baten Kaitos Director Shows Off A Gamecube Mother Game That Never Was|last=Wong|first=Alistair|publisher=Siliconera|date=11 July 2019|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711163626/https://www.siliconera.com/2019/07/11/baten-kaitos-director-shows-off-a-gamecube-mother-game-that-never-was/|archive-date=11 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Sakaguchi">{{cite journal |publisher=[[Square (video game company)|Square USA]] |title=Hironobu Sakaguchi/Chairman and CEO |url=http://www.squareusa.com/sakaguchi.html| access-date = 19 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000511162608/http://www.squareusa.com/sakaguchi.html |archive-date=11 May 2000|url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="GSsoraya">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenosaga-series-loses-key-writer/1100-6116608/|title=Xenosaga series loses key writer|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=19 January 2005|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129021308/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenosaga-series-loses-key-writer/1100-6116608/|archive-date=29 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="KaitosIGN1">{{cite web |title=Baten Kaitos Interview |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/03/baten-kaitos-interview|website=[[IGN]] |date=3 May 2004 |access-date=15 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507023951/http://cube.ign.com/articles/510/510950p1.html|archive-date=7 May 2004|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="KaitosIGN2">{{cite web|title=Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean Interview (GC) |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/10/21/baten-kaitos-eternal-wings-and-the-lost-ocean-interview-gc |website=[[IGN]] |date=21 October 2004 |access-date=15 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213194429/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/558/558543p1.html|archive-date=13 December 2004|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithNxC1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2005/1115.html|title=Namco x Capcom Press Conference Report|last=Winkler|first=Chris|publisher=RPGFan|date=25 January 2005|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206075507/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2005/1115.html|archive-date=6 February 2005|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithNxC2">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/namco-and-capcom-announce-crossover-rpg/1100-6117424/|title=Namco and Capcom announce crossover RPG|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=28 January 2005|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201020249/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/namco-and-capcom-announce-crossover-rpg/1100-6117424/|archive-date=1 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CubedBKorigins">{{cite web|url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/5654/-54/c3-exclusive-interview-monolith-soft-on-nintendo-wii-support-baten-kaitos-ii-and-more.html|title=C3 Exclusive Interview / Monolith Soft on Nintendo Wii Support, Baten Kaitos II & More|last=Riley|first=Adam|publisher=Cubed3|date=8 March 2006|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906025622/http://www.cubed3.com/news/5654|archive-date=6 September 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithBaten3">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/24/baten-kaitos-3-was-canceled-but-monolith-soft-art-director-wants-it-back-for-a-new-development/|title=Baten Kaitos 3 Was Canceled But Monolith Soft Art Director Wants It Back For A New Development|last=Ike|first=Sato|publisher=Siliconera|date=24 September 2018|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924125018/http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/24/baten-kaitos-3-was-canceled-but-monolith-soft-art-director-wants-it-back-for-a-new-development/|archive-date=24 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GSdirge">{{cite web | last=Massimilla|first=Bethany | date=19 May 2005| url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii-e3-2005-interview/1100-6126093/| title=Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII E3 2005 Interview| website= [[GameSpot]] | access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708004824/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii-e3-2005-interview/1100-6126093/|archive-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="XenosagaIIIign">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/08/10/reader-qa-xenosaga-episode-iii|title=Reader Q&A: Xenosaga Episode III|website=[[IGN]]|date=10 August 2006|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204142711/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/10/reader-qa-xenosaga-episode-iii|archive-date=4 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="XenosagaDSannounced">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2004/2057.html|title=Xenosaga, Baten Kaitos DS-Bound|author=Winkler, Chris|publisher=RPGFan|date=1 December 2004|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505023843/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2004/2057.html|archive-date=5 May 2005|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="IwataXenoblade3DS">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Xenoblade-Chronicles-3D-for-New-Nintendo-3DS/Xenoblade-Chronicles-3D-for-New-Nintendo-3DS/1-We-want-to-make-a-JRPG-masterpiece/1-We-want-to-make-a-JRPG-masterpiece-979737.html|title=Iwata Asks: Xenoblade Chronicles 3D for New Nintendo 3DS|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo UK]]|date=2015|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170120132323/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Xenoblade-Chronicles-3D-for-New-Nintendo-3DS/Xenoblade-Chronicles-3D-for-New-Nintendo-3DS/1-We-want-to-make-a-JRPG-masterpiece/1-We-want-to-make-a-JRPG-masterpiece-979737.html|archive-date=20 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="NinXenWiiDev">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Xenoblade-Chronicles/Vol-3-The-Development-Process/1-Seeing-it-Through-to-the-End/1-Seeing-it-Through-to-the-End-839492.html|title=Iwata Asks: Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii – Vol 3: The Development Process|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo UK]]|date=2011|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170120132731/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Xenoblade-Chronicles/Vol-3-The-Development-Process/1-Seeing-it-Through-to-the-End/1-Seeing-it-Through-to-the-End-839492.html|archive-date=20 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithNamcoNintendo">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/08/21/monolith-soft-executive-producer-going-namco-nintendo/|title=Monolith Soft Executive Producer On Going From Namco To Nintendo|author=Sato|publisher=Siliconera|date=21 August 2017|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821172136/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/08/21/monolith-soft-executive-producer-going-namco-nintendo/|archive-date=21 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/business/pac-man-masaya-nakamura-dead.html?_r=0 | title = Masaya Nakamura, Whose Company Created Pac-Man, Dies at 91 | first = Jonathan  | last = Sobel | date = 30 January 2017 | access-date = 30 January 2017 | newspaper = [[New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201160441/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/business/pac-man-masaya-nakamura-dead.html|archive-date=1 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="NinMonolithStatement">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/070427qa/index.html|title=Financial Results Briefing for the 67th Fiscal Term Ended March 2007 – Q&A|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=March 2007|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229082722/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/070427qa/index.html|archive-date=29 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="NinMonolithPurchase">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-buys-monolith-soft/1100-6169813/|title=Nintendo buys Monolith Soft|last=Sinclair|first=Brandon|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=27 April 2007|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622091539/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-buys-monolith-soft/1100-6169813/|archive-date=22 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="DisasterInterview2">{{cite web|url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/11182/1/interview-monolith-and-nintendo-talk-disaster-day-of-crisis-wii.html|title=Interview / Monolith & Nintendo Talk Disaster: Day of Crisis Wii|publisher=Cubed3|date=27 November 2008|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628193241/http://www.cubed3.com/news/11182/1/interview-monolith-and-nintendo-talk-disaster-day-of-crisis-wii.html|archive-date=28 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="WiredNin">{{cite magazine|last=Kohler|first=Chris|date=29 January 2010|title=Nintendo To Publish The Last Story, Mistwalker RPG|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/01/the-last-story-wii/|magazine=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|access-date=29 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519023433/http://www.wired.com/2010/01/the-last-story-wii|archive-date=19 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="XenoGamespot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenoblade-chronicles-x-will-have-different-play-fe/1100-6426561/|title=Xenoblade Chronicles X Will Have "Different Play Feel" Compared to First Xenoblade|last=Haywald|first=Justin|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=10 April 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907235206/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xenoblade-chronicles-x-will-have-different-play-fe/1100-6426561/|archive-date=7 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithKyoto1">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2011/07/monolith-soft-forms-kyoto-studio|title=Monolith Soft forms Kyoto studio|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=11 July 2011|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711003516/http://gematsu.com/2011/07/monolith-soft-forms-kyoto-studio|archive-date=11 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithKyoto2">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/02/08/monolith-soft-discuss-their-closer-relationship-with-nintendo/|title=Monolith Soft Discuss Their Closer Relationship With Nintendo|last=Sato|first=Ike|publisher=Siliconera|date=8 February 2013|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521014241/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/02/08/monolith-soft-discuss-their-closer-relationship-with-nintendo/|archive-date=21 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithKyoto3">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/07/05/monolith-softs-new-kyoto-studio-sounds-like-a-great-place-to-work/|title=Monolith Soft's New Kyoto Studio Sounds Like A Great Place To Work|last=Sato|first=Ike|publisher=Siliconera|date=5 July 2013|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707211212/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/07/05/monolith-softs-new-kyoto-studio-sounds-like-a-great-place-to-work/|archive-date=7 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithSupport1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30229/monolith-softs-involvement-in-skyward-sword-detailed|title=Monolith Soft's Involvement in Skyward Sword Detailed|last=Barnett|first=Patrick|publisher=Nintendo World Report|date=22 May 2012|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313082936/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30229/monolith-softs-involvement-in-skyward-sword-detailed|archive-date=13 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithSupport2">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/06/24/xenoblade-39-s-director-talks-witcher-3-los-angeles-and-his-favorite-rpgs.aspx|title=Xenoblade's Director Talks Witcher 3, Zelda Wii U, And His Favorite RPGs|last=Hanson|first=Ben|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=24 June 2015|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627045738/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/06/24/xenoblade-39-s-director-talks-witcher-3-los-angeles-and-his-favorite-rpgs.aspx|archive-date=27 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithSupport3">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/20/11978514/legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-monolith-soft|title=Nintendo's getting help from Monolith on Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|last=Frank|first=Allegra|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=20 June 2016|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621122607/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/20/11978514/legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-monolith-soft|archive-date=21 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="PXZ1b">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/5977684/that-crazy-crossover-rpg-project-x-zone-is-coming-to-america|title=That Crazy Sega/Namco/Capcom Crossover RPG Project X Zone Is Coming To America|last=Schreier|first=Jason|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=21 January 2013|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123220846/https://kotaku.com/5977684/that-crazy-crossover-rpg-project-x-zone-is-coming-to-america|archive-date=23 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Xeno2times">{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4848935/xenoblade-chronicles-2-interview/|title=Why 'Xenoblade Chronicles 2' Has a Character Designed by Tetsuya Nomura|last=Peckham|first=Matt|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=7 July 2017|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707170809/http://time.com/4848935/xenoblade-chronicles-2-interview/|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="PXZ2b">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/interview_learning_more_about_the_ultimate_crossover_rpg_project_x_zone_2_from_its_creators|title=Interview: Learning More About The 'Ultimate Crossover' RPG, Project X Zone 2, From Its Creators|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=12 February 2016|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213091525/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/interview_learning_more_about_the_ultimate_crossover_rpg_project_x_zone_2_from_its_creators|archive-date=13 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="PXZ2c">{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2015/09/project-x-zone-2-adds-fire-emblem-xenosaga-xenoblade-characters|title=Project X Zone 2 adds Fire Emblem, Xenosaga, and Xenoblade characters|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|access-date=19 September 2015|date=9 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208073517/http://gematsu.com/2015/09/project-x-zone-2-adds-fire-emblem-xenosaga-xenoblade-characters|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Xeno2b">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2017/06/14/e3-2017-xenoblade-chronicles-2-is-more-than-a-simple-sequel|title=E3 2017: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Is More Than A Simple Sequel|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|website=[[IGN]]|date=14 June 2017|access-date=16 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614063112/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2017/06/14/e3-2017-xenoblade-chronicles-2-is-more-than-a-simple-sequel|archive-date=14 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithXenoTorna">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/torna-the-golden-country-expansion-pass-content-executive-director-takahashi|title=Torna – The Golden Country Expansion Pass Content Detailed by Executive Director Takahashi|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|last=Takahashi|first=Tetsuya|author-link=Tetsuya Takahashi|date=21 June 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726015758/https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/torna-the-golden-country-expansion-pass-content-executive-director-takahashi|archive-date=26 July 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithMystery">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2017/08/monolith-soft-hiring-ambitious-new-project-different-brand-image|title=Monolith Soft hiring for 'ambitious new project' different from its brand image|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=20 August 2017|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826073440/http://gematsu.com/2017/08/monolith-soft-hiring-ambitious-new-project-different-brand-image|archive-date=26 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithStaff">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/21/what-does-it-take-to-be-part-of-xenoblade-developer-monolith-soft/|title=What Does It Take To Be Part Of Xenoblade Developer Monolith Soft?|last=Sato|first=Ike|publisher=Siliconera|date=21 December 2012|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603211908/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/21/what-does-it-take-to-be-part-of-xenoblade-developer-monolith-soft/|archive-date=3 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithBethesda">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/14/inspired-by-bethesda-softworks-monolith-soft-looks-forward-to-jumping-into-the-next-gen/|title=Xenoblade Developer, Monolith Soft, Want To Be Like Bethesda Softworks|last=Sato|first=Ike|publisher=Siliconera|date=14 December 2012|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216155135/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/14/inspired-by-bethesda-softworks-monolith-soft-looks-forward-to-jumping-into-the-next-gen/|archive-date=16 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithIidabashiStudio">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/honnesan/status/1004570589095346176|title=今月から、弊社 飯田橋スタジオ 稼働開始しました( ^ω^ ) #モノリスソフト|last=Honne|first=Yasuyuki|publisher=Twitter|date=6 June 2018|access-date=7 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607194846/https://twitter.com/honnesan/status/1004570589095346176|archive-date=7 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithIidabashiShut">{{cite web|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|title=モノリスソフトとは / 株式会社モノリスソフト (2019)|publisher=Monolith Soft|access-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020063631/https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/company/|archive-date=20 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Monolith1stProductionRPG">{{cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/10/monolith-soft-recruiting-1st-production-development-staff-for-new-rpg-project|title=Monolith Soft recruiting 1st Production development staff for new RPG project|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=4 October 2018|access-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117155306/https://gematsu.com/2018/10/monolith-soft-recruiting-1st-production-development-staff-for-new-rpg-project|archive-date=17 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Monolith1stProductionRPG1">{{cite web|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/recruit/production01/|title=新規RPGプロジェクト始動｜株式会社モノリスソフト|publisher=Monolith Soft|date=4 October 2018|access-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107000757/https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/recruit/production01/|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Monolith2ndProductionZelda">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-28-monolith-soft-is-staffing-for-a-new-legend-of-zelda-project|title=Monolith Soft is staffing for a new Legend of Zelda project|last=Handrahan|first=Matthew|publisher=Gamesindustry.biz|date=28 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401010259/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-28-monolith-soft-is-staffing-for-a-new-legend-of-zelda-project|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Monolith2ndProductionZelda1">{{cite web|url=https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/recruit/production02/|title=ゼルダの伝説」シリーズ開発スタッフ大募集！｜採用情報｜株式会社モノリスソフト|publisher=Monolith Soft|date=28 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025651/https://www.monolithsoft.co.jp/recruit/production02/|archive-date=29 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="MonolithOsaki">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-10-monolith-soft-opens-new-studio-as-profits-boom|title=Monolith Soft opens new studio as profits boom|last=Handrahan|first=Matthew|website=GameIndustry.biz|date=10 July 2019|access-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710094810/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-10-monolith-soft-opens-new-studio-as-profits-boom|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Skyward">{{Cite web|title=Monolith Soft's Involvement in Skyward Sword Detailed – News|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30229/monolith-softs-involvement-in-skyward-sword-detailed|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref>

<ref name="Horizons">{{Cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|date=4 April 2020|title=Xenoblade Studio Monolith Soft Actually Helped Out With Animal Crossing: New Horizons|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/04/xenoblade_studio_monolith_soft_actually_helped_out_with_animal_crossing_new_horizons|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Nintendo Life}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.monolithsoft.co.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Monolith Soft}}
{{Nintendo developers}}
{{Bandai Namco Holdings}}
{{Xeno series}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|Japan|Video games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Video game companies established in 1999]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Nintendo divisions and subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Former Bandai Namco Holdings subsidiaries]]
[[Category:First-party video game developers]]
[[Category:Software companies based in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Japanese companies established in 1999]]
[[Category:2007 mergers and acquisitions]]