About P. & A. Inc.


More Information for authors and publishers.

P. & A. Inc. was established in May 1984 as a privately held translation company by Akiko and Patrick Hochner. Our software distribution activities started in 1991 with the idea to use our translation experience, infrastructure and contacts, together with our knowledge of the PC software world in general gathered from both running a public BBS and personal experience, to enable the Japanese computer users to take advantage of the high quality of programs existing abroad, without having to face the problem of language. From the start, we always tried to provide comprehensive Japanese instruction and explanation with all the programs, utilities and games, we distribute.

P. & A. is now concentrating on the selection and distribution of foreign programs for the Japanese market. We are proud to have been the first ASP approved shareware vendor in Japan (1992) and for a while, we were the main if not the only (foreign) shareware distributor in Japan. Starting with the general marketing trend of shareware games becoming available in retail stores (set by titles such as Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, etc.) in the mid 90s, we are now actively producing, distributing and selling in retail channels all around Japan localized boxed version of the titles we represent. For this purpose, we take care of the necessary translation and localization in Japanese, and have established strong contacts with the Japanese distribution and retail world.

Although by Japanese standard we are a rather small company, we are proud to have been one of the most popular companies among Japanese PC gamers and the distributor of some of the best selling games and utilities -- we currently represent and distribute one of the best selling graphic program, among others.

Since the move of our main business activities from translation to software distribution, P. & A. has enjoyed constant annual revenue growth, plus a consistent history of profitability in what is known to be a very difficult market.

P. & A. offers unique opportunities for software authors and publishers at large, thanks mainly to its experience working with foreign programs, and its extensive contacts with both the press and the various sales channels.

We actively cooperate with magazine and book editors and publishers, and are writing regular columns about (our) programs in different Japanese computer magazines. We also have written several books in Japanese about foreign utilities and PC games. We are known in Japan in this field and are often asked for suggestions and advice about programs, utilities and games.

Since its establishment, P. & A. has always enjoyed a very strong presence in the Japanese online world, first on NiftyServe, the largest commercial Japanese online service and on the Internet. We offer secure real time transaction for selling our titles online directly to end users (P. & A. Direct) and have set up an automatic online registration/ purchase service (one of the first of its kind in Japan).

Before deciding to interrupt the distribution of new PC game titles in 2002 because of the general Japanese market situation, P. & A. was committed to offering the best gaming value in Japan. We were known as the leading online multi-player game company and worked hard to reinforce this image. Adding appeal to the multi-player games we distributed, we regularly organized contests and tournaments, and have also set up a nationwide online gaming system with monthly prizes. We always tried to offer as many ways as possible for people to enjoy our games online.

Of course, the same can be said for the utilities we distribute -- we work hard to make sure that the users of our titles are 100% satisfied with their choice. We support our customers with unlimited free technical support, additional tutorial and learning material (on our web site and in magazines), and complete after sales service.

In addition to all the promotion and work done online and in the retail and site licensing channels, we are always actively working with Japanese hardware manufacturers to secure OEM, bundling and licensing deals for the programs we represent.

Official Name: Kabushikigaisha P. & A. or P. & A. Inc.

Established: May 4,1984

Address:

    Fudoya Bldg. 4F
    2-10-1 Akebono, Tachikawa
    Tokyo, JAPAN 190-0012

Tel: +81 (0) 42-525-9501
Fax: +81 (0) 42-525-9502

E-mail contact: patrick @ pandasw.com

Companies and authors we represent and/or work with in Japan (in no particular order):

Jasc Software, Inc., Winzip Computing, SmartDraw.com, E-Book Systems, VSO-Software, AutoFX, Human Software, Wildform, Virtual Painter, etc.

Japanese Magazine columns:

    P&A Shareware World (DOS/V User) (Ended in 1998)

    P&A Shareware Heaven (DOS/V Power Report) (Ended in 1999)

    P&A Shareware Special Selection (PC-Ing) (Ended in 2000)

      We often write or collaborate to other articles and reviews in various publications.

Books written:

    Interesting shareware Games (Takarajima, 1993)

    Top Draw (Village Center, 1994)

    The Best Foreign Shareware Games I and II (AI Shuppan, 1994)

    Windows Shareware Games I and II (AI Shuppan, 1994)

    Casino Games (AI Shuppan, 1994)

    Best Shareware Collection - P&A Selection (Takarajima, 1995)

    PhotoVision (Village Center, 1995)

    JOY PC (three special issues on PC games) (IDG Japan, 1996)

    Multiplayer games played in the office (1996)

    P&A Shareware Magazine (Denpajikkusha, March 1998)

    PSP6J Official Technical Guide (Shuwa System, Co., Ltd., 1999)

    PSP7J@Official Technical Guide (Shuwa System, Co., Ltd., 2000)

    PSP8 Sugu Dekiru (Sotec, 2003)

Main Software Distributors in Japan:

Softbank Commerce, Computer Wave, Catena, MediaKite, Digicube, others

Online Distribution: Biglobe (NEC), Vector Design, Impress Direct, others

Recent titles distributed by P. & A. in Japan

Utilities: (Most of the following titles were localized in house by P&A software engineers.)

Paint Shop Pro 8, Paint Shop Photo Album 4, WinZip, SmartDraw, Virtual Painter 4, FlipAlbum 5.5, NetCaptor, BlindWrite, CopyToDVD, Dream Suite Series, etc., etc.

Games: (The distribution of PC games has been interrupted in 2002)

Here are some of the last titles we released -- Serious Sam, Max Payne, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Quake 3 Team Arena, Heavy Metal FAKK 2, 4x4 Evolution, Rune, Blair Witch Project Series, Soldier of Fortune, Supreme Snowboarding, Quake III Arena, Nocturne, Fly!, etc.

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How To Contact Us:

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P. & A. Inc.

Japan

USA

Fudoya  Bldg. 4F
2-10-1 Akebono, Tachikawa
Tokyo 190-0012 JAPAN

  Los Angeles,    USA
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Tel: +81 (0)42-525-9501
Fax: +81 (0)42-525-9502

Tel: +1 (310) 888-2821
Fax: +1 (310) 777-0437

E-mail: patrick@@ ‚‚‚Ž‚„‚‚“‚—.com


© 2004 P. & A. Inc. All Rights Reserved