D3 Publisher (Japan)

Background
D3 Publisher Inc. is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded on February 5, 1992. The company is known for the Simple series of budget-priced video games. In 2009, Bandai Namco Holdings gained a controlling share of D3 and currently owns 95% of its stock.

1st Logo (1997-2006)
Logo: Fading into a blurry yellow// mass, the camera eventually zooms out and rotates straight up, as the camera focuses to reveal that the mass is actually 3 rotating "D" shapes trying to overlap each other on a white space with dim corners. Dust particles can also be seen moving around. As the pieces merge up, the camera fully focuses onto the now-single yellow "D" piece, as it starts to turn and gains two large hemisphere-shaped dents in its side, and they eventually clip into place. As this is happening, the text "D3PUBLISHER" can be seen below fading in.

Variants:
 * On earlier games, the "D" shape turns after it joins up, and the text reads "D3PUBLISHER INC." in a smaller font.
 * A still version of the earlier logo exists with the logo and name horizontally spread out.

FX/SFX: The pieces joining together, the dents forming.

Music/Sounds: A loud whoosh is heard throughout as sparkles can be heard when the pieces rotate around. A smaller, rising whoosh plays when the pieces merge, a clank when the dents finish forming, and a slower rising whoosh when the logo finishes.

Availability: Common. In Japan, it can be seen on all of the Simple series of games, as well as other licensed titles on the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. In the rest of the world, it can be seen on several licensed games.

Editor's Note: A well-liked logo for those who grew up with their games.

2nd Logo (2006-2011)


Logo: On a black background, 3 copies of the "D3" shape slide in from the left side of the screen, overlapping each other and flashing when they join up. When the third piece joins in, a bright flash with a larger, black version of the logo panning across the screen appears, and "D3PUBLISHER" in the same font as before appears below in black, only seen through its beveled edges. Once the large flash dies down to normal shining, the "D3PUBLISHER" text glows and fills in with white.

FX/SFX: The pieces joining together, the logo flashing.

Music/Sounds: A small whoosh at first, followed by 2 smacks and a loud shining sound. A guitar chord ends off the logo (achievement sound from Team Fortress 2).

Availability: Common.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo (2011-2012)


Logo: On a black background, a glow illuminates a black bar, which reveals itself as a spark with a  trail. More -tinted sparks circle around the rotating bar, which is in fact a darkened "D3" logo, as a / cloud emerges in the background. A light then rids the sparks and shoots off to the sides, leaving particle trails that clear up, as the logo turns  and the company name appears below. The logo slowly rotates.

FX/SFX: The sparks, the logo rotating.

Music/Sounds: The sounds of sparks flying by, followed by a descending "blop" when the light flashes.

Availability: Rare. It appeared on later PS3 titles.

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (2012-)


Logo: On a black background, a droplet quickly drops down as a light illuminates a  pool of liquid in a letterbox fashion. As it drops in, ripples are made and it shoots out a bunch of and  drops and cylinders, expanding even beyond the aspect ratio. As they slowly spread out, they suddenly get sucked in and form the logo and name as the background darkens to an almost black shade. The light moves off-screen as the logo starts to end.

FX/SFX: The droplet.

Music/Sounds: A descending series of short "droppy" notes, which lead into a synth bang with glass shattering. A "vacuum" sound plays, and ends with a chime with bubble sounds.

Availability: Common.

Editor's Note: None.