Softstar Entertainment (1988)
The Founding Father of Chinese RPGs and Creator of The Legend of Sword and Fairy
Established in 1988 in Taipei by Eric Lee, Softstar Entertainment is the legendary Taiwanese development studio that virtually founded the Chinese-language computer gaming industry. Creating the quintessential Wuxia and Xianxia role-playing genres through The Legend of Sword and Fairy (Chinese Paladin) and Xuan-Yuan Sword, Softstar shaped interactive storytelling across the Sinophone world.
The 1995 Legend of Chinese Paladin
Released for MS-DOS in 1995, The Legend of Sword and Fairy combined tragic poetic romance, Taoist mysticism, and isometric turn-based combat with authentic traditional Chinese orchestral instrumentation. Widely regarded as the 'Final Fantasy of the Chinese world', it achieved legendary status across Taiwan and mainland China, defining the emotional benchmark of narrative RPGs.
Transmedia Empire and Contemporary Action
Softstar's intellectual properties pioneered early Asian transmedia storytelling, giving rise to smash-hit live-action television dramas that launched international acting careers. Continuing into the modern era with Xuan-Yuan Sword VII and Sword and Fairy 7 on Unreal Engine, Softstar stands as an enduring cultural cornerstone of Taiwanese creative innovation.