Atlus has acquired Japanese online game publisher Gonzo Rosso, apparently as part of Atlus' initiative to expand its reach within the broader Asian market.

In addition to its Japanese headquarters, Gonzo Rosso operates the subsidiaries Gonzo Rosso Malaysia as well as the Taiwan-based GoldSky Digital Technology. The news comes by way of a a Siliconera translation of a 4Gamer.net report.

Gonzo Rosso handles Japanese distribution of numerous massively multiplayer online games, including Master of Epic: The ResonanceAge Universe, SONOV's Shaiya: Light and Darkness, and Izumi Project's Pandora Saga.

The company was formerly part of GDH, a Japanese conglomerate of numerous anime- and game-related firms, but GDH divested its stake in Gonzo Rosso after suffering severe financial difficulties earlier this year. Atlus was already listed as one of Gonzo Rosso's shareholders.

According to its official site, Gonzo Rosso's titles are currently available in numerous Asian territories, with plans for North American distribution in the works.

Atlus Online already operates Hanbitsoft's NeoSteam in North America, and this acquisition will likely help the company expand its offerings in Western territories as well.