NIS America, a localization and global publishing branch of Nippon Ichi Software, was founded on December 24, 2003. Based in Santa Ana, California, it originally focused solely on the North American market until being expanded to include Europe and other regions in 2007. The branch was the result of the company's wish to focus on international publication of their works in the United States, given the increased popularity of their games outside of Japan. Prior to 2003, NIS games were released in English by contracted publishers. Some of the company's more well-known releases include entries in the Atelier, Ys, and Trails series, among others.