When you hear the name “Vivarium,” what comes to mind? Once known as this game development company, it was rebranded as Openbook Co., Ltd. in 2009 and continues to carve its unique path. Let's explore the history and charm of Vivarium through the vision of its founder, Yutaka Saito.

Founded by Yutaka Saito in June 1993, “Vivarium” took its name from the English word meaning “a scientific experiment space simulating an ecosystem.” True to its name, Vivarium introduced a new ecosystem into the gaming world. In their game development, they pursued “experimental challenges” beyond mere entertainment, creating unique works that no other company could replicate.

Vivarium's standout work is undoubtedly “Seaman.” This game garnered attention for its groundbreaking concept where players would interact with and raise a human-faced fish, “Seaman.” Offering an experience akin to nurturing an unknown creature in a lab, the game went beyond traditional gaming to become a “communication tool,” making it a uniquely notable title.

However, Vivarium's activities didn’t stop at game development. Eventually, they shifted focus to creating Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Today, as Openbook Co., Ltd., they produce and provide resources like the Japanese version of the world map database “SDBW.” This shift speaks to Yutaka Saito's flexible business strategy, highlighting their ambition to succeed in new markets, not just in gaming.

Openbook Co., Ltd. also handles the management of copyrights, publishing rights, translation rights, trademarks, and design rights for their creations. This diverse scope of work demonstrates not only their creative edge but also their sophisticated business strategies. They don’t just create works—they also work diligently to maximize their value.

While the name “Vivarium” is no longer in use, its innovative spirit lives on in Openbook Co., Ltd. Their continued pursuit of new challenges beyond game development serves as a testament to their commitment to “evolution.” We can only look forward with excitement as more groundbreaking ideas emerge from Yutaka Saito's vision.

Vivarium’s history is not just the story of a game developer—it embodies the very spirit of “continuing to challenge the new.” As Openbook Co., Ltd., they’ll surely continue to offer us exciting new “experimental spaces,” and we can’t wait to see what’s next.