【Warp】Best Known for "D no Shokutaku"! What Kind of Game Company Was the Former Developer Warp?

If you're a fan of video games, you might have heard the name “Warp” at least once.Known for its innovative game development, Warp left a striking impression on the Japanese gaming industry despite its short lifespan.This time, we'll explore the charm and characteristics of Warp as a game company while tracing its journey.

In 1989, game creator Kenji Eno founded a company called EIM, Ltd.Although he worked on developing software for the Famicom, he was dissatisfied with creating sequels and character-based games, so he decided to take on a new challenge.In 1994, he established “Warp” in Ebisu, Shibuya. Its style was free-spirited and experimental, resembling indie games.As Eno put it, “A company is like a band,” and Warp became a space for small teams to create new gaming experiences.

Warp's hallmark titles are “D no Shokutaku” and “Enemy Zero.”These were not just games but works that incorporated elements of “interactive cinema,” much like movies.Warp's further challenge was “Real Sound: Kaze no Regret.”This innovative attempt to tell a story solely through sound, without any visuals, astonished many players.

In 1996, “Enemy Zero” was announced in a big way at the PlayStation Expo.However, in an unprecedented move, it was suddenly announced during the event that it would be released for the Sega Saturn instead.Visitors at the event played a demo that was supposed to be exclusive to the PlayStation, causing a whirlwind of confusion.This, too, could be seen as a reflection of Kenji Eno's boldness.

In 1997, Warp moved its office to Kita-Aoyama. The office was more than just a workplace.Inside the building, there was a Japanese garden with bamboo groves and a shishi-odoshi (deer-scarer), surprising visitors.What Eno valued was not just creating games but also including the atmosphere and experience, embodying a “sense of play.”

In 1998, Warp's activities were compiled into a book.The content, which described the backgrounds and passion for work of each employee, inspired not only game fans but also many aspiring creative professionals.This initiative was yet another uniquely Warp-like effort.

Warp's logo carries a story akin to a four-panel comic strip.It starts with a TV broadcast color bar, transitions to static, the start of a game, and finally ends with switching off the power out of boredom.This represents the desire to break free from boredom and deliver new experiences through games.It is truly a design that symbolizes Warp's philosophy.

In 2000, the company changed its name to “Super Warp” and shifted its focus from the gaming industry to network services.Even as it continued to evolve, the spirit of “Warp” left behind by Kenji Eno influenced many creators.

Warp, while being a game company, showed us creativity that went beyond games themselves.In its short history, Warp brought bold challenges and innovative ideas to life one after another.Its story evokes a sense of “creative freedom” that transcends the boundaries of games.

The dream shown to us by Kenji Eno and Warp continues to live on in the hearts of many people even today.