viviON cloud gaming service launch in Japan

viviON, a subsidiary of Geo Holdings and parent company of DLsite, officially launched ‘viviON GAMES’ on August 26. The cloud gaming and PC game sales platform is designed to re-engage Japan’s estimated 11.7 million former PC gamers by removing hardware barriers.

Utilizing ‘OOParts Engine’ technology, the service allows users to play purchased PC games directly through smartphone or tablet browsers without installing dedicated applications or downloading large files. Because games run on dedicated viviON servers, gameplay is not dependent on the user’s specific mobile hardware specifications.

The platform employs a buy-to-play model rather than a subscription service. The initial lineup features over 30 titles, including ‘Aquarium wa Odoranai Special Edition’, ‘Shironagasu Island e no Kikan’, ‘Yomawari III’, and ‘NKODICE’.

To encourage user engagement, the service provides free trial periods. Registered users can access extended trial times and utilize server-side cloud saves to maintain progress. To mark the launch, a campaign is running until September 30, offering reward points and a chance for registered users to win a complete set of the current game library.