TREE Digital Studio has launched "Space Workers", a new interactive attraction at Ayabe City Astronomical Observatory PAO in Kyoto, Japan, where up to three players work together to complete cooperative space missions.
Built around the concept of working as a crew in space, the attraction invites up to three players to collaborate on mission-based challenges while experiencing the teamwork and decision-making required for life beyond Earth. Space Workers officially opened as a permanent exhibit on March 1, 2026.
<Content Showcase Video>
<About Space Workers>
In Space Workers, players take on the role of crew members aboard a futuristic spacecraft, working together to complete a variety of space missions. Through collaborative gameplay, visitors experience the importance of teamwork, communication, and role-sharing while navigating an immersive outer-space environment.
The cockpit-style control station accommodates up to three players simultaneously, each operating their own flight controls.
Players can choose from three cooperative missions:
Space Delivery – Transport cargo safely to Mars.
Space Cleaners – Remove hazardous space debris.
Earth Defense – Intercept and destroy an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
Three large front-facing displays recreate the view from the spacecraft cockpit, while synchronized seat vibrations respond to player actions, creating an engaging piloting experience.
Throughout each mission, PAOT (pictured left), the attraction's original navigation droid, provides step-by-step guidance. Mayupee (pictured right), Ayabe City's official mascot, also appears through fully voiced animations to accompany and encourage players during their adventure.
<Comment from Sho Onizuka (Producer, REALIZE Division)>
"Our primary goal was to let visitors experience what it might actually feel like to work in space. We wanted outer space to feel approachable and personally relatable rather than something distant or abstract.
To achieve that, we carefully refined every aspect of the attraction—from its visual realism to its intuitive controls—creating an experience that is both immersive and accessible. As part of an observatory dedicated to connecting people with the wonders of the universe, we hope Space Workers inspire visitors of all ages to discover the excitement of space exploration while having fun together."
<TREE Digital Studio Staff Credit>
Content Director: Shusaku Fujiki
Creative Director / Planner: Yasuhiro Okamura
Technical Director: Masato Negishi
CG Designer / Engineer: Hideki Yamamoto
CG Designer: Yuito Kobayashi
Account Producer: Tomomitsu Sasa
Content Producer: Sho Onizuka
Project Manager: Ryotaro Arai
<About Ayabe City Astronomical Observatory PAO>
Opened in 1995, Ayabe City Astronomical Observatory PAO is a public astronomy facility located in Ayabe, Kyoto.
The observatory houses one of Japan's largest publicly accessible 95-centimeter reflecting telescopes, allowing visitors to observe the Moon, planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies. In addition to astronomical observation, the facility offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that encourage visitors of all ages to explore astronomy and space science through hands-on learning.
Official Website: https://www.city.ayabe.lg.jp/category/4-5-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
<Facility Details>
Facility Name: Ayabe City Astronomical Observatory PAO
Address: 21-8 Hisada, Sato-cho, Ayabe-shi, Kyoto
Hours: Tue / Wed / Thu: 9:00 – 16:30
Fri / Sat / Sun: 9:00 – 21:30
Closed Mondays (unless Monday is a public holiday), the weekday following a public holiday, and during the New Year holidays.
<Related Interactive Case Studies>
Space Tours – Interactive Cosmic Adventure
TREE Digital Studio planned and produced the interactive digital attraction for the "Space Area" inside the indoor children's playground Chikyu no Niwa. Featuring a cooperative journey through the Solar System, the experience encourages teamwork and shared achievement. The attraction is currently installed at three locations, including AEON Mall Hanyu.
Drive Adventure: Senko Island Expedition
TREE Digital Studio handled planning, creative direction, and software development for this interactive driving simulator at Kodomo Kotsu Koen inside Crefiel Koto, Shiga Prefecture. The attraction allows children to learn traffic safety through interactive gameplay.
Pop Wall – Interactive Educational Play Experience
An interactive educational attraction that combines digital visual effects with physical play using colorful ball pits, creating a fun environment where movement and learning come together. The content is also available through a subscription service.
<About TREE Digital Studio Inc.>
TREE Digital Studio Inc. is a comprehensive creative production company providing end-to-end creative services—from planning and production to post-production and interactive development. By bringing together specialists in cinematography, editing, CG, visual effects, programming, and interactive design, the company delivers integrated creative solutions across a wide range of media. TREE Digital Studio also develops immersive experiences powered by XR and emerging interactive technologies, creating new value beyond conventional visual content.
We specialize in interactive content creation including XR and Metaverse, focusing on generating new value ("Video + α") tailored to client objectives.
<Company Profile>
Company Name: TREE Digital Studio Inc.
President & CEO: Shinichi Adachi
Head Office: 8F Hiroo Plaza, 5-6-6 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
REALIZE Division: 3F Bright East Shibaura, 3-18-21 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Capital: JPY 100 million
Corporate Website: https://www.tdsi.co.jp/
REALIZE Division: https://www.tdsi.co.jp/tree-realize/
Inquiries
TREE Digital Studio Contact Form: https://www.tdsi.co.jp/contact/
