By Hello, I am Taro-chin, a game streamer and writer.
I usually write articles for the web and stream games for a living. You can simply think of it as being “unemployed.”
Taro-chin
Born in 1985. Real name: Masataro Oi. In 2008, I started game streaming on Nico Nico Douga as “Taro-chin”. After working as a writer and editor for the web news site “Netorabo”, I am now a freelancer. I used to be someone who loved alcohol, but after suffering from “severe acute pancreatitis” in 2022, two-thirds of my pancreas became necrotic. I am now permanently abstaining from alcohol.
<p Recently, I went to Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS2024) with Harada, the representative of Skoota Films.
Skoota Films is an animation studio, but for some reason, they also create indie games under the name “SKOOTA GAMES”. At this TGS, they exhibited a rhythm game with the concept of “trapping souls with thighs” called “Momot-to Crash”, which attracted curious gazes from visitors due to its unusual premise. They have a lot of distinct characteristics.
The reason I was called in was that they wanted to cover other indie games since they were exhibiting. By the way, this article is published on “SKOOTA”, which is also run by Skoota Films. They are quite involved in various things.
Recently, the indie game industry has seen a surge of noteworthy and hit titles, increasing its attention. Some games have grown so large that one might wonder, “Is that still indie?” Moreover, many games have gained popularity as “streamer-friendly games” thanks to prominent streamers and Vtubers playing them. Indie games are no longer just for hardcore gaming enthusiasts; they have become diverse and accessible.
This time, I will introduce some “games that seem likely to resonate with game streaming” that I found while wandering through the indie booths at TGS.
Commentator
This is a “public opinion manipulation news novel game” where you become a commentator and cut through various news items. The news pieces featured in the game are modeled after real buzzworthy topics in contemporary Japan, making it a game where players’ views on current events are strongly reflected. I think the concept is likely to spark lively comments during game streaming.
If you usually think, “Commentators just have to say things in a know-it-all manner; it’s an easy job,” I encourage you to try playing it (demo version). In this game, you need to earn favor with both viewers and sponsors, and your choices on which news to support or oppose can dramatically alter your outcomes. If you cater too much to viewers, sponsors will drop you, but if you cater too much to sponsors, viewers will leave. Balancing these elements is crucial for sustaining your role as a commentator, which feels very “society” and is quite to my liking.
By the way, the old man from the key visual is not the commentator but the program producer. Apparently, almost everyone misunderstands this (which is understandable).
SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim
This adventure game, which has a strong fetish element, sets you as a tiny person being cared for by a giant girl. The owner, Saeko, has an unsettling unpredictability about her, and as the leader of the little people, you must aim for “survival.” As Saeko approaches, the drawer you live in shakes as if Godzilla were walking by. It’s quite scary.
Although it’s not like “Attack on Titan”, there is an absolute power difference due to the size, creating a situation where “lives are light.” How do the little people navigate in such a scenario? I was intrigued by this situation, and even in the demo version, I was quite captivated. Interactions with Saeko are tense, but exchanges among the little people are lighthearted, making the dialogue portions quite relaxing. This game has both tension and lightness.
I don’t know much about it, but it seems there’s a certain demand for the “giantess” genre. It might resonate strongly with those who like it. I appreciate how the author’s personal preferences are vividly reflected in this, which gives off that “indie” vibe.
CASSETTE BOY
This game personally struck a chord with me. Not only does it evoke “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening” with its Game Boy-style graphics, but the game’s system, inspired by quantum mechanics and termed the “Schrödinger system,” is exceptionally interesting.
Quantum mechanics may sound complex, but it essentially follows the rule “if you can’t see it, it doesn’t exist.” For instance, if a person is blocking a path, you can spin the camera and hide them behind a wall. Because they are “not on screen (not seen)”, they effectively cease to exist; therefore, it removes collision detection, allowing you to pass through. This system allows you to operate switches at a distance, make enemies disappear, or even make yourself vanish to dodge attacks. The “eureka moment” when you understand the mechanics is a lot of fun.
The game has a philosophical vibe as it quotes Einstein’s line, “Are you saying the moon isn’t there when I’m not looking?” While I’m not sure if it will resonate with younger audiences, it has a chill and gentle feel that people from my generation seem to enjoy. Highly recommended.
On the Keyboard
This is an interesting game that uses a keyboard. The simple rule is just to press keys skillfully to roll a ball into the goal. Because of its simplicity, watching it makes you want to try, and playing it can be surprisingly difficult, making it addictive. I feel a vibe similar to “QWOP”.
At TGS, there was a special mode where the ball turns into a pumpkin (Halloween theme?). I, being a writer, had confidence in my touch typing, but I struggled tremendously with the irregular movement of the bumpy pumpkin ball. It was surprisingly strategic and action-packed, as pressing the keys leading the ball early creates a “wall.” However, sometimes you can’t press the keys you want quickly enough…
Like “QWOP” or “Tubby” games, it’s captivating enough that observing someone else’s play can create excitement, making you want to try it too. It seems like RTA (Real-Time Attack) would be fun, and in that regard, it looks great for streaming.
Last Standing
This is another interesting game that uses a keyboard. It’s much more action-packed, as smashing the keyboard increases your attack power based on the number of keys pressed. You unleash special moves by wildly swinging your mouse.
The basic operation involves hitting as many keys as possible with the palm of your hand while repeatedly pressing the spacebar to recover stamina. This is unexpectedly strenuous and tests the endurance of both your muscles and the device. It might actually be tougher in some respects than Fit Boxing.
The game also incorporates a “Vensava style” system where you collect items to strengthen your character, adding to its addictive appeal. The question is whether your hands and the device can withstand it. The game looks fantastic during play, so streamers should definitely do it with a webcam.
Bee Under
This is a landmine defusal game that has been trending on social media. The game involves “dismantling a landmine without stepping off it,” and at the venue, it was set up so that you could play with a foot pedal. Of course, if you lift your foot, it’s game over.
The foot pedal mainly serves to enhance the immersive feel; the real gameplay hinges on “not lifting your finger off the S key on the keyboard.” To defuse the bomb, you need to dig the ground with a shovel or unscrew screws, which you have to do with the mouse or keyboard while keeping your finger on the S key (and the pedal) the entire time, putting quite a strain on your fingers.
Also, since it takes place on a battlefield, you must constantly deal with enemy bullets and wild boar attacks. During these moments, you have to crouch or turn off the light while still maintaining pressure on the S key and pedal. If you do that, you’ll soon find yourself out of time… I immersed myself quite a bit in this setup.
The idea of “keeping your finger on the S key (and the pedal)” leads to such a thrilling gameplay experience with such simple mechanics; I felt the underlying power of indie games reminiscent of “Exit 8”. While I shouted quite a bit during gameplay, those around me also seemed to enjoy themselves and chatted cheerfully, indicating that this game could become popular among streamers. I can foresee it becoming a hit.
Thus, I have introduced some indie games that particularly caught my attention from a game streamer’s perspective. Of course, I didn’t manage to cover everything, and there may be some bias based on personal preferences.
Additionally, the winner of the grand prize at the “Sense of Wonder Night 2024,” which is a gateway for indie games, “Esophaguys” also looks like it will be popular as a bizarre party game, boasting odd movements and appearances. It’s a game that anyone can laugh at, making it suitable for collaborations. The already viral “Unsolved Cases Must Be Resolved” is undoubtedly a masterpiece, and it has been gaining traction again with the recent release of its Switch version.
Moreover, when I actually spoke with some developers, I was impressed by how positively many of them view game streaming. In the adventure game genre, which is heavily affected by spoilers, I felt that more games like “Inverted Angel”, where players’ personalities are reflected through free text input for deduction, are emerging. This may be reflective of a new era where “game streaming” has become commonplace. As an internet elder, I sometimes gaze off into the distance thinking about these changes.
In conclusion. I reflected on what kind of games are suitable for streaming. While several criteria can be noted, such as “settings that encourage reactions and comments” and “visuals or systems that make viewers want to play themselves,” ultimately, it appears that it comes down to being “fun games” that transcend those complex theories. After trying out many games, I genuinely felt this.
In that sense, I find excitement in “indie games” that reveal personal obsessions or the ambition to create something unprecedented.
(Written by: Taro-chin)
Here is the inaugural game from SKOOTA GAMES, the first title introduced at the beginning: “Momot-to Crash”! “It’s a rhythm game where you just trap with your thighs!” (Editorial Department)
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