Hello, I’m Taro-chin, a game streamer and writer.

I usually make my living by writing articles for the web and streaming games. You can easily think of it as being “unemployed.”

Taro-chin
Born in 1985. Real name: Shotaro Oi. In 2008, I started game streaming as “Taro-chin” on Niconico. After working as a writer and editor for the web news site “Netorabo,” I am currently freelance. I used to love drinking, but in 2022, I suffered from a severe illness called “acute necrotizing pancreatitis,” which led to the necrosis of two-thirds of my pancreas. Now, I am permanently abstaining from alcohol.

The other day, I went to Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS2024) with Harada-san, the representative of Skoota Films.

Skoota Films is an anime studio, but for some reason, they are also creating indie games under the name SKOOTA GAMES. At TGS this time, they showcased a rhythm game called Momottoclash, which has the bizarre concept of “squeezing souls with thighs,” attracting curious gazes from visitors. It has quite the eccentric appeal.

So, the flow was that I was called because “since we are exhibiting, we want to cover other indie games too; I’d like to write an article if possible.” By the way, this article is also featured on “SKOOTA,” a media run by Skoota Films. They are doing a lot of things at once, aren’t they?

Recently, the indie game industry has seen a surge in attention with hit titles and notable projects emerging one after another. Some games, at a certain point, make you wonder, “Isn’t this almost mainstream?” Additionally, many “stream-friendly games” have gained popularity by being played by well-known streamers and Vtubers. Indie games are increasingly becoming diverse and open, not just for hardcore gamers.

In this article, I will introduce several “games that seem likely to be a hit in game streaming” which I discovered while strolling through the indie booth at TGS.

Commentator

This is a “public opinion manipulation news report novel game” where you become a commentator and analyze various news stories. The news featured in the game is based on real topics that have been trending in contemporary Japan, so the player’s thoughts on current events are keenly reflected in the game. It seems like a concept that would spice up comments during game streaming.

For those who usually think, “Being a commentator is an easy job; you just say whatever,” you should definitely give this game a try (Demo version). In this game, you must earn favor with both viewers and sponsors, which significantly changes depending on which news you support or oppose. If you overly pander to viewers, sponsors may leave, and if you pander too much to sponsors, viewers might leave. You must balance it skillfully to keep eating as a commentator. This aspect feels very “societal” and resonates with me.

By the way, the older guy in the key visual is not the commentator, but the program producer. Apparently, many people misunderstand this (which is understandable).

SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim

This is an adventure game with a rather strong fetishistic element where you become a tiny person being kept by a giant girl. The owner, Saeko, has an unsettling unpredictability, and as the leader of the little people, the player must aim for “survival.” When Saeko approaches, the drawer you live in shakes as if Godzilla is walking by. It’s quite scary.

It’s not like “Attack on Titan,” but the absolute power difference due to size creates a situation where “life is cheap” for the tiny people. I’m fascinated by how they navigate such circumstances. The interactions with Saeko are tense, but the exchanges between the tiny people are light-hearted, with many parts of the dialogue being relaxed and enjoyable to read. The game has an excellent balance of tension and humor.

I’m not very knowledgeable about it, but it seems there is a certain demand for the “giantess” genre. For those who like it, it might hit hard. The strong personal preferences of the creators that show through in games like this make it feel very “indie,” which I find appealing.

CASSETTE BOY

This is a game that I found particularly delightful. Not only does it have Game Boy-style graphics reminiscent of games like “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening,” but it also features a game system called the “Schrödinger System,” inspired by quantum mechanics, which is extremely interesting.

Although quantum mechanics might sound complex, the core rule is essentially “things that are not seen do not exist.” For example, if there is someone blocking the way and you can’t pass, you can rotate the camera to hide them behind a wall. Since they are “not in the view of the screen (not seen),” they do not exist, meaning you can pass through as there is no hitbox. You can use this system to operate switches in distant locations, eliminate enemies, or avoid attacks from enemies by making yourself vanish. The sense of achievement when you understand how to use these mechanics is truly enjoyable.

With quotes from Einstein like “Do you mean the moon doesn’t exist when I’m not looking at it?” the philosophical vibe is also appealing. I’m not sure if it will be a hit with younger crowds, but its chill nature is very comforting, and people from my generation might find it particularly enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

On the Keyboard

This is an interesting keyboard-based game. The rules are simple: skillfully press the keys to roll a ball into the goal. It is addictive in the sense that it makes you want to play while watching others, and it’s surprisingly difficult when you try it for yourself, which creates a compelling experience. It has a similar vibe to games like “QWOP.”

At TGS, there was an exclusive mode where the ball turns into a pumpkin (Halloween theme?). I, being a writer, was confident in my touch typing, but I struggled significantly with the unpredictable behavior of the bumpy pumpkin ball. It’s actually quite strategic and action-oriented; for instance, anticipating where the ball will roll and pressing keys in advance to create “walls” to guide it. However, sometimes your fingers just won’t hit the intended keys quickly enough.

It’s a game that allows you to enjoy watching others’ playthroughs while you want to try playing yourself, along with the potential for excitement if you see someone do well. It would be great for events like speedrunning as well.

Last Standing

This is the second interesting keyboard-based game. It’s a power action game where the more you smash the keyboard, the higher your attack power increases, adhering to a strong action style. Special moves are unleashed by wildly waving your mouse around.

Basic operations involve slamming as many keys as possible while rapidly hitting the space bar to recover stamina. This is surprisingly difficult and tests both your muscle endurance and the durability of your device. It might be more strenuous in certain respects compared to games like Fit Boxing.

The game incorporates a “loot” system where you can gather items to enhance your character and increase the sense of satisfaction, creating a high replayability factor. The key challenge is whether your hands and devices can withstand the pressure. The visuals during gameplay are excellent, so streamers should definitely play it with a webcam for the added flair.

Hiba

This is a landmine disarmament game that has become a hot topic on social media. In this game, you must “disarm the mine without lifting your foot off the activated mine” while being able to use a foot pedal to play at the venue. Of course, lifting your foot results in game over.

The foot pedal serves mainly to enhance the realism, but the core game element is “you must keep your fingers on the S key of the keyboard.” To disarm, players must perform actions like digging with a shovel or unscrewing, but they must keep pressing the S key (and foot pedal) all the while, which leads to considerable strain on finger movements.

Additionally, since it’s a battlefield, there are constantly bullets flying, and wild boars may attack. In such cases, you have to crouch or turn off your light while still keeping S pressed. If you get too caught up in this, you may run out of time… I found myself quite engrossed in this situation.

The simple idea of “keeping S (and the foot pedal) pressed” adds a thrilling edge to what could otherwise be a simple operation. It evokes a sense of indie spirit akin to titles like “Exit 8.” During gameplay, I was quite animated, and the people behind me seemed to have fun, laughing together while watching, giving me a strong sense that this game would be a hit among streamers. It’s bound to sell well!

With that said, I’ve introduced some indie games that particularly caught my attention from a game streaming perspective. Of course, I wasn’t able to cover everything, and there may be some bias due to personal preferences.

In other news, the title Esophaguys, which won the grand prize at the “Sense of Wonder Night 2024,” a gateway for indie games, looks set to gain popularity as a party game with strange behavior and appearance. It’s one of those games that anyone can enjoy and make for good collaborative play. The already-buzzing title We Have to Solve the Unsolvable is undoubtedly a masterpiece that has been drawing attention again with the recent release of its Switch version.

Additionally, when I talked to many developers, it was impressive how positively they view game streaming. Even in the adventure genre, which is heavily affected by spoilers, there seem to be more games like Inverted Angel, where players’ individuality can be strongly reflected by inputting text to progress through the game. This might indicate a new norm where “game streaming” has become commonplace. As someone who’s been around for a while on the internet, it gives me a somewhat nostalgic view.

Finally, I pondered what makes a game suitable for streaming. There are various criteria such as “settings that provoke reactions and comments” and “visuals or systems that make viewers want to play.” Ultimately, I realized that it all comes down to being an “entertaining game” that surpasses all those nitpicky theories, based on my experiences testing many games.

In that sense, I feel a thrill when I see the personal quirks and ambitions of creators who are trying to create something new in “indie games.”

（Written by: Taro-chin）

Here is “Momottoclash,” the first game of the significant label “SKOOTA GAMES,” introduced at the beginning! “It’s a rhythm game where you just squeeze with your thighs!” (Editorial Department)