Chapter 32: A New Hook
A month had passed since their debut, and Hayato and the others’ streaming activities were smoothly getting on track. They were gathering attention, their viewership was increasing, and the reactions to their streams were also positive.
Hayato and Riri were often the main ones appearing on the streams, and the schedule was also arranged primarily around their availability.
Josuke participated as much as his time allowed, entertaining the viewers with his calm insights and sharp comments.
Tsuyoshi participated by squeezing it in between his work for the Tetsumura Group; there were busy periods and relatively free periods for him.
The one with the lowest participation frequency was Seika. She was busy with trips overseas and research deadlines, and she regretted not being able to participate in streams much. She was known and liked by the viewers as a “rare character.”
One such day, Riri gathered all the members at the IVE office. Seika also adjusted her schedule and rushed over, making it the first time in a while that everyone was together.
“Regarding our streams, there’s something I want to discuss with everyone.”
Seeing Riri’s serious expression, Hayato instinctively leaned forward.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Our streams are going well, but…”
Riri paused for a breath and then continued.
“I think it’s time for us to try a new hook.”
“Since things are going well, isn’t it fine to keep going as we are?”
Seika tilted her head.
“The viewers’ reactions are excellent, too.”
While Seika felt apologetic for not being able to participate in streams much, she questioned whether it was necessary to do something new and asked.
Hayato, Josuke, and Tsuyoshi also nodded as if agreeing with Seika’s opinion. But Riri firmly shook her head. She passionately argued that it wouldn’t do.
“Maintaining the status quo isn’t good enough. I thought we should devise ways for the viewers to enjoy our content even more.”
Josuke quietly began his analysis.
“Our initial dash was successful. And we’ve been able to continue streaming stably since then. However, new VTubers are debuting one after another after us. This industry changes rapidly, and it’s true that people can get bored easily.”
Josuke showed his understanding of Riri’s words.
“So, what’s the plan?”
Tsuyoshi asked, folding his arms. His voice was tinged with interest.
“Yes. Actually, I’m making a game.”
“A game?”
Everyone except Riri exclaimed in surprise.
“It’s the RPG game I mentioned a little while ago.”
Saying that, she operated her laptop. A title screen with a sophisticated design appeared on the screen. Then, a visual was displayed showing their Avatars, which they also used for streaming, lined up heroically.
“Wow, did you make this, Riri?”
Seika bit, showing keen interest.
“Yes, I did!”
Riri smiled proudly.
“I received a lot of help from the illustrator, Sawada-san, and she introduced me to people who make game music and a producer. I handled the programming myself.”
Riri had been working on this independently, without Hayato and the others knowing.
“Can we play this already?”
Tsuyoshi said, staring intently at the screen.
“Yes. It’s still a work in progress, but you can play the beginning part just fine.”
Riri took out a gamepad, connected it to the laptop, and handed it to Tsuyoshi. He, having been handed the gamepad, sat down in a chair with an expression full of curiosity. The remaining four stood around him. They all decided to watch the game Riri said she had made.
“This is an action RPG where you can relive Hayato’s adventures.”
First, the scene where Hayato was summoned to the other world. The memories Hayato recalled and the content he had spoken about on stream were reflected in the displayed text. And then, the screen progressed from one scene to the next.
Enemies appeared. Monsters from the Demon King’s army he had fought so often, how nostalgic. Hayato remembered as he looked at the enemies in the game.
“So it’s an action game.”
Tsuyoshi gripped the gamepad and pressed each button as if testing them. Displayed on the screen was Hayato’s Avatar, the one shown on the title screen and also used in their streams. It seemed he could move it freely with his own controls. The combat also looked interesting.
“Whoa, the controls are responsive.”
As he played on, after a simple tutorial, it transitioned to the first battle scene. Tsuyoshi got absorbed, controlling Garret’s character to fight the enemies. He fought using attacks, dodges, and special moves, but struggled due to the unfamiliar controls.
“Uooh! I lost!”
“Let me try next.”
Tsuyoshi lost and got a game over, and Josuke took over and started playing.
“I see, so that’s how it works.”
Josuke seemed to get the hang of it quickly, defeating enemies precisely. Everyone was impressed by his skill. Hayato felt a little happy seeing his Avatar win against the enemies.
“As expected of you, Josuke.”
“These are still early-game enemies. Even if it’s a game, I can’t afford to lose.”
Josuke replied nonchalantly, but one could see from his expression that he was enjoying himself.
“This is quite fun. Hayato, you try too.”
“Yeah. I guess I’ll give it a little try.”
Taking over from Josuke, Hayato also started playing. I see, so this is how it feels. It took him a little time to get used to the controls, but he soon became engrossed in the game’s world. Still, the scenery on the screen looks so similar to what I saw in the other world, he thought.
The backgrounds, buildings, and even the appearance of the enemy monsters in the game were reproductions of what Hayato had actually seen in the other world, stimulating his memories. Come to think of it, it was just like this.
It wasn’t just a fantasy world, but a reconstruction of the “other reality” they had actually experienced.
“I made this hoping it would help people learn more about the world over there.”
“It’s more immersive. Just as you hoped, Riri, the story is likely to stick in people’s memories too.”
Josuke analyzed.
“Yes. So, how about we announce its production on stream, show the development process, and then do a Let’s Play stream with everyone?”
That was the new hook Riri proposed. Hayato and the others became enthusiastic about it.
“Sounds good. Let’s do it.”
“Let’s Play streams are mainstream content among VTubers.”
Josuke added.
“But we’ve mainly been doing chat-like streams and haven’t done that yet. It could be a good new hook to aim for acquiring new viewers.”
Saying so, he also agreed.
“Besides, since it’s something Riri made for us and it’s based on our adventures, we can provide supplementary explanations while playing the game, can’t we?”
Seika added happily.
“I’m busy too, but I’ll participate as much as possible.”
Tsuyoshi also agreed strongly.
And so, their new streaming project began to move forward. It was decided that Hayato would be the player, with Riri, the creator, accompanying him for commentary, and they would do a Let’s Play stream of the game before its completion.