Hidden Leaf Games and VShojo have recently announced a collaborative partnership to develop an exciting new VTuber game. This collaboration brings together Hidden Leaf Games, an indie game studio founded in 2019, and VShojo, a talent agency representing VTubers, who are animated characters that have gained popularity on platforms like YouTube. The game, set to be released next year, will be a player-versus-environment co-op game where players can play as their favorite VTubers.
Bao Lam, the president of Hidden Leaf Games, expressed his excitement about the collaboration and the opportunity to create an authentic and fun gameplay experience for fans. Lam stated, “The synergy of audiences between VTubers and games is natural, and we’re excited to tap into the fandom to create new experiences for them.” With the expertise of VShojo and the popularity of VTubers, this collaboration is expected to bring a unique and enjoyable gaming experience to fans.
Hidden Leaf Games, although relatively new in the industry, has already released a multiplayer online battle arena brawler called Fangs in 2022. However, the game did not achieve the success the company had hoped for. Recognizing the need for a better distribution channel and marketing support, Hidden Leaf Games decided to partner with VShojo and leverage the popularity of VTubers to reach a wider audience.
VShojo, launched in 2020, represents VTubers who use animated avatars as their public personas. VTubers have become a rising category of influencers worldwide, with their popularity originating in Japan. The partnership between Hidden Leaf Games and VShojo presents an exciting opportunity for VTubers to expand beyond content creation and venture into the gaming industry. Justin Ignacio, the CEO of VShojo, stated, “VTubers have so much potential to express themselves, so being able to build a game with our creators is an exciting opportunity for VShojo and our community.”
The upcoming VTuber game will feature the VTubers’ characters as playable avatars, complete with different outfits and weapons that reflect their unique personalities. While the VTuber characters will be operated by humans initially, there is potential for the introduction of AI characters in the future. Lam believes that AI influencers have yet to find success in the live interactive media space but acknowledges their popularity in social media.
Hidden Leaf Games’ collaboration with VShojo signifies a strategic shift for the indie game studio. The company no longer believes in relying solely on free-to-play games and instead aims to make an impact on the market with innovative gameplay and monetization through skins. Lam remains optimistic about the future of small indie studios, stating, “The strongest ships are the ones that can survive the storm. Hopefully, we can do that and get something good out.”
Overall, the collaboration between Hidden Leaf Games and VShojo promises an exciting new VTuber game that will captivate fans and provide a unique gaming experience. With the combined expertise of both companies and the growing popularity of VTubers, this partnership has the potential to make a significant impact on the gaming industry. Fans can look forward to playing as their favorite VTubers and immersing themselves in a world of adventure and collaboration.