Hello, I'm Mob from the Negolove team at SKOOTAGAMES.
While Japan is likely wrapped in the cold of winter, I was recently on a southern island across the sea, Taiwan. Despite it being December, the warmth was such that a coat was unnecessary. However, what surprised me even more was the "heat" from the local users, reminiscent of an out-of-season summer.
This time, I would like to share a record of our participation as exhibitors at the indie game festival "G-EIGHT," held in Taipei from December 12 to 14.
We brought along "Momotto Crash," a rhythm action game that has sparked discussions at events in Japan (mainly due to its setting). The concept of "purifying enemies with your thighs" is somewhat... no, quite shocking when put into words.
How was this uniquely Japanese (?) quirk received in Taiwan? I would like to report on the amazing reactions and enthusiasm of Taiwanese users, which were a bit different from those in Japan.
The Moment When "Curiosity" Overcomes "Embarrassment"
First, let me be honest. When exhibiting in Japan, many users typically reacted with a bit of embarrassment or watched from a distance regarding the visual and setting of "squeezing with thighs." This could be seen as a form of modesty influenced by region or age.
However, we did not turn away from such user reactions. Instead, we boldly set up a 42-inch giant monitor at our booth, streaming gameplay footage without hiding the "thighs." We wanted to showcase our proud "thighs" to as many people as possible in this completely foreign land.
The result was beyond our expectations. Passersby from Taiwan laughed and were surprised at the surreal sight on the giant monitor. However, what was distinctly different this time was that the laughter of "this game looks interesting" immediately turned into the action of "I want to play it because I'm curious."
Instead of being embarrassed by the suggestion of "doing this with thighs," curiosity about "what is this?" took the lead, and without a moment to be shy, they grabbed the controllers. Once they started playing, they became engrossed in the tactile experience of the action. Moreover, most of the users who played naturally opened the Steam app on the spot and added it to their wishlists. The intuitive action of "it was fun = immediately registering" truly felt like a relief for us as developers.
The "Language Barrier" Can Be Overcome with "Thighs"
Our biggest concern, the "language barrier," was surprisingly overcome in an unexpected way.
How did we convey the nuance of "squeezing with thighs" when we couldn't speak any Chinese? It was through gestures... no, "thigh gestures" (laughs).
Rather than explaining with words, our staff moved their own thighs to express, "This is how you squeeze!" and "It's a cute and funny rhythm game!" Users quickly understood our intent and nodded with laughter. The game itself is a typical PC game played with a keyboard or controller, but the performance to convey the concept became a communication tool beyond words.
"This is fun, so give it a try!": The Healthiness of a Sharing Culture
That was helpful.
there was a strong sense of accomplishment.
Additionally, what stood out at the venue was the "sharing culture" of Taiwanese users.
A user who enjoyed the demo alone would return after a while with friends. "This was really fun, you should try it too!" they would recommend to their friends as if it were their own experience. Seeing their friends play and laugh made them laugh joyfully as well.
While typical events often involve "enjoying alone," in Taiwan, there seems to be a strong awareness of "sharing interesting experiences with others and enjoying together."
To support this, when we asked users to write their impressions on sticky notes after playing, an impressive 7 out of 10 happily left messages. Expressing love for what they like and spreading interesting things around them. I truly felt that this straightforward and "wholesome" enthusiasm from Taiwanese users created a positive atmosphere throughout the venue.
After the festival, and my "soul" gets caught in between…!?
Dia-chan is cute.
Our first exhibition in Taiwan held more significance than just overseas expansion. Even with a daring theme like "thighs," if there is genuine fun and enthusiasm, it can be embraced regardless of borders or language. The passion of Taiwanese users to express their "likes" without hiding them taught us that. I want to pour that enthusiasm into 'Motto Motto Crash' and deliver it to players in Japan and around the world from now on.
Now, fueled by that enthusiasm, we at SKOOTAGAMES have made a significant decision. In line with the ongoing Winter Sale on Steam, we are launching a major update for 'Motto Motto Crash'! Furthermore, in stark contrast to Taiwan, which completely ignores the seasonal vibe, we have also released a "Christmas Costume DLC" to fully enjoy winter.
However, the highlight of this update isn't just the costumes. We have also added a new feature: "the voice of the soul being purified between thighs"! There are a total of 8 new voices added. …And here, I must confess something to everyone. Among those 8 souls, one of them is, unbelievably, my voice as a mob character.
Take a look at this dramatic photo from the recording studio. While receiving delicate direction like, "No, feel more joy there!" my soul (and vocal cords) were completely dedicated to my thighs. I never imagined that starting game development would lead to a future where my screams would be sandwiched between the thighs of players around the world...
Which voice is mine? That's for you to discover while playing (laughs). Be sure to check out 'Momo Mottokurasshu' on Steam and feel the heat of Taiwan and the cries of my soul.
Well then, see you in the next report! Merry・Thighs・Christmas!