Subculture game lecture 2.0

Subculture Game Lecture @ Illustar 2025 - Kim Cheol Hui, "Eversoul" PD

== About Subculture ==

1. What Defines a "Subculture Game?"
   - The definition of a subculture game varies among players.
   - My definition: a game with a Japanese anime-style aesthetic that appeals to otaku.
   - These games are typically categorized by dimensions, world settings, art styles, country of origin, recognition, and genre.
   - I believe a subculture game is an "otaku paradise" with anime-style visuals.
   - Eversoul was born by combining various elements I love: AFK mechanics, Japanese anime aesthetics, gacha mechanics with only female characters, flashy skill effects, visual novel elements, and roguelike aspects.

== Challenges of Running a Subculture Game ==

1. Endless Self-Justification
   - A game director must constantly prove they are not just a "casual otaku."
   - Back in the day, you had to hide your interests—now you have to prove them, which is confusing.
   - In my case, my appearance helped, but since I frequently appeared on live broadcasts, I made mistakes that sparked controversies.
   - Over time, the perception that I was a "casual otaku" faded naturally.
   - Still, forcing myself to act more otaku-like felt unnatural.
   - Honestly, some of you here have faces that make you unfit to be game directors.

2. As a Game Director, You Have to Be Ready for Fame
   - With the rise of YouTube, game directors and key developers have become public figures, almost like influencers.
   - You can't just focus on development — you must be prepared for criticism.
   - If we measure my experience in getting flamed, I might as well be immortal.
   - People frequently ask about my mother’s well-being (as an insult), so having thick skin is a must.
   - Cleaning up your personal social media is essential, as past posts can come back to haunt you.

== Lessons Learned ==

1. Keeping Up with Trends is Essential
   - Most game directors are older and tend to stick to what they know.
   - However, younger otaku often aren’t familiar with older works.
   - The emotional tones of past and present works differ significantly.
   - Example: In the past, people enjoyed protagonists overcoming hardships, but today, people prefer "hype" moments where the protagonist dominates.
   - To keep up, even if it’s uncomfortable, you need to expose yourself to new subculture media. Once you get past the initial barriers, you might find yourself enjoying it.

2. Details Matter
   - Small things like touch reactions, favorite foods, birthdays, body measurements—all details must be meticulously crafted.
   - The goal is to create a character that could be someone’s "waifu."
   - However, adding details raises development costs, and once a game is in live service, suddenly removing details is not an option.

3. Users are Hyper-Sensitive to Bugs
   - Modern otaku have stronger emotional attachments to characters than in the past.
   - This means even minor bugs provoke strong reactions.
   - It’s not just about system or balance issues—details like character settings, artwork, and even forehead proportions (yes, I was hurt by the "wide forehead" comments) are scrutinized.
   - While mistakes will happen, you must minimize them by creating robust internal processes.
   - Nowadays, even finger placement in illustrations is a big deal.

4. Managing Development Costs
   - Budgets are finite, and cutting costs isn’t inherently bad.
   - Overspending in one area leads to sacrifices elsewhere.
   - Strategic cost-saving allows for a better overall quality level.
   - While details are important, obsessing over them can lower the game’s overall polish.

4-1. Illustrations & Modeling
   - Production costs: 3D LD (full models) > 3D SD (chibi) > Animated 2D > Static Illustration
   - Games that use only 3D models without illustrations are rare, while the reverse is common.
   - Even 2D SD (super-deformed) models are expensive because each frame must be drawn manually.
   - The reality is that otaku often only need illustrations — the key factor is whether the character looks appealing.
   - However, games need animations, and without 3D, there are clear limitations.
   - The issue with 3D LD (large-scale detailed 3D) is that if it doesn’t match the illustration quality, the result looks like a cheap Chinese bootleg figure.
   - The key is choosing the right balance for the game’s needs.
   - A bad example? Eversoul. It includes 3D LD, 3D SD, and even Live2D, making it overly complex. I deeply regret this, but it’s too late to change.

== The Harsh Reality: Subculture is a Red Ocean ==

- Investors are reluctant to fund subculture games.
- They require high initial costs and rely on PVE and new characters for revenue.
- Unlike PVP-driven games, subculture games essentially give up an entire monetization model due to their audience’s preferences.
- Compared to other genres, subculture games have lower return-on-investment (ROI).
- As a result, budgets are usually tight, making cost-cutting a priority.

Example:
- Suppose you secure a $10M investment for a game.
- If each developer earns $100K per year, a 50-person team can develop for two years — which is already a tight timeline.
- Additional costs like sound, outsourcing, and marketing further reduce available funds.
- If development drags, another $5M+ is needed to continue.

== The Importance of a Solid Monetization Model ==

- A game without a sustainable monetization model will struggle to survive.
- Character sales are important, but relying on them alone is risky.
- If a character underperforms, revenue takes a hit.
- A well-planned monetization model can extend a game’s lifespan without alienating players.

== Trial and Error ==

1. Homages Should Reflect Current Trends
   - If developers are out of touch, they create homages to things no one remembers.
   - Example: My homage to G. Mephistopheles and “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” went completely unnoticed.
   - It was only after explaining it in a broadcast that people finally got it — a humiliating experience.

2. Story is Crucial
   - I don’t interfere with the story much these days.
   - Initially, Eversoul was meant to be AFK-style, with basic lore and character backstories.
   - The romance elements were prioritized, while the main story was kept minimal since a full apocalyptic plot felt unfitting.
   - This was a huge mistake. We were heavily criticized for weak storytelling.
   - Today, even fighting games invest in deep narratives — so subculture games, which are directly compared to narrative-heavy competitors, must take storytelling seriously.

3. Beware of Data Leaks
   - Originally, Eversoul had one year’s worth of updates pre-loaded in the client for convenience.
   - We didn’t anticipate datamining (leaks).
   - Unlike other games, subculture players are deeply attached to their characters, meaning they actively seek spoilers.
   - Now, only imminent content updates are added to patches.

4. Comparison with Other Games is Unavoidable
   - First event: a grand Korean Hanbok giveaway.
   - We borrowed AFK mechanics for event currency, making it so players couldn’t buy everything.
   - This angered players — I didn’t understand why at first.
   - Eventually, I realized subculture gamers play multiple games, constantly comparing mechanics.

== Final Thoughts ==

- Subculture game development is incredibly challenging.
- Despite this, it’s rewarding — because it’s what I love.
- Even after 19 years in the industry, directing Eversoul is the happiest I’ve ever been.