Oimoto is a member of the Japanese pop electronic music group Perfume, nicknamed Nocchi. Nocchi is a well-known gamer in the Japanese entertainment industry, a real player who spends more than a dozen hours on rest days playing games and carrying a handheld machine with him when he goes out.
Earlier this year, Nocchi and an entertainment outlet started a campaign called "Nocchi Wants to Play!" As a serial planner, she loves to play games and will meet with a series of game industry insiders and try to write her own game series articles. On the first stop, Nocchi came to the editorial office of the famous game media Famitong, as an ordinary player, to learn about the working content of the game media with everyone.
Text: Natalie, Author: Shohei Kasumoto (Empress Author: Ayano Omoto), Hara Akira: How do you write the game article? I heard a story in the Famitsu editorial department.,Eerie_Eery
<h4>Take you into the game's ubiquitous Fami Pass Editorial Office</h4>
Once, in an interview with a women's fashion magazine, Nocchi was ridiculed for talking about a lot of game-related topics, "We are not Famitong" because of his incessant conversation. But this time, Nocchi finally came to the real Fami Tong editorial office.
In the office area where the editorial department is located, in addition to the team of "Weekly Fami Tong" and the team of the online media "Fami Tong .com", there is also a team responsible for producing game guides and other books. Under the guidance of Famitong editor-in-chief Keyan Lin, Nocchi observed the specific workflow and content of the editors.
The most famous section of Weekly Fami Is The Cross Review, which features four editors or authors as reviewers, rates new works. In order to write a review, reviewers usually use a "Cross Review" dedicated game console placed in the center of the office area. Because almost all of them are games that have not yet been released, in order to prevent information leakage, editors participating in the review are not allowed to take the review game out of the office area without permission.
Nocchi, who had always thought that the Editor of Famitong was writing while playing games at his own home, exclaimed in surprise: "I can't play at home!" After learning that it was common to play dozens of hours of games in a row in order to write a review, Nocchi deeply felt the hard work of Famitong's editor, saying: "If you accidentally see the spoiler screen of the new work you have been looking forward to when you work, you will feel very uncomfortable (laughs)."
During the tour, Nocchi found a desk full of Pokémon peripherals. After learning that this was the table where the editor in charge of the Pokémon series was in charge, Nocchi couldn't help but exclaim, "It's really someone who loves this series to do the reporting!" Coincidentally, the editor had been involved in editing the Pokémon pamphlets used for store distribution in the past year, and Nocchi was very happy to learn about it, because she had also received the brochure at PARCO in Shibuya.
Finally arriving at the editor-in-chief's office, Nocchi, who was watching the piles of games on the table, said, "There are so many, it seems great," excitedly flipped through the game CDs. "There are a lot of games I've never heard of... If I just look at the cover, I'm still interested in this "To All Mankind."
Seeing the inaugural issue of Famicom Communications (now Weekly Famicom) in 1986, Nocchi lamented, "I wasn't even born yet."
For Nocchi, the most special thing about the newsroom is that there is a dedicated studio for YouTube and Niconico live streaming. In this small room with a green screen, voice actors and game developers come here every day to broadcast live games or chat while drinking.
As he walked into the studio, Nocchi exclaimed excitedly, "That's awesome! It's the live streaming device I dreamed of!" After actually sitting in front of the equipment and experiencing the game live, Nocchi showed a look of envy, she said, "I want to get a set of such equipment in the company... Amuse also has actors who can do live broadcasts, and if there is such a device in the company, many people will use it..."
<h4>Nocchi was expected to show "a pure perspective as a gamer"</h4>
After visiting the office area, in order to learn to write a game series, Nocchi and Editor Lin went to the conference room together, and the two began to talk.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Before I started the series, I was thinking, "If I'm going to write about a game, what's the point of attention?" After thinking about it, I had the idea of "then I might as well go directly to the Editorial Department of Fami Tong and ask for advice."
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Thank you very much.) Have you had any experience working with or working with game developers so far?
<b>Nocchi:</b> I really don't have any intersection with people in the game industry. However, there have been fans of Perfume who have written the novel "Kingdom Heart", which is worth it.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> That's the way it is. If you usually have the idea of "how did this god work come about" or "This game is so interesting" when you play the game, then I think it is best to meet the producer of this game directly and convey your feelings in person.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Is that true? However, for example, I like Neil Mechanical Legion, but its producers don't often do live broadcasts.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> You mean Supervisor Yokoo and Producer Yosuke Saito, and Takahisa Tabura as the lead designer, right?
<b>Nocchi:</b> Because I like to listen to the secrets of game production, I watch them live every time. They basically drank and said everything they could say, so even if I did meet, I guess I wouldn't be able to ask any deeper questions.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> I don't think there's any need to think too much. When we interview game developers, it is precisely because we are game media that we ask questions in a more introverted tone. I think the same thing is true when you are usually interviewed, the other party should be a professional interviewer. However, through this series, we hope to see that you have "a pure perspective as a gamer", so you don't have to demand yourself according to the standards of the internal.
<b>Nocchi:</b> That's it.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> It may not be appropriate to say that it was "nagging homely" in the past, but it is best not to feel that you are carrying an interview task, so you must ask the truth.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Sure, I'll try not to be too contrived (laughs).
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> If you have any doubts or don't understand something, don't worry, just ask. Being outspoken is something that those of us who are game editors are less likely to do. If you do what I say, I think you'll be able to write something very different from the columns that most game media publish.
<h3>Next: More</h3>
<h4>I wanted to use music to present the excitement of the "Smash Bros. " pilot trailer</h4>
<b>Nocchi:</b> Is there anything you have to pay attention to when conveying game-related information to your readers?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> The game has too many eye-catching "selling points". Needless to say, the game system is the same as the characters and music. And although it is collectively referred to as the game system, there are many branches such as growth systems and combat systems. As a game editor, you have to remind yourself all the time about which points you should focus on when introducing a game. If you go through the advantages of a game from start to finish in general, the reader is bound to be confused. So be sure to keep your priorities in mind at all times.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Oh, that's right.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> By the way, if it's a magazine, a magazine will publish a lot of different articles, and if an article doesn't stop the reader's page-turning fingers, then the article loses. For example, if you want readers to focus on a game character, where should you put the character on the magazine page to make it more prominent? Or how to design a slogan to guide readers to attention? It's all about making the reader's page-turning fingers stop, something we often think about.
<b>Nocchi:</b> It's not easy!
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> When playing "Neil Mechanical Legion", there must have been places like "the battle is really fun", "the plot is so interesting", "I like the character modeling" and so on, which make you admire from the bottom of your heart, "This place is also very well designed". I think it would be fitting to use them as an entry point for writing.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Yes, there is! However, I'm not very good at expressing... [Laughs]
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Knowing that I am not good at words, I still have to challenge this project, which is really challenging (laughs). Rest assured, the developers are approachable.
<b>Nocchi:</b> If it's really approachable, that's great... [Laughs). The articles in the magazine are great, and the game's publicity methods are really powerful. The news released by the manufacturers before the release of the game can be said to have reached a wonderful balance.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Indeed. Different games and developers use different promotional methods. For example, the "Like a Dragon" series almost always gathers stars to hold production briefings and completion disclosure conferences like a movie.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Every company must have a very great head of publicity.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> But the music scene is essentially the same.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Is it the same with music... [Laughs). I really like the "Fight" in "Nintendo Star Brawl!"" The pilot trailer will one day want to present that exciting feeling through music.
The video address
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> It is said that the trailer for "Rendou" was personally supervised by Masahiro Sakurai. From the adjustment of details such as "add this thing to this frame" to the grasp of the overall situation of the entire trailer, he is responsible for it, and there are really very few producers who can do this.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Wow, is that right? It's amazing! I really didn't expect it to be produced by the producer himself.
<h4>Watching a lot of live games, the difference in gameplay between different people is interesting</h4>
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Then again, what is your motivation to like playing games?
<b>Nocchi:</b> The first game I played was Tales of the Abyss, and that was the first time I played a story-driven game. The kind of engaging immersion that games bring to me is unmatched by movies and serials. I was very touched to be able to experience different lives in the game.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> So do you like RPG?
<b>Nocchi:</b> That's right. Once a girl my age once talked to me about her memories of playing "Romantic Saga" with my brother, and I was really envious, and I couldn't help but sigh that I wanted to grow up in that environment (laughs). So I've always been envious of families who have older brothers.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> That's the way it is (laughs). I think you should be quite busy, usually play games at night?
<b>Nocchi:</b> On holidays or weekends, you often play games for ten hours in a row without paying attention. At night, I don't usually play games much because I'm sleepy (laughs). It's probably the feeling of "I'll go to bed after three more games of "Kill by Daylight".
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> I still have a lot of fun.
<b>Nocchi:</b> I guess it's the most games I've ever played in my life.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Why?
<b>Nocchi:</b> Why...? Maybe it's because I've watched a lot of live videos of the game on Niconico and YouTube.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Some people want to play the game after watching the game live, while some people just watch the game live is enough. What kind of people do you feel you belong to?
<b>Nocchi:</b> I think I should be counted on it. I want to play a game like "Kill by Daylight" after watching the live game, but "Detroit: Becoming Human" I didn't play it myself, but found a live video of 4 or 5 people to watch (laughs).
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Eh? This is quite rare.
<b>Nocchi:</b> It's also fun to think about "which branch will this podcast choose?" when I watched it, so I found several people to see it live.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Hahaha, it's true that it's a pleasure too.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Yeah, really everyone's choices are completely different, so it's funny, and I'm having fun watching it (laughs). Anyway, I've seen the live broadcast that you and Yokoo supervisor did together before.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Eh! Me? We did do "Neil" before, and the theme was to celebrate Mr. Yokoo's birthday. That's probably the one you said (laughs).
<h4>Playing Street Fighter 5 loves Tondi</h4>
<b>Nocchi:</b> It used to be widely thought that games were for boys, but over the years there seems to be more and more female players. From the perspective of the editorial board of the weekly Fami Tong, has the ratio of readers to men and women changed?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> We don't have exact data, but we do have a lot more female readers than before. I think it also depends on the game itself. For example, the Monster Hunter King Hunt often has a group of men and women participating, and if it is a game-themed concert, stage play, and reading drama and other activities, there will be more female participants. I think the idea that games are for boys is rare now.
<b>Nocchi:</b> The concept has changed.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Another is that there are more people who "start playing games because their favorite voice actors have assigned voices to game characters."
<b>Nocchi:</b> I know better! Because I often choose games like this myself! I became obsessed with Persona 5 because of the participation of MAMO (Mamoru Miyano) and Nana Mizuki.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> After hearing so much of what you have said, it seems that you have played a lot of games seriously. Have you ever been exposed to fighting games?
<b>Nocchi:</b> I kind of tried it...
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Tried?
<b>Nocchi：</b> AMUSE also has signed esports players for Street Fighter 5. I admired the pros for being able to manipulate characters as they could manipulate their own bodies, so I tried it, but I couldn't do that at all (laughs). If you don't spend a lot of time honing your skills, you can't get stronger.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Fighting games are really harsh. If you don't often play online or practice your skills in training mode, it's really hard to grow. By the way, who are the characters you use?
<b>Nocchi:</b> Bodi.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Pretty masculine choice (laughs).
<b>Nocchi:</b> I'm a good cook myself, but I like to watch the duels between the masters in esports competitions. Because it is a human-to-human battle, after learning that there are many years of grudges between these two players, as a girl, it is inevitable that there will be a feeling of heartbeat (laughs).
<h4>Nocchi asks questions in a small section for everyone</h4>
<b>Nocchi:</b> Using social media, I collect a lot of questions from readers. So now let me ask questions? The first is this one.
If I were to recommend a game for three people to play with the members of Perfume, what would be the best recommendation?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Do the other two play games as well?
<b>Nocchi：</b> Kashiyuka (㭴野贵) should only play Monster Hunter. However, last year, everyone played "Hu Hu Kitchen" together, and the addiction was quite big. We still prefer cooperative games, and we often go to play escape rooms together, and "HuStrong Kitchen" should be considered to be just right for our appetite. If you want to play it together, the Switch game should be a good choice.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> How about Fortnite? I think it's nice to be able to team up and fight.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Ah, Kashiyuka said before that she was playing! It's really good.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Monster Hunter is also very good, you can hunt together with three people.
<b>Nocchi:</b> That might be a little too hard, and Azu (Ayaka Nishiwaki), who is afraid of blood, might cry (laughs).
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> However, you can also consider hiding behind and playing the flute, and there are quite a few auxiliary games.
<b>Nocchi:</b> "Ah Sauce play the flute!" (Laughs), it seems like it's going to be fun, and it would be nice if we could work together to figure out a cute character. Well, it's time for the next question.
I would like to ask if there are any other works worth recommending in 2020? I personally pay more attention to Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil 3 Remake, and Final Survivor Act II.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> In the supplement to Weekly Famitong, which was released in early January, we made a special edition of the work that will be released this year. Final Fantasy VII Remake is a complete remake of Final Fantasy VII, released in 1997, and will be released in April. In addition, the action game known as "Persona Chronicles Unmatched" - "Persona 5 Chaos Battle Phantom Attacker" is also worth paying attention to. There's also the Switch platform's Collection! Animal Friends Association is also about to launch, in short, 2020 will be a year of various efforts.
<b>Nocchi:</b> I've played a lot of matchless games before, and I'm looking forward to this "Persona Matchless" campaign. (Staring at the cover of the supplement of weekly Famitong) What is this game that is very realistic?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> This is "The Last Survivor". Although it is an action game, the story is very strong, and the gameplay is like watching a movie. It's a bit early, but its second part will be released this year.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Is it out of the second part? Does the first part have to be played too?
Editor-in-Chief: I think it would be better to play the second part after playing the previous game. Originally from the PS3, this game is the best PS3 game in my personal opinion. If you are interested, please be sure to try it.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Oh, I'll play! I also bought a new PS3 before.
As an editor-in-chief, you should play the game well, right?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> No, my game level is very average.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Is that right? [Laughs]
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Although it is not a special dish, it can basically be played. But if you compare it to professional players, it's a world of difference. Because I love fighting games, I have invested a lot of money and time in fighting games in the past, but my strength has been crushed by people who have spent thousands of hours with me. At that time, I felt that the real master was not so easy to defeat.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Ah, understandably. By the way, which fighting game are you playing?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Sega's VR Warrior.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Ah, you're called Virtua 勢 (バーチャ勢, a special name for VR Warrior players) (laughs).
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Yes (laughs). Fighting games and sports are essentially the same. In the end, it all comes down to the question of talent and consciousness.
<b>Nocchi:</b> It's true that it's not limited to fighting games, "play well" doesn't mean "it's accurate", and wisdom and intuition like "there may be hidden props here" are also very important... So the next question.
Since you are working in a game-related job, will you suffer from any occupational diseases?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> For example, when you see the relevant information about the new game that has just been announced, you will involuntarily judge the type of game based on past experience (laughs).
<b>Nocchi:</b> Wow! (Laughs) The sense of anticipation will be greatly reduced.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> But Death Stranding, released last year, made my judgment no longer work. Although I have also had the opportunity to interview Hideo Kojima directly, and I can more or less understand the idea of Kojima's supervision, "Death Stranding" is really a game that I can't understand without playing it myself. So I was really looking forward to it.
<b>Nocchi:</b> It's true that there are a lot of games that have a villain in the absolute sense of the word, and defeating him is basically the ultimate goal of the game. In this way, it is indeed easy to guess the general direction of the plot.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> If you can't enjoy this part of the fun, you can only fall into the boring cycle of repeatedly exercising and improving your character for the sake of raiding the mission, so I am very happy to encounter this kind of game that deviates from the convention.
Editor-in-Chief, how many games do you play in a year?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> I haven't counted...
<b>Nocchi:</b> Sure enough (laughs).
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> But I don't think I had a lot of fun. I play about 20 to 30 models a year, and other editors should play more. But some people really play a lot, and I played ten games a week when I was in charge of Cross Review.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Too strong!
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> But times have changed. It takes longer to play a game now than ever, so it's not just a matter of quantity. In the past, people usually bought a game after watching the ending of the game, but now there are more and more "service games" that can be played for several years.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Well, it's true. So, let's take this for the next question.
Does the person who writes the game review play the game during working hours? Or do you use your leisure time?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Because the content that is published in magazines or on the web belongs to the category of work, there is no such thing as "using private time to play games".
<b>Nocchi:</b> Does that mean you play games during working hours?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Yes. So even playing games that have nothing to do with the content of the work during working hours won't tell the difference (laughs). Even if it is a completely unrelated game now, it is uncertain whether it will be useful at work in the future, so it can be generally classified as work content.
<b>Nocchi:</b> What a dream work environment for people who like to play games.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> I don't know how to do that now, but I used to enjoy playing games with my colleagues in the newsroom until midnight, and then everyone talking about games together. Games are a kind of thing, although it is very happy to play, but after playing with the fans to talk about the heat is also a lot of fun.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Eh, that's great! I bought and played Dragon Quest 11 as soon as it was released, and later had a lot of fun discussing the progress of the game with the hair stylist and other friends who like the game.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Probably the most attractive thing about this job is that I can meet a lot of people who love games.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Okay, that's one last question.
What does "game" mean to the editor-in-chief?
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> I haven't really thought about it (laughs). What exactly is the game?
<b>Nocchi:</b> Although it feels like people often ask this question.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> For me now, the game should be considered a "reward". Although the work content is game-related, the daytime time is filled with various meetings and interviews, and there is no time to play games at all. So lately I realized that the time I spend at home drinking beer and holding a gamepad is a bonus for me.
<b>Nocchi:</b> It's the same for me. "Okay, finish the job!" Rest tomorrow! I'm going to drink and play games!" It's the best time.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> Sure enough, the proportion of hard work is still very large (laughs). Creating time that separates you from the hard work at work is what the game is all about.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Well, that's right. Really appreciated today.
<b>Editor-in-Chief:</b> You're welcome. After talking to you, I found that you really love the game. As long as you keep dealing with the people you want to talk to, I think you can write a very interesting series, and I hope you can confidently continue this plan.
<b>Nocchi:</b> Haha. I'll roll up my sleeves and work hard!
<h4>Postscript to Nocchi's interview</h4>
Hello everyone, I'm Nocchi who loves to play games. "Nocchi wants to play!" The planning of this serial column has finally officially started. I usually do various activities with two other people in Perfume, and this is the first time that one person's regular work is done, so I hope you can be more inclusive.
This interview photo is really good, but everyone should soon notice, Nocchi this guy does not dare to stare into each other's eyes and talk? Yes, so "talking in the eyes of others from now on" is the new goal I've set for my 31-year-old self. Natalie, thank you!
Next! (°▽°) To give you a brief account of my recent gameplay insights.
I was playing The Legend of Zelda before! It's a game where the protagonist solves puzzles, collects weapons and props, communicates with the villagers, and advances the story. The original "Weaving Dream Island" was released in 1993, when I was only 5 years old. I've played Breath of the Wild before in the Zelda Legends series.
As soon as I started the game, I was thinking that this title screen should play a symphonic re-arranged version of the "Weaving Dream Island" GB version of the theme song (it should be). Although I have never played the original, I am inexplicably immersed in the feelings and can't extricate myself! The light rhythm of the music is really cute, and the processing of the timbre is also very outstanding. The soundtrack of boss battles is also just right, both cute and dashing, although I have died many times, but I really enjoyed it.
But on the other hand, the people who only used 3 tones on GB to compose music back then were amazing! The game music is so good, I'm going to listen to it for the rest of my life! I wanted to use game music as the BGM of my life. I heard that someone specializes in this original BGM, and I really need it! Want to buy.
The puzzle solving part of this game is very difficult, that is, after reading the guide, you will sigh "And this operation?" The type of the type. This makes me feel extremely miserable for a reckless man who likes to go crazy and then go head-to-head with the BOSS brainless (laughs). I got stuck several times.
Exhaustive thinking is sometimes important. I've tried everything I can think of! The props are also used up! No help! Even in the face of such an embarrassing situation, the correct solution is always there. It seems that this kind of puzzle should be a test of the ability to apply what you have learned, and I feel that if I solve it more, I should have the opportunity to become someone else's smart baby.
But one thing to say, in the end, I still had no clue, so I simply watched other people's live videos and copied the homework. Once the card is closed, I drag the video progress bar to the place where I leveled it, and then draw the scoop according to the gourd. If you want to ask me why I don't use the Raiders website, it's because just looking at the correct solution is really boring, and watching the actual situation is like playing with friends, and there is a feeling of competition between you and me.
"Wow! Worthy of you! You're such a genius!"
"Eh, you can get stuck in this kind of place, it's obviously too simple to die."
This is my gaming ecology in 2020. For me, who has a very weak ability to resist pressure, it is very happy to achieve this level. Oh, and now I'm practicing in the dark of Dragon 7. "Those two men" are really too strong. I was beaten so badly by them that I was mentally exhausted. Who can give me a BUFF that improves my ability to withstand pressure?
This time, in order to get the encouragement of Editor Lin, I ran to the Editorial Department of FamiTong to do an interview. It felt like taking the strongest weapon from the first villager! Of course, it also allowed me to gain the courage to move forward and a reliable partner, which was really rewarding.
As for next time. On the basis of receiving the guidance of Editor Lin, I also received a previous special issue sent by the Editorial Board of FamiTong. Next time, I plan to visit mr. Ye Liangshu, the director of my favorite FGO 2.
Why is the storyline so fascinating? There are too many questions I want to ask. By the way, I'd also like to ask about the topic of my favorite followers and concept dresses. But that might expose my preference for men and women, it's a shame!