T-ONO: Can you tell us a little about the current state of the program, and how close is it from moving out early access to retail?
Katagiri: In early February, we moved the application into early access, and it currently is still in early access. The reason why we’re still in early access is that we want to gather as much feedback as we can get from the users. We plan to continue to keep the application in early access to collect even more feedback.
T-ONO: What are some of the most helpful feedback you’ve received from your community?
Katagiri: It might be a small detail part, but we had some feedback about changing lighting, color, or angle. In the earlier version, we didn’t have numbers but more a drag and drop. Now, you can set a numerical value such as the angle degrees. It’s a little more detail-oriented. A subtle improvement but that was very helpful.
T-ONO: SHOWMAKER was originally designed as a platform that anyone can use. What kind of support or future updates are planned to give users more control or to make it more customizable?
Katagiri: We’ve been making the application more accessible and customizable, and for the next update, we’d like to allow players to completely change the outfit of the character.
For the more technically savvy users, we’ll also be adding support for MMD FBX 3D data which can be used to completely change the character and include your own original content into SHOWMAKER.
T-ONO: With the announcement of new outfits, we had asked Horie-san in our interview last year if you were interested in designing a costume for Miss Monochrome. Has that happened yet or is it still in progress?
Horie: You remember it well! [laughs]
Earlier during the panel, we had asked the attendees what kind of costumes they would want to see, like schoolgirl uniform, maid outfit, or bunny girl. So, it seems rather than having myself design a costume, I think the users might like those outfits first.
Afterwards, maybe I’ll then work on my own design, but I think they’ll probably like those costumes more than mine...
T-ONO: Hopefully, we get to see a Horie-san designed costume in the future.
Horie: Eeeeh, really? More than the school girl uniform?
T-ONO: Of course!
Horie: Really? Then I will do it!
T-ONO: Given that SHOWMAKER uses preset dance animations, can you tell us a little about the process of creating new dance animation? Are there any references you particularly use or is motion capture involved?
Katagiri: Firstly, the current animation that exists in the application is from Miss Monochrome’s pre-existing choreography. We edit them into pieces that allow users to create their own version of her dance sequences.
We’re currently working on additional animations, and these are all done with motion capture performed by professional dancers.
T-ONO: Are there any plans of possibly porting the game to other platforms such as PlayStation 4 which has VR support?
Katagiri: Currently, there are no plans, but we have been approached by various companies that are interested in us releasing it on their platform. It is possible; just we haven’t made any plans yet.
T-ONO: As of now, we understand SHOWMAKER is more an application tool than a game. Are there any plans for creating different modes, such as story mode to reach a wider audience?
Katagiri: That’s actually a great question and suggestion. As you know, right now, it’s just an app, but that is a great idea. Definitely, we’d consider a story mode such as if Miss Monochrome is going through some hardships or different stages where she can grow as a performer.
Horie: Or maybe you could even live with her?
T-ONO: You had a live show last year at Anime Expo. Are you excited to be performing again in front of them?
Horie: Last year, there were a lot of people at the concert, and I was very surprised. This also made me very happy. However, I did notice there were also a lot more people who couldn’t attend because the room wasn’t big enough. For this year, we have a much larger room [ballroom], and I hope more attendees can attend to be happy and energetic. Last year, I actually scolded a couple of lowkey attendees, and I want to see more fans hyped up and enjoy the show!
[Horie noted during her panel that the scolding consisted of surprising the fans who were hiding in the back of the room watching, and she cheered on the show next to them]
T-ONO: Can you tell us how you chose the songs to perform for this year?
We chose the songs we didn’t play last time, and in addition, we will also stream the concert worldwide. There also was a DJ.
T-ONO: Can you tell us a little about any planned, or regularly scheduled updates for the future?
Katagiri: Currently, we are planning to update every month, ranging from minor updates, fixes, and feedback from the users, to new content such as new characters, new music, and animation. Again, basically, we are planning to release an update every month.
T-ONO: With Ms. Horie’s experience of performing in various music videos, have you tried designing any choreography in SHOWMAKER?
Horie: I will have to think about it. It sounds very fun!
Actually, my stage director didn’t really like the idea of SHOWMAKER at first because Miss Monochrome can do a lot of things a real person couldn’t. The director had a different direction in mind.
But, for me, Miss Monochrome can actually do something that normal people can’t do. I would love to see Miss Monochrome do something like a triple axial, something impossible. We would like to make new things possible in the future. [laughs]
T-ONO: Finally, a message for the fans.
Horie: I would love it if everyone could watch more anime. With the internet, it’s become really easy to watch a lot of anime now. But, I would love it more if people could watch more anime I am in. [chuckles]
Also, Miss Monochrome, with SHOWMAKER you can interact with Miss Monochrome and build up their relationship with them.
And, it's really hot these days in the summer, so please take care of your body and not stand in the sun too much.
Katagiri: I would love to have more people try out SHOWMAKER and create more shows and videos. I hope they can share those out on social media and share it with other fans. This is my dream goal.
SHOWMAKER is available through STEAM Early Access
https://store.steampowered.com/app/665920/SHOWMAKER/
