With so many innovations for VR and eSports, Tokusatsu franchises have recently featured their potential for both platforms. As Toei prepares for their global distribution of IP’s, current releases have already showing the potential for VR and eSports content in the future.
Fans have shown their love for toku franchises over the years, with the latest instalments highlighting the potential for new releases. With the run of Kamen Rider Geats concluded and Ohsama Sentai KingOhger ending next year, tokusatsu is ready for the next big jump.
Tokusatsu video games have always been a Japanese exclusive release for various products, but this hasn’t stopped the adaptations from trying to enter the medium. Power Rangers Legacy Wars is currently one of the strongest releases from the Power Rangers franchise and Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid was able to enter the eSports scene in 2020. Although there are many games and arcade releases only available within Japan, Ohsama Sentai KingOhger recently debuted the Castle of Shugoddam in Fortnite, which anyone can enjoy using the code provided online.
Should Tokusatsu Feature in VR & eSports?
There are many fans that wish to play as their favourite superheroes from various franchises created by Toei. These include Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and even Ultraman. Although many fans can access the hero experience in Japan, there is still a bigger leap that can be made for the fandom. There have already been games released from the Ttokusatsu genre but a defining experience has yet to be achieved. Kamen Rider specifically is a great franchise that could be used for eSports game, since the lone wolf concept could easily be applied to a competitive game.
Arcades in Japan with Collectible Integration
There are various arcade games available in Japan that allow fans to enjoy the superhero experience for various franchises. This is especially true for the Kamen Rider series, with a new arcade machine using the Chemy Trading Cards released for Kamen Rider Gotchard. The integration of the physical releases is a fantastic feature for the arcade games and could be transferred to an eSports or VR game in the future. There are many challenges still involved with adding a physical collectible for a game but the arcade platform still showcases the ways in which there could be a symbiotic relationship.
Fans Already Trying in VRChat
Without any official releases, many fans have already attempted to recreate their favourite heroes in an open VR creator space. VRChat has allowed the toku community to create their own custom avatars, just so they can have the thrill of transforming into their favourite heroes or custom concepts. Although it isn’t a flawless experience, fans have included a range of avatar and ‘henshin’ effects for the fandom to enjoy. These avatars are often unoptimized and for appearances only but it’s the closest fans currently have to a VR Toku hero experience.
Kamen Rider Geats Screams eSports
The recently concluded series of Kamen Rider was designed around the popular game genre of Battle Royales. From obtaining Rider Buckles to fighting foes, there are many elements to Kamen Rider Geats that could be used as inspiration for an eSports video game. There has yet to be a real push for VR in eSports but the eSports scene has begun to be recognised by the Olympics as a future integration. The overall concept of the Rider series is also highly compatible with the limits of VR, as it currently stands today, with missions as seen in early episodes that could be used in a competitive game.
Games That Showcase Toku Potential
Along with obvious releases such as Fortnite, there are already a range of games that showcase the potential of tokusatsu for both mediums. This includes the VR Battle Royale games such as Population One, which captures the iconic game features of the genre in VR. In terms of gameplay influences, Kamen Rider: Memory of Heroez has shown a sample of the potential for a game that could be made for any release. This includes fighting henchman and changing forms for a variety of tactics and move sets, with stronger foes adding to the difficulty.
Current Challenges with eSports and VR
The major hurdles that any tokusatsu release faces include the limits of technology and the recognition to become a eSports event. Popularity and a well balanced game often are the main factors that lead a game into becoming an eSports game. So, if the game is unable to capture the attention of the mainstream public, it is less likely to become an eSports category. Although KingOhger has featured in Fortnite, this wouldn’t be considered toku entering eSports as it would be classified as a skin without a standalone identity for players to experience.
VR also has its limitations as leg tracking is a significant feature that has yet to be made into a standard. That means that a featured or new series would need to be focused on upper body combat, rather than using full body tracking. There are also a lot of issues relating to tracking, haptic feedback, and cross platforming that would need to be addressed before a satisfying experience could be achieved. Many VR games also don’t involve a helmet view into the game due to lack of eye tracking, along with the visual transformations that would need to be adapted for a first-person perspective.
Whether tokusatsu takes the VR route, eSports route, or even try going beyond with both, remains to be seen. However, there are already many ways that fans could see tokusatsu franchises enter the gaming world in a bigger fashion. The groundwork has already been seen for a tokusatsu franchise to enter these gaming mediums but developers would be taking a risk until any become mainstream properties. As Super Sentai and Kamen Rider are renown for being ‘Showy’, it’s easy to see these iconic superheroes enter these gaming ventures one day in the future.
There are currently no official Tokusatsu games being developed for VR or eSports. VRChat is a free to play VR game, with non VR player support available.
For future tokusatsu gaming updates, keep an eye on The Toku Source for future announcements and, as always, keep an eye on social media for more news and releases.
