What is the REALITY Staff Talk?

While using REALITY, sometimes we might have questions about "how something was developed", or "why was this made in this way?" and others, so we decided to interview some of the people in charge! That's the plan for this project.

This time in our REALITY Staff Talk, we want to talk about "What's going on with the recent gacha designs?", so our guest will be Amaguri, in charge of the gacha team!🎤

ー Mr. Amaguri, thank you for taking the time to be with us today! You're usually in charge of REALITY's gachas, right?

Amaguri: Yes, that's correct! As a Product Manager (hereafter PM), I mainly oversee the Avatar Gacha. My responsibilities include discussing what the next release will be like, creating announcements and notifications for gacha releases, and handling various aspects related to it.

SHARI: Thank you for being with us today! I know that usually you deal with complex matters at work, but today I would like to learn a little bit more about the gacha! Thank you for taking the time to join us today!

■ About the recent gacha designs

ー There have been voices expressing doubts about the recent changes in gacha design, questioning if there's been a shift in the design direction. To be frank, what is the actual situation regarding this?

Amaguri: Yes, that's correct. In conclusion, we've transitioned to a two-team structure. Previously, we were exclusively producing gachas domestically, but we've successfully brought in North American artists as well. As a result, we are now able to create gachas with a dual-team system consisting of the Japan team and the North American team.

SHARI: Whoa! That's amazing! So, it's more about the team "expanding" rather than the designers and members "changing," right?

Amaguri: Exactly! It would be great if you could interpret it as "we've expanded our capabilities."

We genuinely want everyone to enjoy. By embracing differences in perspectives, values, and creative expressions, expanding this spectrum to users worldwide allows us to deliver fantastic avatar items to even more people! That's our belief.

So, in a nutshell, the Japanese team will continue operations as usual, and the North American team will create and launch gachas from their North American perspective! That's the gist of it!

SHARI: I see! Thank you for sharing it in an easy-to-understand way.

Amaguri: Exactly. The reason we've been able to expand our lineup is because our new team members have joined and worked hard in the production process.

SHARI: Oh! I want to ask something about that too!

■ North American Team: Meet Bernie

ー This time, one of the artists who joined the North American team, Bernie, also cooperated in the interview!

Amaguri: Bernie is the first artist that we added to our North American team.

SHARI: It seems like they brought a fresh and enthusiastic approach to the team! Let's dive right into the conversation!

ー I heard that you've been involved in designing for some pretty popular games. If you don't mind, could you share more about your activities as a designer in various fields such as games, anime, apps, etc.? We would love to hear about your experiences!

Bernie: I am best known for my contributions to Apex Legends Mobile and various titles under Blizzard Entertainment, including Starcraft 2, World of Warcraft, Diablo 3, and Diablo Immortal. While my work before Reality predominantly centered around gaming, my passion for design extends to the world of anime and manga. Despite not having previously worked on anime-related games or apps, my early fascination with anime, especially titles like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto has been a lifelong influence. I'm excited to bring this fusion of gaming and anime enthusiasm to Reality, leveraging my diverse background to contribute to the rich creative tapestry of our avatars.

ー Thoughts on REALITY:

Bernie: Reality sets the gold standard for avatar costume designs, delivering unparalleled creativity and industry-leading quality. What sets Reality apart is the exceptional polish evident in every avatar, surpassing the offerings of other VTuber apps. Joining the Reality team was a natural choice for me, driven by the desire to explore innovative creative directions and contribute to the already vibrant and imaginative Reality universe. These avatars empower users to express themselves in diverse and entertaining ways, enabling them to embody any character they desire.

ー Important things to you in your work:

Bernie: In my work, I'm consistently driven to push the boundaries of design, seeking to achieve the highest possible standards within the constraints of creating 3D assets. I find immense joy in crafting characters whose costume designs narrate a compelling story. Through careful consideration of designs and color choices, I aim to convey not only the character's appearance but also their history, culture, and personality. This intersection of storytelling and design is where I thrive creatively.

ー Thank you so much for sharing that with us! Do you have any message for the REALITY Users out there?

Bernie: To our fantastic Reality users, we're thrilled to introduce you to a myriad of new and exciting designs as we explore diverse themes. Your experience and satisfaction matter to us, which is why we plan on continually engaging with you through surveys to understand your preferences for specific gacha themes. This direct feedback ensures that we tailor our creations to your desires, providing you with a collection of fun outfits to equip and share. Your journey in the Reality universe is at the heart of what we do, and we can't wait to bring you more joy and creativity.

■ About future gachas

ー Well, Mr. Amaguri, with the shift to a two-team structure, can we now envision a dual-axis approach between Japan and overseas moving forward?

Amaguri: Yes, exactly. In terms of future direction, Japanese items will continue to be created by the Japanese team, and the quantity won't decrease, so please rest assured! The North American team has received positive feedback from users overseas, and we plan to continue production with them as well.

SHARI: Got it! Thank you for sharing that with us!

Amaguri: And of course, there are still aspects we're exploring, so we're eager to see how users respond.

SHARI: I see. As someone who is both involved in the staff and as a common user pulling gachas, it's genuinely heartening to know that you're looking at the feedback and checking the user responses too!

Amaguri: Moving forward, we also want to conduct more regular surveys and gather feedback from users.

ー Lastly, if you could share a message with our users, we would appreciate it!

Amaguri: I know I just said this, but please keep sending your feedback! They're really important for the process!

SHARI: Yeah that's true!!

Amaguri: As part of REALITY's vision of 'Being whoever you want to be', avatars play a crucial role in expressing that 'desired self.' There are moments where one feels a responsibility in areas where they can't express themselves as they truly want to. We want to support your activities as a form of self-expression and deliver this experience to as many people as possible. Receiving user feedback is an invaluable source of insights, helping us discover aspects we might not have noticed otherwise. So, we genuinely look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions! Thank you!

SHARI: Thank you again! We appreciate not only your daily enjoyment of REALITY but also your contributions through hashtag posts and monthly surveys. Thank you so much. We look forward to your continued support of REALITY in the future!

ー Thank you for reading this month's REALITY Staff Talk! We hope to see you soon again!