Virtual Journal #6: X-NEOKET
Tag: Virtual Journal »
Summary
Resting up by walking around X-NEOKET and discovering new creatives.
Content
Last week, I had some time to rest and visit X-NEOKET! Compared to the previous year’s NEOKET5, this virtual event focused on showcasing 3D works by various creators in the VR scene.
The event was held through Xambr this time, which was also used for last year’s Tokyo Game Show VR. Some of the features, like the text-based chat and sticker emotes, are available for this event as well.
Custom avatars can be used to explore the venue, so I got to go around using the default avatars provided. You can also use your own, if you have one!
I entered the event late at night, almost a week after it started. I wasn’t expecting to see any exhibitors, but I got to at least silently roam around with another person, which made things feel a bit more lively.
They must only have free time in the evenings, too…
Most of the exhibitors were probably only present for the first few days and the final day, like last time.
A dark subway station welcomes you at the beginning, with a train that teleports you into one of the six areas to explore.
Good thing there weren’t any creepy sound effects, otherwise it’ll feel like a horror game, haha.
Each area contains around 50 booths in total, separated into two floors with four colored zones. The background music adapts to whichever zone you’re at, changing the mood a little.
There’s a few decorative objects as you walk around, including a few seats which… you cannot sit on, if you’re playing in non-VR mode. Another sad day for the bench enthusiasts.
I kind of wish they used a single zone’s visuals for a whole area, instead of having all areas look the same. Walking around felt a bit repetitive as time went on, even when I’m visiting different booths.
It doesn’t seem like the exhibitors have a lot of control with the design of their booths, too.
Despite the given limitations though, I’m impressed by how some of them got pretty creative in transforming their designated spots into their own style.
4473’s booth was straightforward: It displayed their skill in creating original character models with a whole palette of personalities.
I liked the vibrant colors of one of their newer characters, Harada. Their other model, Oliver, evoked a sense of calmness which I am also into.
Minuet Doll’s booth had a similar structure, but what made me enter was the uniqueness of how they textured their original model, Candina. The way their facial expressions were made reminded me of some dolls that I played with before.
They also have models and textures for things such as cosmetic products, hair, and nail art on their shop.
One of the banners inside the booth for EndoWorks featured their lovable pet companion, Tori-Chan. You can command it through gestures, or even customize its appearance with some costumes!
Also presented within their shop are fantasy outfits and wing accessories that makes you feel like you’re looking at an MMORPG’s premium shop.
I love Musubi Panya’s art style, especially their coloring work! I’m glad to see them in this event with their original model, Melomeli.
Aside from their store filled with many fashionable outfits, they stream sometimes as well.
Possibly having the best design, Pamyuu’s booth is a foliage-filled wonder. It had an illusory window which showed a beautifully-rendered town on the other side.
I tend to like aquatic-themed things quite a bit, and their Mermaid Silhouette Dress was no exception. They also have a few cool weapon designs over at their shop.
Just beside the two previous booths was Hiyoriya’s booth. A few outfits for their original models were shown, along with a banner of their characters having fun during the summer.
One of their characters, Shino, looks charming! I really like how the twintails were done.
Another entry on the aquatic theme was Rirmor’s Aquarium Shoes. The actual model for the shoes wasn’t on display in the booth, but I was captivated the moment I saw its poster.
The fishes move around! I don’t have much interest in shoes, but I sure want to live inside this one.
…is a sentence that I think I’ll have to write at least once more someday. I’m sure I’ll encounter a house-sized shoe somewhere eventually…
The next booth from Harukanus had a cool and mysterious vibe, with a banner that shows two characters in an atmospheric morning scenery.
I liked their printed shirt, Framed: Violet. Looking further into its product page, the way the characters wore the outfit’s variations in dramatic locations was very stylistic. I want to do something like this, too!
After some twists and turns, you’ll arrive at the booth of VSinger Neko the Sappiness, with her official goods being sold inside. Her Knit Cap looks comfy!
The cover illustration made by Gaako for her first EP, Neko The Verse Day, was really eye-catching. I enjoyed listening to Star_Gazer; It has great melody and rap parts!
The booth for FurukaWorks might look simple, but I have great respect in how they do their musical props. An image of their recent work, Live Stage Type-A, was displayed at the central wall of the booth.
I might be facing a tough battle with prop-making right now, which is why my interest on props is currently high, haha.
They also have a separate VTuber shop, where they sell their own goods, and even create their own albums! Very skillful.
Another prop-maker, ManaberuCG, showcased the stalls and objects that they’ve made. I like the colors and rendering of their works, especially their Rice Ball Shop.
It appears they’re making 3D tutorials over at their website, too. It’s all in Japanese, but it might still be of interest.
Lastly, Akiharu’s booth might be one of the few that’s focused on VFX work. Their Dimensional Rift has great functionality, and is satisfying to look at!
More effects, such as soap bubbles or cool slash arcs, are available at their shop. I’d like to learn more about these things, so it’ll be good reference for the future.
Bonus
After X-NEOKET, I tried entering the archived version of the world for last year’s Tokyo Game Show VR. It was shown whenever you enter Xambr, so I got interested in visiting it once again.
Sadly, aside from the general designs of the world, no booths were available inside. An empty world with nothing but memories left…
I don’t think I did anything wrong before I entered the world, so I guess that’s just how it is. I wonder if it was hard to get permission from the big companies to preserve the booths…