Independent game developers wear many hats. They’re programmers, artists, designers, and sometimes, even reluctant voice actors. In the case of KayAnimate, the creator behind the upcoming beat-em-up “Holo X Break,” the challenge of voicing the game’s title turned into a hilarious and relatable anecdote for fans.
From HoloCure to Holo X Break: A Collaboration Takes Shape
KayAnimate, known for the popular “HoloCure Save the Fans!” – a game heavily inspired by “Vampire Survivors” featuring characters from the virtual YouTuber agency Hololive – recently announced a collaboration with Hololive’s indie development initiative, holo Indie. This partnership will see Holo Indie publishing KayAnimate’s newest creation, “Holo X Break.”
The excitement surrounding the announcement wasn’t just about the publisher’s backing. KayAnimate also secured the voices of nine popular YouTubers for the game, with hints of a potential tenth voice actor yet to be revealed. Players will get to take control of the beloved 5th generation Hololive virtual YouTubers (NePoLaBo) and face off against five virtual YouTuber bosses in classic beat-em-up action.
The Price of Collaboration: Voicing Your Own Game’s Title
However, the collaboration came with an unexpected hurdle for KayAnimate – the seemingly simple task of pronouncing the game’s title. Here’s where the story takes a turn for the relatable and lighthearted.
The “30 Minutes of Self-Doubt”
In a recent announcement, KayAnimate revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes detail. He admitted the collaboration wasn’t without its anxieties, particularly when it came to ensuring the YouTubers pronounced the game’s title correctly:
“Now that we’ve revealed [the collaboration with holo Indie] and can confirm that we miraculously managed to get all 9 bloggers to cast their votes, [I want to talk about how] the title at the end of the teaser is a bit of a painful memory for me.
Let me explain –
When I sent a request to staff to have each blogger pronounce the title, they wanted to make sure that it would be easy for the bloggers to write down and pronounce the title exactly as it should be pronounced…
So they asked me… to record myself saying it to give them an example…”
KayAnimate went on to describe a hilariously relatable internal struggle. He spent a full 30 minutes questioning his mental preparedness for having the YouTubers hear his attempt at voicing the title. The pressure of delivering a clear, accurate pronunciation for these prominent figures added a layer of anxiety to the collaboration process.
A Developer’s Triumph: Laughter and Community Connection
While KayAnimate didn’t elaborate on the specific anxieties surrounding pronouncing the title, his story resonates with the self-doubt creators often face when presenting their work to a wider audience. The fear of judgment, even for seemingly simple tasks, is a real experience for many.
However, the humor in KayAnimate’s self-deprecating anecdote ultimately fosters a sense of connection with the developer community. It reminds us that even successful creators experience moments of self-doubt and vulnerability.
The story also highlights the collaborative spirit within the virtual YouTuber community. KayAnimate’s willingness to overcome his initial apprehension to ensure a smooth voice-acting experience speaks volumes about his dedication to the project and his respect for the YouTubers involved.
FAQs
Q: What is Holo X Break?
A: Holo X Break is an upcoming beat-up game where players can control characters from Hololive’s 5th generation and fight virtual YouTuber bosses.
Q: Who is the developer of Holo X Break?
A: KayAnimate, known for the game “HoloCure Save the Fans!”, is the developer behind Holo X Break.
Q: Why was pronouncing the game’s title a challenge for KayAnimate?
A: While KayAnimate didn’t elaborate on the details, he described feeling apprehensive about having the YouTubers hear him voice the title, hinting at a fear of judgment or a desire to ensure a clear pronunciation.
