Crap Game Boot Camp for the Raider-Spoiled Hound
I'm Merhen, the daily masochist streamer. The second the broadcast ended, I bolted straight for bed. The mattress springs welcomed me with a nice bounce. I let out a deep sigh, hugged my dakimakura tight, and rolled back and forth.
"...What the hell am I gonna do."
The fact that my body could no longer be satisfied by anything except real-time control games like Raider was pretty damn fatal. So why not just find games similar to Raider and play those? That's like knowing one thing and pretending you know it all. Would the devs really want to partner with a streamer who plays rival companies' ARPGs without any loyalty? Wouldn't they prefer someone who sticks solely to Raider—pure, unwavering devotion? It's the same context as that affair story I mentioned during the funeral stream. So, any game with a similar vibe to Raider is out for sub-game candidates.
"But then I really don't have any taste-hitting games I can enjoy."
Forcing it works for a day or two, but to keep streaming consistently and entertain viewers, I have to actually enjoy it myself. Dead end.
I kept rolling around on the bed, mulling it over.
"Rhythm games at least? But I only wanna play those during singing streams."
They had way more visual appeal than just singing straight, so the reaction to using rhythm games as MR for song streams had been surprisingly solid. I was even down to do it occasionally going forward. But as main content? Felt too one-note. Sure, layering songs on top could ease the monotony, but only for a day or two. Cross that line, and my throat would get wrecked.
"Hmm. Wonder if there's any decent games out there?"
Right in the middle of my serious pondering, Eunha's KakaoTalk demanding approval for the new Tube video popped up. In desperation for any help, I forwarded my dilemma—and bam, that crystal-clear reply came instantly. Loaded with "no arguments allowed" energy.
Her unexpected answer hit me like a truck.
"Her words are stabbing right into my heart today." And that didn't even sound like a joke. Did I do something wrong? Was it 'cause I couldn't go shopping with her last break? Gotta make it up this time.
While I was thinking that, Eunha kept firing off messages.
What to say? Target audience just doesn't match or whatever. That's the vibe.
...Picky Eater Fix Project?
#
"Yep, that's how it is!"
I skipped the usual greeting and jumped straight to the punchline with some playful energy. Time to ditch the boring standard intros, right?
Of course, viewers reacted with their classic "wtf is this clown on about now" vibe, toned down politely. Even with the title question, chat lit up over my out-of-left-field answer.
Title. The title...
"Today's title? Pretty normal, right?"
"Yeah, I admit it looks weird at first glance. But hear me out, and you'll think the title's genius."
Right now, I'm a mutt that's been spoiled rotten on ultra-premium kibble called Raider. In this state, of course the mutt only wants premium stuff—but if premium was easy to get, would it be premium? So, conclusion: special training to reset the spoiled palate. Thanks to Eunha.
So how to reset it? Simple. Starve it. When you're starving, do you nitpick food quality? But Merhen the mutt can't be starved. So instead of chicken for pheasant—or rather, worse than starving—we feed it the absolute shittiest chow. Translate that shit chow to games...
"Yep. Today's content is a crap game marathon."
"Later they'll add Virgin Bitch too? Huh?"
"Whoa... backing out here? Hey! Then I'll look like the weirdo! I'll let it slide now, so spam some real laughs!!!"
"Alright! So which crap game first? I prepped some in a rush, but it'll be short solo. Hit me with recs!"
#
How do you define crap games? No real answer. Tastes vary, so crap is subjective. But for internet streaming? Clunky controls. Add gamer-unfriendly systems, and you get bizarre difficulty spikes. Mostly platformers packed with that crap—streamers call 'em crap games.
Why? Newbies suffer hours or days. Makes sense from streamer POV.
Of course, viewer recs were all that type. My reaction?
"Don't wanna play these..."
"Who’s scared? Me? Nah... whatever. You’d just keep hating anyway. Gotta show ya."
I started downloading the recs one by one.
"Just cashed in on gross food, so no mission pay. This should cost money normally, tho."
"This one first."
I fired up the first download.
Crap game expedition: 3 hours in. 4 games played. Avg playtime 45 min. All viewer recs. All my first times.
Hands on hips, chin up, deadpan tone:
"This proves it, right?"
I ignored and kept going. "My mouse control's relatively weak. Who knew it'd take an hour and a half in mouse games."
Viewer's "crap games" weren't hard for me. Less strain than Raider's constant focus—these just need short bursts.
"Most boil down to knowing the timing/move and executing. Reflexes for surprises? Perfect."
Yeah, similar vibe.
"Decent difficulty made 'em kinda fun. ...But today's goal was no fun allowed."
That's why I said I didn't wanna. Clunky controls + bad systems = frustration overload. Beyond hard—unfair. Huge catharsis on clear, but fail? Or meh payoff? Just pissed off. Hence "crap."
But if you're so skilled frustration's a non-issue?
"Taste difference, basically."
"...Weird. Didn't I just drop some profound wisdom?"
I got plenty praise during the clears. Not mad at reactions. But... the back-and-forth felt off. Bothered me.
Fine. Time to pull out my prep to restore order. Even if it hurts me too.
"Proof done. Now my special game."
I launched the pre-downloaded one.
The crap game I'd ambitiously prepped was—
"Ta-da! I Want to Swing a Sword in the Magical Girl World!"
An anime-based mobile game.