I Quit Being an Idol and Became a Youtuber - Chapter 35
Self-hypnosisA few days after that viewer participation collab.
Ren sat at her computer desk and took out a notebook.
‘Alright, let’s try analyzing slowly.’
Since I announced a break today beforehand, there were no worries about the stream.
I’ve been streaming continuously for several weeks; don’t I need some rest time too?
Therefore, I planned to take this time for rest and, concurrently, to explore ways for my stream to move forward.
Shall I start by identifying the strengths and weaknesses?
‘First, what are my strengths?’
‘The first things that come to mind right now are appearance and voice.’
“But I’m a Vtuber.”
Appearance is handled by the avatar anyway, so it’s useless; ultimately, what I need to focus on is only my voice.
‘Isn’t there a way to utilize my voice more effectively?’
…I don’t know.
Should I just sing a song?
Honestly, if I sing in Korean, it seems like it would be hard to recognize me.
‘Still, just in case, let’s hold off for now.’
‘If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just have to act cute later.’
‘What choice do I have?’
Honestly, separate from my own embarrassment, the business itself seems likely to do well thanks to the gap moe.
Just as Ren was engrossed in self-reflection.
Vzzzzt-!
Her cellphone started vibrating.
“Ah, has it gotten this late already…..”
‘What have I been doing for time to fly by like this?’
‘I haven’t even decided anything properly yet.’
After turning off the continuously ringing alarm, Ren immediately turned on her computer and logged into Switch.
What she saw right upon logging in was the official channel, conveniently live streaming.
[Switch Streamer Golden Watch Tournament]
It was the day she, currently hooked on Golden Watch, had been waiting for.
The ecosystem of internet broadcasting is slightly different from terrestrial broadcasting.
Unlike the mainstream media where numerous stations fight fiercely to divide the pie amongst themselves.
In the internet broadcasting industry, individual stations called streamers exist, and above them sits Switch, which can be seen as the central managing body.
Typically, Switch doesn’t stream often.
There wasn’t much reason to stream in the first place.
It’s not like they receive donations from their own broadcasts; they make much more money taking commissions from other streamers’ broadcasts, so why would they go through the trouble?
However, occasionally.
Very occasionally, Switch would conduct an official broadcast.
For instance, like right now.
“Hooo…..”
E-sports commentator Park Sangsik looked at his junior colleague, who was letting out a tense sigh.
Cameras filling the area around the set came into view.
The filming set, with a quality rivaling that of any major broadcasting station’s studio, was like an indicator showing just how much the company called Switch had grown.
“…..Nervous?”
“Sorry?”
“Ah….. Yes, it’s my first time in a place with so many cameras, so I’m a little…..”
“Hang in there, everyone gets used to it like this.”
Having frequently commentated on tournaments broadcast on TV, Sangsik was used to cameras.
So familiar, in fact, that he could roughly recite which camera angle would appear in which part of the video.
“Alright, we will now begin filming!”
At the Switch manager’s words, Park Sangsik straightened his posture.
Even if it wasn’t terrestrial broadcast, work was work.
Moreover, among the streamers participating this time, there were many pro gamers who had widely popularized the E-sports genre.
It was proper etiquette to show sufficient respect to those who created his profession.
“Yes, hello everyone.”
“I am announcer Park Sangsik, hosting today’s event.”
Starting with greetings from the announcers led by Park Sangsik, the Switch Streamer Golden Watch Tournament.
Its opening ceremony began.
“Wow, a lot of people gathered.”
Cheongha, watching the Switch official channel’s broadcast, marveled at the lineup of broadcasters participating in the tournament.
Looking at the player introduction video that flowed with the opening ceremony, there were more famous people than she had expected.
An official tournament gathering this many people benefits not only the company but also the streamers.
“Because viewers circulate among each other.”
Most viewers only watch the broadcasters they usually watch.
When there’s already a verified station, why go through the trouble of moving?
From the viewer’s perspective, there was no reason or intention to switch.
‘However, what if numerous broadcasters gather in a place like this and interact with each other?’
Numerous broadcasters gather and share their viewers.
Then the viewers watching that broadcast can’t help but naturally feel something.
‘Huh, I’m seeing this streamer for the first time today, but they’re more fun than I thought?’
‘Maybe I should check out their stream later?’
Potential viewers emerge based on this principle.
Large-scale content like this served the role of sharing fans among each other, regardless of whether they were huge enterprises or small timers.
If such events repeat and site traffic increases, it naturally benefits Switch as well.
Based on this principle, this broadcasting industry doesn’t just compete but coexists and circulates.
‘Of course, it has nothing to do with me.’
However, that was merely an event for Switch streamers.
‘I’m not a Switch streamer in the first place, nor am I at a level to participate in such a tournament yet.’
‘…..Should I just transfer over there?’
‘Come to think of it, Live Stream doesn’t have many famous broadcasters, and they don’t hold tournaments like this either.’
‘Why is my neighborhood like this?’
[Alright, first, let’s take a look at the tournament schedule.]
While Cheongha was lost in such idle thoughts, the tournament began to proceed in earnest.
“First off, the first day is team selection.”
At the host’s words, you could feel the streamers tensing up beyond the screen.
‘The first day of the tournament, and arguably the most important day.’
Since Golden Watch is a 5 vs 5 team game, it’s not about being good alone, but about matching synergy with the entire team and doing well together.
Anyway, for that, today’s team selection was crucial.
Depending on which teammates you bring, your team’s win rate would change.
「Team member selection will proceed in an auction format, and today is a practice match.」
「The main matches are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.」
“Well, at least they’re playing games.”
Indeed, it was only a 3-day tournament anyway.
If they wasted one whole day out of it, what would they get besides criticism?
Next, Cheongha focused back on the broadcast.
As the hosts’ explanations ended, profiles of streamers occupying various positions lined up on the screen.
‘Ah, there he is.’
‘Solnamu-nim.’
Naturally, Solnamu was listed in the Dealer position.
‘But didn’t that person say he was practicing healer last time?’
Well, it wasn’t critically important information.
That only indicated personal preference; depending on the situation, they could always pick different characters.
‘Still, he’ll probably pick Dealer first, so I guess I need to learn healer by watching someone else’s stream.’
‘…..I’m screwed.’
C Team’s leader, Magnet, sighed.
As a former Golden Watch pro gamer, he had long had no luck with matters related to finance.
Whichever stock he picked, unforeseen accidents would occur as soon as he invested.
It reached a point where the saying “If you find a stock he invested in, sell it immediately” circulated like established theory.
“…..Namu-hyung, Bugi-hyung.”
“Yeah, Geunet-ah.”
“The three of us have to carry this.”
Magnet, Solnamu, Bubugi, etc.
On the board displaying C Team’s roster, one conspicuous name was written.
Baekro [0 Points]
Truly a landmine.
No.
The appearance of a tomb.
‘I spent too many points picking those two…..’
To make matters worse, having invested most points in Solnamu and Bubugi who came up earlier, they were in a situation where they couldn’t pick any better players.
They had no choice but to search among the leftovers other teams didn’t pick.
And the one they happened to get was the biggest trap card of this tournament.
“No, seriously, the reaction is too harsh!”
There was no need to mention Baekro’s skill level.
Rightfully so, she was someone who proved firsthand that you could succeed as a streamer even if you were bad at games.
A woman with the legend that her aim miraculously dodged only the opponent.
‘Ah, it’s not a legend.’
Bubugi, a fellow crewmate from the same Byeongpung Crew, shivered.
How many times had she team-killed him while playing Battle Field together?
Even now that her skills had somewhat improved, while her aim tracking might be okay, the occasional friendly fire resulting in death remained unchanged.
“Hey, no.”
“Still, her healing is…..”
“Is it good enough to work in this match?”
“………”
Solnamu quietly shut his mouth.
Honestly, though they were pushing the ‘bad at games’ meme these days, there was no way she could perform well in this tournament teeming with experts.
However, just from that brief reaction, it wasn’t hard to guess his thoughts.
“Hey, why are you only picking on me—!”
At the conversation blatantly looking down on her, Baekro cried out, sniffling.
However, no one answered her words.
Besides, she wasn’t really crying but acting anyway.
“Hyungs, so we somehow have to…..”
“Geunet-ah.”
“Yes?”
Bubugi asked him as he tried somehow to unite their forces.
“…..Um, levels.”
“What’s that?”
“Is there such a thing?”
“—Sorry?”
Question marks appeared above the heads of the two at the unexpected question.
What did he mean, levels?
Did he still not know about a system that had been around for over a year?
‘……No way.’
Solnamu, recovering first, asked in a trembling voice.
“—Bugi-yah, you.”
“When was the last time you played this?”
“Uh, I haven’t played since Brigitte came out?”
Damn it, that was 5 years ago.
‘Did this person go meditate in the mountains or something?’
Magnet clutched his head.
“………First, let’s try matching our synergy in the practice match.”
No, maybe not yet.
Besides, the prize money wasn’t what was important to them, right?
Since Bubugi’s gaming skills weren’t bad either, he would quickly pull his weight once taught.
Even if they lost, together with Baekro, they could probably produce some entertaining scenes.
Thus, Solnamu tried his best to hold onto hope.
It was a desperate self-hypnosis that couldn’t be watched without tears.