As a gamer, you not only have a favorite game company, but also a manufacturer you're attached to and a service you like. While even such gamers are interested in new products from manufacturers they trust,One thing that tends to get overlooked is the company's official mascot character.is.
For example, there are many cases where people may recognize the character they see at an event as the company's mascot, but when asked about their name, they can't immediately think of the character. Conversely, because you only pay attention to a company's latest products and services, you may be negligent and end up thinking, “Oh! I take a closer look at that mascot!”
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Therefore, in this articleDigging deeper into “gaming mascot characters” as a Golden Week project. We will introduce you to the types of mascot characters that game-related companies have. There are mascots in the gaming world who are seriously working to popularize them, while others are characters that are rarely seen these days, and mascots whose presence is increasing but who don't know what to do with them and are called “spa princes”. Circumstances. Please check it!
Of course, it is difficult to introduce all game-related companies in this article,Complete author's own picksSo, please understand that. If you have any comments that say, “I'm missing something, but this mascot character is great!”, I'd appreciate it if you could leave it in the comments section.
◆“Lucky”: MSI
Lucky-kun is that cute “red dragon” you often see at MSI. Many of you may have seen them at the MSI booth at events, and sometimes the company's products also come with keychains. It can be said that he is a character that is loved so much and that so much effort is put into him. As you can see from the name, it is a mascot character with a motif of good luck.
Although “Lucky” does not become a different character, his form has changed and is completely different from his current cute appearance in the video “[MSI Dragon Episode Opening]Lucky! Birth!!” released in 2016. , appears in the form of a dragon. In the description “A dragon warrior was born on a small island in the world of gaming. The warrior's name is “Lucky””, which indicates that he is actually a warrior.
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Lucky-kun is now fulfilling his role as a mascot peacefully, but when he was a warrior,The gaming world was in ruins due to constant conflict, but Lucky wanted to create a peaceful kingdom where everyone could live happily and happily.” seems to have remained the same spirit.
◆“Sneki Snek”: Razer
Razer's logo is shaped like three intertwined snakes. Game-related companies often use cool creatures as logos to appeal to gamers, but the “green snake'' particularly resonates with me.
Like the logo, Razer's mascot character is also a “snake”, but its appearance is completely different and very adorable! His name is “Sneki Snek” and he is so popular that a dedicated fan page has been created on Facebook. The character that Razer's designer drew for himself became popular with users and eventually became an official item, so in a sense, it can be said that he was given the role of mascot with a lot of hype. By the way, since it is an “official item”,Goods such as stuffed animals can also be purchased online.is.
By the way, on the dedicated fan page mentioned above, you can see many fans drawing Sneki Snek-kun on their bodies as tattoos. “Is it true that tattoo culture has its own mascot character?'', and you will be surprised by his frankness. If tattoos become common in Japan, will there be people who get Spa-kun tattoos?
By the way, Sneki Snek is a character who is active in the sustainability field, and an anime has also been made. The designer says that it was “made for children,” and the content is very heartwarming.
◆“Takamaru”: Gaming PC brand “GALLERIA”
Next we'll introduce you to Takamaru, the mascot character of the gaming PC brand GALLERIA. When you think of “GALLERIA,'' the logo with a cool design of a hawk may draw your attention, but there is also “Takamaru,'' which is a deformed round hawk.
Takamaru has also appeared as a stuffed animal, and while his round shape is very cute, he is also used to plan escapes from deserted islands…If you see him at an event, be sure to check it out.
By the way, although it is not a mascot character, at TGS2022, GALLERIA also demonstrated a very direct technique of having cosplayers wear the logo itself.
◆“Zentaro”: ASUS
ASUS has a character called “Zentaro” (Zenny). He was named Zentaro because he was born as an image character that embodies ZenFone.
To be precise, it is ZenFone's mascot character, but characters often take on a life of their own if they are loved by users. They also appear on the ASUS JAPAN official account from time to time, so if you're interested, please check them out!
By the way, you wouldn't guess from her cute appearance that she has a “monster-level brain'' and “clairvoyance'' that allows her to see things that no one else can. With its loose appearance and specs that surpass those of a bird of prey, it is truly the ZenFone mascot character…
◆“One Pass”: Discord
“Wampus” is the mascot character of Discord, an SNS tool specialized for gamers. Until a while ago, it was officially called “Wumpus” and “Wampus” in a way that doesn't match, so veteran Discord users may be able to use the name “Wumpus”, but the official name is “Wumpus”. This looseness is also part of its charm.
I would like to introduce him because he is my favorite mascot character, but I don't really understand him because he always says random things that are just on the edge of the line. I like that too!
I wonder what kind of settings he has, and are those settings fake or truthful? Wampus-kun isn't suitable for introductions, but he works freely on official X and other sites, so if you haven't followed him yet, please check it out. please.
◆“Spa-kun”: Game*Spark
Looking back at the origin of the word “mascot”, it seems to be based on the French meaning “a person, animal, or object that is thought to bring good luck to people”, and it is said that the word “mascot” is based on the meaning of “a person, animal, or thing that is thought to bring good luck to people.” There are mascot characters that bring good luck. Will the following characters bring good luck?
Next, we will introduce Game*Spark's familiar mascot character “Spa-kun”!
Although he was born on April Fool's Day in 2011, his appearance has changed since then, and the initial settings may or may not remain, so it feels like he is being treated appropriately…at least, to past readers and writers. , it can be said that he is the one who is showered with distorted love from all directions in the editorial department. There are also comics!
Spa-kun is a kind of meme-contaminating existence. The character changes slightly depending on the writer who writes the article, and the conceptual existence of “Spa-kun'' changes depending on the reader who uses the Spa-kun stamp in the comment section.
The Spa-kun that people hold in their hearts isIt's just “Spa-kun for that person”That's why. For example, the “Spa-kun'' in me and the “Spa-kun'' in you who are reading this right now are probably two different beings. In other words, “Spa-kun'' lives in the readers' hearts as well. Please listen to the “Spa-kun's voice” inside you. He is waiting for that moment.
◆Inside Chans: Inside
Inside Chans is the mascot and virtual reporter for Game*Spark's sister site “Inside”. Unlike Spa-kun, the three sisters go beyond being mascots and work as virtual reporters. Unlike Supa-kun, I can support her because she is involved in solid activities, and I can't say anything random about her.
Inside-chan Mark1@Onee-chan
https://twitter.com/V_insidechanInside-chan Mark2@Tsu-chan
https://twitter.com/V_insidechanMk2THEe aka Inside-chan Mark3
https://twitter.com/V_insidechanMK3
Unlike Spa-kun, Inside-chan's activities are both fun and serious, so I can genuinely recommend them.Please be sure to check out the Inside Chans distribution as well!
Of course, there are many corporate characters that I failed to introduce this time. Unlike game companies, which naturally have characters through game development, game-related companies also have many attractive characters, although they are less noticeable. As a gamer, it's a waste not to know the names of your “favorite companies.” Why not carefully research and support the mascot characters that represent manufacturers and brands?
Let's get to know the gaming mascot characters! MSI, ASUS, Razer, Discord… A deep dive into the world of corporate characters that are often overlooked[Spa-kun is also there! ]