Daichi Miura will be the navigator and narrator! NHK special “Game x Humanity” to be broadcast on two consecutive nights

■Daichi Miura approaches the forefront of games that overturn common sense and new human activities!

The NHK special “Game x Humankind” starring Daichi Miura will be broadcast on two consecutive nights on January 25th and 26th.

Half a century has passed since the birth of video games. It has now gone far beyond entertainment, with a market size of 29 trillion yen and a gaming population of 3 billion.

What can games bring us? This program will tell you about the current location of games and humanity in a two-part series. “Game Genome” MC Daichi Miura will be in charge of navigating and narrating.

■PART 1: The enthusiasm and future of 3 billion people (broadcast on January 25th)
The first episode takes a look behind the scenes at the game market, which has become a big business. New players from other industries are entering the gaming industry, where huge amounts of money are flowing. This time, we take a closer look at a game sales company created by a major Japanese publisher. We follow the intense competition as creators compete for sales rights that can yield returns dozens of times the investment amount.

E-sports, the driving force behind the game business, increases game sales by producing star players. Players from poor families in Brazil earn over 500 million yen a year. What is the mechanism by which success stories generate more money? Keep an eye on new trends in gaming, including indie games created by individuals and small teams. Works that are a bit different from those of the major companies and that highlight the creator’s individuality sometimes become unexpected hits.

“Coffee Talk”, which originated in Indonesia, is a simple game where you play as a barista at a cafe while listening to customers’ concerns while serving them drinks, but its worldview filled with kindness has won the hearts of young people. We take a closer look at the current state of games, which are expanding as they incorporate the desires of the times.

■PART 2: Changing humans and society (broadcast on January 26th)
Part 2 looks at the changes that games have brought to us humans. A completely blind player from the Netherlands surprised the world by winning the world championship for the fighting game “Street Fighter” for the first time. The way you control the characters and fight based only on the game’s sound effects is exactly like Zatoichi. When experts scientifically analyzed players, they found that games bring out the potential of humans’ auditory senses. Additionally, some people are forming new relationships through games.

“Final Fantasy XIV”, which originated in Japan, is a game where players from all over the world gather to enjoy an adventure. It is said that in a world where the titles and appearances of the real world are removed, people come into contact with each other’s true nature. Some couples meet in the game and get married, and others hold funerals for deceased friends.

Furthermore, a movement is emerging to overcome humanity’s challenges through games. The “Uncensored Library” was built by Reporters Without Borders in the popular game “Minecraft.” Anyone can freely read articles written by journalists whose reporting activities have been restricted due to persecution in their home countries. The number of visitors has already exceeded 25 million. What this library is appealing to the world is the importance of freedom of expression. We approach the forefront of games and humankind’s new activities that overturn our common sense.

■Using a studio set using the latest technology!
The studio portion where Daichi Miura appears was filmed using virtual production, a cutting-edge video production method.

Using development software called a game engine, which is also used for game production, the studio’s graphics were created to create a space with a sense of depth. Miura created an expression that makes you feel as if you are standing in the “virtual space of the game.”

■Daichi Miura comment
Q. How do you feel after recording?
Miura:This time, I was in charge of navigating and narrating.
I was nervous, but it was fun.
I realized once again that games are not only fun, but they are also a “comprehensive art” that allows you to experience the lives and values of various people. However, I was so focused on reading that I didn’t have time to fully appreciate the video (bitter smile), so I can’t wait for it to air.
Q. What is the most memorable scene?
Miura: A scene in which a boy plays a game created based on novels and memoirs with the theme of “absurdity.” It seems that this child himself often worries about the absurdity of life that stands in front of him, but as he plays this game, his outlook on life and values are updated, and he gains new awareness and changes his own. It was a document about starting a new life. When I perform as a singer and dancer myself, I want the viewers to gain new awareness and new perspectives, and to deliver hope and vitality that will lead them to tomorrow.
He told me that the thoughts that I cherish are also present in games. Of course, I’ve learned a lot from games, and it was very impressive to realize that there are people all over the world who feel the same way.

Program information

NHK general“NHK Special “Game x Humanity PART l The enthusiasm and future of 3 billion people””
01/25 (Sat) 22:00-22:49

NHK general“NHK Special “Game x Humanity PART ll Changing Humans and Society””
01/26 (Sun) 21:00-21:49

Navigator: Daichi Miura
Narration: Daichi Miura, Akiko Aihara (NHK announcer)
VTR appearance: Naoki Yoshida (Final Fantasy XIV producer and director) Takayuki Nakayama (Street Fighter 6 director) and others
*Missed broadcasts are available on “NHK Plus” for one week after each broadcast.

[Related programs]
NHK general“Asaichi”
01/17 (Friday) 8:15-9:53
*Starring Daichi Miura
*Distributed on NHK Plus until 01/24 (Friday) 9:53

NHK general“Game Genome”Rebroadcast (planned)
Rebroadcast 1: 01/19 (Sun) 26:10-26:39 *01/18 (Sat) Midnight
Rebroadcast 2: 01/20 (Monday) 24:10-24:39 *01/19 (Sunday) Midnight
Rebroadcast 3: 01/26 (Sun) 26:30-26:59 *01/25 (Sat) Midnight

“Asaichi” program site
https://www.nhk.jp/p/asaichi/ts/KV93JMQRY8/

“NHK Special” program site
https://www.nhk.jp/p/special/ts/2NY2QQLPM3/

Daichi Miura OFFICIAL SITE
https://avex.jp/daichi/