Heaviest Listener: Immersive Radio Experience Simulation by Sending Japanese E-Mail
摘要
In recent years, radio broadcasting has gradually lost its position as a mainstream medium due to the spread of streaming and on-demand services. However, in Japan, the emergence of platforms such as radiko has led to a reevaluation of talk shows and participatory broadcasting, resulting in an increasing trend among Japanese radio listeners. Nevertheless, for casual listeners who enjoy radio for leisure, sending emails to programs remains a psychological barrier. To address this, we have created a simulation game called “Heavy Listener”, which allows users to simulate the experience of submitting emails to a Japanese radio program. Developed using Unity, the game enables listeners to send emails, with the host responding based on whether the email is selected. Despite its simple mechanics, the game is designed to capture the unique atmosphere of radio, aiming to recreate the culturally embedded participatory experience playfully.