Shibuya faces several societal challenges, including public smoking, drinking, and littering. To tackle these issues, the SHIBUYA Good Manner Hackathon feat. Fortnite was held, incorporating awareness-building elements into gaming. Now that the winning entries have been announced, let’s take a closer look at these unique, Fortnite-style games that engaged the public!

What is “SHIBUYA CITY BOSS FIGHT”?

A groundbreaking Metaverse game improving public manners in Shibuya

SHIBUYA CITY BOSS FIGHT is a metaverse experience that was launched on November 1 of last year. Designed as part of the “SHIBUYA Good Manner Challenge feat. Fortnite,” this game world was created within Fortnite to address various societal challenges in Shibuya, mainly targeting younger residents and international users.

The game’s core concept involves defending Shibuya from bosses who are polluting the city. However, what truly sets it apart is its innovative way of teaching players about public manners as they continue playing, which has captured widespread attention.

Understanding the background: What is the “Shibuya Good Manner Project”?

Public awareness messages during the 2023 Halloween season

Shibuya has long been grappling with public drinking, smoking, and littering, which have become major societal concerns. To address these issues, the Shibuya Future Design Organization launched the Shibuya Good Manner Project.

While this initiative does run real-world awareness campaigns, it also extends into the virtual world, which ultimately led to the creation of SHIBUYA CITY BOSS FIGHT.

By developing this game on the open-platform world of Fortnite, the project aims to engage young people and international visitors through gaming, using the in-game experience to encourage a change in behavior and awareness in a fun, interactive way. In other words, SHIBUYA CITY BOSS FIGHT was created as an extension of the Shibuya Good Manner Project.

The award-winning entries of the SHIBUYA Good Manner Awards

The SHIBUYA Good Manner Hackathon feat. Fortnite was held within SHIBUYA CITY BOSS FIGHT, calling for creative games that incorporate societal awareness, all while maintaining Fortnite’s signature style.

Among numerous submissions, the SHIBUYA Good Manner Grand Prize was awarded to EcoWars (エコウォーズ) in Shibuya SGH, a clean-up simulation game set in a dystopian Shibuya.

Introducing the winning entries, starting with “EcoWars in Shibuya SGH”

“EcoWars (エコウォーズ) in Shibuya SGH” maintains both a compelling storyline and the entertainment value that is characteristic of Fortnite, while also serving as a thought-provoking game that encourages players to consider their responsibilities toward the future. Alongside the game’s introduction, here are some comments from the esteemed panel of judges.

【SHIBUYA Good Manner Grand Prize】 EcoWars in Shibuya SGH

Set 50 years in the future, this clean-up simulation game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Shibuya overrun with garbage. Players will engage in various missions, including parkour, driving, and NPC battles, to revitalize the city and change the mindset of its inhabitants. The game’s highlight is its unexpected plot twist at the end, challenging players to restore life and energy to Shibuya’s residents.

Comment from judge Osamu Suzuki:
“The storytelling around the garbage issue is incredibly engaging. Huge applause for its creativity!”

Comment from judge Posuka Demizu:
“Great concept! The initial impression makes it seem complex, but the structured level progression is clear and engaging. The way areas unlock without words is well-designed. The meteor scene at the end was a surprise! The story is compelling, and the good ending is satisfying. Now, I want to see the bad ending too!”

Winner’s speech:
“We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award. Our goal was to create a game that allows players to experience the challenges of waste management firsthand and reflect on the issue of littering through storytelling. To maintain Shibuya as a diverse and vibrant city, cleanliness and safety are essential, and every visitor plays a role in that effort. We hope this game helps spark that realization. The metaverse, digital twin technology, and gaming have the power to create positive change in society. This award is a great encouragement for our ongoing efforts in that direction. We sincerely thank everyone involved and express our deep gratitude to the city of Shibuya. Thank you!”

Additionally, the Jury Awards have also been announced, so let’s check them out too.

【Osamu Suzuki Award】 CAR CRASH BATTLE ROYALE SGH

In this battle royale game, players drive cars through Shibuya, collecting scattered garbage to earn points. Points can be used to upgrade vehicles, and players must eliminate others to be the last one standing.

Comment from judge Osamu Suzuki:
“At first, I thought, ‘Is this Splatoon?’ But as I played, I became thrilled by the car action mechanics. It’s like a Shibuya version of MAD MAX!”

【Posuka Demizu Award】 SHIBUKUMA -Shibuya Bears- SGH

Players must search for hidden bears within the crowded streets of Shibuya, navigating an adventure and obstacle course map designed for casual gameplay.

Comment from judge Posuka Demizu:

“There are so many characters! It must have been a lot of work, but the movements are great. The busy cityscape feels very Shibuya-like. The game is fun and humorous, with excellent background music. The beacon system is intuitive, making difficulty scaling possible. The parkour scenes are challenging, but the custom map design is impressive. The game is easy to understand and highly engaging!”

Conclusion

This event not only engaged creators and artists, but also drew in a wide range of participants. Having one’s work recognized in this way is an exciting and life-changing opportunity, and beyond that, it contributes to solving societal issues in Shibuya—a win-win scenario!

All the award-winning games introduced here are now available to play, so if any of them caught your interest, you should go check them out now. Now then, see you next time!