The name Enako probably rings a bell for many. This wildly popular cosplayer has been absolutely crushing it in recent years, dropping albums and even running her own YouTube channel, solidifying her status as Japan's most successful cosplayer.
Recently, Enako appeared on ABC TV's show "Kore Yodan Nandesukedo..." where she dished on her "addictive habits." She revealed her long-standing love for mobile games and her no-holds-barred approach to in-game purchases, which she considers "thank you money for the developers." She then dropped a bombshell: she once spent a staggering 5 million Japanese Yen (roughly over 1 million New Taiwan Dollars) on a single mobile game in just one year, leaving the guests and hosts absolutely stunned.
The game Enako confessed to playing was "Idle Princess" (Houchi Shoujo), a 2D idle RPG originally themed around the Three Kingdoms period. Over time, it expanded to include characters from Japan's Sengoku period, other Chinese historical figures, and even Western mythology, all reimagined as beautiful girls. The game is also nearing its 8th anniversary.
However, Enako, who had been playing "Idle Princess" since its early days and spending freely, eventually received a job offer directly from the game's official team. This included shooting online advertisements and even becoming the game's official ambassador. Fellow guests on the show exclaimed, "Didn't you just break even?!" Enako laughed, replying, "More or less! But it really was an unexpected investment."
So, what's often a "microtransaction black hole" for most players turned into an incredibly rewarding investment for Enako! It seems she's probably the only one who could ever earn back her in-game spending from the developers themselves.
via： 日刊スポーツ