Ensemble Stars 2:  Idol’s Call from Times Square

Games are often deeply intertwined with our lives, offering a range of enjoyable experiences when we engage with them. These include challenging our skills, solving problems, exploring virtual worlds, and interacting with friends. With technological advancements, game graphics, sound effects, and interactivity have significantly improved, providing players with a more realistic and immersive gaming experience. Additionally, games have evolved into a form of social entertainment, with many supporting multiplayer online modes that enable players to collaborate or compete with friends or even strangers, enhancing the enjoyment of the game. Among these, an immersive music mobile game has captured the hearts of numerous fans of the two-dimensional genre, even making its mark on the big screen in Times Square.

This immersive music mobile game serves as an all-encompassing sequel, building upon the foundational game mechanics and world view established in the first installment. In the sequel, players are introduced to 49 unique teenagers, each with their distinct style, as they transition from campus life to society at large. The game features a rhythm music experience set against the backdrop of a highly realistic 3D character concert scene. Additionally, players have the freedom to customize their experience by choosing the center position (C position) and other members for the stage performance, coordinating the members’ outfits, and enjoying performances by the selected members.

The unique gameplay of this title has captivated many enthusiasts. Its appearance on the grand display in Times Square has drawn significant attention. However, as a two-dimensional game originating from Asia, breaking into the European and American markets to attract a wider audience poses a considerable challenge. Simply showcasing it on a big screen is straightforward, but creating and distributing a promotional video online is essential for broader promotion. In this context, photographer Han Wang deserves notable recognition for his contribution to filming the game’s promotional video.

Upon viewing the 50-second promotional clip, the initial scene that strikes viewers is the desolate square with the game vividly featured on the big screen amidst this setting. Times Square, a renowned New York landmark known for its daily bustle of pedestrians and vehicles, presents a challenging location for filming such a video. Wang revealed that, after extensive deliberation and negotiation, he chose to lead his team to Times Square at 3:45 a.m. This timing, coinciding with the dawn’s early light, offered a quieter moment in New York, far removed from its typical hustle and bustle.

Additionally, Wang mentioned the challenge of not only having to dodge the flow of pedestrians but also needing to perfectly capture the game’s content displayed on the screen. While it might seem straightforward—simply pointing the camera at the screen and recording—the task was far from simple. The screen in question is one of the most prestigious advertising displays in Times Square, where numerous advertisements rotate throughout the day, and not just a single advertisement occupies the screen. Given that the advertisement lasts only 15 seconds, capturing sufficient footage required constant vigilance, significantly increasing the workload and extending the working hours. The shoot concluded at three in the afternoon.

Thanks to Wang’s relentless dedication and effort, he succeeded in capturing the essence, energy, and passion necessary for the promotional video. This not only elevated the game’s idols to a global audience via Times Square, an iconic international venue, but also showcased their charm and appeal. The promotional video thus highlighted the vibrancy and allure of the game’s idols, effectively drawing in more fans to join their community.