🎮New ACG Benchmark! Tencent's "Virtual Circle" First Gameplay Reveal
As a global advocate for anime and gaming culture, the Nekocos team has been closely following the latest trends in the otaku game scene. Today, we bring you an in-depth analysis of Virtual Circle (《虚环》), the newest project from Tencent's CDD Studio! This "high-intensity combat performance strategy RPG" designed for the VTuber (virtual streamer) community has taken the internet by storm with its unique concept and stunning visuals, quickly becoming one of China's most anticipated anime-style mobile games in 2025.
🌌 Daring Concept: When VTubers Become Battle Idols
Virtual Circle presents a fascinating parallel world: in the reality we know, the game's characters are popular VTubers, but in the alternate dimension known as the "Virtual Circle," they transform into legendary combat idols who shape the world. This dual-identity setup isn't just fresh—it brilliantly weaves VTuber culture into the game's narrative.
The roster is packed with big names like Xingtong , Nanami Nana7mi , Shizuku Ruru , and Eternal Hina Taffy . Xingtong, Tencent's in-house VTuber (jokingly called "Tencent’s Eldest Princess" by fans), even has an in-game ability called "Corporate Connections"—a cheeky nod to her real-life status, giving players a daily chance at high-quality skill cards when she's the team leader. This seamless blend of real-world memes into gameplay mechanics is where Virtual Circle truly shines.
⚔️PVP + PVE + Streamer Account Integration: A Fresh Take on Gameplay
The 21-minute gameplay demo, released on August 4, surpassed 6 million views on Bilibili in just one day, with over 50,000 live comments flooding the screen. The video showcased the game's story mode, combat mechanics, and new characters, but the real showstopper was its jaw-dropping visual polish.
"Tencent, which I always associated with tacky aesthetics, somehow delivered top-tier art direction here—this looks like a premium anime game, especially those combat animations. The fluidity is insane!" remarked one veteran player. The battle system resembles a Mugen-style "Unicorn Overlord", where players assemble four-member squads to chain attacks while adapting to enemy tactics.
Character skills are perfectly aligned with their real-life personas. For example, Eternal Hina Taffy, known for her slurred speech and chaotic antics, has a taunt ability that hilariously mimics her streaming style. Combat animations are cinematic yet snappy—basic attacks feel weighty, while special moves explode with dynamic camera angles and flashy effects.
The battle system is real-time simulated (not pre-rendered), allowing players to pause and adjust strategies mid-fight. The core loop blends Uma Musume/Idolmaster-style training with streamlined progression, focusing more on strategic team-building than grind-heavy mechanics.
Two Key Modes:
🔹 PVE (Story Mode): Players navigate branching narratives where choices must align with each VTuber’s personality. In one demo scene, Nanami Nana7mi was stressed out—the correct choice? Let her keep streaming (since that’s how she relaxes IRL), leading to a wild 3v2 match after a mutual KO.
🔹 PVP (Arena Mode): A fair "digital cricket fight" (as fans call it) where players draft teams, customize skill loadouts, and outmaneuver opponents. Though rewards are minimal, the mode offers deep tactical play.
🤣 VTuber Culture at Maximum Density: Memes, Drama & Inside Jokes
Virtual Circle’s biggest charm is its relentless VTuber in-jokes. The demo packed a "Veteran VTuber Fan"-level meme every two minutes, even poking fun at streamers’ past scandals.
For example:
1️⃣ Eternal Hina Taffy’s "mumbling speech" and "weird noises" became a taunt skill.
2️⃣ Xingtong holding a sign saying "TCG"—a sneaky reference to the fandom meme "Tǎ Chù Gǔn" .
3️⃣ A meta-joke about Taffy’s past identities.
This "no-holds-barred" approach makes the game feel authentically chaotic, just like VTuber culture itself.
📈 Unique Growth System: Streaming, Training & Mental Health
Virtual Circle's character development system offers a fresh take on idol cultivation. Players must carefully schedule each VTuber's daily activities by choosing between three options:
🟪 Live Streaming - Boosts follower count and streaming points
🟦 Training - Enhances combat capabilities
🟩 Rest - Recovers from fatigue
The battle idols in the game possess four core attributes: "Willpower, Logic, Perception, and Fan Count." Players need to improve these attributes through live streaming and training. However, excessive training will increase stress levels, making timely 1:1 emotional counseling crucial. This design not only authentically recreates the real virtual streamer industry but also adds humanized interactive elements to the game.
The additional points earned from live streaming can be used to purchase "Insight Cards" which can be placed in the "Core Box" to obtain various buffs or trait enhancements. As the training progresses, various story events requiring player decisions will be triggered, with different choices potentially leading to changes in combat style or character relationships.
💰 Business Model: No Pay-to-Win, Just Love
Virtual Circle adopts a fair monetization model-all characters are free, with only cosmetic skins as paid content. Different skins unlock alternate skill sets, allowing for diverse team strategies. As Bilibili users praised: "Tencent finally gets it anime games thrive when players spend out of love, not pressure."
The developers guarantee characters won't be removed unless they break laws (with compensation if needed). When asked about supporting streamers vs. the game, they responded: "Donations help VTubers directly, but our game expands the whole VTuber ecosystem." Their most viral quote? "Don't worry about profits, our CEO's got deep pockets!"
🚀 Looking Ahead: Closed Beta in January 2026
Virtual Circle launches testing in January 2026, currently China-only. While its niche humor may confuse outsiders, its innovative design and fan-service depth could make it a cult classic. As one player put it: "This won’t be a mainstream hit—it’s the greatest shitpost in VTuber history."
Stay tuned to Nekocos for more updates, and get ready to dive into this wild VTuber battleground! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
