Yesterday morning, Drillimation received one item in the mail that will change the way their exhibitions at Anime Fest, local and nearby, will take place. Players will get the chance to try in-development games at Drillimation, even those who have never heard of Drillimation nor played a single game!
The Steam Deck plans go as far back as this past March. At the time, Drillimation had exhibited at their fourth Anime Fest in Erie, Pennsylvania, known locally as Erie Anime Fest. The convention has seen a few players who know what Touhou Project is, and it caught the eye of one enthusiast who was a featured artist at TouhouFest in Torrance, California. An overwhelming majority of conventiongoers had never even heard of Drillimation before, and the demo presentation and reel, alongside the binder that outlines its history and product catalog.
Drillimation ended up facing not one, but two setbacks after the March 2024 Anime Fest. The first was the replacement of Anime Fest as Pokékon, an all-Pokémon convention. Drillimation had nothing related to the franchise to exhibit, so it was skipped. It also didn’t take place in November 2025 because no Anime Fest was scheduled for that month. As such, Drillimation had to seek alternatives in terms of conventions.
The second was the Nintendo Switch 2 launch that summer. It was sold at the same price as the low-end Steam Deck, which I purchased. That console was something I couldn’t miss, and despite sold-out preorders, I was still able to accomplish my mission the morning of its release. As I said before, I couldn’t sleep the night before its launch because I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to pick one up. Other factors that helped my chances of success were the smaller population of my hometown and my more flexible schedule as a freelance artist.
The Steam Deck has become my sole holiday gift for this season. At previous Anime Fests, my booth has seen little engagement. The Steam Deck will keep attendees at my booth for longer amounts of time and provide much-needed interaction. Players could play the game for five minutes and provide their feedback. Who knows? It could become very popular and a vital component of Anime Fest exhibitions.
For each game exhibited for play, players could form a sentimental attachment to the setting and characters. It is understandable that people shouldn’t take anime franchises for their artwork, but rather the experience and impact they have on the consumer.
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Drillimation’s journey through conventions has had its share of challenges and triumphs, but receiving the Steam Deck marks an exciting new chapter. This single device opens the door for countless players—whether familiar with Touhou-inspired content or entirely new to Drillimation’s creations—to experience in-development games firsthand.
Despite setbacks with shifting convention schedules and the industry shake-up from the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, the dedication to bringing unique indie experiences to fans never faltered. The Steam Deck now becomes more than just a holiday gift; it becomes a powerful tool for engagement, connection, and creative growth.
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