If you have ever played a FromSoftware title alongside a fellow Souls fan, you are well aware of the scourge that is backseat gaming. Now, imagine that dynamic scaled up to thousands of viewers who are convinced they know better than the person holding the controller. For one Vtuber, this frustration has been transformed into a collaborative spectacle through a lightweight, in-browser tool that allows viewers to prove their expertise on stream.
Vtuber girl_dm_ recently showcased this innovative setup during her first-ever Dark Souls 2 stream. The tool, dubbed 'backseatNOW 9000,' was developed by a member of her community and operates entirely within a browser, requiring no downloads from the audience. It essentially functions as a temporary, remote-playing sandbox for viewers to guide her through the game’s labyrinthine challenges.
A 'Temu Stadia' for Interactive Streaming
The concept behind the tool is straightforward yet technically impressive. As girl_dm_ explained on X, the system "takes a clone of my latest save and gives a chatter eight minutes to show me what they want me to do."
The selected viewer’s gameplay is then broadcast live in a picture-in-picture style, allowing her audience to watch the remote player navigate the world of Drangleic in real-time. She described the technology with a nod to cloud gaming history: "It’s essentially pulling my save info, putting it to the host computer (which is running a legal copy of the game), and [allows] the chatter to remotely play for their limited session."
She went on to call the setup "Temu Google Stadia with a browser source viewer for me as the streamer."
The Legacy of Cloud Gaming
This comparison to Google Stadia is particularly apt, given the service's history. Launched in 2019, Stadia promised a revolution in game streaming, offering playable titles over the internet without the need for expensive hardware. Its library included big-budget blockbusters, platform exclusives, and limited-time demos. However, due to the inherent instability of user internet connections, many of its promises remained unrealised, and the service was ultimately shuttered in 2023.
While Stadia failed to capture the market, this DIY approach by the Vtuber’s community shows that the core idea—remote, instant access to a game state—can still work when tailored specifically for interactive streaming.
Technical Quirks and Setup Requirements
Despite its ingenuity, the 'backseatNOW 9000' tool is not without its technical limitations. The current iteration has specific hardware requirements that potential backseaters must adhere to:
- Controller Compatibility: Mouse and keyboard controls are not currently supported. Additionally, the PS5’s DualSense controller does not play nice with the tool.
- Mouse Locking: Backseat gamers are required to lock their mouse to play effectively.
- Stream Integration: For streamers, the setup is complex. girl_dm_ utilizes Streamer.Bot alongside a Blackmagic streaming encoder to manage the interactive elements of her broadcast.
To maintain control over this powerful tool, the Vtuber has implemented strict community management features. Access to the backseat system is gated by unique credentials that she sends personally to selected viewers. These credentials are valid only for the duration of their eight-minute session. Any attempt to hijack the stream via unauthorized access results in a one-week chat timeout.
The Positive Side of Backseating
While the term "backseat gaming" often carries a negative connotation, the implementation of this tool has revealed a more positive side to viewer interaction. Dark Souls 2 is known for its dense structure and easily missed secrets. This setup allows experienced players to guide a first-time player, like girl_dm_, to the game's coolest corners.
Rather than fostering ego-based competition, the tool serves as a shining example of community at its best. It transforms the typical viewer-streamer dynamic into a collaborative effort, where expertise is shared rather than imposed.
As girl_dm_ continues her journey through Dark Souls 2, it will be interesting to see how this format evolves. One can only wonder how backseat gamers will fare when she eventually attempts the infamous Dark Souls 2 path tracing mod, but for now, the 'Temu Stadia' is providing a unique and engaging way to experience the game.
