The Battle Against the Sekkyo Ojisan: Dealing with Preachy Figures in the Indie Scene

We have seen many things in our decades traversing the corridors of industry events. Experience tells us that where there is a creator, there is often a shadow lurking with a finger pointed in judgment. In the Japanese indie scene, this phenomenon has a specific name: the Sekkyo Ojisan. This term refers to the "preachy dude" who feels a divine calling to lecture developers on their own work. We find ourselves in a cycle where these individuals provide unsolicited feedback that nobody requested and nobody enjoys.

The organizers of Tokyo Game Dungeon, a prominent exhibition for small-scale developers, have been fighting this battle for two years. They recently shared their frustration on social media. Despite their constant efforts to civilize the floor, the problem persists like a bug that refuses to be patched. We understand their pain. It is difficult to fix a behavior when the perpetrator does not realize they are the problem. It is a classic case of cognitive dissonance in the wild.

The Anatomy of the Preachy Guest

We should clarify that being a Sekkyo Ojisan is not strictly about age or gender. It is a state of mind. It is the person who approaches a booth and begins to badger a developer with condescending remarks. They haven't even touched the controller yet, but they already know why the game will fail. According to Tokyo Game Dungeon, these individuals are the most disliked demographic at any gaming event. We agree. There is nothing quite like a lecture from someone who has never written a line of code in their life.

Statistics in the industry suggest that indie developers are particularly vulnerable to this behavior. Small teams often lack the PR shield that major corporations possess. This makes them easy targets for the "experts" of the sidewalk. We have observed that these preachers often believe they are being helpful. They see themselves as mentors, while the developer sees them as a reason to consider a career change to sheep farming in the mountains.

A Direct Approach to Awareness

The methods used to combat this have been... let's say, creative. We have reviewed the promotional videos released by the event organizers in recent years. They do not hold back. In 2024, their message was blunt: if you act like this, you are hated. They even joked that in other countries, such behavior might lead to much more violent confrontations. It is a way of saying "make your own game or keep quiet" without losing the traditional Japanese politeness—mostly.

In 2025, the tone became even more acidic. They suggested that if these people are truly such geniuses from top universities or major companies, their advice is too valuable to be free. We find it quite humorous that they suggested these "experts" should record their wisdom and upload it to YouTube. That way, as the organizers put it, we can watch them while we are busy in the bathroom. It is a mental image that fits the quality of the unsolicited advice perfectly.

The Future of the Exhibition Floor

We know that arrogance is a hard habit to break. The organizers are "incredibly frustrated" because the Sekkyo Ojisan lacks self-awareness. It is like trying to explain color to someone who insists on wearing a blindfold. However, the commitment to protecting the creative space for indies remains firm. We believe that maintaining a healthy environment is essential for the growth of the Neverness to Everness of tomorrow.

We must remember that these events are for celebrating creativity, not for practicing amateur therapy on developers. If you find yourself at an event like Witch Hat Atelier or any indie showcase, try to be a human being first and a critic second. Or better yet, just play the game. It is a simple concept, yet for some, it seems as complex as quantum physics.

We invite you to reflect on your behavior at the next convention. Are you there to support the scene or to hear your own voice? If it's the latter, maybe stay home and talk to the wall. If you enjoyed this look into the darker side of event etiquette, share this article with your fellow gamers and help us keep the preachers at bay.