Shiba Squad Survivor

Shiba Squad Survivor is a satirical scripted game show series created inside virtual reality.

In the future, each episode will be linked to a brief overview and direct access to the YouTube links for each episode. These brief descriptions, once posted, may contain story spoilers.

Premise[]

Contestants — The main contestants (Episode 1)

Created initially as a parody of shows like Survivor and Total Drama Island, Shiba Squad Survivor focuses on the arrival at Camp Barkland of twenty Shiba dogs who, some unknowingly, are to compete in a reality game show. The contestants are lumped together into two teams and must compete in various challenges and games for the ultimate prize of a million dollars. The winning team earns invincibility, while the losing team must vote off one of their own players and be sent home. Eventually the teams merge, and the elimination ceremony continues until one player is left in the game.

Production[]

Development[]

Creator Drowns and his friend/producer Pshelly thought of the concept for Shiba Squad Survivor in relation to shows such as Total Drama Island of which Drowns was a big fan of. The Shiba Squad, as part of the name, refers to The Shiba Community which is a large group in VRChat centered around avatars of a Shiba Inu. The avatar, created by Pikapetey, was very popular in 2018-2019 along with the Shiba King videos created by Rectal Bisque. When the VRChat feature Shiba King: Assassination, also created by Rectal Bisque, began production in early 2021, Drowns, who worked as an extra, was inspired to create the show inside the virtual platform. EvanTheFloydian, the co-director of Assassination would also join the cast. The show in its first concept was a reality game show but each episode would be the contestants playing games in an improvisational comedic sense.

A first attempt at creating the first episode was done in 2021, and reportedly went extremely poorly. Drowns stated that many of his friends and original cast said the show wouldn't go anywhere and to stop. He instead acquired a new cast of his friends and other people recommended, and tried a scripted approach.

In late 2021 the first episode was reshot and was successfully completed. This is also the only time the entire cast has been in one room together. The episode "The Barkland Twenty Pt. 1" was released on February 25th, 2022, and also screened three days after as a pre-show for the feature film Shiba King: Assassination.

2burnas — Multiple people wearing Burnaking's avatar.

As the first few episodes were created, members of the cast weren't appearing at film sessions and interest started to dwindle. To combat this, a system was put into place where other actors would play the characters in their avatars, then the voice actors would dub their voices over. This system was successful, and made the actors not necessary to even show up on set. Trixie's actress would formally leave the show after episode 4, but luckily another actress, "Olive_The_Cat," who had a near identical voice was able to fill the role of Trixie.

Drowns would also implement the technique of "NPCs" where he would do the motion capture animation of each character in larger scenes and then import them into the environment so camera moves and interactions with live actors are possible.

Writing[]

Binboss — Drowns directing Lindoss in a scene.

Each character is the actor playing as an exaggerated version of themselves or a part of their personality. For example, Galaxy was already a flamboyant figure but his character in the show is much more feminine than his real life counterpart. Others include Orze's love for guns, Evan's marijuana use and chill attitude, Pandamatsu's constant jokes, and Jackson's aggressive demeanor.

Drowns, Pshelly, and Excelon worked together on the initial first episodes of the series, deriving inspiration from Total Drama Island and challenges from other game shows. Pshelly would stay as an actor but leave the producer role after episode 2.

EvanTheFloydian, co-director of Shiba King: Assassination, then joined as a writer starting with episode 3 and then became a head writer from episode 4 to the end of the series. He credits Aaron Sorkin and The Sopranos for inspiration in his writing style including his short lines and constant references.

Drowns described the writing process as having himself write the basic outline, Evan putting everything quickly on paper as a script, and Excelon tidying up the dialogue.

Reception[]

Episode 5, "Finders Keepers," was nominated for Best Short Film at the 2023 Raindance Immersive Film Festival (losing to Emergence by Studio Penrose).

The series currently has a 9.1/10 rating on iMDB.

Episode List[]

Episode #	Title	Release Date	Runtime	Episode Link
1	The Barkland Twenty Pt. 1	02-25-2022	25m15s	Episode 1
In this Pilot episode, we get introduced to the twenty Shibas that are competing for 1 million dollars. They start to get used to the island as they are eager to learn what their first challenge will be. The Walking Wuffers are Pshelly, Molded, Jake, Excelon, Utzel, Frankie, Galaxy, Burnaking, Lakedude, and Donuts. The Barking Buppers are Panda, Begger, Lindoss, Basil, Orze, Evan, Cito, Jackson, Trixie, and Saturn.
2	The Barkland Twenty Pt. 2	07-02-2022	36m36s	Episode 2
In this episode, the remaining 19 Shibas are approached with their first challenge while others are approached with more. Find out what happens next in this all NEW episode! Featuring the loveable SuperbPedro!
3	Target Practice	11-19-2022	38m09s	Episode 3
With the Buppers down one teammate, they must continue to try to keep up the the Wuffers in the most intense challenge yet. This will test their strategy and communication skills.
4	The Great Escape	04-02-2023	34m21s	Episode 4
In the 4th installment of Shiba Squad Survivor; Drowns traps the competitors in an escape room. Will they be able to escape? Or will their anger get the best of them?
5	Finders Keepers	07-22-2023	36m28s	Episode 5
The remaining 16 competitors set out on a treasure hunt to find hidden artifacts spread around the island. Jackson is determined to expose Cito as the supposed traitor. Will the Bupper's trust issues overpower the Wuffer's stubbornness?
6	Insomnia Factor	10-21-2023	37m56s	Episode 6
After a harsh double elimination for the Buppers, both teams try taking the safe route by making alliances to ensure there is not another tie vote. Everyone quickly learns that all-nighters are not as fun as they sound.
7	Barkland Retreat	02-25-2024	39m37s	Episode 7
As numbers continue to dwindle and the teams start to split, the Shibas are sent on a camping trip deep into the island. How will their survival skills be put to the test?
8	Opening Night	06-15-2024	42m23s	Episode 8
Put on your acting shoes, as the two teams head into the spotlight with a theater challenge. They must write, construct, and perform in their own plays on center stage. Who will crash and burn, and who will be the night's shining star?
9	Flight or Fright	10-05-2024	33m50s	Episode 9
On a late summer night, Drowns takes the remaining 10 Shibas on a tour around the island to face their deepest darkest fears. Who will conquer their phobias and who will cave into the pressure, possibly becoming the one Shiba who will be sent home?
10	And Then There Were Less...	05-17-2025	48m01s	Episode 10
To celebrate the remaining competitor's achievement of reaching the merge, Drowns takes them to a dinner party at a mansion tucked away in the mountains. When things start to go wrong, it's up to the Shibas to solve the mystery.
11	Shocking Discoveries	09-27-2025	38m20s	Episode 11
The final nine shibas are given an opportunity to get to know each other. In this twisted old-fashioned-style game show, it is rather shocking what they eventually uncover.
12	Shoot To Kill [In Production]	~2026
13	[Not Completed]	~2026
14	[Not Completed]	~2026
15	[Not Completed]	~2027
16	[Not Completed]	~2027
17	[Not Completed]	~2027
18	[Not Completed]	~2028

Characters[]


Character	Description
Drowns	Drowns is the host and creator of the show.
Chef/Sydney	Chef is the grumpy camp cook and assistant to Drowns.
Protomodem	Proto is the executive producer and "man behind the curtain" for production.
Sans	Sans is the production intern and assistant to Proto.

There are twenty contestants who competed in Shiba Squad Survivor. They are Donut Holes, Trixie, EvanTheFloydian, Orze, Galaxy mc², Utzel, Excelon, Saturn Storm, Cito, Lindoss, Basil, ItsBegger, Burnaking, Deusexmachina (Jackson), Lakedude, FrankieBoi, ItsMolded, Jake Mallard, Pandamatsu, PShelly.

List of Shiba Squad Survivor Contestants
Contestant	Team	Finish
Contestant	Team	Placement	Episode
Pshelly	-None-	1st Eliminated	1
Pandamatsu	Barking Buppers	2nd Eliminated	2
ItsBegger	Barking Buppers	3rd Eliminated	3
Jake Mallard	Walking Wuffers	4th Eliminated	4
Basil & Orze (DOUBLE ELIMINATION)	Barking Buppers	5th & 6th Eliminated	5
Frankie	Walking Wuffers	7th Eliminated	6
Utzel	Walking Wuffers	8th Eliminated	7
Lindoss	Barking Buppers	9th Eliminated	8
ItsMolded	Walking Wuffers	10th Elminated	9
Galaxy mc²	Merged	11th Eliminated	10
Excelon returns to the game		11th Eliminated	10
Cito	Merged	12th Eliminated	11

Elimination Table[]

(this table is only for ELIMINATED contestants to prevent spoilers)


Contestant	Episode
Contestant	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Cito	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	WIN	WIN	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	OUT
Galaxy mc²	SAFE	WIN	WIN	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	OUT
ItsMolded	SAFE	WIN	WIN	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	OUT
Lindoss	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	WIN	WIN	OUT
Utzel	SAFE	WIN	WIN	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	OUT
Frankie	SAFE	WIN	WIN	SAFE	WIN	OUT
Basil	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	OUT
Orze	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	OUT
Jake Mallard	SAFE	WIN	WIN	OUT
ItsBegger	SAFE	SAFE	OUT
Pandamatsu	SAFE	OUT
Pshelly	DEAD

Trivia[]

[WIP]

Accolades[]


Year	Affiliation	Category	Result	Notes
2023	Raindance Immersive Film Festival	Best Short Film	Nominated	For Episode 5: "Finders Keepers"
2025	Virtualis Res Online Film Festival	1st Place Episodic Content	Won
		1st Place Episodic Content (Fan Favorite)	Won
		Supporting Performance in an Episode Series	Won	For DonutHoles as "Donuts"

Links[]

Internet Movie Database - iMDB

The Habitat YouTube Channel

Official VRChat Group