Chapter 455: I didn't go towards the mountain, but the mountain came rushing towards me! |
Hearing Brown's troubled, hesitant voice.
On the other end of the phone, Lawrence chuckled:
"What's wrong Brown? Wasn't it you who pushed aside all opposition and specially invited GW for their first GDC appearance before?"
Upon hearing this, Brown couldn't help but click his tongue, forcing a bitter smile.
Admittedly, as one of GDC's organizers, he had always been very open-minded, willing to try and accept new things.
Golden Wind's first participation in GDC had been entirely arranged by him.
Back then, Golden Wind didn't even meet GDC's established invitation standards.
And the final outcome was positive.
Golden Wind debuted their "cinematic game" project at GDC, where Escape from Hell amazed everyone, leaving numerous players and competitors in awe.
But the problem was.
That previous invitation only made Golden Wind an invited manufacturer at GDC.
"It's completely different from being the keynote guest..." Brown said hesitantly:
"Invited manufacturers are just exchange speakers, and some smaller manufacturers don't even get speaking opportunities—they're purely here for industry exchange."
Whereas the keynote guest is undoubtedly the center stage of GDC.
They bear the responsibility of showcasing the year's most breakthrough and innovative work, also representing the industry benchmark set by the conference.
"Do you think Golden Wind can't meet this requirement?"
Hearing Brown's concerns, Lawrence countered:
"Or have you forgotten their performance at GDCA?"
Hiss—
Lawrence's words reminded Brown.
GDCA, the Game Developers Choice Awards.
No one would forget Golden Wind's remarkable achievements in GDCA history.
With just two games—Peak Kingdom and Overwatch—Golden Wind swept four major awards including "Game of the Year," along with nearly ten nominations.
This could be called the most outrageous, yet unquestionable achievement in GDCA history.
Looking across the global gaming circle.
So far, only one manufacturer has reached this level.
Regardless of Komera, CloudPower, or FoxForce.
Big or small manufacturers, no matter their scale or seniority, none could compare with Golden Wind.
Hearing Brown's silence.
Lawrence knew Golden Wind's illustrious achievements had ultimately swayed Brown.
So he pressed his advantage, continuing:
"How about this: we'll contact Golden Wind first, inquire about their opinions and recent situation,"
"If they don't have better ideas or projects recently, we'll look for someone else,"
"But if they have new ideas lately, then we'll—"
......
《Breaking! Huaguo Manufacturer First Invitation! Golden Wind Confirmed as 14th GDC Keynote Guest!》
《New Masterpiece Soon Revealed! Golden Wind Confirms Latest Work to be Unveiled at 14th GDC!》
《Unprecedented Breakthrough! GDC Officially Announces This Year's Keynote Guest as Huaguo Medium-sized Game Developer Golden Wind!》
【Through mutual confirmation by both parties, Golden Wind will serve as this year's GDC keynote guest, with the theme "Sharing Market Opportunities, Pursuing Cooperative Development"...】
【Sources indicate the originally planned GDC keynote guest was CloudPower, but due to CloudPower's recent negative publicity and parent company Vivendi undergoing antitrust investigations in multiple countries, it was temporarily replaced with Golden Wind...】
【Major Masterpiece! Golden Wind's work to be exhibited at this GDC will be their second 3S-level work using their self-developed engine after Battlefield Winds, with total investment estimated no less than $250 million! Sources also reveal this work won't continue Golden Wind's usual excellent FPS genre expertise, but will shift focus to ARPG action role-playing games....】
【...】
Correct!
Previously, Brown had persuaded Lawrence to "give Golden Wind a chance to showcase."
Facts proved they succeeded.
This time, it was Lawrence persuading Brown to "give Golden Wind a chance to take the lead."
Though the final outcome remains unknown.
Judging from various media and player reactions.
At least this decision has won considerable applause and eager anticipation—
'OHHHHHHH—Keynote guest! GW awesome!'
'Oh no, our national essence culture got leaked'
'Golden! You're amazing!'
'Hahahahahaha damn, abstract...'
'Incredible! This is the first time a Huaguo manufacturer becomes GDC's keynote guest! GW truly is an unprecedented pioneer!'
'If previous media claims about Huaguo gaming's rise were just market-pleasing rhetoric, then this GDC certification proves GW's current gold standard...'
After all, it's the industry's most weighty professional exchange conference. Though their scale is still slightly insufficient, in terms of influence and professional level, GW can already be called one of the world's top manufacturers.
Their development time is only four short years after all, and they've just completed one full cycle of the global four major game exhibitions.
Brothers! Latest insider news! Little Yellow's new ARPG might be Wolf-like!?
"Ah—???"
"Holy! Reliable source?"
Brand new version of suffering journey coming?
"No wonder they got keynote guest status, they were brewing something huge!"
Could it be Wolf 2? Dragon's Homecoming? Sending Cherry Blossom Dragon back to Huaguo? Didn't Sekiro's ending say Cherry Blossom Dragon came from the distant west, and Neon's west is us....
Damn... saying that... really gets me excited...
Not necessarily, since Dragon's Homecoming isn't Old Thief's certified ending, Severance is the official ending, probably no Wolf 2.
Then what story could it be..
Who the hell can guess, I bet we still won't understand even when the trailer drops, definitely that mystical confusing style again.
Don't say it! You really shouldn't say it!
Honestly, I really love this stuff, I really adore Old Thief's mystical, cloud-shrouded, misty approach...
'Spoken like a true M'
'...'
Total sensation!
Correct!
With GDC's official confirmation, Golden Wind will officially participate as the first Huaguo manufacturer invited as keynote guest in the fourteenth Global Game Developers Conference!
As the news spread, discussions and media coverage from players came wave after wave.
As a professional global industry exchange summit, this news also sparked considerable discussion within gaming circles.
Some rejoice, others worry.
First, the happiest were undoubtedly Phoenix Engine Research Co., Ltd., who just partnered with Golden Wind and received Shen Miaomiao's investment.
This feeling of betting right is fucking amazing!
Almost like buying a lottery ticket three minutes before drawing, then winning before finishing a cigarette!
As long-term partners, Yiyou and XunTeng naturally celebrated joyfully.
The God of Wealth shows his power!
Who knows what kind of progress Golden Wind's GDC keynote appearance will bring to their motion-sensing pod market share.
And beyond that!
Numerous Huaguo manufacturers benefiting from Golden Wind's success also offered congratulations.
When the leading big brother does well, the market grows bigger, and they get more shares.
Of course!
The world balances.
Some rejoice, others worry; some laugh, others cry.
Like CloudPower.
Currently, four words describe Konik perfectly—overwhelmed with troubles.
He never expected!
What was supposed to be a simple, straightforward cooperation discussion would develop into this situation!
Yes!
Previously he had intentionally targeted Golden Wind, never giving up suppressing them, long coveting Golden Wind's treasure trove of copyrights.
But this time!
Heaven knows!
He truly didn't mean to target Golden Wind!
He just wanted to take advantage of their recent recovery, activate their top studio, steadily produce a game to recoup losses and stabilize the situation!
That's all!
No further thoughts of direct confrontation or secret schemes!
Yet!
I don't go to the mountain—the mountain crashes into me!
The butterfly wings of a simple business discussion fluttered, causing a massive tsunami affecting group interests!
Originally, Konik's plan was beautiful—
If they could cooperate with Phoenix, they could mediate commercial friction between Illusion Engine and Phoenix.
Then, naturally become GDC's keynote guest, announcing strategic partnerships with both Illusion Engine and Phoenix—the two mainstream engines—expanding influence and grasping more comprehensive industry control.
Unexpectedly!
Golden Wind's preemptive move disrupted all his plans!
Even worse, Golden Wind—now firmly Phoenix's second largest shareholder—not only disrupted his plans but counterattacked with both blockade and public opinion warfare delivering a double blow!
What was clearly just a strategic business development action!
Let Golden Wind seize the opportunity to counterattack them!
Now!
Not only is the Phoenix cooperation ruined.
Their relationship with Illusion Engine has also cooled from the previous honeymoon phase.
Continuously eroding market share and whispering "abandoned piece" rumors created obvious distance from Illusion Engine.
This distance has even begun shaking Illusion Engine's determination to execute the blockade plan.
As for GDC.
Konik has no extra energy to care anymore.
The keynote guest qualification cancellation completely severed their thoughts of attending this GDC.
Not that they can't attend, but being demoted to ordinary guest status after disqualification is too shameful.
In GDC's fourteen-year history.
CloudPower Games will miss the conference for the first time.
Suddenly!
With GDC's official announcement post, the world gaming industry became turbulent again.