Chapter 510: Taking this hobby to the extreme, (2) |
"Hey hey, it's starting, it's starting, look at this one—'Golden Wind's Dark Fairy Tale New Work Surprisingly Unexpected, Komera's New Streaming Game Takes a Major Innovative Leap'"
"And this one—'Thrilling Fairy Tale Wants to Continue It Takes Two's Myth, Can Komera Win with Gameplay in Difficult Times?'"
"There's also this one—'Golden Wind Becomes Industrial Technology Leader, Will the High-Tech Curse Drag GW into the Abyss?'"
"Too weak, too weak! The ones you're looking at have too little attack power! Look at mine—'Golden Wind's Dark Fairy Tale Accused of Being a Side Project! Komera's New Work Wants to Pioneer Gameplay Innovation!'"
"Damn, are they really going for the kill so directly?"
"Haha, this is just the beginning, this is only the start, the reports later will only get more outrageous..."
"Starting the hype so early, Komera is really going all out this time."
"After all, they're releasing the first trailer tonight, they definitely need to stir up some heat first."
"So what do we do? Watch their performance or what? Brother Sheng?"
The "Bandit President Squad" of four were chatting and joking while having afternoon tea.
At this moment, it had been about a month since they released that "Dark Fairy Tale" teaser.
And this game called "Village Of Shadows" had gradually taken shape through analysis and piecing together by various media outlets, now becoming a fully-formed game—
First, its main art style and some gameplay elements were identical to "It Takes Two," both being cartoon-style works incorporating jumping and puzzle-solving elements.
Second, in terms of combat settings and narrative style, it also borrowed some elements from "Dark Souls," featuring similarly difficult boss battles and equally obscure, dark fragmented narrative style.
Finally, in overall atmosphere and tone, it also drew from the style of "P.T.," using psychological horror to further deepen the overall dark, obscure narrative style, making it more dark and terrifying.
And so!
A dark fairy tale game similar to "Little Nightmares" from Gu Sheng's previous life was thus freshly created.
One told ten, ten told a hundred.
Soon, this "complete version" of "Village Of Shadows" was defaulted as Golden Wind's work for the Higashitsu Gaming Festival.
Even Golden Wind didn't deny it.
But problems followed closely.
Is this concept good?
Obviously, from all perspectives, it's quite good.
In such a timeline, being able to piece together such a low-spec version of "Little Nightmares" through players' imaginations seems good from any angle.
But the question is—
Is it really still appropriate for Golden Wind today to participate in the Higashitsu Gaming Festival with such a work?
Admittedly.
The success of It Takes Two is still difficult to replicate in the industry even today.
But you must know, besides the game's own solid quality, many external factors were essential for It Takes Two's explosive success.
Back then, It Takes Two's actual gameplay demo was released right after Golden Wind won five GDCA awards.
Plus the emotional factor between Gu Sheng and Shen Miaomiao, which boosted the game's discussion and sales to explosive levels.
Moreover!
It Takes Two's release was already two years ago.
At that time, Golden Wind was still immature, just a small-to-medium game company, even exceptionally shortlisted for GDCA.
With their technical capabilities and scale back then, being able to produce a game like It Takes Two was indeed enough to shock the gaming circle.
But now.
Times have changed.
Today's Golden Wind has surpassed ten billion in scale, holds execution rights to Phoenix and Illusion Engine, two globally top-tier game engines, and collaborates with established top game manufacturers like Aurora Games.
Whether in scale or industrial level, they can be considered top-tier globally.
Even facing Komera, the former dominant comprehensive game manufacturer in the Eastern Hemisphere, Golden Wind shows no disadvantage, even surpassing Komera in some aspects.
Such an enterprise.
While holding the core of the world's most advanced industrial technical capabilities.
If they participate with a work like "It Takes Two" again.
It seems somewhat inappropriate.
Manufacturer scale, game scale, and industrial quality should theoretically complement each other.
Unless this time, Golden Wind can produce another top-tier gameplay work comparable to "My World."
But everyone knows this is almost impossible.
Even Gu Sheng himself once said that MC's unique gameplay is difficult to replicate and surpass.
And so!
Under Komera's public opinion guidance!
The emergence of voices like "side project work," "high-tech curse," and "careless underestimation" is not surprising.
It seems at this moment, the dragon slayer has become the dragon.
Golden Wind has become the former Komera, arrogantly complacent with their scale and technical capabilities.
While Komera has become like Golden Wind, wanting to take a different path with innovative gameplay to defeat this "Cherry Blossom Dragon from the West."
Attack and defense have swapped!
For a time, the narrative of Golden Wind's "arrogant side project" and Komera's "learning from painful reflection" became topics of discussion in the gaming industry's public opinion during leisure time.
And regarding this!
Gu Sheng's evaluation is—
"Predictable."
Komera really went through a lot of trouble, analyzing fiercely like a tiger.
In the end, they didn't even guess the game format and theme correctly, not even the game name.
That's right.
This so-called "Golden Wind's exhibition new work" currently receiving much attention in the market—"Village Of Shadows"—can't be said to be not quite similar to their real exhibition main masterpiece.
It can only be said to be completely different.
But you can't blame Komera for their wild analysis.
After all, this teaser trailer's content is just an expansion of a small part from the real trailer, quite deceptive and hard not to misunderstand.
Don't just blame Komera.
Even when Gu Sheng himself saw this broadcast clip in his previous life, his head buzzed, completely unaware what CAPCOM was trying to do.
"Then let the bullet fly a little longer..."
Gu Sheng put down the tablet, calm and composed.
Actually, originally according to plan, he was going to proceed with marketing step by step.
Two rounds of trailers, one round of actual gameplay demo.
Three months, releasing some information each month, maintaining player discussion enthusiasm.
But now it's good!
They don't need to worry about maintaining player discussion enthusiasm!
Komera paid out of their own pocket to do it for them!
Pretty good.
Gu Sheng is quite happy.
Since that's the case, they might as well fulfill Komera's wish and carry the "side project" attitude to the end.
Anyway, there are still over two months until the Higashitsu Gaming Festival opens, which is enough time for them to have a side project.
You say I'm not focusing on my main work, complacent with my advantages.
Then I'll do as you wish and show you what's called—
...
"What? Damn! They're really doing a side project?!"
Just half a month later!
Right when players' worried discussions about Golden Wind's new work were just beginning to calm down!
Shark platform!
Ayin's livestream!
Looking at the "Golden Wind New Work" in the top recommended section of the store page, Ayin couldn't help but fall into stunned contemplation.
That's right.
Just as thousands of players worldwide were discussing Golden Wind's new work!
Golden Wind really did release a new work!
Right at the tense preparation period for the Higashitsu Gaming Festival, they released a "brand new work" with insignificant scale.
"Lethal Company."
"Lethal Company?"
Ayin grimaced:
"What kind of weird game is this?"
Golden Wind... actually made a small game while developing "Village Of Shadows"?
How do they have so much free time? They can still allocate manpower to make other games?
With doubts, Ayin clicked into the "Lethal Company" store details page.
Understood.
In the game details, it clearly states—
Game Name: Lethal Company
Developer: Golden Wind
Producer: Gu Sheng
Development Team: Gu Sheng, Lu Bian, Xu Dajiang
For a moment, Ayin even opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
You should know.
Normally, Golden Wind's games list their three major studios' names under the development team section.
Like "Overwatch's" development team is "Golden Experience Studio."
"Sekiro's" development team is "Steel Chain Fingers."
"Call of Duty's" development team is "Melancholy Blues."
But now!
This "Lethal Company" doesn't belong to any studio at all.
Golden Wind's three founding presidents joined forces to develop this small-scale new work.
"Ah, this..."
For a moment, Ayin even felt a bit dazed.
This scale reminded him of "Phasmophobia."
Similarly small scale, similarly made by three people.
Now, times have changed.
Although Golden Wind has grown from a small workshop into a comprehensive game manufacturer capable of influencing global gaming trends.
They still have the heart to make such small-scale games, even with the original team, the three presidents personally involved.
Not sure whether to say they haven't forgotten their origins, or they're just bored.
"This is too bizarre, right?"
Ayin felt like he was about to be speechless:
"They really don't care about the Higashitsu Gaming Festival at all? They still have time to make this kind of... bizarre little game?"
Ayin scratched his head.
Even the viewers were amused by this unexpected "new work"—
"I told you they make games just for themselves to play."
"You can't say it's not a new work!"
"I actually can't refute this."
"There's a kind of beauty in completely ignoring Komera."
"Gives off a vibe of carrying the side project attitude to the end with a slacking feel."
"This game seems interesting, similarly small scale, similarly four-player co-op, similarly developed by three people, brings back memories."
"Dreaming back to GW's small workshop period."
"Golden Wind (Nostalgia Edition)."
"Hard to imagine what mindset they had to make such a small toy at this time..."
"Probably Little Yellow was afraid we'd get bored, so he specially made this to pass the time."
"I can only say, this is so Golden Wind..."
"Anyway, we're idle, might as well try it."
"Boss, buy it, let's see what entertainment it has..."