Agreeing to Create Bad Games, What the Hell Is ‘Titanfall’? Chapter 69
"I had 100 HP, got clawed by zombies for 24, so I'm left with 76."
"Handgun magazine holds 15 rounds."
"Each bullet causes 1 point of friendly fire damage."
"So, that means..."
"Each of you shot me with about a magazine and a half?!"
"It's one thing to shoot me down,"
"But you saw me getting bitten and still ran off? And you even closed the fire door behind you?!"
"Do you think that's reasonable?"
"Is that something carbon-based lifeforms would do?"
Outside the booth!
Ayin frowned at the three sheepish-looking girls in front of him, his tone filled with disbelief and a face full of 'anger'!
Turns out!
Just moments ago!
As Ayin shouted and ran, Liu Liu and the other two quickly raised their pistols to cover Captain Yin's retreat!
However!
The three, not very skilled in shooting games, couldn't adapt quickly to the more realistic second-gen FPS mode!
Plus, the zombies were howling and running faster than rabbits, crazier than dogs!
Under immense psychological pressure, the three completely forgot about aiming mechanics, screamed, grabbed their guns, and started shooting wildly!
The gunfire was continuous, like popping beans!
Bullets hit the walls, the floor, the ceiling, Ayin himself, but not a single one hit the zombies!
Ayin didn't even get a chance to call for a ceasefire!
He was shot down on the spot!
Immediately after, the zombies swarmed and buried him instantly!
Seeing the blood-splattered scene of zombies feasting, the three girls were terrified!
They scattered like birds and beasts!
And even closed the fire door behind them.
This absurd and comical live experience caused the audience to burst into laughter, filling the atmosphere with joy!
The viewers in the live chat were laughing hysterically!
"I'm blind, is it New Year's already?"
"Hahahahahaha damn! You guys are hilarious!"
"Closing the door behind you, you really understand public etiquette."
"Liu Liu: Sorry, I'm actually an undercover zombie."
"These three have such fast trigger fingers! Turned semi-auto into full-auto!"
"Boss ran from the end of the corridor to the fire door in six or seven seconds, and they shot her down."
"In a way, their aim is quite accurate..."
"Indeed, their aim at the boss is better than at the zombies (funny)."
"American-style quick draw, emptied the magazine."
"Did you plan to kill the monkey all along?"
"I have reason to suspect this was a personal vendetta (dog head)."
"......"
Facing Captain Yin's questioning!
The three knew they were at fault and looked downcast.
"Well..."
Sister Zhou forced an awkward yet polite smile:
"Just a small mistake, boss, don't be mad,"
"We'll practice more when we get back, and when the game officially releases, we'll perform better!"
"Hmm—that's more like it,"
Hearing this, Ayin nodded, somewhat satisfied, then turned to Gu Sheng:
"Mr. Gu, if it's convenient, could you send me a copy of this demo version? I need to train my team so that when the game launches, we can deliver the best live performance!"
Ayin spoke earnestly, like a responsible team leader.
But the live chat was filled with question marks—
"?"
"Hey, what the hell? Are you trying to sweet-talk your way through?"
"Your abacus beads are flying into my face."
"You're full of crap!"
"I can hear your scheming all the way in Turpan."
"You're even more persuasive than A Cui!"
"......"
Gu Sheng wasn't stupid!
He could see through Ayin's intentions.
It was clear that they were very interested in this innovative game and couldn't wait to take it home and try it.
However, as a demo meant only for exhibition, it absolutely couldn't be leaked.
Because this demo contained a lot of data, including aiming mechanics, recoil feedback, dynamic blur values, and more.
Since second-gen FPS hadn't appeared in this world before, all this data was the result of countless experiments and adjustments by the three of them, representing the best combination of ergonomics and game performance.
Gu Sheng wasn't worried about the 'second-gen FPS' concept being leaked.
After all, the game format was already there; other companies would eventually take inspiration.
But the data on gun handling and feedback had to remain exclusive, as it was the core soul of the gun design.
Gu Sheng wasn't afraid of other companies copying them; he was only afraid of some companies using unethical means to steal their work.
To maintain secrecy, they didn't outsource the core parameter coding this time. All of it was researched and modified by the three of them, only outsourcing some peripheral construction to a game factory.
Moreover, Golden Wind signed an exclusive confidentiality agreement with YiYou, the exclusive platform.
If the core data leaked through YiYou, whether intentional or not, YiYou would bear full responsibility and pay Golden Wind a hefty compensation.
It could be said that Gu Sheng had gone to great lengths to protect the game's core data.
He couldn't allow a small leak to ruin everything.
Of course.
Gu Sheng didn't suspect Ayin would intentionally leak their game data; it was just a matter of information security, so he had to refuse.
"I think your performance just now was already explosive enough..."
Gu Sheng humorously declined, causing everyone to laugh.
Ayin was very tactful and experienced.
Hearing Gu Sheng's words, she understood that the demo couldn't be shared.
She smiled and nodded: "Understood, understood. So, when is the game expected to be released?"
This question Gu Sheng could answer:
"Around mid to late April. Currently, the main part of the game is complete. Next, we..."
Just as he said this.
Suddenly, a loud voice came from outside the booth:
"Mr. Gu—! Could you please use a microphone—? We can't hear you clearly in the back—!!!"
He was at the front of the booth, surrounded by circles of people, so he hadn't noticed the situation outside.
Hearing someone shouting from afar, he looked up and tiptoed to look out.
What he saw!
Gu Sheng was shocked!
Holy crap—!!!
At some point, the outside of Golden Wind's booth was surrounded by hundreds of people in layers!!!
Gu Sheng, over 1.8 meters tall, couldn't see the end, just a sea of heads!
Cameras of all sizes were pointed at him.
Arms stretched out from the crowd, each holding a microphone, trying to reach him.
The surging crowd was like a zombie outbreak, not only surrounding him but even making Golden Wind's small booth look like a weak, pitiful, and helpless island in a vast ocean.
Yes!
The media they had been hoping for had finally arrived!
But!
Not just one or two as Gu Sheng had hoped!
But in droves, like an invading army!
Why the hell are there so many people?!
Gu Sheng was stunned!
After a brief pause, he looked at the front row, where representatives of other companies were watching with admiration, and suddenly realized!
Right! Who said these competitors were useless?
They might not provide media coverage, but they could attract crowds!
A large group of people at the entrance would make even a passing dog take a look!
These weren't competitors trying to learn from them!
They were walking advertisements!
Seeing more and more media surrounding the booth and the line for the demo getting longer!
"I say—"
Gu Sheng took the microphone handed by Lu Bian and stood on a small stool.
He knew his best publicity opportunity had arrived!
"This second-gen FPS co-op zombie survival shooter, designed by me and produced by Golden Wind!"
"Will be released to players in mid to late April this year!"
"This is a bold attempt by Golden Wind! And a complete overhaul of the shooting game model!"
"Even!"
"It will surpass the 'psychological horror' pioneered by Phasmophobia!"
"Because!"
"Second-gen FPS!"
"Will be a milestone in FPS history, creating a legend!"
"Perhaps you think I'm exaggerating, so let's look forward to the official release in mid-April—"
"Make FPS games even greater!"
Boom—!!!
You know!
Gu Sheng had always been modest, whether at events or in front of the camera!
His answers were always ambiguous, his responses always tentative!
But this time!
He was full of confidence, even arrogant!
Make FPS even greater!
A game company worth less than ten million dared to make such bold claims!
The media in the back couldn't believe their ears! (Because they hadn't even seen the trailer, the screen was too small and the crowd too big)
But!
Don't forget.
At this moment, standing in the small booth, on a small stool, shouting with raised arms, was Gu Sheng.
The first person in China's gaming industry to be called a supernova, the abstract godfather, the soul of Golden Wind, a record-breaking designer, the creator of the psychological horror concept, and the future father of second-gen FPS.
His experience is already legendary.
And in the coming time, he will create more legends!
Wow—!!!
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted!
Like a tsunami, as if to lift the roof of the exhibition hall!
Of course!
If you think Gu Sheng just wanted to show off and say something inspiring.
Then you're completely wrong.
Because at this moment!
The cheers and applause from Golden Wind's booth swept across the entire venue, even drawing the attention of media guests who were originally lined up at XunTeng and YiYou's booths!
"Hey—why is it suddenly so lively in there?"
"Don't know?"
"Did some big news break?"
"Shouldn't be, if there was big news, it would be from companies like XunTeng."
"Then...?"
"Holy crap! It's Golden Wind! My former colleague just messaged me!"
"Oh right! Golden Wind is also exhibiting!"
"What news is it? So sensational?!"
"Apparently, it revolutionized the shooting game genre!"
"Damn! Really?!"
"Don't ask, quick, quick, let's go check it out..."
"But we're almost at the front of the line here?!"
"Forget it! You stay if you want, I'm going to see Golden Wind!"
"Hey, wait for me, wait—!!!"
......
7 PM!
Winter days are shorter, and after a day of fun, when Shen Miaomiao and Chu Qingzhou returned to the venue, it was already dusk, and the lights were on.
"I'm a staff member from Golden Wind, here to help with the teardown."
Shen Miaomiao rummaged through her bag and handed her work ID to the staff at the entrance.
Entering the venue, a warm breeze greeted them, making them feel refreshed.
"Whew—it's really cold."
Shen Miaomiao stomped her feet and walked with Chu Qingzhou towards the back of the venue.
The exhibition ended at six, and by now, many booths had already been dismantled.
Heading north, the two quickly reached the northwest corner.
They saw Gu Sheng and his team of three sitting on the floor in total exhaustion, slumped against the booth structure, as if their souls had left their bodies.
The three of them didn’t say a single word.
They were completely wiped out.
Ever since that morning at ten o’clock, when Gu Sheng shouted that famous line—“Make FPS games even greater!”—they hadn’t stopped for a second.
Endless streams of industry peers, endless waves of media inquiries, self-media reps asking questions, and the demo line that seemed like it would never end...
One wave after another, coming and going without pause, like a flood.
At first, Lu Bian and Da Jiang had been full of excitement.
But as time went on, the two of them had become numb.
This went on all the way until the exhibit closed at 6 PM.
And even then, it took the organizers blaring the loudspeakers three times to finally clear the crowd in front of their booth.
They were utterly drained.
From morning until night, they hadn’t had a single bite of food. They’d just been popping throat lozenges one after another—six packs in total.
Now, the three of them didn’t even have the strength to talk.
Ah!
Seeing them like this, Shen Miaomiao gasped internally!
Oh no!
My dear Director Gu and his little buddies... have become salty fish who’ve lost their dreams!
Hahahaha... Wait, I didn’t laugh out loud, did I?
Shen Miaomiao was overjoyed!
No need to ask!
Just by looking at their exhausted, defeated faces, you could tell—
Their booth must have been a total flop today!Oh wait, maybe they didn’t even get more than a handful of visitors!In fact, maybe they didn’t even break into double digits!
After all, as far as she knew, Gu Sheng was one stubborn guy!Ordinary sales disasters or bad news wouldn’t faze him—he was always that calm, confident, unshakable type.
But now!
Even he had turned into a salty fish, eyes glazed over!
That alone was proof of how devastating today’s setback must have been!
Well...
Shen Miaomiao nodded, her heart filled with both glee and a hint of pity.
After all, "Left 4 Dead" was Golden Wind’s biggest investment yet.The largest outsourced team, the most funding poured in.Even now, it was still guzzling up resources, with every extra cent from other projects being funneled into its bottomless pit.
Gu Sheng had never failed before.
But this time, they’d stumbled right out of the gate.
The dream had been beautiful: attend the Huayu Electric Expo and watch the game’s fame explode across the industry.
But reality was harsh: stuck in a remote corner, deserted, forgotten, ignored.
That kind of psychological blow...Who wouldn’t crumble under it?
Thinking this, Shen Miaomiao rummaged through her bag and finally fished out a lollipop.
She tore open the wrapper, squatted down next to Gu Sheng, and popped the lollipop into his mouth. She patted his shoulder:
"There, there, Lao Gu—it's just one expo. We’re not counting on marketing anyway, it’s our actual strength that matters! Don’t be upset, alright?"
Huh?
The sugar jolted Gu Sheng back to life a little.Hearing Nezha’s words, his mouth twitched:"Huh?"Upset? Why would I be upset? Why is she comforting me? Do I look like I need comforting? What nonsense is she talking about?
But before he could say a word, Shen Miaomiao stood up, clapped her hands, and declared:
"Alright, everyone! Cheer up! You’ve all worked hard today. I’ll treat you guys—let’s go pig out!"
A moment later.
Lu Bian’s trembling voice came from the side:
"Let’s... put the cheering up thing on hold for a sec..."
"Can someone... help me..."
"Sit up... my back hurts..."