Started as a comics editor

Chapter 244 PC Games and Single-Player Games

"Side-scrolling fighting game?"

"Arcade machine?"

"PC game?"

"Wow, this looks interesting."

Avalon, meeting room.

In the end, Tang Yao managed to finish the "Dungeon & Fighter" project proposal before her younger sister's summer vacation.

of course.

It's not the Dungeon Fighter Online that became a full MMORPG in its later stages, but rather the Dungeon Fighter Online that primarily featured action elements in its early stages.

Yes.

The early and late stages of this game are completely different in style, and you could even say they are two different game genres.

The original core audience of the game "Dungeon Fighter Online" was actually the arcade players.

Arcade games were very popular in China at the time.

This game initially borrowed heavily from the action design of arcade fighting games, combined with the side-scrolling dungeon design of Dungeons & Dragons. With 2D side-scrolling action fighting as its core, it stood out among similar games with its precise hit feedback, smooth combo system, and status mechanics such as stun and knock-up, attracting a large number of early arcade fans.

The initial version of the game, the level 60 version, placed great emphasis on action elements.

In dungeon battles, chasing attacks, combos, and skillful execution are highly encouraged.

The game has a low barrier to entry but a high skill ceiling, making it suitable for both casual and hardcore gamers seeking technical expertise.

However, this is an online game... As time went on, the skill bar couldn't hold so many skills anymore. In the early days of the game, there were only six skill bars, and many skills required pressing a bunch of buttons to unleash, such as up, up, down, down, left, left, right, right, abab. This barrier to entry became higher and higher over time, and the operation gradually became more cumbersome.

So, in the later stages of version 60 and the early stages of version 70, Nexon, the unlucky company that had been ripped off by Tencent, acquired the game's developer and began to make sweeping changes to Dungeon Fighter Online.

Simply put, it lowers the skill requirements and begins to emphasize numerical development and teamwork.

They downplayed the action elements, lowered the numerical threshold for single-player dungeons, and then began to promote multiplayer otherworldly dungeons, encouraging players to engage in individual speedruns and GVE (game modes where players team up to fight NPCs or bosses).

A number of players left during this period.

The original players who liked PvP wanted fair PvP, while PvE players preferred extreme stats and speedruns.

Then came the 70 and 85 versions... As levels increased, the experience of reaching the maximum level for new characters became longer, which began to hinder the game from attracting new users. In addition, most of the new dungeons at that time were simply patchwork versions of old dungeons with increased stats, which easily led to player fatigue and caused the game to decline further.

So the production team had a sudden inspiration.

They carried out a massive 'transfer'.

In short, the idea is to blow up the Arad continent, completely rewrite all the early storylines and dungeons, and drastically reduce the challenge of clearing maps in the early stages, turning players from using skills to clear maps into using skills to clear maps quickly.

And DNF has completely become the new DNF.

Because the game's world view and storyline were completely reconstructed, many players were dissatisfied at the time, as many familiar elements had disappeared.

It was from this time that things started.

Subsequent game updates made the game increasingly resemble an MMORPG, especially with the introduction of the Anton raid, a 20-player raid that gradually evoked memories for many veteran MMO players...

To be honest, this update has its pros and cons. The advantage is that it gave players of all levels the opportunity to work together to clear the game from the beginning. Even players who spend little money can pass the top-level dungeons. Players' goals for acquiring equipment have also become much clearer. The game ecosystem has been gradually optimized, which can be considered the second peak of DNF.

However, this is an old game after all. Its side-scrolling 2D nature means that it can't have as many mechanic changes as MMORPG. The numerous damage-dealing mechanics have made many class branches useless. Naturally, the developers had to balance it.

And it's balancing out.

The differences between classes that existed at the beginning of the game gradually became less obvious... and class skills also began to become homogenized.

This game is completely different from what it was originally.

Then, as we slowly progressed into the later stages of the version... the advantageous aspects gradually disappeared.

This game can be described as a typical "I'm standing right in front of you, do you see how much I look like I used to be" game.

The longer you live, the less you resemble yourself.

But this is the dilemma of long-term game operation.

Without these updates, the game might have died long ago... and it wouldn't have been able to keep saying it was going to end every year, yet it still survives.

No game can remain unchanged.

Some things, once gone, can never be regained.

...But it's possible here.

After all, it's a parallel world.

Therefore, the initial plan that Tang Yao wrote was the original form of the game, which combined the action system of Dungeons & Dragons with that of fighting games, focused on single-class development, and featured a variety of offensive moves in the ACT game format.

After all, Tang Yao also has her own sentiments... Moreover, the MMORPG scene here is too prosperous. Trying to compete head-on with other major games from other companies using the late-stage version of DNF would be a dead end.

The genre of "fighting MMOs with ACT elements" that Dungeon Fighter Online was in its early stages was indeed a blank in this world, and the arcades here also had a period of prosperity.

"It's quite interesting..."

soon.

Si Jinliang read through the entire proposal, then suddenly looked up at Tang Yao, a strange light flashing in his eyes: "Dozens of job branches, each with a unique skill tree and combat style..."

"You can't do it unless you give up on UNDERTALE."

Tang Yao understood what he meant and replied directly, "This game is a PC game, and it's a PC game with long-term updates, so you can't handle both at the same time."

"……All right."

Si Jinliang was somewhat disappointed, but he had to admit that Tang Yao made a good point.

So he could only reluctantly put down the proposal.

"I have a question. I don't know much about fighting games, but could you add a drunkard character?"

At this time.

Sun Gong, the person in charge of the FGO project team, also finished reading it.

His sudden suggestion to join the "alcoholic" profession stunned everyone in the conference room.

Tang Yao blinked, somewhat suspiciously: "A drunkard? What exactly is that kind of character setting?"

Sun Gong explained enthusiastically, "It's the kind of character who's drunk and staggering, but becomes unpredictable in fights because of their 'drunken fist' style. Their attack animations can be designed to be unsteady, but the actual hit detection frames are very strange. Some skills can even have a 'dodge' effect, like taking a sip of wine and breathing fire, or suddenly doing a somersault counterattack after passing out..."

After hearing this, Si Jinliang couldn't help but laugh: "Isn't this a character from a fighting game? Zhai from 'Iron Embroidery'?"

Tang Yao also noticed, and rolled her eyes imperceptibly: "No way! Putting aside the fact that this setting is impossible for online games, this is just an online game that borrows elements from fighting games, not a real arcade fighting game... Besides, you don't seem like someone who doesn't know much about fighting games at all."

"Ok."

Sun Gong was not surprised, and changed the subject, saying, "I am indeed very familiar with fighting games, so let me make this game."

Tang Yao: “…”

This shows an understanding of the window opening theory.

She gently shook her head and explained, "I didn't invite you here to bid, but to make a demo, a simplified prototype of the combat system, to verify whether the side-scrolling fighting game with equipment-driven gameplay is feasible. In short, it's a feasibility test."

After all, our core strengths right now lie in indie games and mobile games; suddenly jumping to PC games carries some risk.

"I will only consider starting a project if the demo receives good feedback."

"You don't need to get involved in this. I called you here to get your feedback and to ask the staff of our project teams if they have any interest in fighting games and want to volunteer. We don't need too many people for now, just a dozen or so will be enough for the beginning. We haven't assigned any of the new recruits Avalon has recently hired yet, so we can mix them together to form a new team. I'll take on the role of team leader."

Tang Yao had just finished speaking.

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Then, apart from Chu Yuxin and Li Xue, everyone else showed expressions of disappointment.

Tang Yao was a little surprised.

Those currently sitting here are the company's core personnel, mainly the group that helped Tang Yao create FGO, and the group recruited from Mingyu Technology.

Kang Ming, Sun Gong, Shi Wanglin, Si Jinliang, Chu Yuxin...

There are also two newcomers, named Zhuang Xiang and Qian Tianlin.

These two individuals joined during the development of Hearthstone; they were originally from Mingyu Technology...

They are quite knowledgeable and worldly-wise.

Therefore, this will also show a disappointed expression.

That's really quite rare.

"What's wrong with you all? Do you think my arrangement is unreasonable?"

Tang Yao frowned slightly and couldn't help but ask a question.

"It's not unreasonable."

Sun Gong quickly spoke up to explain.

the other side.

Chu Yuxin frowned and said directly, "Boss, don't worry about them. This group of people all grew up playing arcade games. The oldest, Si Jinliang, is only thirty-two, and the others are all around twenty-five. They all experienced the golden age of arcades."

This, coupled with the fact that it was our company's first time making an action game like an ACT, and that it was a project you proposed, made them all want to try it out themselves.

But now there's no chance, hence that expression; they're just being delusional..."

"..."

Tang Yao was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and then looked at the group of young production staff in front of her who were somewhat embarrassed because they had been exposed on the spot.

...Suddenly I feel like I made the right choice to play DNF.

They didn't even object to making a PC game.

While many people in Avalon are interested in this type of game, it doesn't mean that players are.

However, judging from this glimpse, it's foreseeable that DNF will also attract a large number of early arcade game fans here, and these people will likely become the core user base of DNF, just like Tang Yao did in her previous life...

Think of this.

After thinking for a moment, Tang Yao spoke again: "The game DEMO stage does require a streamlined team. The company is also very busy right now, so we can't let you participate for the time being. But once the project is officially launched, you can help if you are interested, but the premise is that you arrange the progress of your respective projects first, so as not to delay your normal work."

"no problem!"

Sun Gong was the first to respond, eager to get started.

The others had similar expressions. In most game companies, the developers are just going through the motions.

But Avalon is the opposite.

This core team, built by Tang Yao, consists of avid game enthusiasts who are eager to participate in any project that interests them.

Seeing everyone's eager expressions.

Tang Yao thought it should be a good thing.

She actually saw this trend in Hearthstone... and the company even held a design competition for it.

Many staff members designed a bunch of cards that they thought were good.

Although most of them were rejected by Si Jinliang and his planning team.

But in terms of the number of participants, Avalon is indeed quite different, and the atmosphere is... rather unique.

"Let's leave it at that for now. You should go back and confirm the intentions of the project team members."

Tang Yao closed the proposal and ended the meeting.

Although she has seen the performance of the company's core personnel, she roughly knows that the game "Dungeon & Fighter" has great potential in this world.

But Tang Yao still planned to make a demo to verify it.

This is partly because Tang Yao wants to standardize the company's internal game development process, since one day other staff members will inevitably come up with ideas...

On the other hand, the demo can also help Tang Yao verify whether the core mechanics of the game are interesting and whether they are attractive enough to players in this world. At the same time, it can also help her discover technical difficulties, such as whether the engine supports certain functions.

At the same time, you can also use the DEMO to quantify the production efficiency of art assets and estimate the overall resource requirements of the project.

Still necessary.

The meeting is over.

But Si Jinliang and the others' enthusiasm did not diminish at all; they were still discussing the new game proposed by Tang Yao when they left.

unknown.

I thought Avalon was a traditional game company... Who would have thought that this rising star in the mobile game industry would have all its core staff discussing a PC game?

Tang Yao stayed behind until everyone else had left. Then she looked at Li Xue, who hadn't left either, sat down next to her, and said softly, "Miss Li, it seems we chose the right game."

"...This is all thanks to you."

Li Xue flipped through the proposal in her hand, then looked at Tang Yao's fair profile and said with some emotion, "A 2D side-scrolling beat 'em up online game that inherits the features of many console and arcade 2D fighting games... I don't know how you came up with this idea. Did you play arcade games when you were a kid?"

"..."

Tang Yao smiled brightly at her but did not answer.

Not really.

She used to play DNF (Dungeon Fighter Online) every night when she was little...

Unfortunately, that was in a past life.

Speaking of which, I really miss those days...

"By the way, how are the preparations going for the single-player game development and publishing studios?"

Tang Yao didn't dwell too much on her memories of her past life, mainly because as she became more accustomed to her current body and identity, many memories... became blurred.

I don't know if it's due to my physical condition.

Anyway, she now lives most of the time based on the memories of this world.

"Preparations are almost complete, but the person in charge hasn't been decided yet."

Li Xue replied, "There are a few candidates, but I don't think any of them are quite suitable... and the suitable ones need to stay in Avalon and can't leave at all."

"There's no need to rush."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yao thought for a moment and replied, "I can temporarily take on the role. Let's temporarily reassign some staff to get the studio up and running. By the way... we need people who are interested in FPS games or have relevant experience."

Avalon expanded rapidly.

But it also brought some trouble.

We don't have enough staff.

“I’ll take on the role. You’ve already taken on enough responsibility. Avalon’s game is on track, and I’ve had a bit more free time. I’ll find a suitable person to take charge as soon as possible.”

Li Xue gently shook her head, then, without waiting for Tang Yao's reply, changed the subject, asking, "Are you planning to make an FPS game?"

Tang Yao didn't rush to argue with her, but chuckled and said, "That's right, after all, it's guns, cars, and sports... the three-piece set from Europe and America."

"So what type of FPS are you planning to play?"

Li Xue was a little curious. Although she rarely played games, she had a general idea of ​​what FPS games were.

What type of FPS will Tang Yao come up with?
She was very interested.

"Ah."

Tang Yao thought for a moment, then pulled out the project proposal that hadn't been mentioned earlier and handed it to Li Xue: "...a horror shooting game with a zombie theme. I also wrote a project proposal for this game. You'll see once you've read it."

"...?"

Zombies?

fear?
Shooting games?
Li Xue sized up the elegant and stunningly beautiful girl in front of her... Does this girl even resemble you?
That's prejudice.

Tang Yao was used to it. When she noticed Li Xue staring at her, she knew what Li Xue was thinking and gave her a light glare.

Li Xue chuckled softly, ceasing her teasing of Tang Yao. Instead, she looked down at the proposal and whispered, "A path to survival?"

"Ah."

Tang Yao nodded: "Let's make a demo for this game too, and test it out first."

This game was a rather unique one among the shooting games Tang Yao had played in her previous life.

The game's main selling point is online zombie fighting.

It's a very clichéd theme.

However, this game can be said to have taken this clichéd theme to an extreme. Whether it's the gameplay, the game map, the shooting feel, or the atmosphere of team cooperation, it's all top-notch.

Every time I see this game...

It makes people marvel that Valve is truly an amazing game company.

of course.

Tang Yao had other considerations when she chose to make this game.

We still need to verify this.

"I understand……"

Li Xue glanced at the proposal briefly, and after seeing the zombie illustrations, she immediately closed it and looked at Tang Yao with a complicated expression: "I will arrange for staff to form a demo team. Now let's talk about the upcoming trip."

"Travel."

Tang Yao didn't notice Li Xue's unusual behavior; upon hearing this, she only showed a subtle expression.

……

Early July.

The entire mobile game market has exploded.

All sorts of random mobile games started popping up like mushrooms after rain.

of course.

There won't be any games released so soon; it's mainly promotional videos and concept videos.

But that's still quite exaggerated.

All the major game companies say they're making mobile games.

All of a sudden.

Mobile games have become the hottest concept in the gaming industry.

But what they didn't know was that Avalon, which sparked this trend, did the opposite.

Inside Avalon.

Two small teams were quietly formed.

But they didn't make mobile games, but PC games and single-player games!

Meanwhile, Avalon's two newly established DEMO verification teams were gearing up to showcase their skills.

The culprit behind all this, Avalon's beautiful boss... appeared at the airport, ready to slack off for a while.

"This is Li Xue, Miss Li."

"This is Tang Xun, my sister."

Terminal building.

Although there are many people coming and going, there is no shortage of glamorous women.

But when the Tang sisters and Li Xue stood together, they still attracted a lot of attention.

no way.

It really looks good!

Tang Yao was used to it... Ignoring those gazes, she began to introduce Li Xue and Tang Xun to each other.

After listening to the introduction.

Tang Xun stood close to her sister, subtly observing Li Xue.

As for Li Xue... Li Xue's expression was extremely complicated as she looked at the two sisters in front of her.

and so……

Who is the younger sister?

(End of this chapter)