Started as a comics editor

Chapter 283 This is not exactly the same

The popularity of FGO hasn't completely faded yet.

Many players are still discussing related topics.

From this point on, the game FGO can be said to have truly followed the trajectory of Tang Yao's previous life.

However, within Avalon, this version of the game will end here. They will certainly continue to generate buzz, but the game department's focus has shifted.

That's why it was in such a hurry.

This is partly because winter break is about to begin, and partly because all the content for the new version has already been released, and the next batch of new content will take some time to complete.

This is one of the drawbacks of online games.

Players' ability to consume content always outpaces the creators' ability to produce new content.

Therefore, without new content, it's best to let players gradually consume and discuss the existing content; there's really no need to cling to the miracles created in this version.

I have the time and energy for that.

It would be better to focus on making the next version better.

For example, the next expansion for Hearthstone will be Karazhan, Gadgetzan, and the Old Gods, while the next expansion for FGO will be 1.7.

Overall, Avalon doesn't lack content; it lacks time.

of course.

Actually, the most important reason is not these... but that after Avalon Game Assistant was released, it was bombarded by new versions of Dungeon Fighter Online, Hearthstone, and FGO, and its user base and popularity have reached a new peak.

foreseeable.

As players gradually learn and consume all the games, some will inevitably abandon the platform.

There's no doubt about that; it's impossible for players to stay completely engaged.

Tang Yao was also very clear about this.

So she wanted to launch the new game as quickly as possible, not to prevent player churn... but to filter out as many target players as possible when the user base was at its peak, so that they would stay and become the seeds for the transformation of the entire Avalon platform.

This way, the huge popularity that has been painstakingly gathered won't be wasted.

These past few days, Avalon has been busy preparing for the launch of Undertale.

The content already released in FGO has to take a backseat.

In the president's office, Li Xue placed a detailed publicity schedule in front of Tang Yao.

"The final testing and optimization of Undertale has been completed. The project team is very confident, and the publicity and distribution work is already underway."

Li Xue's voice was clear and capable, completely unlike her demeanor when she was talking about intimate details in the bedroom a while ago: "Three days later, Avalon Game Assistant will release the first trailer, but you said that the 8-bit pixel art style is probably not enough to attract players, so the main purpose is to use the platform's size to inform users that there is such a game."

Incidentally, it highlights its revolutionary RPG concept and core mechanism where choices lead to different endings, maintaining an air of mystery and avoiding spoilers for key characters and plot branches.

"And a week later, the game will be officially available exclusively on Avalon Game Assistant."

Tang Yao carefully reviewed the schedule, then slightly raised her snow-white chin: "What about the pricing strategy?"

“Si Jinliang also suggested taking a more accessible approach,” Li Xue replied. “Considering the game’s size, its indie game positioning, and our intention to promote the Avalon game assistant channel, the initial price is… this number.”

She wrote a number on the paper.

25.

Tang Yao glanced at it, thought for a moment, and nodded: "Okay, our goal is not to make quick money with it, but to use it to broaden players' understanding of the 'possibilities of games' and attract more independent developers to our platform. Tell Si Jinliang to set the price according to this."

"clear."

Li Xue made a note of it, then asked softly, "Do you want to see the trailer?"

"Have them send me the final version; I'll go through it myself."

Tang Yao thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "Although the promotional video isn't that important, this is our first new game after FGO, and the style is so different. We must ensure that the message we convey is accurate and catchy, without deviating from the core spirit of the game."

“Okay, I’ll arrange it right away.” Li Xue agreed and turned to go inform them.

……

Three days later, in the evening.

Avalon Game Assistant, featuring a brand-new game icon and an officially certified promotional video, was pinned to the top of the feed for all users.

[Avalon's exclusive new title, with a script written by a third-rate author, Undertale revealed for the first time!]

The sheer size and popularity of Avalon Game Assistant right now... is truly terrifying.

The moment the promotional video was released, its views skyrocketed.

After all, Avalon, a new game, a third-rate teacher... these words combined are just too eye-catching.

Especially at a time when the popularity of FGO Chapter 6 has not completely dissipated.

Ok.

A third-rate teacher has once again stepped forward to lend his support.

no way.

The 8-bit pixel art style of Undertale makes watching it and playing it completely different things. In order to increase its appeal and maximize the use of the platform's huge player base, Tang Yao ultimately chose to let the name take the blame.

Anyway, since it wasn't her who came forward, it's normal for the mysterious third-rate teacher to do whatever she wants.

As long as the box isn't opened...

The effect of a third-rate teacher stepping forward to endorse a product or service was indeed quite good.

The promotional video did receive a lot of attention.

only.

This new game is slightly different from what players expected...

The trailer is short but packed with information. The pixel-art style of the strange underground world is full of the rustic charm of hand-drawn art. The fast-paced combat scenes showcase the unique bullet hell gameplay, with dense attack trajectories that are dazzling. Several distinct and unique characters make a fleeting appearance, and the final shot freezes on the game's title screen, accompanied by an ethereal and slightly melancholic piano melody.

how to say.

Like home computers from the 80s and early 90s, these computers adopted an 8-bit pixel style due to limitations in graphics technology, which is truly full of nostalgia.

In an instant, it awakened many players' carefree childhood memories, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia and nostalgia.

That's right.

This doesn't seem like a new game from Avalon.

Although Avalon has shed its label as a mobile game developer with the release of "Dungeon Fighter Online," most players still associate the company with online games.

Moreover, most players wouldn't have expected Avalon to undergo a transformation.

After all, they haven't failed in online games yet! Only a madman would switch to this field!

This has led to many players being quite surprised by Avalon's new game.

What followed, and even more surprising information, was revealed.

PC version, buy-to-play model, a revolutionary RPG... which means it's still an RPG.

Wow.

curious.

The first thought that comes to most players is this—curiosity!
Why did Avalon suddenly make this kind of game?
What is the purpose of this?
Make money?
But this game is only priced at 25 yuan. It doesn't seem like it makes as much money as online games, right? Even if it sells a million copies, any single gacha banner in FGO would make more money than that, wouldn't it?

So how do you build a reputation?

Avalon's online games have a good reputation... Although they mainly make service-based online games, they always maintain high quality and quantity, and everyone is quite happy.

So... is it because of the desire to express oneself?

Below the promotional video, in the comments section.

"That's a bit of a surprise. I thought the new game would be a preview of a new FGO event or a new Hearthstone expansion... but it turns out to be a pixel-art single-player game?"

"Yeah, that's strange. And the game isn't even priced high, only 25 yuan... Even if it sells a million copies, it probably won't make a lot of money, right?"

"A third-rate teacher is in charge of the script; is this game just a product of someone's desire to express themselves?"

"Expressive desire? Maybe. It feels like Avalon, or rather, a third-rate developer, wants to tell a different story through this game? Not just to make money? After all, the pricing and style don't seem like they're aiming for a blockbuster hit."

"So... what exactly is the status of a third-rate teacher within Avalon?"

"Boss! (Seriously)"

"Who would believe that?! A beautiful young female boss? You must be living in a dream?"

"This pixel art style looks so familiar! And the combat system is fresh too! For a third-rate artist and this creative idea, I'll buy it for 25 yuan!"

"Released in a week? That's fast! It feels a bit strange, but I'll give it a try when it comes out." "Although the promotional video wasn't very appealing, the 'third-rate teacher' is quite attractive. I'll give it a try when it comes out."

"+1"

"..."

In general.

Just as Tang Yao and her team had anticipated, the comments section was filled with a mix of surprise, curiosity, and anticipation (except for the comments about the third-rate teacher).

Many players were surprised by Avalon's sudden release of such a unique indie game with a different style, business model, and low price.

This is because it stands in stark contrast to Avalon's previous successful online game models.

However, for players accustomed to exquisite character illustrations and special effects, Undertale lacks visual impact and is not very appealing.

However, the fact that a third-rate teacher was in charge of the script became the most powerful attraction in the promotion, successfully attracting a group of core fans and story lovers, and also becoming one of the biggest reasons why many players were willing to try it, offsetting some of the disadvantages of the art style.

After all, as I said before, the popularity of FGO hasn't completely faded yet.

And the price of this game is indeed not high.

Despite the doubts, the low price, the reputation of the third-rate teachers, the novelty, and the upcoming winter break all combined to generate a high willingness to try it.

Many players expressed their willingness to buy the product, thinking things like "it's only 25 yuan, I won't lose out," "I support innovation," and "what if it's fun?"

And that's enough.

Avalon's sudden change may be too difficult for players to accept.

For example, if they directly present high-caliber, expensive titles like "Outlast" or "Left 4 Dead," it might lead to a situation where Avalon is being unrealistic and questioning whether they can actually deliver.

But Undertale, which is inexpensive and small in scale, is different.

A lower price means more players will be willing to try it.

A small size can dispel a lot of doubts.

As long as we can get off to a good start.

I just want to get off to a good start, even if sales are just average, as long as I build a good reputation.

Avalon's transformation was then largely successful.

Tang Yao started praying... oops, Tang Yao started looking forward to it.

And at the same time.

Avalon's new move has also attracted widespread attention in the industry.

Most of their peers didn't even think deeply about what Avalon was doing; they just breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally! They've finally stopped releasing new online games! They've finally stopped bombarding us with new content!
And other game developers no longer need to be the control group for Avalon!
The desire for self-expression is great! Buy-to-play games are great!
I hope they can keep offering buyout contracts in the future!

all of a sudden.

The entire industry warmly welcomed it, and it was full of vitality and joy.

A week is neither a long nor a short time.

soon.

The time slipped away quietly as players, whether out of curiosity, observation, or a relaxed mindset that 25 yuan was a bargain, or simply because they thought it wouldn't hurt to buy something for that price.

The release date for Undertale is here!

It was just an ordinary day.

Without a barrage of advertisements or a grand pre-release event, Undertale quietly launched on Friday night at 8 PM, leveraging the natural attention brought by Avalon's massive user base.

Many people don't realize that this day... is the day when the title of 'Great Demon King Avalon' will be born!

Pengcheng.

"It really brings back memories."

Friday night, the week's work was over.

Rong Cishan sat in front of the computer, looking at the pixelated game window on the screen, and said with some emotion, "Although I don't know why Avalon suddenly wanted to make this type of game, in this era... it is a rare experience to still see a game like this."

As a veteran player who experienced the old era.

Rong Cishan felt a natural affinity for this kind of game graphics, even though deep down he felt it was rather rudimentary by today's standards...

"A third-rate script, 25 yuan... Consider it buying a piece of nostalgia and supporting Avalon's reckless attempt."

With a relaxed, even slightly scrutinizing, attitude, Rong Cishan clicked "Start".

The game begins with an opening lightning strike.

Ta-da! Ta-da!

Accompanied by classic... very familiar 8-bit sound effects, a pixelated image appears on the screen.

Then, lines of background story began to appear.

Long, long ago, Earth was ruled by two races—humans and monsters.

One day, war broke out between the two races.

After a long war, humanity emerged victorious.

They sealed the monsters underground with a magical spell.

Many years have passed...

"..."

Rong Cishan stared blankly at the scene before him, then exclaimed with a wry smile, "Holy crap! This is way too retro!?"

Isn't this just like the scene from the 8-bit era?
Is this how you make games?
Is Avalon really that daring?
While he was making his complaints, the plot continued to unfold.

It's very, very simple.

Simply put—

A human child ran to a mountain that was rumored to have been climbed by no one ever coming down, then lost his footing at the top and fell into a cave.

Immediately following, the title appeared, followed by a simple tutorial.

The game screen appeared.

The protagonist wakes up surrounded by pixelated flowers.

Rongcishan controls the pixelated, rather cute protagonist as he walks through a long pixelated corridor and enters the door.

I encountered my first NPC.

A cute little flower that can talk.

Then, Xiaohua began to teach the players in front of the screen how to operate the game.

familiar!

It looks so familiar!

It's even a bit childish...

but.

Just as Rongcishan had this idea, he discovered that the game's art style had suddenly changed!
The little flower on the screen suddenly turned ferocious and terrifying. It didn't want to teach, but wanted to kill the protagonist... A small twist occurred.

"Ok?"

Rongcishan was somewhat surprised.

However, I was only slightly surprised.

After all, this is a game for adults... it can't really unfold like the games he played when he was a kid!
Later, a tall woman in a robe with ram's horns, who calls herself Toriel, appears and saves the protagonist from the little flower.

The plot has returned to the familiar rhythm of Eijiroyama—a retro RPG.

"While it is indeed quite cute, it doesn't seem much different from the old RPGs, does it?"

"Killing monsters, gaining EXP, and leveling up seem to have changed the combat style to a bullet hell game...?"

Eijiro controls the protagonist, continuing to advance the game while talking to himself.

Always felt.

This game... isn't as revolutionary as the hype made it out to be.

(End of this chapter)