Game Development: Starting with Recreating the Anime Game Style

Chapter 89 Using One's Own Spear Against One's Own Shield [Bonus Chapter for Smooth Plot]

Using one's own spear against one's own shield—that was Chu Chen's plan.

Although the story of FGO 2.0 has been controversial, overall, the opening of the 2.0 version's story is truly stunning.

Especially the world of blank paper, which is indeed a very "romantic" and grand worldview, and in this project proposal, Chu Chen directly used several original drafts to showcase it.

"This proposal is very special..."

Takashi Takeuchi put down the script. Although he said he didn't participate in the writing for Type-Moon, that didn't mean he didn't understand the script.

On the contrary, from the moment he saw Chu Chen's script, he felt a strong sense of familiarity.

However, there are some differences in the details, but overall, the script is still very much in the style of Type-Moon.

Of course, besides the script.

Chu Chen's concept art in the project proposal surprised Takeuchi Takashi quite a bit.

Two of them are directly drawn UI images and battle effect illustrations.

Taking the battle illustration as an example, on the left side of the image stands a monster, while on the right side are three figures. The figures are clearly Saber, Jeanne d'Arc, and Rin Tohsaka.

Its scale is approximately 1:0.9, somewhat similar to the battle illustrations in FGO.

Although they are all depicted as small figures, the details are amazing. Clothes, hair, weapons, and even expressions are all depicted with great finesse. The art style is consistent and the quality is extremely high.

Below them, there was a row of skill cards and a familiar Command Seal symbol.

Takashi Takeuchi's breathing involuntarily slowed down.

The level of detail is incredible; this is not just a simple concept sketch, but more like a screenshot of the game in actual gameplay.

He could even imagine how these little figures would move and attack smoothly in the scene. Further down, there was a concept art diagram of Saber's Noble Phantasm "Excalibur" skill effects.

The image does not show the final, completed light cannon effect; instead, it breaks down the entire special effect into its components.

The light particles that overflow when the sword gathers magic power, the cracks in the ground when it is charged, the dynamic trajectory when the light bursts out, and the impact on the environment when it is finally released.

These storyboards also allowed Takashi Takeuchi to feel the designer's ultimate pursuit of visual expressiveness.

After reading this, let's reflect on the current situation of FGO.

Whether it's the UI, the combat system, or the character art, the difference between the two is like night and day. It feels like there's at least a five-year technological gap between them.

Takashi Takeuchi's fingers gently caressed the paper, a powerful shock welling up inside him.

However, after the initial shock, practical considerations followed.

He slowly put down the proposal, a complex expression on his face, which eventually turned into a sigh of regret.

"The script for this project is very interesting, and the visuals are even more... impressive."

Takashi Takeuchi raised his head and looked at Chu Chen, his tone filled with obvious admiration, but followed by a tone of helplessness.

"But unfortunately, we probably still can't work together. It would have been better if you had come a few days earlier."

Takashi Takeuchi was absolutely right.

If Chu Chen had arrived a few days earlier, and Zhuang Si hadn't offered any concessions, he might have actually chosen Chu Chen.

But for now, FGO is still making money, and once the cooperation agreement is signed, he will receive the money immediately next month.

However, if they choose to cooperate with Chu Chen, it's hard to say whether Zhuang Si will continue to negotiate revenue sharing with them. Moreover, it will be at least a year before Chu Chen's game is launched.

In addition, although Chu Chen's proposal is quite good, who can guarantee that it will make money as soon as it goes online?
"Really? That's such a pity."

"It seems we have no choice but to operate independently. Shiokawa, go back and make some minor changes, and prepare for the marketing campaign." This was unexpected by Takeuchi Takashi.

After listening to his words, Chu Chen didn't say much, just exchanged a few polite greetings, and then made a move to pack his things and leave.

"and many more!"

Takashi Takeuchi shouted it out almost instinctively.

"You...you're still going to launch your game as normal?"

He was a little dazed.

This is not how things work! If they didn't get the rights to FATE, shouldn't they just give up on the project, or at least be disappointed and try again?

How did they suddenly become "operating independently" and "preparing for promotion and marketing"?

Chu Chen seemed oblivious to the subtext in Takeuchi Takashi's words, instead displaying a composed expression as he held up several "game screenshot examples" that Song Yueying had finished drawing that morning, which she had completed just two days prior.

Without blushing or skipping a beat, he spoke very naturally.

"Of course it will be launched. We've had this game in development internally for a long time, and the basic content is already done. It will be launched in six months at most."

"But don't worry, Mr. Takeuchi, we are a legitimate company and we will not do anything like plagiarism. We will modify all the character illustrations and characters, and we will also make original adjustments to the storyline to ensure that we are clearly distinguished from the FATE series."

Chu Chen spoke with absolute certainty.

This time, Takashi Takeuchi was truly stunned.

He had no doubt whatsoever that Chu Chen was lying, because the proposal was so well done that, in fact, Chu Chen's words made the proposal seem more plausible.

But the more this was the case, the more instinctively he felt something was wrong.

Modify? Adjust? Makes it sound so easy!

He could truly feel the core of this project proposal, that "Type-Moon vibe," even though he didn't know which copywriter Chu Chen had hired.

But this person is clearly an author who can write with the feel of Fate.

Like Gen Urobuchi's Fate/Zero, he is someone who can write with feeling.

With a script like this, even if you change Saber to some other knight king, or change Rin Tohsaka's hair and eye color, can you easily change the essence of her being?
More importantly, although Chu Chen's words sounded nice.

It's obvious that they're starting from scratch. Judging from the proposal, this is definitely a project that will compete head-on with "FGO".

If the other party's game goes live, will it have any impact on FGO?
At first, he subconsciously felt that the impact would be minimal.

After all, the core of Fate is the world view and character charm jointly built by Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi. Players are fans of Saber, Jeanne d'Arc, and those unique Heroic Spirits.

But... really not?

It's important to know that at that time, FGO's reputation was far from good; in fact, it was quite poor. The Pegasus Shoji was a real thing in Japan.

Even Takashi Takeuchi himself occasionally receives complaints about FGO on social media.

In this situation, if the other party can actually make the game that is in the project plan, and then launch a new game with a 9800 yen 100-pull system, will FGO really not be affected?

Bet or not?
The more Takashi Takeuchi thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.

If I authorize him, I can get the money; but if I don't authorize him, he'll try to steal my money!
no! Absolutely not!
"Um, President Chen, please don't leave yet!"

"This...this is a very important matter. How about I call Nasu-kun over so we can discuss it further, really discuss it?"

(End of this chapter)