Rebirth 08: Can a mobile game company also build a tech empire?

Chapter 103 Recruiting

He is obsessed with games that require high difficulty and precise operation.

They believe that true satisfaction comes from overcoming the most difficult challenges in a game.

This concept ultimately led to the creation of "Super Meat Boy".

This is a game centered around high difficulty and platforming.

According to the original timeline, this game will be released next year.

It was a great success as soon as it was launched.

Sales exceeded one million units.

It became a milestone in the history of indie games.

But Edmund's true peak was 2011's The Binding of Isaac.

This game incorporates elements such as randomly generated levels and a dark fairy tale narrative.

A roguelike game that combines various elements.

It has completely changed the possibilities of game design.

The Binding of Isaac was not only a huge commercial success.

The entire series has sold over 3000 million units.

Furthermore, in terms of artistry and intellectual depth, it has reached a level that many AAA masterpieces cannot match.

It is hailed as one of the greatest works in the history of indie games.

Now, in June 2009.

Edmund Macmillan stood in front of Lu Chen.

He is still a young developer working on Super Meat Boy.

"Edmund Macmillan?"

Lu Chen took the initiative to extend his hand.

The young man looked at Lu Chen in surprise.

Do you know me?

"Author of GISH, winner of the 2005 IGF Seyumas McNally Award."

Lu Chen smiled.

"I really liked that game; the feeling of controlling a blob of slime was unique."

Edmund's eyes lit up.

"real?

That game actually has many shortcomings.

"But the idea is fantastic."

Lu Chen said sincerely.

"I'm surprised to meet you here. Are you here at E3 looking for inspiration?"

I guess so.

Edmund nodded.

"Tommy and I encountered some bottlenecks in the development of Super Meat Boy, and I wanted to look at other games for inspiration. I didn't expect that your game would give me such a great shock."

He looked at Wilson, who was scratching his head on the screen.

"Survival pressures, resource management, psychological systems—these designs are both complex and elegant, and the fact that you've achieved such a smooth experience on a mobile phone is remarkable."

Lu Chen keenly noticed the longing in Edmund's eyes.

That's when a creator sees an excellent work.

A complex mix of admiration and eagerness to try.

"Would you like to chat?"

Lu Chen suggested.

"About game design, about the future."

Edmund hesitated for a moment.

I looked around at the crowded people.

"Now? You all seem very busy."

"It's okay to let Jiang Chang and Susie handle it for a while."

Lu Chen turned to Wu Zhixuan.

"Old Wu, want to come along?"

The three of them squeezed through the crowd and arrived at the relatively quiet rest area of ​​the exhibition hall.

Lu Chen ordered three coffees and got straight to the point.

"Edmund, what are your thoughts on highly difficult and challenging game design?"

This question clearly struck a chord with Edmund.

He immediately sat up straight.

"I think this is one of the most essential charms of games. The biggest difference between video games and other art forms lies in interactivity. True interactivity means choice, risk, and reward. If a game is too easy, players won't really get involved. The sense of accomplishment is unparalleled when they face real challenges and overcome them through their own efforts."

Edmund's eyes gleamed.

"We want to make a game that players will want to keep trying even after failing dozens or hundreds of times. Every death is not a punishment, but a learning process. When you finally overcome a challenge, the joy is something that no other form of entertainment can provide."

Lu Chen slowly sipped his coffee.

Edmund finished speaking before slowly opening his mouth.

"What if I told you we're designing a game that takes this concept to the extreme?"

Edmund looked at him curiously.

"This game will not have any difficulty options, only one mode, the very hard mode."

Lu Chen said calmly.

"It won't have clear mission guidance. Players need to piece together the truth of the world and the direction to move forward from environmental details, item descriptions, and NPC snippets of conversation. Its combat system will be extremely rigorous. Every enemy requires observation, learning, and repeated attempts to defeat. Death is not failure, but the core mechanism of the game. Every death will make you understand the world better and get closer to victory."

Edmund's breathing became rapid.

Is this true?

"certainly!"

Lu Chen continued his description: "Imagine a vast, three-dimensional dark fantasy world, without map markers, without quest logs, only the weapons in your hands and the ever-appearing powerful enemies. You explore, you die, you learn, you improve, and when you finally defeat that seemingly invincible BOSS—"

"That sense of accomplishment would be epic."

Edmund continued.

My mind was completely consumed by excitement.

Lu Chen nodded.

"This game is called Dark Souls, and our new company, Voyager, is preparing to develop it."

Edmund remained silent.

I looked down at the coffee cup in my hand.

He understood the hidden meaning in Lu Chen's words.

This is an attempt to recruit him.

Let him participate in the production of the new game.

Seeing that Edmund remained silent, Lu Chen added, "Edmund, we are building a top-notch AAA game development team in Los Angeles. Dark Souls needs the best designers, especially those who understand the core concept of challenge and achievement. I know you have that potential."

"but----"

Edmund raised his head, a hint of struggle in his eyes.

"I'm used to being in control of everything, developing independently, or working in a small team. Will I lose my creative freedom if I join a large company?"

This is the biggest concern for all independent developers.

Lu Chen put down his coffee cup and looked directly into Edmund's eyes.

"Voyager is not a traditional large company. We will maintain a small team working style, and each project team has a high degree of autonomy. More importantly, I promise you two things."

"First, if you join, you will serve as one of the game designers for Dark Souls, directly involved in core design decisions, and your name will appear at the very top of the credits."

"Secondly, after completing the major development work of Dark Souls, you can lead your own small team to make any game you want. The company will provide funding and technical support, but will not interfere with your creative freedom. As long as you can complete the game in your heart, the company will support you to the end!"

Edmund's breathing slowly became heavy.

Such conditions.

It would be too tempting for any independent developer.

"Why me?"

Edmund asked.

"I'm just an unknown independent developer."

"Because I see your potential."

Lu Chen said sincerely.

"The success of GISH has proven your game development ability, and your passion for challenging games is exactly what Dark Souls needs. I believe that together we can create a work that will shake the entire game industry."

After Lu Chen finished speaking,

A long silence followed.

The noise from the exhibition hall came from afar.

Only the occasional chatter of other people in the rest area could be heard around us.