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

Chapter 104 Choice

Edmund Macmillan held a cup of coffee that had gone slightly cold.

At this moment, I was extremely conflicted.

Two voices were clashing fiercely in his mind.

A voice is saying: "Stay independent and finish 'Super Meat Boy,' this is your and Tommy's hard work, don't let big companies hold you back."

Another voice whispered: "This is such a rare opportunity. The design philosophy of Dark Souls fits you so well, and they have also promised creative freedom."

Lu Chen didn't urge him, but waited quietly.

He knew that for a true creator...

This decision takes time.

This is not just about a job or a project.

It's more about a shift in his entire creative career.

A few minutes later, he raised his head, his eyes becoming resolute.

"I'm joining."

He spoke those three words softly.

Yet it carries with it a resolute determination.

A sincere smile appeared on Lu Chen's face as he extended his hand.

"Welcome to Voyager, Edmund. You won't regret this decision."

"I hope so."

Edmund grasped Lu Chen's hand.

"But I need some time to wrap up 'Super Meat Boy.' Tommy and I have already put so much effort into it, and I don't want to give up halfway."

"sure."

Lu Chen readily agreed.

"Voyager's first project, Metro 2033, also requires preparation time. You can finish your own game first, while participating in the early concept design of Dark Souls. We need designers like you who understand the challenges of games."

Edmund breathed a sigh of relief.

They were clearly grateful for Lu Chen's flexible arrangements.

However, Edmund's tone then became serious.

"However, I must make it clear in advance that my working style may not be in line with your requirements. I don't like long meetings, nor am I good at writing complicated progress reports. I will only focus on making the game well."

Lu Chen nodded with a smile.

"This is exactly what we want. Voyager won't restrict creators with the rules and regulations of a traditional company. What we want are works that can truly amaze players!"

Lu Chen paused for a moment, then continued, "Then it's settled!"

We look forward to you leading Dark Souls to an even brighter future!

Edmund nodded, quite moved.

"Thank you for your recognition, Lu. To be honest, before I met you, I always thought that people in big companies didn't understand what real game design was."

"Perhaps many people really don't understand."

Lu Chen smiled.

"But I want to be the exception."

After discussing some more details...

Edmund left his contact information and got up to leave.

"Then I'll take my leave now. I'll contact you after the exhibition."

I watched Edmund's figure disappear into the crowd.

Wu Zhixuan then asked, "Boss Lu, if I may be frank, although Edmund has won an IGF award, he is, after all, just an independent developer. We are making a AAA game, and we need someone with experience in large-scale projects. Why do you value him so much, and are even willing to give him such lenient terms?"

Lu Chen did not answer immediately.

Instead, he gazed in the direction Edmund had left, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

After a moment, Lu Chen countered with, "Old Wu, what do you think is the most crucial element of a successful game?"

Wu Zhixuan thought for a moment.

"Technology? Graphics? Or gameplay?"

"It is the soul."

Lu Chen said softly.

"Technology will become outdated, and graphics will be surpassed, but only a unique soul can make a game memorable for ten, twenty years or even longer, and Edmund Macmillan's games have this soul."

He continued, "Edmund understands what a real challenge is and what a real sense of accomplishment is, and what Dark Souls aims to do is take that concept to the extreme."

Lu Chen patted Wu Zhixuan on the shoulder.

"Old Wu, believe me, with Edmund joining us, our Dark Souls is already halfway to success. Some people's talent cannot be measured by their resumes!"

Wu Zhixuan nodded thoughtfully.

Although I don't fully understand it yet.

But he trusted Lu Chen's judgment.

After all, from Angry Birds to Conquer Online 1.

Lu Chen's judgment has never been wrong!

Back at the booth, the sight before them surprised both of them.

In front of the already crowded 9-square-meter booth.

At this moment, at least thirty or forty people had gathered.

The line circled the aisle twice.

It even affected the passage of visitors to the adjacent booths.

Jiang Chang and Su Xi were extremely busy.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Please keep order! Only ten people can try it at a time!"

"Here's a brochure; one per person!"

"Sorry, we're almost out of keychains!"

"Mr. Lu, you're finally back!"

Jiang Chang felt as if he had been granted a pardon upon seeing the two of them.

"There are too many people, we simply can't handle it all!"

Lu Chen immediately joined in.

Wu Zhixuan also started helping to guide the queue.

Over the next few hours.

The booth of Journey Technology remained extremely popular.

The unique art style and survival gameplay of "Famine" have attracted a large number of players.

Minecraft, on the other hand, keeps players who love to create coming back for more.

The Journey 1 mobile phone itself has also become the focus of attention.

Many people have shown great interest in this beautifully designed and smoothly running Android phone.

By 1 p.m., the number of people at the booth had dwindled considerably.

Lu Chen handed the booth over to Wu Zhixuan and Jiang Chang.

I decided to check out the other booths.

"I'm going to take a look around and catch up on industry trends."

He said to Susie.

"You stay here and help out, and keep an eye out for any other media outlets coming over."

"Yes, Mr. Lu."

He walked through the crowded corridor and first arrived at the South Wing.

The South Hall is the core area of ​​this year's E3.

The booths here are significantly larger than those in the West Hall.

Microsoft's enormous booth occupied the most prominent position.

As Lu Chen approached, he saw a line of nearly a hundred people in the Project Natal demonstration area.

Staff members guide participants to stand in front of the camera.

Control the virtual character on the screen using body movements.

Lu Chen observed for a few minutes.

From a technical point of view

Project Nata's camera motion capture solution is truly impressive.

However, the delay issue is also obvious.

There is a delay of approximately 0.3 seconds between the player's actions and the screen response.

For actual gameplay.

This could be a fatal problem.

He turned and walked toward Sega's booth.

Sega's booth featured an interior display area surrounded by an outer wall with a rounded shape.

A classic Sonic figure poses for photos with players in the exhibition area.

Sega's main game this time is a Winter Olympics-themed game developed in collaboration with Nintendo.

EA's booth was dominated by Need for Speed: Shift and the Battlefield series.

Several huge screens continuously played game trailers.

Scenes of explosions and chases alternate.

The powerful sound effects echoed throughout the exhibition hall.

Ubisoft's booth design was very distinctive.

It was set up in the Italian style of the Renaissance period from Assassin's Creed I.

The staff were dressed in medieval costumes.

There were even acrobats performing.

In the trailer, Ezio leaps and bounds across the rooftops of Florence.

The fluid parkour moves drew gasps of admiration.

Lu Chen paused briefly at each booth.

Carefully observe the games showcased, the players' reactions, and the promotional strategies of each company.

He could sense that the gaming industry was at a turning point in 2009.

High-definition images have become standard.

Motion-sensing interaction has become a hot topic pursued by major companies.

However, the potential of mobile games has not yet been recognized by most people.