My game is depressing worldwide.

Chapter 122 Cao Nuo's Feast at Hongmen

Research and Development Building.

The Asylum Studio.

A call came into Chen Xuan's phone from Cui Manzhou.

"I have to admit, when I first saw that interview, I thought you were a bit naive and arrogant. Now I realize I was wrong. Young people's thinking is terrifying; they are bold and creative."

As a teacher, I feel ashamed. I need to re-download Dark Souls and play it properly, even though it's not my area of ​​expertise. So, I'll have to ask you, the creator, for help with anything I don't understand.

Also, let's have lunch together tomorrow. My father plans to invite you to give a presentation at the Game Association's semi-annual meeting on the design of Dark Souls, to share your experience with others.

Chen Xuan's lips twitched in a forced smile: "...Okay, Teacher Cui, see you tomorrow."

"Okay, then you go ahead and get busy."

hang up.

Chen Xuan turned to look at the post on the screen, gritting his teeth in anger.

The irritable gaming enthusiast.

I don't know how irritable you are, but I am very irritable right now.

Do you need to meddle in other people's business?!

This whole thing is a mess.

You need to get the red temperature, you need to break through the defenses!

This can't go on like this. What's the difference between this and being a masochist?

Why are you enjoying it?

Originally, once the Dark Souls video was released, its reputation would naturally recover, resulting in both high sales and positive reviews, and its critical acclaim would be just right.

The post was published around 4 or 5 a.m. two days ago.

No wonder, since the afternoon before yesterday, the speed of collecting defense points has slowed down significantly, and today there are even fewer.

It's all your fault!!

"Oh no, what I feared most has come true. Will the players really become masochists?" Chen Xuan worriedly asked. "System, could we discuss collecting some kind of 'excitement points' or something?"

This function is not currently available in this system; please do not attempt to use it.

Why..

Chen Xuan was completely numb.

This is terrifying!

Even in that interview in the Chinese gaming news report, you can see some kind of irony, dry humor, and other inexplicable stuff.

Something is wrong!

I'm just a copycat game developer, why would I want to think about those things?

But let me think about it again.

It seems that it was precisely because of his self-deprecating humor and admission that he enjoyed torturing gamers that this article went viral, which then led to the viral article by "Raging Gamer".

This article has even been jokingly referred to by some players as a real-world "Fire Ritual Site".

and so.

Is the pot mine?

Chen Xuan felt helpless; who could he reason with?

"It was an accident, it must have been an accident." Chen Xuan stood up and walked outside.

Originally, the plan was to let the studio take a break for a while.

But now it seems we need to get busy.

The rate at which Dark Souls is collecting armor penetration is far slower than expected, and the production of new projects must begin immediately.

However, Chen Xuan had just arrived at the work area.

"Here it comes!"

"President Chen is out! Hurry, where's the stuff?"

What's going on?

Before Chen Xuan could figure out what was going on...

Snapped!

Fireworks exploded, sending red and gold confetti and ribbons soaring into the sky before slowly falling back down.

"Mr. Chen!! Our first AAA game has had a perfect start!"

"The players finally understand our good intentions!"

Sun Zhirui said smugly, "Boss, they still didn't believe me when I explained your deeper meaning to them. It took me a lot of talking."

"That's a good explanation. No need to explain anymore."

"I know! From now on, everyone will have absolute faith in your creativity and design abilities, boss, and will execute your plans without any doubt!" Sun Zhirui said simply.

The design plan for the new project, Monster Hunter: World, has been revised, and several rounds of brainstorming have been conducted.

When it was first seen, many people did not understand it.

What kind of operation is this?

I don't understand!

This design aims to make the game unchallenging for skilled players, while subjecting novice players to excruciating defeat, and spawning rare monsters only for casual players who don't log in frequently.

Isn't that courting death?

Doesn't this design make everyone frustrated and unhappy?

What is the significance?

But now, the example of Dark Souls proves it.

The boss is right!

Sun Zhirui thought firmly, "If you don't understand or don't get it, it's because you're not good enough."

Why doesn't the boss explain?

Because we're too stupid to understand, explaining it is useless.

So, just do your job honestly.

When the game is released, people will naturally realize the brilliance of this design.

Looking at Sun Zhirui's expression, Chen Xuan's throat tightened.

The advantage is that I no longer need to make up lies to fool the studio members.

But I can't seem to feel happy.

I really am.

thank you all.

Chen Xuan took a deep breath and said with a straight face, "I know everyone must be very happy, but we don't have much time to waste. The development of the new project is about to begin."

"It should have started long ago!"

"I can't wait, what kind of extraordinary design will they come up with this time?"

"Boss, get ready to work overtime! Give me a good whack!"

The formal project approval meeting will be held tomorrow.

After informing him of this, Chen Xuan returned to his office with a heavy heart.

I had just sat down when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Chen Xuan glanced at the person who had come in, somewhat surprised.

Cao Nuo?

"What's wrong? Didn't the finance department reimburse you for your business trip allowance?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Nuo shook his head repeatedly and said, "No, no, it's reimbursed. Boss, there's something else I need to be honest with you about."

Tell me about it.

"Didn't our true identities get discovered when we went to Zheng Yanbin's class the other day?" Cao Nuo looked a little nervous. "My uncle called today and said that Zheng Yanbin... invited me to dinner."

Have a meal?

The Feast at Hongmen?

For an average backend developer, or simply a programmer?

Is this really necessary?

Chen Xuan thought for a moment and asked, "What exactly did your uncle say?"

"They asked me what our new project was, and I only gave them a general idea of ​​the type. Then they said Zheng Yanbin wanted to treat me to dinner, saying he had a lot of experience in developing this type of game and had some techniques he wanted to teach me." Cao Nuo's voice suddenly rose a little. "Of course I refused! But I think it's necessary for the boss to know about this."

Is this a special treatment they're giving us?

In the novel, this means getting three taps on the head and then going to learn the Seventy-Two Transformations in the middle of the night.

Would a maternal uncle harm his nephew?

Obviously not.

Let Cao Nuo learn Zheng Yanbin's secret technique of making players' defenses crumble with every move, and then use it in their own game.

Isn't this perfect?

Chen Xuan is increasingly feeling this way now.

This really depends on talent.

Chen Xuan racked his brains, even increasing the difficulty of Dark Souls to this extent, but it still didn't work.

An interview, an article.

They've basically turned the players into masochists, making them scream that they want to be tortured, they're practically screaming that the Fire Keeper is stepping on them.

Harbin people.

"No, you not only have to eat this meal, but you also have to watch closely and learn diligently." Chen Xuan looked at him like he was looking at a trusted advisor. "Learn from the barbarians to subdue them; you must apply everything Zheng Yanbin has learned in his life to this new project!"

Cao Nuo was dumbfounded.

This isn't what I expected.

Is that correct?

"But boss, Zheng Yanbin's heart is dirty. Can his ideas or designs really be used?"

Don't talk about that.

That makes me angry.

If we had had a key advisor like Zheng Yanbin earlier, would Dark Souls have failed?

Chen Xuan shook his head: "Don't judge a book by its cover. I'm human, not a god. I also need to learn. My designs may have flaws, and I need to learn from others' strengths."

Cao Nuo was filled with awe.

Although some questions remain, recalling Sun Zhirui's advice—"Don't be a genius, you'll understand everything once the game is released"—it's perfectly fine to not understand the boss.

"Yes, boss! I'll definitely complete the mission! I'll bring back all the good stuff Zheng Yanbin has inside!"

Don't say it so disgustingly...

Chen Xuan inwardly scoffed, then nodded and said, "But remember, don't mention that I sent you. When is the dinner?"

"Tomorrow at noon," Cao Nuo answered honestly.

Tomorrow?

Chen Xuan frowned.

Tomorrow, his mentor Cui Manzhou invited him to dinner to discuss courses on various aspects of Dark Souls design. He has also been invited by the Game Committee to give a lecture to planners, designers, and producers nationwide.

"I also have things to do tomorrow, but remember, no matter what Zheng Yanbin says, believe him! Write it down and use it in our project."

The following day at noon.

Jinhe Lancheng.

The elevator was ascending at a steady speed.

Cao Nuo glanced at the fruit and milk in his hand, took a deep breath, and faced death with a resolute determination.

"I suppose Liu Bang, thousands of years ago, felt the same way at this time?"

Family dinner!

These days, it's no longer the era when people had to stay home to entertain guests because of scarcity of resources and lack of money to treat others to meals.

On the contrary, people with good and close relationships will host banquets at home.

However, the closer they seemed, the more uneasy Cao Nuo felt.

Shortly after, the elevator doors slowly opened.

Cao Nuo walked a few steps toward the open door, feeling as if he was about to step through the fog and meet the BOSS.

Hearing the sound at the door, Uncle came out from the inner room and laughed, "You're here? What are you doing bringing things? Is General Manager Zheng giving you a lecture because you want some fruit and milk?"

"We can't be impolite. It wouldn't look good to come empty-handed, would it?" Cao Nuo smiled somewhat awkwardly and put the things down.

Just then, Zheng Yanbin, wearing an apron, came out of the kitchen and asked, puzzled, "Xiao Cao, what are you doing carrying that backpack?"

"I'm afraid I won't remember some things, so I plan to make some notes."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yanbin and his uncle exchanged glances, both seeing the joy on each other's faces.

Taking notes, it seems the bluff worked!

This young man is really naive and easy to fool.

Zheng Yanbin nodded in satisfaction and casually took off his apron: "Since that's the case, there's still some time before the food is ready. Your sister-in-law can manage, so let's chat first."

The two sat down on the sofa in the living room, and Cao Nuo opened his laptop, looking eager to learn.

"Xiao Cao, tell me about your new project first. Teaching with examples will be more effective."

Cao Nuo hesitated for a second.

Projects under development are all confidential, and the development team must sign confidentiality agreements.

But thinking back to Chen Xuan's original words—"If Zheng Yanbin asks about the new project, tell him not to hold back, and it would be best to let him give some suggestions on the game himself."

What can we do if the boss says so?

Cao Nuo suddenly had a feeling that he was a double agent.

"Our new project is called Monster Hunter: World, and it's a..." After explaining everything in detail, Cao Nuo tentatively asked, "President Zheng, do you have any related opinions or suggestions? I still have some say in the company, and they are very likely to adopt my suggestions. Moreover, President Chen has given us a lot of authority for this project, and we can change the design direction he has set."

Of course, Chen Xuan also made him say the second half of the sentence.

Cao Nuo's presence is mostly minimal; he's the kind of person who works diligently and quietly.

Zheng Yanbin nodded, his expression serious: "The problem is huge; we're missing a very important system."

Cao Nuo's expression turned serious. He placed his hands on the keyboard and asked, "What's missing, General Manager Zheng? Please speak."

"ELO system!"

"Okay, EL...0?"

'

Cao Nuo had just typed two letters when he looked up in shock. "Wait, what is this??"

""