novelODS Chapter 17: Meat Pigeons and Dungeons, The Bond of Isaac!
Chapter 17: Meat Pigeons and Dungeons, The Bond of Isaac!
Shen Huaizhou had written about game development in his previous life.
They are all too familiar with the tricks of the trade.
Tencent and NetEase have almost become the main villains in these game-related articles. Don't ask why, the answer is that logic doesn't matter.
Now, writing is much easier and makes the following content flow even more smoothly.
This is the second game featuring the protagonist, Xiao Chunan.
We need to have more time to prepare, since Getting Over It is the first game to be released.
It appeared in the first chapter.
Therefore, we already need to start focusing on the design of this second game.
For example, the game's background, character design, and various settings by the investors.
After writing so much, Shen Huaizhou himself began to think of himself as a genius game designer.
Putting everything else aside, how could a big company possibly notice an indie game that has only sold tens of thousands of copies?
Even if it was Tencent in its past life, or Black Dragon Entertainment in this life, they wouldn't be this stupid.
A game that sells tens of thousands of copies only earns a few hundred thousand.
It's not even as much as their monthly salary.
The real big game companies are much more complex and murky inside.
"So, this is the game we're planning to make this time."
"Isaac!"
"The full name is *The Binding of Isaac*!"
"This is a roguelike dungeon crawler game, a style of gameplay that hasn't appeared on the market before!"
Inside the Insomnia Game Studio's meeting room, the three founders and several of the studio's artists, planners, and operations staff sat together.
They were reviewing the handwritten proposal that Shen Huaizhou had just submitted.
Roguelike game?
This is indeed a game that has not yet appeared in the current game market of Donghuang, or even the world.
Judging from this project alone, the design concept is very complex.
It's at least much more complex than an indie game like Getting Over It.
After listening to Shen Huaizhou's introduction of this brand-new plan and project.
Su Jianxue's eyes lit up!
"It seems our CEO Shen already has a plan, doesn't he?"
"When are you going to release the demo so we can try it out?"
In Su Jianxue's opinion, it was astonishing that Shen Huaizhou, with his seemingly lazy personality, would actually stay up all night to write out the project proposal.
This is simply unbelievable.
Little did they know, this project was directly obtained by Shen Huaizhou using popularity points.
Write?
That's impossible to write now. I'll be writing all night, and after that, I'll have to argue with my fans online.
Writing novels and project proposals at the same time? Exhausting!
"However, Lao Shen, how do you play this game..."
Shen Huaizhou calmly began his introduction:
"First of all, this game is a roguelike game. As for what roguelike is, I'll explain it to you later."
"I expect this game to be a long-term game, which means that, as I mentioned in the project, in addition to the base game, DLC versions will also be released."
"Unlike other platformer games, this game focuses not on level design, but on the discovery of items."
"For example, the system mentioned in the plan, which involves selling blood bags, gold coins, beggar babies, and lottery machines."
"If players just give us a little more love, it'll be like having unlimited keys, unlimited bombs, and unlimited cards."
Isaac.
The most amazing thing about this game is its item system.
This is what makes it different from other roguelike games.
When I played it myself back then, I was amazed by its incredible quality.
The item system makes many players unconsciously summarize and organize their thoughts.
After a while, I found some props and information, and then played for a few more hours.
Time passed quickly.
After Shen Huaizhou briefly outlined the project proposal, the entire meeting room fell silent.
Regarding the controls of this game...
They had never heard of it before.
Su Jianxue and Chen Qingshan stared at their friend with utter bewilderment.
no--
What's wrong with your brain?
"Let me give you a brief introduction to pigeons."
Shen Huaizhou looked at the two bewildered eyes, forcibly suppressed the corners of his mouth, and then simply said:
"Roguelike games are also called 'meat pigeon games'."
This means that the map, or dungeon, for each game is randomly generated.
"You only get one chance per game..."
"Hehe..."
When Shen Huaizhou uttered that "heh," the expressions of the people present were startled, and they instantly understood!
This is yet another game that tortures players, isn't it?
"Huaizhou, you again..."
"What do you mean 'again'? I'm just bringing fun to the players, okay? Ah Xue, don't slander me out of thin air."
Shen Huaizhou's words silenced Su Jianxue.
Chen Qingshan quietly gave a thumbs up.
Brothers!
Only you can make Lao Su obediently stop talking.
After Shen Huaizhou finished explaining the details of the plan, the entire conference room was a bit stunned.
A large number of props, a simple indie game, and a roguelike dungeon setting.
How are these three elements combined?
The fact that each level is randomly generated is especially frustrating.
"Mr. Shen...you..."
"Is it really possible to do it?"
Also, the setting of only having one life in a level, holy crap, that's hell!
Are you sure this isn't the second game to torture players since Getting Over It?
Looking around the conference room, everyone turned their heads to look at him.
Shen Huaizhou gave an awkward laugh.
"cough!"
"Da Chen, we'll probably need to hire more people if we're really planning to keep making DLC content."
Then, he turned his gaze to Su Jianxue: "Ah Xue~"
"How is it? This game..."
Clap clap clap clap! The entire conference room erupted in applause.
Several industry leaders, designers, artists, and others were stunned for a full few seconds.
"Great! That's fantastic!"
"Since our first game was also abstract, let's keep going with abstract games!"
"There's no need to rush the publicity and distribution, because multiple platforms have already contacted us about 'Getting Over It'."
"It's just a matter of manpower."
All eyes turned to Chen Qingshan, the tycoon in charge of water dispensers, who also now works in the company's HR department.
Upon hearing this, Chen Qingshan nodded.
"I'll confess, I'll confess right now."
"Old Shen, you really need to make this game reliable, or we might not survive the year."
It takes time for a game to go from a planning stage to the actual game.
Although we already have the demo, code, art, and resources.
He handed these things over to his men to make.
From now on, I can just focus on writing.
Novels are like new brides; if you don't update them, the readers won't be affectionate with you anymore.
My book was at least in the top three of the new book charts.
The new bride hasn't even enjoyed herself yet, is she already going to file for divorce?
That won't do!