To ascend, I had no choice but to create games

Chapter 12 - 12 The Difficult Game of Love_1

Chapter 12: Chapter 12 The Difficult Game of Love_1

At first glance, it was clear that the newcomer wasn't fond of talking.

The young man had a rather delicate appearance but was quite skinny, his clothes hanging loose as if he were a kite. If he jumped from the fifth floor, he surely wouldn't die and might even pull off a cobra turn in mid-air.

Having taken the notebook from the other person, Fang Cheng read for a while and then felt something was off.

There was nothing wrong with what the newcomer said, but it was different from what he had in mind.

For example, regarding Towards Death and Life, Fang Cheng hoped to see how the newcomer might uncover why the element of "horror" in the game was lacking, but the newcomer was instead asking for improved route fluidity.

It was the same for The Forest's Second Son. The newcomer didn't explain why it failed, only discussing various shortcomings, which differed from the effect Fang Cheng was looking for.

However, Fang Cheng still saw something in the newcomer's notes regardless: passion.

The newcomer was obviously a gamer with a fervent love for games, and having such a person by his side would be somewhat helpful for his own game research.

So, he nodded at the newcomer and then asked, "How may I address you?"

"Xiao Du, but you can call me Xiao Douzi," Xiao Du said.

Then, gathering his courage, he softly said, "Although I provided so many suggestions, Towards Death and Life is my favorite game. I really like all the details in it, especially the obsession with leaving something behind in the universe after a civilization's demise. I particularly love that. So, I wanted to ask, how did you come up with those concepts?"

"I don't know, it just grew on its own."

Fang Cheng was simply honest, but it made Xiao Du even more excited.

Looking at Fang Cheng with shining eyes and excitement, Xiao Du said, "I understand now! You mean that a game needs to listen to the voice inside, not just rigidly stick to certain meanings?"

"I think you're reading too much into it. Nevermind that, have you signed the contract? Have the wages been discussed?"

Although Xiao Du kept insisting he didn't need it, because he still had savings from previous part-time jobs, and his recent video earnings were quite good, enough for a while.

But Fang Cheng had already etched the concept of "no owing wages" deep into his heart, even believing that a good horse should be well fed. So, he decisively offered him a salary of 12,000 a month.

Having given Xiao Du the entry gifts, Fang Cheng took out a USB drive and said to Xiao Du, "This is the game I've been developing recently, I'm planning to call it Dungeon. Could you help me test it?"

And unlike his speedy playthroughs showcased in his videos, Xiao Douzi was now playing cautiously.

Xiao Douzi spent nearly eight hours on the first dungeon, remaining focused throughout, not even going to the restroom once.

He ignored the takeout food brought by Xu Qingling, just staring fixedly at the screen.

Only after finishing the first dungeon, having searched every detail and rescued the first ghost form princess, did he set down the controller, remove his glasses, tears escaping his eyes in that moment.

"This game is beautiful, it really moved me."

"Really?" asked Fang Cheng eagerly, "What was fun about it?"

"The monster models and mechanics, all kinds of realistic feedback to reality, a highly random equipment system, and the unequalled feeling of mowing down enemies after the equipment set is complete. I dare say, this is the best pigeon-cutting game I've played this year."

Fang Cheng was happy with the first part, but the second part felt off.

Pointing to the character on the screen who was embracing the ghost princess, Fang Cheng couldn't help asking, "Why do you think I included this princess?"

With bright eyes, Xiao Douzi began talking nonstop, "The princess's existence is a positive feedback after clearing the game, and her characteristics could even change many mechanics of the game. The only downside so far is that it doesn't bring the crucial feeling of resource scarcity found in pigeon-type games. No worries, though, I'll make adjustments."

Interrupting, Fang Cheng asked, "What position did you come to apply for again?"

"Gameplay balancing! I'm a graduate student from Peking University Mathematics Department. Mathematics is as natural to me as breathing, and I will definitely adjust the numbers in this game to the best they can be. Believe in me."

"But, I wanted to make a romance game."

Xiao Douzi looked at Fang Cheng, sighing subtly.

Meanwhile, Xu Qingling took the opportunity to pull Fang Cheng aside and pointed at a certain Q&A on the screen, saying, "Boss, look at this question."

When Fang Cheng looked, he saw it was "How would you evaluate Fang Cheng's poor game genre classification?"

Answers were few, but everyone agreed that Fang Cheng's way of classifying games could only be described as tragic.

Suppressing the impulse to curse everyone with a voodoo doll, Fang Cheng had to sit aside and ponder why he had failed this time.

Love games, they're so hard to make.