Chapter 136: New Mode Launched
Alex had not announced the international sales figures for Dark Souls. However, Stellar Software, to better promote the game, proactively announced the first week's sales figures after consulting with Alex.
This news, as expected, caused a stir in video game industry forums.
"Dark Souls is selling very well abroad! It even seems to be gaining momentum in the United States!"
"It was to be expected. After all, media outlets like GameSpot have already given it such high ratings."
"Yes, it is completely unexpected that a game like Dark Souls, which is out of the ordinary, could achieve such good results!"
"In fact, this is a Western country's game with the best performance abroad this year, right?"
"Not necessarily. Big games from Aether Games and NetDragon are about to launch."
"Although Dark Souls' mode does not break the ARPG framework, the gameplay and concepts are completely different from half of the ARPGs. Do you think Dark Souls' success can be replicated?"
"It doesn't seem impossible. It seems there are quite a few players with masochistic attributes. If it's not just difficult, but reasonably difficult and methodically difficult, I think even if it doesn't achieve the results of Dark Souls, it won't be so bad."
"It makes sense. Apart from Dark Souls, there are no other games of the same type on the market. It looks very promising!"
"While you discuss it, intelligent people are already researching and preparing projects!"
While industry designers focused on whether Souls-like games could become a permanent element of the genre, ordinary players were much simpler, simply happy that their favorite game had achieved excellent results.
And more importantly, with such good results, isn't a sequel a sure thing? Just by mentioning Dark Souls, it is evident that a sequel is a possibility!
"Have you heard? Dark Souls is selling very well abroad!"
"Yes, and it has a very good audience, especially in Europe and the United States! It is very popular!"
"Haha, go to YouTube and see, there are a lot of interesting videos of foreign streamers being tortured."
"Not only is it interesting, but it seems I've felt the thrill of playing Dark Souls again. Unfortunately, my account ran out in the second and third rounds, and I no longer find that feeling of death."
"Brother above, don't be in a hurry to pretend to be a master. Wait until you complete a few more rounds, and then let the monster tear you to shreds and try again."
"But what worries me most is when the sequel will come out. With such good sales, why doesn't Alex release a sequel quickly?" "I'm not worried about it at all. Dark Souls should be able to sell tens of millions of copies worldwide. The key is its launch."
"Do we have to think about it? Maybe Alex has already finished the design concept draft for the Dark Souls sequel and is making all the employees work overtime to develop a new work!"
"Hehehe, Fire Keeper... Hehehe... My Fire Keeper..."
"Hey, man, upstairs, you smell too strong!"
At that moment, Alex was clearly not actively preparing for the sequel, as the players assumed. He was simply loafing around.
Regarding Dark Souls' random mode, Alex had discussed it with Eric, who decided that Eric and his team would be the main ones responsible.
The development of the new mode did not take long, and it was practically finished in less than a week. Most of the work focused on testing, specifically checking whether the random appearances of various bosses in different scenarios would prevent players from continuing.
If it were a Creative Workshop mod, such meticulous testing would not be necessary. If progress stalled, the player could simply quit the game, discard the save file, and start over. However, this mode was officially released by Nebula Games, which means it was part of the game's content.
Therefore, players' gameplay problems were clearly Nebula Games' fault. Therefore, this area still needed to be thoroughly tested before launch.
As for the new mode, players can customize it. For example, they can choose to only get random items, which means the gameplay remains the same as before. Monsters and bosses are still identical, with only the random items that drop upon defeating them.
They can also choose to only change the random enemies that appear. With the exception of certain bosses, such as the Soul of Cinder in the Kiln of the First Flame or High Lord Wolnir in the Catacombs, both enemies and bosses will appear randomly.
It is possible that upon emerging from the Ashes, you will not face a horde of zombies, but a horde of Black Knights, Icy Knights, and Lothric Knights.
Of course, you can also choose to activate both for a satisfying playthrough. This allows you to test whether you are playing European Souls or African Souls.
It was no big deal, like a normal update. Alex announced the launch of the new Dark Souls mode on his official blog. The international version has already been delivered to Stellar Software and will be launched after passing national reviews.
Considering the time difference, the update should be available in about three or four days at most. Alex and Nebula Games' official blog published the text of this update.
At first, players did not pay much attention to it, thinking it was a simple adjustment to some stats and multiplayer modes. But after seeing the update text, many players were a little confused.
'Did this update really add a new mode to Dark Souls?'
"Random mode? What is that update?"
"Hey! It randomizes bosses, monsters, items, and loot!"
"This means that the items on the map and the loot will not be fixed, but random. So, could I start with a Great Dragonslayer Axe in that coffin in the Cemetery of Ashes?"
"Sounds interesting! Starting with equipment that you can only get later, wouldn't that make you invincible?"
"Invincibility? If you're not skilled enough, getting that equipment is worse than nothing. Your stamina runs out quickly and enemy defenses easily deflect your attacks."
"What are you afraid of? Didn't you read the description? You'll get souls at the beginning, and you don't need to level up at the Fire Keeper; you can level up directly at the bonfire. It's obviously designed for lucky people like us!"
"This sounds very interesting!"
With the new mode update, many players enthusiastically opened the update text, ready to see what had been added. After reading it, many Dark Souls players were a little excited.
Many Dark Souls players have already been advancing through the game's upper levels. Especially some expert players, who have already obtained most of the weapons, equipment, and accessories.
In addition to high-level players who continue to relentlessly explore the world of Dark Souls. Some common players who have already completed many rounds of the game are more likely to play another round from time to time or go to PvP to fight with like-minded people.
Or they can act as the Knight of Justice, helping out rookies who are struggling to defeat the boss and fight alongside them.
This update has obviously brought a new experience to many players who were feeling a bit bored. The content remains the same, but the variables of this random game are much greater.
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