Chapter 173: Next Time, For Sure!
The Game Expo lasted four days, just like last year. Unlike last year's fierce competition, with Aether Games and NetDragon showcasing their latest VR blockbusters, the only major release that players were eagerly looking forward to at this year's Game Expo was the announcement of Dark Souls: First Flame.
But that wasn't the most talked-about event. What surprised many game developers and media outlets was how similar this year's expo felt to last year's.
Last year, the two VR blockbusters from Aether Games and NetDragon should have been the highlight of the expo. Instead, they were overshadowed by Nebula Games' Fall Guys and Three Kingdoms Tactics. This year, it was almost assumed that Nebula Games' new Dark Souls game would be the biggest announcement of the first day. But what no one expected was that Nebula Games would only bring a promotional trailer for Dark Souls: First Flame to this year's expo.
It was a simple hammer game that captured everyone's attention at the expo. While playing it yourself is incredibly frustrating, watching others play it is a completely different experience.
Furthermore, the game was already available on the Nebula game platform on the same day as the expo. In just a few days, thanks to its performance at the expo and media coverage, this free, ad-free game became a classic on major streaming and video platforms.
It's not that the game was as popular as Fall Guys was at the time; it's just that its popularity skyrocketed.
On streaming platforms, almost from the second day of the expo, this simple game called Hammer Ascension became an instant hit. At first, it was the streamers' fans who flooded their feeds, asking their favorite streamers to download and play it.
This piqued the curiosity of many streamers, who instantly understood their fans' intentions. And when a game has many streamers broadcasting it on a live streaming platform, it's natural for more to join in.
For a while, the entire live streaming platform was filled with the screams and cries of various streamers. By clicking on any live streaming room where someone is playing, you can see the liveliest atmosphere.
"My dear viewers, everyone says this mallet-hitting game is very difficult, but today I want to tell you that nothing is difficult if you put your mind to it. If we persevere, we will undoubtedly gain something."
"What? You say I can't beat it?".
"Impossible, don't worry, I will undoubtedly beat it."
In a live streaming room, a streamer who was playing said seriously: "The most important thing about playing Hammer is mastering the right amount of force. As the saying goes, a big hammer is worth eighty, a small one forty. This refers not only to the hammer itself, but also to the force with which it is applied."
"So you can't rush in this game. See? Isn't it very easy to go up?".
"Don't rush at all. The goal of this game is to break the player's mindset. If that mindset is broken, the game will be impossible to complete."
"So we have to have a positive mindset. Dear viewers, watch this play. Don't rush! Hold on and push hard! Ahhh!". "It's okay... It's okay. Don't rush. Keep the mindset. Play with a smile." "One or two mistakes are normal, right? Can't we just go back up?".
"Remember my words. Play with a positive mindset. Play with a smile." "Just a moment! Let's go! Ahhh...".
After all, streamers from the main streaming rooms are playing it, which has sparked the interest of many players. And this type of game seems very simple. It seems that it could be just as difficult with the right hand.
"Isn't it a mallet-brandishing game?".
"I want to try it!".
This is a common belief among players, who believe they are definitely better than the streamers. Many streamers probably just act silly to put on a show, but the game is not really that difficult.
Besides, it's free, so there's nothing to worry about. Consider it a bonus with no refunds.
So, even though they know it's an amazing game, players still flock to it.
However, after downloading it to their computers and playing for twelve minutes, accompanied by incredibly appropriate background music, almost 90% simply leave a comment: "Screw this clam! Get off my computer!" and delete the game furiously.
Many players give it the lowest possible score, with simple comments like "I'm an idiot!" and a string of "*******", demonstrating their genuine emotions.
Of course, some players also leave five-star reviews in the hope of misleading more people.
"This game is hilarious! I've been playing it non-stop and now my blood pressure is low and my mood is stable. But there's something I want to ask everyone: I'm very grateful to Alex. This game has brought back the joy of my childhood, so I would like to ask where Alex lives. I'd love to visit him and thank him!".
"It's a simple, fun game that gives me a lot of joy. I really hope more people can enjoy this joy. It's so helpful! My son always loves to play instead of studying, so I downloaded the Hammer Ascension game for him and told him to solve a problem every time he fell. Now he's been admitted to Peking University or Tsinghua University!".
"Thanks to Alex. I've always wanted to buy a new mouse, but I've always been reluctant. Now this game has finally made it possible! Anyway, I have to stop using my old mouse."
Alex, from the Nebula Games office, was delighted with the various interesting comments. Although it was released for free, it was not included in the system's point statistics. But that didn't matter much. After all, even if this type of game were free, there wouldn't be many players who would actually play it, much less with a paid purchase model.
For Alex, simply letting the players experience the fun of this game was enough to achieve his goal.
And it was not without benefits; at least, driven by the popularity of the game, the Nebula game platform also attracted a sudden increase in traffic.
Only the misunderstanding of these players towards him was deepening!.
Alex sighed with emotion as he watched the players online rescue the interview that Game Time conducted with Alex after the launch of It Takes Two. The report highlighted keywords such as "touching" and "nurturing the love for players."
Then, the players discreetly posted images of Silent Hill PT and Hammer Ascension.
Countless players filled the comment section with complaints, asking: "Is this the love that you, Alex, feel for your players?".
Alex sighed as he saw the comments online. Then, discreetly, he opened his official blog and published a long message.
"Actually, Hammer Ascension is not a game that simply makes you lose your mind."
"It's true that its setting is too malicious, but it's not impossible to complete. Some players lose their minds and leave the game, but there are also players who, after suffering and crying, return to brandish the hammer and start from scratch."
"Think about it, isn't this like life? Every time we brandish the hammer, it's like making a decision. There are no regrets, only lessons, and we can only move forward, walking the unknown path."
"In this process, we can experience failures, setbacks, or even lose all our previous efforts."
"But, just like in the game, we don't have saved files. Even if we fall from a height and end up covered in bruises, we can only shake off the dust and go back up."
"Aren't the characters in the game the same as us in real life?".
"So, are you willing to try again? Overcome those difficulties, whether in reality or in the game?".
Countless players were stunned by the publication of Alex's official blog.
'So this game is also deeply philosophical?'.
Although it seems reasonable, countless players have expressed their belief in Alex's lies!. Especially the last sentence: "Are you willing to try?".
'Is there even a response?'.
Countless players consulted Alex's official blog and silently wrote four words in the comment section: "Next time, for sure!".
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