Chapter 174: No More Love?
As for Alex's supposed confession about the game on the official blog, the players collectively expressed their disbelief at a single word!.
While many media editors shared it, players were not so naive. Even if some believed it and entered the game, a few minutes later, or even more than ten minutes later, accompanied by perfect background music and elegant high-altitude falls, they would understand the true essence of this game.
'Life is a struggle? A lie! Do you believe it?'.
However, despite this groundbreaking game directly breaking the lowest score on the Nebula game platform, even getting a score of 5.1, downloads continued to increase daily and the buzz around it did not cease.
The main reason for this was its immense popularity on streaming and video platforms.
Many players, after suffering abuse, discovered that playing this type of game was incredibly painful. But watching others play is a completely different experience.
Two words: joy!
It is especially satisfying to see the streamer reach crucial points and then, suddenly, fall on their feet, returning to the starting point. It is even more exciting.
In the live streams of this game, comments like these are common:
"Welcome home!".
"He just started over!".
"Play with a smile."
"Where dreams begin."
Countless streamers and video creators experience this game with as much enjoyment as pain. The enjoyment comes from discovering that live streams of this type of game are, in fact, much better. The number of viewers, comments, and even the atmosphere are more harmonious.
When playing other games, mistakes can lead to more aggressive comments in the stream. Comments like "The streamer is a noob!", "This is fatal!", "Spreading rice on the keyboard for the chickens to peck at is better than you!" are common.
But when playing this game, if you make a mistake, the comments in the live stream are incredibly uniform. It's all about bragging, hahaha. After all, everyone is here to see you make a mistake; if not, they'll get pissed off!.
The only real problem is that playing this game can easily cause hypertension. It's too much for a weak heart! Blood pressure medication has become a staple at home.
On various streaming platforms, streamers' emotional breakdowns are broadcast live. The expressions of despair of each streamer who returns to their starting point from different places at the same time attest to the devastating blow they have suffered.
Also influenced by these channels, many new players, after learning about the game, feel curious and are eager to try it. After trying it, they find themselves among the many self-deprecating commentators like "I'm an idiot!".
Some dedicated streamers even cosplayed the tank-shaped sofa and the hammer from Nebula Games at the expo, using their motion sensors to experience the game. It seemed like a fun and cheerful way to enjoy it. Of course, most players and spectators simply thought it was another crazy player.
But not everyone was completely crazy. There were also online speed-running videos. In the fastest video, a player completed the game in just over two minutes. This aroused the admiration of countless people.
'What skill with the hammer! How many times do you have to fall from a mountain of garbage to become so competent? And how short is this game?'.
Of course, for most casual players, just watching is enough.
While Hammer Ascension gains popularity among players, many designers in the video game industry are also bewildered.
"Has anyone paid attention to Alex's game? It's really unreasonable!".
"Yes! This game has nothing special about it. The overall quality is very low, but how did it become popular?".
"That's right. Alex's previous games had excellent plots, excellent levels, or novel gameplay, but this game? It feels very bad everywhere. The only good thing is probably that the background music that has been removed is quite good, right?".
"Yes, I don't understand it either. Its popularity is not even worse than the previous It Takes Two."
"What's weird? What's wrong with this damn game?".
"I've been convinced to quit after playing for ten minutes. I have no idea what's so fun about it!".
"You're on the wrong topic. The actual play rate of this game is very low. It's more of a trial by players and the expansion of its popularity through live streams and videos. However, for low-cost games, whether with a low-price purchase or free advertising, if it manages to have half or even a third of the popularity of this game, it is considered a success."
Many game designers on the forum were discussing, but some also saw the solution.
Games like Sledgehammer can be considered a standard live stream game. A live stream game is one that looks like a real game. In a way, games like It Takes Two, Dark Souls, and Outlast are also considered live stream games.
However, the difference lies in the fundamental gameplay of these games. The supposed entertainment aspect is merely incidental. The content itself is enough to captivate players.
Sledgehammer, on the other hand, is different. The original intention of the game was to allow the creator to experience the pleasure of seeing players suffer. Sadism is the essence. This also makes watching others play these games much more fun than playing them yourself.
After all, you are not the one suffering. That's precisely why they are becoming more and more popular on live streaming platforms.
If players played alone, they would not be able to maintain the experience. However, those who live stream are different. The audience enjoys watching, and those who live stream will continue to play even with a foggy mind and high blood pressure, just to create an attractive spectacle.
This combination of factors has made this seemingly simple game an instant hit. With more people watching it, naturally, some players wanted to experience it for themselves. Of course, the fate of these players was inevitable.
Inside the Nebula Games office, Alex was analyzing the unique features of this game for Eric, Jane, and the others.
"So, Alex, everything you said on the official blog was false!". Jane's attention was completely off-center in the game.
"That's right, Alex, he really just wants to see players tortured!". Lisa looked at Alex with wide eyes.
"Alex, so the Warriors of Love are no longer loved?". Eric couldn't help but rant.
"All right, everyone, get to work! We have to speed up the progress of Dark Souls: First Flame! Our beloved players are still waiting!". Alex coughed twice, changing the subject.
Seeing that everyone was returning to their posts, Alex stretched. The thing about the Warriors of Love no longer mattered, because the misunderstandings and prejudices of the players were deepening!. They didn't believe anything he said, and that hurt him deeply!.
Shaking his head, he sighed to himself. Alex was also confirming some plans for the international version of Dark Souls: First Flame with Stellar Software. With two months until release, according to the current progress, it shouldn't be a problem at all. However, the game's translation, as well as the previous negotiations for promotional channels, still had to be finalized with Stellar Software.
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