Following Secretary Chu to the CEO's office.

Upon entering, he saw Little Nezha frowning intently at the computer screen, seemingly deep in thought while carefully examining something.

After nodding at Gu Sheng, Chu Qingzhou closed the door and left.

Gu Sheng walked into the office: "What invitation has you looking so serious?"

Little Nezha turned around with a solemn expression:

"I don't know."

Gu Sheng nearly tripped over his own feet.

"You don't know but you're looking so serious?!"

"Exactly because I don't know that I'm looking seriously!"

"Ok fine~"

Gu Sheng spread his hands in defeat:

"So what have you figured out then?"

"Are you dumb," Shen Miaomiao glanced at Gu Sheng: "If I'd figured it out, would I have called you here?"

I...

Gu Sheng realized Little Nezha was getting better at shutting people down, though he didn't know who she learned it from.

"Here, take a look,"

Shen Miaomiao turned the screen toward Gu Sheng while muttering to herself:

"Seems like some developer conference? But didn't we already attend one? Aren't those held every four years? Did they change the schedule? CDEA didn't notify us."

Developer conference?

Gu Sheng stepped forward to examine it.

After a moment, he spoke:

"Because this... isn't under CDEA's jurisdiction."

Indeed!

On the computer screen was an invitation from IDC and UBM for the "Game Developers Conference (GDC)"!

Due to Golden Wind's remarkable achievements over the past year.

The organizers were exceptionally inviting Golden Wind to participate!

Moreover!

[The grandeur and tragedy of Titanfall left deep impressions, Silent Hill PT's narrative structure was refreshingly innovative, and Escape's pacing was absolutely masterful]

[Therefore, we sincerely invite Mr. SamGu to present an analysis and speech on "The Future Development Prospects and Shaping Methods of Cinematic Games"]

[We believe your company's unique approach to game presentation will greatly enrich this conference]

[While also bringing new inspiration for global gaming advancement]

[We await your response]

—Game Developers Conference (GDC)

"See, it is a developer conference,"

Shen Miaomiao pointed at the signature:

"Haven't we attended this before? Why another one?"

At this!

Gu Sheng chuckled: "Because they're completely different things,"

"The one we attended before was called the 'Asian Esports Game Developers Conference', abbreviated as AEGDC,"

"An Asia-focused event mainly for esports game development,"

"But what you're seeing now—"

As he spoke.

Gu Sheng pointed at the invitation on screen:

"This is called the 'Game Developers Conference', abbreviated as GDC,"

"An exchange event without competitive elements, more focused on communication and promotion,"

"And—"

"It's global."

Global!

Gu Sheng emphasized these three words.

His eyes gleamed brilliantly!

A personal invitation from GDC!

This carried tremendous weight!

Gu Sheng was quite familiar with GDC.

This conference existed in his previous life, usually held around May-June in Los Angeles, aiming to unite top global developers and companies to share insights about industry technological advancements and conceptual innovations.

Of course, some uniquely innovative new game announcements would also be released during the event.

Perhaps not as hyped as the four major global game expos.

But with its professionalism, it could definitely be considered one of the world's most influential gaming events.

However.

Different from his previous life.

In this world, GDC's direct invitations usually went to top-tier global gaming giants or developers.

The organizers had requirements regarding company scale.

And judging by Golden Wind's current scale, not yet having entered the Billion Club, they seemingly shouldn't qualify for an invitation.

Yet!

With works like Titanfall, PT, To the Moon, and currently trending Escape under their belt, their influence was remarkably outstanding!

Thus!

GDC chose to break convention and extend an exceptional invitation!

Regarding this!

Gu Sheng couldn't help but feel excited.

After all!

So far, although Golden Wind had produced quite a few games.

The events they'd attended were few, mostly domestic-focused.

Like Yiyou's indie game festival, CDEA's media expo.

The only major event could be considered AEGDC.

But!

Even AEGDC's influence was primarily Asia-centric.

While GDC was an international exchange conference!

If they confirmed participation, GDC would become Golden Wind's first-ever global gaming exchange event!

A crucial step from domestic to international!

Moreover!

If they could shine at GDC, gaining widespread attention from the industry and global players, they could start planning to enter the four major global game expos!

Thinking this!

Gu Sheng's mind raced, quickly reorganizing development plans!

Originally, without GDC, he planned to press their advantage, delivering a direct blow to Komera, teaching them to write Chinese.

But now, with GDC's invitation.

He could use this opportunity to first establish a solid foothold in international gaming circles.

Then use GDC as a launch pad to naturally participate in the next Higashitsu Gaming Festival, standing properly on the same stage as Komera, fighting fair and square under global spotlight!!!

Indeed!

Theoretically, as long as you're not completely terrible, you could apply for the four major global game expos.

But simply applying wasn't what Gu Sheng wanted.

He didn't want to stand in some corner like a nobody like during that CDEA media event.

He wanted an official pass, a proper stage, a chance to showcase Golden Wind's charm to the world!

And GDC was the pass to enter that stage!

This time, they wouldn't just attend upon invitation—they'd seize the moment to create an innovative project!

"...So this event is that significant huh."

After Gu Sheng's explanation, Shen Miaomiao finally understood—

This was a small step for Golden Wind, but a giant leap into international markets.

Regarding further expanding influence and raising company scale and reputation, Shen Miaomiao had no objections.

Because higher company scale meant more investment funds they could utilize.

Currently, among their games, Titanfall was the most expensive at 170 million yuan, roughly 25 million USD.

And this still fell far short of the industry's so-called '3S' blockbusters.

After all, the industry defined '3S' as 'S-tier cost', 'S-tier scale', 'S-tier quality'.

The only S-tier standard Titanfall met was quality.

Meaning they still had much room for growth cost-wise.

As for influence, Shen Miaomiao actually didn't want more.

Because greater influence meant more players, and more players meant more game sales.

But there was no helping it.

As the company grew, influence would inevitably increase—the two were directly proportional.

So Shen Miaomiao could only hope Old Gu would someday lose his mind and pull a Komera move.

Reportedly, Silent Hill only sold about 50,000 copies on launch day. Even if Komera performed miracles selling 50k daily, that'd only be 350k copies weekly, 9.8 million USD.

Compared to the 67 million USD cost, a whopping 57.2 million USD loss!

If this were my project...

Tsk tsk.

I could get 4 billion in rebates.

Not just financial freedom for life with yachts, I could even burn seven or eight real yachts as burial offerings when I die.

So enviable.

But!

She could only envy, since the director couldn't be replaced—she was stuck with Old Gu.

"Then... should we prepare a project for the conference?"

Since they'd decided to attend!

They should consider what game project to prepare!

After all, Old Gu took this GDC very seriously, even calling it their 'foothold in international markets'.

So this time, they needed not just to attend and give speeches, but also leverage this chance to release a corresponding game.

Only then could this GDC trip maximize exposure and impact, earning them sufficient prestige.

Thus!

The choice of game theme and format became extremely important.

This was a new project.

Shen Miaomiao wouldn't interfere much and would fully support Old Gu, ensuring the project's success.

Because only with project success could she initiate sub-projects and inherit the loss ratios from the main project.

[Main earns, sub loses]

This was Shen Miaomiao's current project strategy.

"Right, what game should we make?"

Hearing this, Gu Sheng also sat on the sofa, crossing his arms in deep thought.

Sometimes, too many choices could be troublesome.

Thanks to Escape, his emotion points were currently plentiful, allowing many game unlocks.

Gu Sheng had never fought such a wealthy battle before, momentarily feeling overwhelmed.

"The Future Development Prospects and Shaping Methods of Cinematic Games"

Undoubtedly.

Titanfall's tragic heroic ending and To the Moon's twist-filled touching script left deep impressions on the organizers and caused quite a stir in gaming circles.

Thus, for this GDC, their showcased work must relate to 'cinematic games'.

"Cinematic games... what should we make?"

Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes, mentally browsing through countless games—

The ingeniously scripted, red spirit-filled "Invisible Guardian"?

No, while the script was good, gameplay was its weakness.

The entirely 2.40:1 cinematic aspect ratio-presented "The Order: 1886"?

No, this game was criticized for its overly mediocre gameplay.

Then how about "Detroit: Become Human"?

A decent choice, with both storytelling and visuals being textbook interactive movies.

But this art form was still too avant-garde for this world.

And gameplay-wise, Detroit was even worse than The Order, being purely an interactive movie.

So the question arose!

Was there no game combining cinematic narrative artistry with refreshingly innovative gameplay?

Of course there was!

The famous next-gen standard 3A blockbuster—"The Last of Us"!

And its ultimate psychopathic sequel "The Last of Us Part II: Golf Club Edition!" (the suffix being Gu Sheng's joke)

Bundle both! Absolutely world-shaking!

But I don't have enough emotion points!

Goddammit.

Frustrating.

Gu Sheng covered his face, deep in thought, casually asking Little Nezha:

"By the way, our theme is cinematic games—you're best at drawing inspiration from movies, right? Give me some ideas?"

"Huh? Me?"

Hearing this, Shen Miaomiao shrank her neck.

Thinking please don't put me on the spot.

Back then I was just spouting nonsense purely to slack off together, how could you remember until now.

But she couldn't say this to Gu Sheng's face!

So Shen Miaomiao could only awkwardly mumble:

"Ah... well... I haven't... watched many movies recently,"

"But I think... uh... since this project is so important..."

"Maybe we could draw inspiration from classic films...?"

Shen Miaomiao spoke cautiously.

But Gu Sheng seemed interested: "Like what?"

"Like... like..."

While hesitating, Shen Miaomiao opened IMDB—a professional film rating site.

Scrolling up the rankings:

"Like Lord of the Rings?"

Gu Sheng shook his head: "Need to negotiate copyrights, not ideal."

"Forrest Gump?"

"Inspirational films hardly translate well into games."

"Fight Club?"

"Conflict scope is too limited, hard to form effective game scripts, unsuitable for gameplay innovation."

"Then nothing's left, next is the site's #1 film,"

Shen Miaomiao shrugged:

"The Shawshank Redemption, this film's even less game-worthy, we can't have players tediously digging tunnels, right?"

Shen Miaomiao pouted, feeling these classics seemed too distant from games with little reference value.

Yet!

The next second, Gu Sheng said: "Great idea!"

Shen Miaomiao: ?

"What great idea?" Shen Miaomiao was confused: "How is this great? You want players to dig tunnels?"

Wait?

Are you actually mentally ill?

Other games have protagonists like what?

Lone heroes! Top athletes! Super racers!

Our game protagonist is... a prisoner?

One plotting to escape prison no less?

Isn't this game concept way too grim?

Shen Miaomiao's head was full of question marks!

But Gu Sheng's eyes sparkled brilliantly! (one was swollen)

"Locking players in prison, making them plan escapes—this idea's fantastic!"

Gu Sheng clapped repeatedly:

"Good! Great! Excellent! Let's do this!"

Huh???

Shen Miaomiao stared dumbfounded, heart trembling!

Oh no!

He's really becoming the warden!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com