"General!"

"Lower officer."

"Another general!"

"Senior general."

"Retreat and attack again!"

"... Hehehe, good moves! The invasion is relentless like fire spreading continuously; truly like a horse galloping proudly in the spring breeze. Today's chess match is fierce."

It was midday on the weekend!

Shen Wanlin pinched a chess piece in his hand, smiled, and shook his head in defeat!

"How could that be? You let me win."

"Ah—"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanlin took a sip of tea and shook his head to indicate that Gu Sheng need not be so humble in front of him:

"Young people should be spirited. If they aren't, can they still be called young?"

"Enough already, Dad,"

Shen Miaomiao walked over carrying fruit and stuffed a piece of cut orange into Shen Wanlin's mouth:

"He’s already spirited enough. Right now, in the domestic gaming industry, even in the entire Asian gaming circle, the most vigorous one is him. If he gets any more vigorous, he’ll be on fire..."

What Shen Miaomiao said was right.

Gu Sheng was indeed too vigorous now—almost literally about to burst into flames!

From the moment he collided with Komera!

Until now, a full month and a half had passed!

The names "Gu Sheng" and "Sam" had hardly ever left the mouths of game media and players!

First, they terrified the horror game circle with the game Escape, securing the throne of the King of Horror, beating Silent Hill so badly it couldn’t even raise its head!

Then, with weekly sales of 1.16 million copies, they exploded the horror game market, directly killing competition and shaking Komera's entire revenue plan for the Higashitsu Gaming Festival!

They even toppled one of Komera’s Big Three—Yamamoto Studio—causing uproar in the industry!

And just at the beginning of this month!

With the announcement of this year's Game Developers Conference invitation list.

Golden Wind and Gu Sheng, who were invited exceptionally, once again became the hottest topics in the circle, with lasting intense heat!

Players were in an uproar, almost like spiritual shareholders, some even more excited than Gu Sheng himself.

Not only was this Golden Wind’s first time attending a global-level gaming conference,

but also because Golden Wind was the only Chinese company bringing a new work to the event!

Yes!

The other three companies—Guangyao, Zhenting, and Nuyan—did not bring any works this time!

First, constrained by GDC’s limitations—

In theory, projects shown at GDC need to have a certain degree of originality and innovation.

This is GDC’s default rule; bringing mediocre works would backfire on publicity.

So even if those three had new projects, they dared not bring them here for fear of repeating Komera’s failure.

Second, naturally because Golden Wind had made a move this time—

Remember!

Guangyao, Zhenting, and Nuyan.

These three big domestic companies had all been 'beaten up' by Golden Wind to some extent!

At the Asia competition, Nuyan’s heavily invested racing game was suppressed, and Gu Sheng won the Golden Crown.

Later, in the new generation motion-sensing pod battle, Zhenting, as one of the 'Three Heroes Fighting Lü Bu,' was also toppled by BT-7274.

As for Guangyao, it was even worse!

It got beaten twice!

Not only did it take a hit when Zhenting was attacked, but it was also hammered earlier by Left 4 Dead!

Therefore!

For this conference, the three major Chinese companies unanimously maintained tacit understanding.

Golden Wind made its move; we won’t add more trouble.

And because of this!

Golden Wind undoubtedly became the only hope of the Chinese delegation!

The hope of the entire village!

Although!

GDC is a non-competitive game exchange gathering.

But according to tradition, at the closing of the conference, media representatives and organizers select a title for the "Most Anticipated Game."

Since its establishment, Chinese games had never won this title!

The closest was six or seven years ago, shortly after motion-sensing pods became popular, when Nuyan was nominated once with Speed Rally.

Under such circumstances!

Chinese players’ expectations for Golden Wind were clearly visible.

"So this time, no plans to continue down the horror game path?"

After hearing Shen Miaomiao’s narration, Shen Wanlin asked:

"Since GDC emphasizes innovation, riding the momentum wouldn’t be the best choice."

Shen Wanlin was too experienced; one sentence clearly pointed out the direction for Gu Sheng.

Special circumstances require special handling. Although from a normal business perspective, striking while the iron is hot definitely benefits profits,

but in this context, it was clearly inappropriate.

"Yes, this time we really need to put horror games aside for now,"

Shen Wanlin said, and Gu Sheng nodded:

"First, because the occasion isn’t suitable; second, because my upcoming horror game development plan faces obstacles."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Shen Wanlin raised his eyebrows slightly:

"What obstacles?"

"Copyright,"

Gu Sheng said:

"The upcoming horror game development involves the rights of an old IP that’s currently in limbo, so before development, I have to find a chance to reclaim the rights."

"I see..."

Hearing Gu Sheng’s words, Shen Wanlin slowly nodded and pondered for a moment:

"Is it difficult?"

"Not very... but not easy either,"

Gu Sheng smiled and thought for a moment before answering:

"Money is a small issue; relationships are the big issue."

"Hmm..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanlin nodded in agreement.

After a moment of silence: "Where there’s a will, there’s a way. When you need it, perhaps fortune will come naturally..."

After finishing speaking!

Shen Wanlin picked up a chess piece and placed it on the board!

Clack!

...

"Five in a row, you’re dead."

On the tablet screen, the black piece was placed, forming five stars in a row, killing the white pieces once again.

United States.

Los Angeles.

International Conference Center, Conference Hall 5.

Today!

Was the third day of the global Game Developers Conference exchange meeting!

Also the time for the 'Asian Game Developer Representatives' keynote speech!

More than 300 multimedia integrated conference seats were now fully occupied!

The stage was equipped with a huge screen and Dolby Atmos surround sound system, dazzling with colorful lights!

Click click!

Camera flashes went off continuously!

The media’s flashbulbs in front of the stage kept firing.

At the back of the conference hall, large professional cameras were set up everywhere.

Top game developers from the five continents gathered together, eagerly awaiting.

At this moment,

Behind the stage curtain, Gu Sheng had just completed a ten-consecutive kill in Gomoku against Little Nezha!

"You’re cheating! You didn’t even notify me!"

Shen Miaomiao was clearly unhappy about being beaten again by Gu Sheng’s Gomoku spree:

"You can’t connect diagonally; diagonal connections don’t count!"

"Hey! That’s a bit too much, don’t you think?"

Gu Sheng was stunned:

"Who’s cheating here? You just changed the rules on the spot!"

"My rules are rules!"

Shen Miaomiao defended with no logic but great spirit:

"How about I get three pieces in advance and go first!"

"Then I might as well just declare you the winner right away!"

Gu Sheng was shocked by Little Nezha’s shamelessness:

"I give you three pieces and you still go first? That’s a sure win. What the hell am I playing for!"

Watching the two bicker while playing Gomoku on tablets,

Chu Qingzhou standing nearby was completely speechless.

Big brother! Big sister!

This is GDC!

We are about to go on stage to give a speech and demonstration!

Are you seriously quarreling about Gomoku rules right now?

Is this what you should be thinking about?

However!

Just as she was about to speak again to remind them!

The host’s voice rang out from the stage!

"Now, please give a warm welcome to Sam, the chief game director from Chinese company Golden Wind,"

"who will deliver a keynote speech titled 'The Future Development Prospects and Shaping Methods of Cinematic Games,' along with a live demo of the latest work!"

Buzz—!!!

Suddenly!

Enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the conference hall, occasionally mixed with screams and whistles!

Then!

The entire conference hall went dark!

Whoosh whoosh—

The piercing sound of wind came through dozens of speakers surrounding the hall!

It sounded like a raging storm rushing through the air or a swift gust brushing past ears.

Accompanied by funky-style music, the giant screen displayed a scene—

Ten thousand meters above the ground!

The camera followed a tall, thin man falling downward!

Then!

The camera flipped to show behind the tall man, a strong man with a mustache in a square shape was chasing him!

As the two rapidly fell through the sky, an eagle flew by, splitting the screen in two!

On the left was the man with the square mustache, with subtitles below reading [Starring: Vincent]

On the right was the tall man with the hooked nose’s perspective, with subtitles above reading [Starring: Leo]

As the scene continuously switched, the magical dual-screen visual experience overwhelmed the audience!

Inside the prison, Leo’s punch sent a fellow inmate from the right screen to the left screen, and Vincent in the left screen kneeled the inmate back to the right screen.

In the prison cell, Vincent passed a wrench from the left screen to the right, where Leo reached out to catch it.

On the high wall, Vincent in the left screen climbed up a rope that extended into the right screen, where Leo tightly held it.

Vincent rowed on the left side, Leo steered on the right.

Vincent drove on the left, Leo blocked enemies on the right.

Although the two were in different screens and perspectives, their paths converged in cooperation.

From prison, to the high wall, then to rural fields, and luxurious villas.

Finally!

The two walked toward each other from split screens, and the two screens merged into a complete picture.

Time returned to when they were still in prison.

They brushed past and briefly exchanged words—

"Any weather changes recently?"

"Good news, there’s a storm tonight."

"Action tonight?"

"Action tonight!"

Finally, on the black screen appeared the title "A WAY OUT," shadowed by barbed wire.

The next second!

A brief half-second silence was followed by thunderous applause and cheers!

‘Ohhhhhhh—Is this a trailer? A game trailer?’

‘Wow! It looks just like a movie preview!’

‘Unbelievable! They’re doing the same thing, but through split-screen misalignment, the scenes are completely different!’

‘Camera zooms, pans, surround shots, various low and high angles—it’s movie-level cinematography!’

‘Looks just like the movie Prison Break!’

‘Like The Shawshank Redemption, but a bit lighter!’

‘No doubt, in terms of imagination and creativity, Golden Wind never disappoints!’

‘I’ve never seen a trailer like this before! Truly refreshing!’

‘Where does Sam get so many ideas!!!’

‘…’

A simple trailer suddenly sparked a wave of discussion!

The excellent cinematic shots and montage techniques perfectly presented the best viewing experience of this game!

Immediately afterward!

Gu Sheng, wearing a gray-blue casual suit and a Mickey fashion watch on his wrist, strode onto the stage under the newly lit stage lights!

Thunderous applause rang out!

The brand-new visual experience brought by the trailer made all attendees stretch their necks in anticipation, waiting for Gu Sheng’s speech!

Gu Sheng walked to the center of the stage, picked up the microphone:

"Good morning everyone, I am Gu Sheng, chief game director of Golden Wind,"

"What you just saw is our new work specially prepared for this GDC, currently under development,"

"A two-player cooperative interactive movie game:"

"A Way Out..."

At the same time,

The official live stream’s chat barrage was full of heated discussion—

‘Damn, this trailer is really cool!’

‘Holy crap, the cinematography! The montage! The transitions! Damn!’

‘I knew Old Thief had something big for GDC! This game is insanely cinematic!’

‘Uh oh! He really figured out cinematic games!’

‘As expected of you, Little Yellow! The hope of the entire village!’

‘…’

On-site anticipation and online chat erupted!

As Gu Sheng analyzed the game from shallow to deep, combined with explanations about A Way Out’s settings,

the audience gasped repeatedly, and the chat barrage’s ‘ohhhhhhh—’ kept rolling in waves!

An incredible game!

Even!

People didn’t know if they should call A Way Out a game!

Because the two ‘leading actors’ labeled in the trailer actually needed two players to play separately, no AI substitution!

Moreover!

The long sequence of CG to real gameplay transitions gave people goosebumps!

Various flashy montage techniques and camera movements, combined with a cinematic 2.40:1 aspect ratio, made everyone present exclaim!

Golden Wind was so daring; Gu Sheng’s creativity was so brilliant!

This game was so hard to define!

It was both a game full of cinematic technology and a movie starring two players!

What kind of sparks and effects would this magical setting produce?

"I know everyone must be curious and somewhat confused about this brand-new setting,"

Gu Sheng said:

"After all, just a simple trailer and my words cannot fully present the most accurate game experience,"

"So!!!"

At this point!

Gu Sheng raised his voice a notch!

All eyes focused on him, and all media cameras were on him!

"So I specially prepared about half an hour of live gameplay demo to present to everyone,"

Gu Sheng said:

"Next, without further ado, my partner and I will jointly present this live demo,"

"Now, please allow me the honor to invite my partner—"

"Ms. Shen Miaomiao, president of Golden Wind,"

"to the stage to assist me with this live demo!"

-----------------

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com