Soon, the development work for "It Takes Two" was put on the schedule.

After all, Golden Wind currently didn't have any ongoing development projects.

Golden Experience Studio was busy with final optimization adjustments and content updates for Overwatch, while Steel Chain Fingers was occupied with negotiations with the mysterious Neon figure, preparing for their new project.

Externally speaking.

CloudPower needed no explanation - Konik had nothing else to do these days except deal with the company's stock price issues with a perpetually grim expression.

The impact from this crushing defeat was massive, so severe that he wouldn't dare entertain any additional thoughts about Golden Wind for at least the next six months. Right now, he was like a clay Buddha crossing a river - unable to even ensure his own safety.

However!

As the saying goes, press down a gourd only to have a ladle pop up.

While CloudPower had temporarily quieted down, Komera on the other side, after suffering the devastating failure of "Torii," had managed to stabilize their position through a Sekiro-like game.

In terms of overall game design, it referenced Sekiro but maintained the industrial quality that was Torii's only recognized strength.

Although in action design, "Night Owl" still couldn't match "Sekiro" with its motion assist system enhancement.

In terms of gameplay and content richness, it far surpassed the failed "Torii."

Even renowned review media SNG (Neon), after giving it a 9.1 score, remarked with regret: "If Night Owl had competed against Sekiro on the same stage, even if Komera had lost, it wouldn't have collapsed so completely as before. But the question is, without Sekiro, where would Night Owl have come from? Perhaps it's really time for Komera to humbly seek guidance from Gu Sheng, the world's most dazzling Supernova Designer..."

Of course!

Regardless of media commentary.

Night Owl's success undoubtedly gave Komera, long plagued by failures, a chance to catch its breath.

Naturally, Nakamurai Shoichi, who created Night Owl, was promoted to fill Koizumi Studio's vacancy, becoming another new leader of the Big Three peak studios after Nishikawa.

Thus!

The original veteran Big Three - Yamamoto, Koizumi, Takasugi.

Within just a year and a half, two had been replaced.

Yamamoto Studio was replaced by Nishikawa Studio, with Nishikawa Jiro as director.

Koizumi Studio was replaced by Nakamurai Studio, with Nakamurai Shoichi as director.

The only remaining "old guard" was Takasugi Studio, still led by Takasugi Isao.

Actually, at this point, the "Big Three leader" position that Yamamoto and Koizumi had been obsessed with was practically within Takasugi's grasp.

But Takasugi didn't want it.

He felt the thing was rather unlucky.

Moreover, Takasugi Studio had always been responsible for developing Komera's motion-sensing racing games.

Although racing was one of the three major genres alongside shooters and sports games, it was the smallest segment among them.

His studio's benchmark had always been Huaguo's Nuyan Games.

As for Golden Wind...

Takasugi genuinely couldn't muster any hostility toward them. Even because of Moriya's connection, he held considerable respect for Gu Sheng, the Supernova Designer from Huaguo.

"...So let the younger generation fight for that Big Three leader position," Takasugi laughed casually with his assistant in the office:

"I'll just stay as an ordinary director, that's fine."

"And recently, I've noticed Nakamurai who joined as replacement seems quite interested."

"Indeed,"

The assistant nodded, refilling the teacup:

"Nakamurai has been getting close to the president lately. After all, he just stabilized our position with Night Owl. Rumor has it he's applying for development rights to the Silent Hill sequel."

"Silent Hill?"

Hearing this, Takasugi's hand trembled, nearly spilling his tea, his expression twisting.

He thought Komera's misfortune began with Silent Hill.

If Yamamoto Tsunashiro hadn't pressured Uekoe Kagemasa back then to seize all "development profits" from Silent Hill and kick out Golden Wind.

They wouldn't have developed this feud with Golden Wind.

Without this feud, Gu Sheng's version of Silent Hill could have dominated the market as "Escape" did.

Then, through further close cooperation, both companies could have stepped out of Asia together to challenge CloudPower-Vivendi standing at the world's peak.

Just look at how Overwatch, produced solely by Golden Wind, severely damaged the arrogant CloudPower, leaving them still struggling to recover.

If Golden Wind and Komera had truly collaborated.

Within a couple of years at most, Komera could have achieved true parity with CloudPower, realizing a true duopoly in the global gaming industry.

Unfortunately.

All of this was destroyed by the short-sighted Yamamoto Tsunashiro and Uekoe Kagemasa who only cared about immediate gains.

One could say.

Komera's misfortune began with "Silent Hill."

Now, the newly promoted Nakamurai, fresh to the Big Three, actually wanted to revisit this old matter and develop a Silent Hill sequel?

"Because recently there've been rumors that Golden Wind is negotiating for a horror game copyright,"

The assistant said:

"And reportedly making good progress. If nothing unexpected happens, this should be Golden Wind's project for this year's September E3 exhibition."

Hearing this, Takasugi understood.

Right.

Now, Golden Wind had become a medium-sized game developer. Since the Neon Higashitsu Gaming Festival, the four major game exhibitions had truly opened their doors to them.

Golden Wind's progress wouldn't stop.

And this project they were currently negotiating, judging by development timeline, was likely Golden Wind's major project for E3.

Clearly, Nakamurai had realized this too.

So leveraging Night Owl's success, he planned to revive the previously failed Silent Hill IP, setting up a new challenge arena against Golden Wind.

"The idea is good, but Golden Wind isn't that small company to be pushed around anymore,"

Takasugi took a sip of tea, raising his eyebrows slightly with a noncommittal expression:

"Even CloudPower now sees them as a thorn in their side. Trying to take down Golden Wind hard isn't easy anymore."

"Moreover, didn't they recently get nominated for GDCA too..."

GDCA!

The Game Developers Choice Awards.

As one of the world's four major game awards, GDCA is a super award in the global gaming industry selected by the GDC (Game Developers Conference) committee based on comprehensive metrics including gameplay, player numbers, and media feedback.

It stands alongside the other three major awards: Golden Joystick Awards, DICE Awards (Interactive Achievement Awards), and TGA (The Game Awards).

Typically, these awards are granted to medium and large game developers.

Thus!

Now ranked among medium-sized developers, Golden Wind naturally became one of GDCA's invited companies.

However, since Sekiro's release date fell within the period when Golden Wind was transitioning to medium-sized developer status and the GDC committee was confirming their eligibility.

For this awards season, only two Golden Wind games made the nomination list: "Peak Kingdom" and "Overwatch."

But these two games were somewhat awkward.

One could even say that if "Sekiro" had been competing, undoubtedly, this year's GDCA Game of the Year would absolutely have been Sekiro, with its explosive player reputation and media scores.

The problem was that currently competing were "Peak Kingdom" and "Overwatch."

And both games shared a fatal and awkward problem -

No story.

Here "story" refers to main progression narrative like Sekiro's, not Overwatch-style background lore.

You must understand!

Whether GDCA, DICE, Golden Joystick, or TGA.

When judging whether a game can become Game of the Year, story carries significant weight.

A game with tightly woven, interconnected narrative, dramatic ups and downs, and profound thematic depth is a super bonus in award scoring.

This is the fundamental reason why Sekiro would have undoubtedly won Game of the Year if it had competed.

Because "Sekiro" stood at the gaming industry's pinnacle in visual presentation, technical execution, and narrative richness.

Not just this year - even looking back five years.

Games that could compete at Sekiro's level were few and far between.

...Plus Peak Kingdom belonged to a niche genre, making this year's awards truly uncertain for Golden Wind.

At this moment!

The venue shone brilliantly!

Sydney's San Bonnie International Convention Center Hall 1 was packed to capacity!

Flashing cameras turned the venue into a sparkling sea of stars.

Various game montage trailers dazzled on screen, creating an intensely passionate atmosphere!

Simultaneously, the live stream chat barrage kept scrolling continuously, incredibly lively!

Clearly, players showed high interest in Golden Wind's first-time nomination -

"Does Overwatch have a chance?"

"Hard to say, it's a competitive online game after all"

"Has any multiplayer online game ever won Game of the Year Choice Award?"

One could even say that if "Sekiro" had been competing, undoubtedly, this year's GDCA Game of the Year would absolutely have been Sekiro, with its explosive player reputation and media scores.

"Little Yellow's two games are so awkward, if Sekiro came it would slaughter them all..."

"But whatever, even without Game of the Year, winning category awards would be great"

"Peak Kingdom for sports category first place should be guaranteed, right?"

"Absolutely nailed on, with this influence, player enthusiasm, and media scores, Peak Kingdom will definitely take a category award"

"What about Overwatch?"

"Overwatch... probably【Best Multiplayer Online Game Award】"

"《Death List》"

"HAHAHAHAHA fucking death list"

"Actually true, games nominated for【Best Multiplayer Online Game Award】never win Game of the Year"

A game with tightly woven, interconnected narrative, dramatic ups and downs, and profound thematic depth is a super bonus in award scoring.

And as audiences discussed!

The 13th GDCA Developers Choice Awards ceremony officially began!

First, under the host's introduction, two organizer representatives came on stage to speak, expressing sincere gratitude to all developer representatives, audience members, and media present.

Then, after a delightful live symphony performance, the awards ceremony commenced.

Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Music & Soundtrack, Best Sound Design, Best Performance... awards were presented one after another.

Some were for motion-sensing pod platform, others for PC platform.

Among these!

What surprised audiences most was Golden Wind actually winning two awards in these specialized game composition categories!

Specifically【Best Game Direction - Gu Sheng】and【Best Music & Soundtrack - Peak Kingdom】!

And when Gu Sheng took the stage again to receive【Best Multiplayer Online Game - Overwatch】, the venue erupted into thunderous cheers reaching climax!

The awards ceremony was only halfway through!

Golden Wind had already won three major awards!

Various game montage trailers dazzled on screen, creating an intensely heated atmosphere!

Although!

As "Overwatch" entered the so-called "death list" as audiences expected, becoming the best online game that never had and almost certainly never would touch the Game of the Year Choice Award in thirteen GDCA ceremonies.

But!

Winning three major awards in one ceremony!

Such outstanding achievement was already unprecedented, truly exceptional!

After all, even counting international first-tier giants like CloudPower and Komera with their countless studios!

No company had ever won three major awards simultaneously at GDCA, one of the world's four major game exhibitions!

And this wasn't all!

Because next up -

"...For the 13th GDCA, among five nominated titles, the champion winning【Best Sports Game of the Year】is--"

On the awards stage, the guest slowly opened the envelope, smiling.

The venue fell completely silent.

Countless flashlights prepared, all audience members waited,

Waiting for that undoubtedly certain name to be spoken aloud by the awards guest!

The guest smiled slightly, closing the envelope:

"《Steep Republic》"

"《Peak Kingdom》"

BOOM——!!!

Instantly, the venue erupted into roaring cheers!

PS: Next two chapters at 11 PM

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com