togophonebook #247 - This year's Tianzun Cup is really a fight between gods (2 in 1 order required)
#247 - This year's Tianzun Cup is really a fight between gods (2 in 1 order required)
Soon, this scene was captured by media and players who were live streaming nearby.
Everyone was complaining in the live stream:
"Good heavens, Peach Blossom Village is really too Zen."
"Did Peach Blossom Village come to the Celestial Honor Cup for a vacation? Are they? Are they?"
"This booth is simply hilarious. Look, look, there are even employees petting cats! Unbelievable."
Many fans of Peach Blossom Village were slightly disappointed.
Originally, they had been looking forward to 'Hyperdimensional Moe Girls', but now they were a bit apprehensive.
After all, the Celestial Honor Cup had already started its pre-event hype, but Peach Blossom Village was still rushing to finish the game. What does that say?
It shows that their project management is extremely chaotic, and the company is too Zen.
Not long ago, they even had the leisure to go on a team-building trip to Yunnan or sing and pet cats in a cat cafe.
With such a corporate culture, what kind of game can they make? It's really worrying.
...
At this moment, Tianwu, the producer of Collapse 3, passed by the Peach Blossom Village booth and smirked at the sight of the lazy employees.
Later, due to the immense popularity of Collapse 3, Tianwu was interviewed by several game media outlets.
In the interview, he talked at length about the hard work and technical advantages of Collapse 3's development:
"In the months leading up to the Celestial Honor Cup, our boss personally led the team, and we rarely went home before 3 a.m."
He joked:
"So, do you all know? Our employees at Mi Leyou have always considered themselves workaholics, which can't be compared to a certain friendly company exhibiting today."
The reporter smiled knowingly, naturally knowing who he was referring to.
He continued:
"It seems that the friendly company has taken the Celestial Honor Cup as a tourist destination. Then have fun and train your mentality and cat-petting skills.
You reporters travel far and wide and have seen a lot. I think you can recommend a few travel agencies to them. Anyway, compared to developing games, that friendly company is more suitable for vacationing."
Tianwu didn't name names, but every sentence was cutting, and everyone knew he was satirizing Peach Blossom Village.
Therefore, in the live stream, some comments that seemed to be from hired trolls also followed the rhythm:
"Is Peach Blossom Village really going to make it, you weaklings?"
"This Peach Blossom Village is just lame."
"I knew it. Why were all the news about Peach Blossom Village online about the boss taking the employees to play everywhere? I wondered at the time if they weren't doing any serious work? Now it seems that's the case. They don't have any competitive works to show."
"Could it be that they've spent all the company's budget on eating, drinking, and having fun every day, and they're about to go bankrupt?"
"Maybe making a series of small hits has made this company arrogant?"
...
This video interview quickly caused an uproar on major video websites.
Soon, Jianfeng, the North Editor of the 'Central Plains Five Editors', also preemptively released the first review video since the opening of the Celestial Honor Cup on his official account.
Jianfeng is known for his harsh and sharp critiques, and his straightforwardness. His game tastes focus on the playability and entertainment of games, and he also pays attention to the combat and competitive elements in games. It is precisely because of this style that he has more than 10 million fans on all online platforms.
He also won the title of one of Bilibili's Top 100 UP masters.
Previously, at the small game development festival of the Celestial Honor Cup, Jianfeng had been slightly slapped in the face by 'Banquet Simulation', so he temporarily laid low for a while.
But now, he's back in full force!
That afternoon, his new video topped the D station's trending list:
"Some Manufacturers Are Fighting for the Glory of the Industry, While Some Manufacturers Seem to Be Still Asleep"
At the beginning of the video, Jianfeng appeared in front of the camera, with short hair, sunglasses, and a trench coat, revealing an uninhibited aura.
"Hi, gamers, I'm Jianfeng!
Today, we're going to talk about the highly anticipated Celestial Honor Cup, which is our gamers' annual festival.
Especially a certain company's game. I don't need to say more. You are all full of surprises about this game.
Come on, type her name on the public screen!"
When the video played to this point, the screen was densely filled with comments:
"Collapse 3!"
"Collapse 3!"
"Collapse 3!"
...
The video screen switched to the actual gameplay demonstration of Collapse 3. The shocking combat effects and the Valkyrie's gorgeous moves instantly created a visual impact.
"As you all know, I'm an old friend with Dawei from Mi Leyou, so this time I was also invited by Mi Leyou to experience this game in advance.
For her, the shock in my heart can only be expressed in one word - Amazing!"
Jianfeng took off his sunglasses, revealing his sharp eyes, and his tone was high-pitched.
"This game has exquisite graphics, a unique combat system design, and most importantly, the waifus are very sexy. It's simply the pinnacle of domestic action games!"
The screen turned to the Collapse 3 booth at the main venue of the Celestial Honor Cup, which was crowded and quite spectacular.
"The grand occasion of the Mi Leyou booth shows that players have already voted with their feet.
I believe that Mi Leyou's goal this time is - to go straight for the championship!"
Originally, the video should have ended here, but unexpectedly, Jianfeng suddenly changed the subject:
"Of course, during this Celestial Honor Cup trip, I also went to the booths of other participating manufacturers and found another controversial manufacturer. The booth is very interesting."
The screen switched to the Peach Blossom Village booth. The employees were sitting lazily in chairs, petting the cats in their hands with nothing to do.
The booth was also deserted and desolate.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this picture is really staggering."
Jianfeng shook his head, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.
"There are many rumors and conspiracy theories online about this company, such as everyone having superpowers,
like a death songstress, a cross-dressing boss, a perverted mad scientist, a chuunibyou girl who can communicate with spirits...
Also, some people say that the artificial intelligence Melissa is the behind-the-scenes ruler of this company, and the company's boss is just her puppet.
But there is not a single rumor that says they are seriously working overtime to make games!
So the question is, can such a Zen corporate culture really make a satisfactory game?
After all, attitude determines altitude!
Such ridicule and perfunctoriness are disrespectful to the industry and also disrespectful to truly hardworking teams like Mi Leyou who work overtime until 3 a.m.!"
...
This sharp video quickly pushed the already controversial Peach Blossom Village to the forefront of public opinion again.
The hashtag #OneOfTheDarkHorsesOfTheAnnualGamingIndustryIsFearedToFallFromTheAltar# topped the list of the Celestial Honor Cup's Weibo super topic.
On the rostrum, Jiang Qingfeng shook his head slightly and sighed after reading Weibo.
Although, according to the rules of the Celestial Honor Cup, it is only necessary to submit the game's development package before the official voting and review begins,
releasing the game after the opening ceremony has been a tradition for many years.
Peach Blossom Village is the first to break this tradition.
He took a sip of tea and muttered to himself: I don't expect this company to make any good products, just don't embarrass us too much in front of foreign counterparts!
...
At 3 p.m., Lu Yu and the Sugar Sugar sisters came to the Peach Blossom Village booth with a cart full of desserts and drinks to distribute to the on-site employees.
Because Liu Mengyuan, Wan Xiaotong, and the core R\u0026D staff of the Cat Girl Paradise group were making the final version of the trial package at the company, and the R\u0026D personnel of other project groups were also helping at the company,
this time, the company dispatched some business and administrative colleagues to work at the booth.
Lu Yu called Qu Cheng, the business girl from the Cat Girl group, and said with a serious face:
"Did you pet the cats according to the company's system this morning?"
Qu Cheng nodded repeatedly: "Yes, at around 10 o'clock, Sister Lin Ming transferred a batch of cats from Cat's Tea. We each had one. Don't worry, President Lu."
"What did you have for lunch at noon? Was the employee restaurant's delivery on time?"
"It was very timely. We all ate Master Fan Jing's craftsmanship."
Lu Yu nodded slightly, looking satisfied.
Qu Cheng looked around and said nervously:
"President Lu, actually... in such a big occasion as the Celestial Honor Cup, it doesn't matter if we eat a little bit sloppily, let alone pet cats... It's really... It's okay if we pet cats a day or two less."
"No way!"
Lu Yu interrupted firmly,
"Under any circumstances, the company's system must be implemented without error!"
Just kidding, if you pet the cats one day less, eat a big meal less, how many points will I earn less!
After giving a few simple instructions, Lu Yu returned to the company.
The other onlookers were dumbfounded,
Goodness, when the boss came to the booth, they thought he was going to do public relations and put out the fire, but they didn't expect him to leave after sending some desserts.
However, many reporters muttered to themselves: One thing to say, Peach Blossom Village's benefits are really top-notch!
The cats in the employees' arms are all top-notch, the lunch was also a top-notch feast, and the desserts that were just delivered are also very tempting, slurrp...
Wiping their mouths, the reporters instantly came back to their senses.
No! That's not important!
Isn't the key question, how can the boss of this company be so Zen?
Does he have any trump cards, so he can sit tight on the fishing platform?
No, impossible!
The reporters have seen countless people after all. They realized from Lu Yu's clear eyes that it seemed that the boss didn't even know that the storm of public opinion had been ignited.
Has he been so Zen that he doesn't even bother to read the news?
...
Just after 3 p.m.,
just when everyone thought that Mi Leyou was sure to win this year's Celestial Honor Cup, second- and third-tier foreign manufacturers participating in the exhibition began to show off their participating products in a high-profile manner!
SNK Playmore released its first Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny that landed on PC, PS3, and XBOX3!
The game trailer was playing on the big screen in front of the booth.
The latest novel is first published on 69shuba!
The sound system transmitted a deep chord music, and the atmosphere was instantly brought into a mysterious sense of the ancient samurai world.
The subtitles read:
"At the end of the shogunate, the changes in the world, diseases, wars, and natural disasters brought chaos to the world."
"In the chaotic world, a man with special powers appeared - Shiro Tokisada Amakusa, exuding a demonic aura, he was expanding his power in the world."
Then, the screen switched.
The figure of the game's villain, Retsumaru Minazuki, flashed in the dim village.
The moonlight shone on him, reflecting his cold eyes and cold blade. The village was swallowed by the night, and only faint lights were flickering.
He walked straight to a woman holding a baby, the sharp blade shone in the moonlight, and the baby's cries mixed with the woman's pleas.
Suddenly!
A black shadow quickly approached him, Retsumaru sneered, and the dagger flashed like lightning.
Another character, Haohmaru, who failed to sneak attack, dodged the fatal blow like a snake in a critical moment,
waving the long sword in his hand to fight back, bringing up a piece of sword light, the other party hissed and avoided, but Haohmaru followed like a shadow,
After the blades of the two people's fate collided, the game's LOGO appeared.
Players were talking about this trailer:
"Damn, this real-time rendered fight is so damn good!"
"Is this the rhythm of all the characters from the past appearing on the stage, enough at once?"
"After all, the title has the word Musou in it."
Next, the trailer cut into the gameplay introduction:
"This game has been newly evolved into a panoramic 3D action system. You can perform hearty combos and experience responsible actions such as big jumps, forward and backward rolls, and prone evasion. The series' traditional features such as 'sword fighting' and 'rage bar' will also be retained."
In terms of screen performance, "True Samurai Shodown Musou", which has evolved from 2D to 3D, has significantly improved the picture quality compared to the previous game. The scenes are delicate and realistic, and the character movements are smooth. Every swing of the sword is accompanied by the interweaving of light and shadow.
Such a shocking game screen and smooth and cool action texture instantly conquered the media and audience present.
The barrage also started to swipe the screen:
"OMG! The performance is so amazing! Looking at that murderous Retsumaru, it fits my imagination of a samurai!"
"The 3D picture quality evolution is very obvious, the character movements are smooth and natural, and every frame is art."
"Haohmaru's dodge action is so handsome. The Samurai Shodown series is reborn, tears ing!"
"Isn't the focus on the 3D panoramic combat system? I can't help it anymore, my blood is boiling!"
Many streamers also excitedly went to the booth to try it out.
The popularity of domestic manufacturers' booths was quickly diverted by True Samurai Shodown Musou.
...
Immediately afterwards, FALCOM also announced a new action game plan at the participating booth:
"The Legend of Heroes: Azure Trails"
The Legend of Heroes series is an old RPG game series on the island nation, and this time it has been newly evolved into a 3D open world action game.
The trailer's narration began to introduce:
"The story of this work takes place in the Liberl Kingdom where Trails in the Sky took place,"
"It has been a hundred years since Estelle and Joshua were active as legendary guerrillas"
"In the past hundred years, the technology revolution of the guide device has triggered a new crisis."
"The long-dormant mysterious organization Ouroboros has reappeared and triggered a new war between the Liberl Kingdom and the neighboring Erebonian Empire."
"The high-intensity war triggered by the guide revolution unexpectedly triggered a new doomsday disaster. The 'Septium' of the entire continent showed unstable agitation and resonance. The world is ushering in a new crisis..."
Then, the trailer showed the actual game scene.
The majestic Liberl Castle stood proudly on the mountaintop, sunlight streaming through the clouds, illuminating the bustling streets below.
A massive airship slowly floated above the castle, beams of light erupting from its core. The advancements in energy technology profoundly reshaped the city, with various septium-powered automatons traversing the streets.
The scene shifted to the wilderness: towering mountains, vast forests, and various bizarre flying creatures soaring through the sky. Meanwhile, in the underground mines, the degradation of septium veins was becoming increasingly apparent...
Players exclaimed:
"100 years later, it looks like a completely new work."
"The graphics are amazing; they're on par with top-tier RPG masterpieces."
In the promotional video for 'Trails of Azure,' the narrator introduced the game's significant innovations:
"This installment utilizes the Unreal Engine, resulting in a quantum leap in rendering quality.
Furthermore, the game introduces a fluid combat combo system, allowing you to execute dazzling combos and skill combinations, leveraging strategic combat.
You can freely traverse the expansive 3D Kingdom of Liberl, discovering hidden locations, quests, and bountiful treasures.
You can complete a variety of unique and complex tasks, and your choices will influence the fate of the entire world."
After watching, many gaming streamers excitedly commented:
"Although FALCOM has always been criticized for being unprogressive, what they presented at the Celestial尊 Cup this time is truly full of sincerity."
"Holy crap, tears of joy for long-time Trails fans!"
"Enough said, I'm willing to spend my saved allowance to buy a new console for this game."
...
As more and more foreign developers began showcasing their new games, players' attention was drawn to them.
Finally, the headlining work from the foreign developer lineup appeared!
That was—
"Senran Kagura: Peach Ball" developed by Marvelous!
At this moment, perverts who caught wind of this gathered from all directions, surrounding the Senran Kagura booth, where the game's latest promotional video was being displayed.
First, there was a promotional PV introducing the story's background:
Amidst the melodious and enchanting music, a female voice quietly recited:
"Where there is light, there is shadow, and where there is shadow, there is light.
The two are inseparable but mutually exclusive.
The balance of cause and effect has become an endless cycle of conflict.
Sometimes victory, sometimes defeat,
This is the beautiful shadow of white and black, and also the 'beauty of death' in the ninja world."
...
After this narration ended, the game's visuals were displayed on the screen.
The story stage of Hanzo National Academy adopts an extreme cartoon rendering, creating a two-dimensional fantasy-filled world.
Cherry blossom petals flutter in the breeze, surrounding the ancient buildings of the academy, and wind chimes sway under the torii gate.
The red iris gardens are matched with cherry blossom trees, outlining a classic and dreamy scene.
Female students wear various ninja uniforms, holding kunai, as agile as dancing cherry blossom petals.
The players in attendance immediately erupted!
"Holy crap? It's only been a year, and the graphics of the Senran Kagura series have evolved to this extent?"
"Good heavens, this year's Celestial尊 Cup is a battle of gods!"
The narrator continued to read:
"If evil erodes good, good can easily be transformed into evil.
Isn't the balance of good and evil a lie from long ago?
Next, is the battle to prove that there is still light and good in the world..."
Many gaming content creators continued to comment:
"This narration sounds familiar; is this a series reboot and a comprehensive evolution?"
"Where are the oppai? Let me see if the oppai have evolved?"
"Indeed, you give me oppai, and I give you money. The agreement between perverts is that simple and unadorned."
After this promotional video ended, the beautiful girl protagonists of 'Crimson Squad' began to appear.
Upon seeing the character models of the female protagonists, the perverts instantly fell into collective revelry!