"He signed the contract just like that?"
After seeing Carter off, Song Shan learned the whole story from Ye Feng.
He couldn't believe that Ye Feng signed such a contract just for a job transfer.
"But the pressure to release a new game before October is immense," Song Shan sighed helplessly.
As a game developer, he knew that creating a game was not a simple task.
Although Ye Feng had provided a perfect plan for "Death Cell" and detailed equipment and plot settings, Song Shan had always regarded it as a product that Ye Feng prepared long in advance. If Ye Feng intended to make more games in the future, the next one couldn't be mediocre; players' reputation was a crucial factor.
"Or how about we make 'Death Cell 2'? Although it's rehashing old content, many players would still be interested in knowing the story of the protagonist after leaving the cycle," Song Shan paced back and forth in the office, anxious.
"Huh? Didn't we agree that we'll release the next game three months from now?" Ye Feng looked puzzled. It was only April, and three months later would be July; they had plenty of time.
"Okay, 'Death Cell 2' it is. We can capitalize on the existing popularity and speed up the development process with more staff in the studio," Song Shan nodded affirmatively, thinking his idea was feasible.
"No, we won't rehash old content," Ye Feng interrupted quickly.
"We're making a new game."
"Do you have an idea? A plan?" Song Shan looked surprised at Ye Feng.
"Yes, I was planning to gather everyone after hiring and hold a meeting to discuss the next game. But since you asked, I'll share it with you now," Ye Feng stood up and walked to his desk, taking out a document from a drawer.
On the white A4 paper, there were only a few clean words: "This is My War?"
"Is this a war-type game?" Song Shan read aloud, puzzled.
"It's sort of, but not exactly," Ye Feng shook his head. "Players have always said our games are very easy, so this time, I want them to admit they can't handle this one."
"Besides this game, I have other ideas too."
"Do you remember the book seen in 'Death Cell' every time the character resurrects? The one with numerous containers hanging below it, and there was one book you could check called 'Independent Legend'?" Ye Feng steered the conversation back to "Death Cell."
Song Shan nodded, having seen the scene of the book multiple times while playing the game.
After checking it a couple of times in the beginning, he never looked at its contents again, but he vaguely remembered what it was about.
The book contained other stories with mysterious language that seemed like hints. However, even after completing the game, players never cracked the code.
"Do you remember one of the lines in the book? It was written like this: ['This story is titled 'Hollow Knight.' 'How many consecutive downstabs can you do?' 'Downstabs?' the Cell person was surprised and said, 'Is there such a move?!']"
"Stop!" Song Shan felt his head ache. If he didn't hear wrong, Ye Feng had already conceived many game settings and hidden content in the previous game.
"Is that true?" Song Shan stared at Ye Feng, feeling that his good friend had suddenly become extremely unfamiliar.
How did he come up with all of this?
"It's true. So, you don't need to worry about there not being another game," Ye Feng smiled and reassured him.
"But why do you want to take me along? I don't know anything... my academic performance in school was terrible..." Song Shan mumbled to himself. Ye Feng was very strict when screening resumes, even for newcomers, he usually chose those with excellent academic records.
Yet, he, who could only complete some basic tasks, was given a one percent share by Ye Feng.
"Don't you remember what you said when I lost my money, and you invited me to dinner?" Ye Feng punched him in the chest.
He had sorted through the original owner's memories and knew their past. Throughout their school life, only Song Shan genuinely had a friendship with him.
When Ye Feng rejected Yogame's job offer, only Song Shan truly felt angry, thinking that he had wasted an excellent opportunity.
Skills could be cultivated and improved.
His brother was just growing at a slower pace, but it didn't matter; he could pull him up the mountain.
"Alright, I won't resist anymore. After all, it's all because of my good luck, right?" Song Shan chuckled.
He held the latest game plan and walked to the office area. "Everyone, stop what you're doing. Our Black Star Designer wants to have a little meeting with you all."
With that, he shook the new game plan in his hand. "We're starting work on a new game today."
As Ye Feng entered the meeting room, everyone had already settled down. He walked to the front and inserted a USB drive into the computer.
"Now, I'm going to talk to you all about an unconventional war game."
As he spoke, a painting appeared on the massive screen behind him.
The walls in the picture were full of cracks, and most of the paint had peeled off. The entire room was covered in stubborn dust.
A woman clutched a man tightly, a hole blown through his chest, and blood staining his clothes and arms red.
The woman leaned her head against the man's head, silently weeping.
In a corner of the room, a man sat with his hands covering his face.
The room was without lights, and only a glimmer of light came in through the nailed wooden windows.
Inside the room, a raggedly dressed child held a one-armed, one-legged toy bear, looking on indifferently.
"This time, players won't be soldiers; they will play as civilians trying to survive in a city besieged by war."