Chapter 43: "The Heavens and Worlds: Prehistoric" is online!
Jiang Ping had spent the entire night studying the intricacies of the soul and consciousness, meticulously honing his understanding of its optimal operation.
At the break of dawn, Jiang Ping set forth on his mission, equipped with the unfailing assistance of Genesis. No detail would evade his meticulous grasp. With a bold stroke, he effortlessly propelled his creation onto the game platform, guaranteeing its swift presence on the virtual shelves to be sold.
Jiang Ping, nonchalant as ever, stole the moniker and identifications of the Chuangshi Company. 'His' latest masterpiece, "The Heavens and Worlds: Primordial," bore his name as the producer.
Perusing his notebook, Jiang Ping assessed the platforms teeming with eager gamers. Steam? Acceptable. Its hasty review process would grant his game passage in mere moments.
Apologies, but as the God of Creation, I am entitled to exert my will.
Worth a shot. Let us attempt its upload, deceiving a few more unsuspecting souls. Jiang Ping perfunctorily examined a handful of other major platforms, uploading his creation without a care.
Funds were scarce, and Jiang Ping addressed this in the game announcement:
"The game is still in its nascent stage of development, offering a wholly immersive experience of an ancient mythological world. Boasting 100% realism and employing cutting-edge technology."
The initial testing phase would accommodate only 100 lucky individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. Jiang Ping urged them to cherish this newfound gaming adventure and encouraged feedback, whether accepting or critical.
Indeed, his approach was audacious. Unconcerned with divulging the true secret, Jiang Ping displayed an air of nonchalance. As for those who dared question the game's advanced nature and sought to investigate further, let them seek solace in discussion. Jiang Ping couldn't be bothered with such matters; they would simply proclaim that something must be wrong with the game.
With everything neatly arranged, Jiang Ping rose from his seat and ventured outside for a breath of fresh air.
Meanwhile, Lin Qing, a university student notorious for skipping classes to indulge in gaming, logged onto the steam platform as part of his daily routine, eager to discover any new releases.
"Hmm? A game inspired by Chinese mythology? How rare," Lin Qing mused with curiosity, clicking on the game's icon. The icon depicted a formidable axe, exuding a sense of power. However, as he read through the game's introduction, Lin Qing's face contorted with incredulity.
"Honestly, I've been an avid gamer for so long, and this is the first time I've encountered such brazen audacity from a game developer!" Lin Qing exclaimed, his disbelief palpable.
While some game manufacturers occasionally treated players like mere pigs, sacrificing a few to commemorate festive occasions or to line their pockets, at least they maintained an air of respectability. This level of unabashed nakedness was truly unprecedented.
Examining the game's details and the company behind it, Lin Qing was taken aback by their arrogance. Was this some sort of mistake? How did the game platform allow this?
Compelled to report the situation, Lin Qing couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. What kind of game was this, and did it truly possess such advanced technology? Pondering these questions, he decided to download the game, which, to his surprise, was offered free of charge. At least they were considerate in that regard, but he wondered if they would eventually coerce players into spending money.
Despite his initial resolve to merely spectate and delete the game promptly, Lin Qing declared that if he were forced to endure such an experience, he would rather renounce gaming altogether, uninstall the steam platform, and shatter his computer. Even as a devoted player who indulged in microtransactions, he had his limits. This overt insult violated the very essence of his gaming ethics.
Within seconds, the game finished downloading, leaving Lin Qing bewildered by its mere 100KB size.
"What the hell!" he couldn't help but exclaim. Such a minuscule size purportedly offered a complete reproduction of a mythical world, making even Tetris seem more substantial in comparison. Lin Qing couldn't help but conclude that not only was the game an official release, but it was also utter garbage.
As he clicked on the game's icon, Lin Qing's vision darkened, and in the next instant, he found himself dumbfounded, utterly stupefied.
"One moment I was in the dormitory, the next I'm standing in a blank expanse!" Lin Qing found himself in a state of shock, bombarded by a resounding voice from above.
"The game is still in its nascent stage of development, with the selection of races yet to be finalized. Your physical form is presently undergoing random allocation for the process of reincarnation. You have the option to customize your appearance within the game."
Lin Qing barely had time to register the audacity of the statement. Before he could react, the game world swiftly selected his virtual form. Without hesitation, he instinctively searched for the exit button and clicked it, desperate to escape this bewildering experience.
"Oh my god, what kind of game is this? Extraterrestrial technology? A cross-generational masterpiece?" Lin Qing's mind was consumed by this singular thought as he found himself magically transported back to his dormitory.
Suddenly struck by the realization that only 100 people were part of the game's initial test, Lin Qing hastily reached out to his trusted companion, eager to share his shocking encounter.
"Hey, Da Biao, stop fooling around out there and come back immediately! There's a new game that's defying all expectations!"
However, the 100 available slots were quickly filled. After all, it was free, and even those who despised the official website would download it out of sheer curiosity. This time, trouble was on the horizon.
Ten minutes later, Lin Qing stumbled upon a popular post in the game section titled: "God's Prank? Or an Alien Invasion!"
Xiaozhang wrote: "Today, just like any other day, I was browsing through the game library, not taking it seriously when I stumbled upon a new game called 'The Heavens and Worlds: Primordial.' But upon reading its audacious introduction, I took a second glance and discovered that the producer had the audacity to pose as a god. I didn't pay it much mind, thinking that some amateur developer slipped through the platform's review process. So, I clicked on the report button."
Upon reading this, Lin Qing recalled clicking the report button earlier and eagerly continued reading to see what this individual had to say.
At this moment, he longed to enter the game again, but fear gripped him—what if he couldn't escape once he entered? Besides, wasn't it customary to seek strategies before delving into a game?
The post continued to update: "After I reported the game, a reviewer messaged me, warning that the game might have been uploaded by a hacker and was unable to be deleted. At the time, I didn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation. With only 100 slots available in the first test, and it being free, I casually downloaded it. Little did I expect the game to be a mere 100KB in size!"
"Just as I entered the game, sneering at the supposed prank of someone, I found myself engulfed in a world of blinding white light! It felt like I had traversed through time and space itself! I managed to find the screenshot function, but I haven't come across the screen recording feature yet. Please take a look at this."
A white image appeared in the post, depicting the scene Lin Qing had witnessed earlier.
Others joined in on the discussion:
Dabai chimed in: "Is the price of water stickers through the roof now? Why is the title so sensational?"
"I can't wait to see how you spin this story. You've got the spotlight, but if you fail to deliver, you'll be mercilessly roasted!" added Little Face.
Xiao Zhang defended himself: "Believe me, I swear on my integrity, everything I've said is true. There's something seriously wrong with this game!"
"After entering the white world, a voice emerged—likely a system of sorts—informing me that my reincarnation was being randomly determined. Suddenly, my vision went dark, and I found myself in control of my new body. Let me tell you, navigating on all fours was a real struggle. I ate a fair share of dirt!"
"The next big surprise is right around the corner! Brace yourselves!" Swish!
The images appeared one after another in the post, revealing a grotesque monster with the head of a tiger and the body of a bull. The distant scenery exuded an immortal and captivating beauty.
Additionally, a few landscape paintings showcased breathtakingly majestic mountains, occasionally featuring enormous birds that seemed to dominate the heavens.
The giant bird, of unknown size, boasted a golden hue, its wings outstretched to obscure the sky and the sun, radiating an awe-inspiring brilliance.
Quincy exclaimed, "Damn, host, you're truly hideous. Nevertheless, the graphics in this game are exceptional. The promotion has been a success. Let me search for it."
Jiutian Ouxian joined in, saying, "This magnificent bird is truly breathtaking. I believe it resembles the legendary golden-winged roc from myths. And have you noticed the lifelike quality in every corner of the picture? Even when the golden-winged roc is magnified countless times, the intricacies of its feathers remain crystal clear. Is it truly possible for a 100KB game?
Beiming Youyu excitedly exclaimed, "I love it! This is my favorite mythological art style. I must download it immediately. As for the so-called magic the host mentioned, I'll see it for myself."
"In addition, Xiao Zhang, your in-game character is abominable to the very depths of your soul. I suggest you commit virtual suicide and start afresh."