On the official blog, many players engage daily with artworks and activities related to Neon games and their games.
Regarding the content, apart from Three Kingdoms and JellyMan users. Other games like Overcooked are still actively maintained still most players are eagerly anticipating Dark Soul.
The official news so far includes an announcement notice for an exhibition along with concept art showcasing various weapons and scenes. The only information about the game is that the player will inherit some will of fire. The game's world leans towards a darker and more melancholic tone.
Players have embraced this concept. The narrative might sound brutal, but many are unfazed, comparing it to the emotional weight in Braveheart: War of the Worlds.
With the release of Three Kingdoms and the JellyMan, Chen Xu has cemented his Pet name as a Warrior of love. That's why the player has no such concern as they know they will find some love in Dark Souls too. Their primary concern now is the release date.
To satisfy this hunger, Neon didn't keep players waiting for long. Advertisements for the Dark Souls game show began appearing on gaming media and video platforms. These ads generated excitement by highlighting unique features such as freedom and an innovative combat system, leaving players intrigued and eager to experience it firsthand.
Meanwhile, a physical version of Dark Souls is already in production. In this world, where digital games dominate, physical copies mainly serve as collector's items. The deluxe version includes exclusive collectibles such as handcrafted figurines and official art sets, further stroking player interest.
What has truly electrified the community is the announcement of an online live broadcast conference. This event will showcase the latest gameplay demonstration and reveal the official launch date for the game. The combination of these announcements and promotions has catapulted Dark Souls into the spotlight.
The gaming industry isn't late to notice this buzz. They are already doing what they are best at. Discussion in some XYZ chat group.
______________
"Chen Xu is putting significant effort into Dark Souls."
"Well, this is their first major game! What do you expect?"
"While it may not match the promotional scale of giants like Tenghua or NetDragon, this is a big deal for the PC platform!"
"Considering Neon Games robust pockets, the risks seem minimal. Just look at the long-running success of Three Kingdoms or the massive profits from JellyMan, released only a year ago."
"What intrigues me is how Dark Souls is positioned differently from traditional ARPGs."
"Different how? ARPGs typically lean towards either storytelling, action, or level progression. Can there really be something new in this space?"
With high anticipations, all eyes are on Neon Games and Chen Xu's bold endeavor.
"I don't think it should be that simple. After all, every work of Chen Xu since his debut has been quite unexpected."
"Even so, this is his first time working on a large-scale game. He may not perform as well as expected on such a big project."
______________
As Neon Games began promoting Dark Souls, many groups in the game industry engaged in discussions.
For ordinary players, these industry debates were of little concern. Most were eager for time to pass quickly, so they could tune in to the online conference of Neon Games and learn about the official launch of Dark Souls.
Time flew by, and the much-anticipated day arrived.
The live broadcast will take place in Neon Games' office. Which is specially decorated with blue lighting. On the table stood a custom female figure from Dark Souls and a bonfire model with a spiral sword inserted. Behind them was a poster featuring the game's artistic style.
Major game-streaming platform Wiggle prominently listed the broadcast on their home pages. This arrangement had been finalized between Neon Games and Wiggle, creating a win-win collaboration.
The online press conference included a lottery with collectible Dark Souls figures and deluxe game versions as prizes. Additionally, some ordinary players would be randomly selected to receive standard game CD keys.
Even before the broadcast began, the live stream showed the customized room, and viewers flooded the chat with comments. Despite the restriction allowing only one message every 30 seconds, the barrage resembled a flurry of snowflakes.
Thanks to Neon Games' previous high-quality independent games, a substantial player base eagerly awaited this release. Of course, many among them were likely casual spectators.
After finalizing all the preparations, Chen Xu appeared on camera, right on cue.
"Hello, players and friends watching this live broadcast. I'm Chen Xu, the lead designer of Dark Souls. Let's cut to the chase. Let's dive right into the Dark Souls!"
Skipping lengthy introductions, Chen Xu went straight to the point. For a game launch, viewers were there to see the gameplay, not to hear excessive pleasantries.
As his words concluded, the broadcast seamlessly transitioned to another screen.
Unlike the previous promotional animations, this footage showcased pure in-game demonstrations. The game's user interface was clearly visible, and the clip, lasting about a minute, featured a boss battle and combat against ordinary enemies.
The first highlight was Ash Judge Gouda, at the Firelink Shrine. His massive frame was awe-inspiring, and the enormous halberd in his hand exuded menace.
During the fight, the video displayed cracks on the ground whenever the boss's weapon struck.
The player-controlled character, re-recorded by Chen Xu for the demonstration, performed various in-game actions. These included blocking, rolling, shield countering, executing, and backstabbing mobs.
To preserve some surprises, the second phase of Ash Gouda's battle was deliberately skipped in the video.
The clip also showcased contextual hints, such as running jumps and ground indicators, ensuring players would catch key gameplay elements.
Viewers, including players, media professionals, and game industry designers watched the livestream attentively.
Each had their own opinions and expectations about Dark Souls, but the excitement in the air was undeniable.