Regarding the new random mode, discussions have already started trending in major Dark Souls forums and communities.
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"This mode is so unfriendly to cursed people! My friends —what they keep finding are either souls ready to dissipate or a piece of crap. And all their weapons are whips!"
"Why is there even a whip weapon in this game?"
"Are you sure the friend you're talking about isn't you?"
"Honestly, the first boss being the Dancer of the Boreal Valley was enough to make me want to throw up!"
"What about me? On the way to the Cemetery of Ash, I ran into a Black Knight, and a snake-man. I almost broke down!"
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The new random mode has reignited the interest of many players who had previously moved on from Dark Souls. Although this mode is balanced, luck can often overshadow skill.
For instance, players like sister Liu, who seems blessed by fate, can frequently find powerful weapons right at the beginning of the game, along with treasures like the Soul of Cinder. This elevates their experience to an almost grass-mowing level of simplicity.
On the other hand, unlucky players might face the embarrassing situation of finding what looks like a valuable item, only for it to turn out to be utter trash. For them, the experience becomes less about mowing down enemies and more about mowing through despair.
This randomness has even awakened a new side to many players—obsessive-compulsive tendencies! In the original version of the game, players often ignored collectibles, assuming they were likely useless souls or items with minimal impact on gameplay. But in random mode, skipping items could mean missing the Soul of an Unknown King or a Black Knight Shield.
And what if the next item turns out to be amazing? That lingering possibility keeps players searching relentlessly.
Another significant allure of random mode is the thrill of uncertainty. Players never know whether the next chest will yield trash or treasure. This lottery-like excitement can be incredibly addictive.
For casual players who completed Dark Souls once and then moved on to watching lore breakdowns or plot analyses on streaming platforms, this mode is a reason to dive back into the game for another round of fire-passing adventures.
In the original game, multiple walkthroughs often meant repeating the same content, albeit with tougher enemies and the occasional new item.
While these elements appealed to dedicated fans, they weren't enough to retain most casual players.
Random mode changes this dynamic entirely. Each restart feels like a fresh adventure. Players are kept on their toes, never able to predict what enemies, bosses, or items lie ahead.
Since its launch, random mode has not only revived interest in Dark Souls but also led to a noticeable uptick in sales. The mode's entertaining unpredictability has become a hit on live-streaming and video platforms, drawing in new and returning players alike.
Of course, when players attracted by the random mode embark on the road to fire, their ability to awaken a special physique and stay in the world of Dark Soul depends entirely on their capacity to endure.
For most, the original content of Dark Souls provides plenty to explore and enjoy. However, the introduction of this random mode adds more opportunities to immerse themselves and grind further.
Beyond the gameplay, though, there's another pressing question on everyone's mind:
When will Chen Xu begin developing the sequel to Dark Souls?
'Neon Games' Office'
With the development of Dark Souls complete and the new mode now live, the office atmosphere at Neon Games is relatively calm.
Only a few departments remain busy. The operations team continues to handle customer service and forum management on the Neon Games platform, while the creative workshop's review team is also active.
Meanwhile, the game development teams working on Three Kingdoms, Jelly Man, and Overcooked are still bustling with activity. These multiplayer games require ongoing support, unlike the single-player experience of Dark Souls.
Of the three, Three Kingdoms retains a high level of player engagement, while the other two games—though past their peak—still have dedicated active communities. Chen Xu ensures these projects receive attention but doesn't need his energy on them.
After stretching his arms, Chen Xu glanced at the information his assistant, Lin Rou, had collected. Since his primary focus is game development, he often misses important updates in the gaming world. Lin Rou helps fill this gap by curating critical industry news for him.
A quick look revealed no major announcements. Most of the buzz in the gaming industry centered around two new VR titles from Tenghua and Net Dragon.
One document in particular caught Chen Xu's eye. Lin Rou had compiled information on several companies dedicated to AI technology. These details piqued his curiosity.
When it comes to top AI companies, Chen Xu isn't concerned with those working on large-scale applications like facial and iris recognition, medical advancements, or military-grade systems. Such industries are massive and heavily reliant on money-fueled strategies to establish and protect their vast data-driven monopolies.
Smaller AI companies, however, operate on a much more modest scale. Chen Xu focused on those that aligned with the prerequisites for the use of item cards—a niche but critical aspect of his plans.
Taking out the information files of each company and placing them in the designated folders, Chen Xu stretched and stepped out of the office.
It was noon, during the lunch break. In the entertainment area, employees like Yang Xin, Ruan Ningxue, and Qin Yi were enjoying their downtime. Some rested on reclining chairs with headphones on, while others played games together.
Including the cleaning staff, Neon Games now had 85 employees. The company isn't medium-sized yet, but it is far from being small.
Chen Xu headed towards the entertainment area, receiving greetings from a few employees along the way.
On the only available sofa, Yang Xin and Ruan Ningxue were using controllers to test the new mode in Dark Souls on the big screen.
"You've got no luck at all, elementary schooler! What kind of trash is this—an Irithyll Straight Sword? I'll give you a Dragon Slayer Axe later!" Yang Xin complained about the loot Ruan Ningxue had received.
"And what about your luck, Sister Xin? A Firebomb?" Ruan Ningxue retorted.
"You two are luckier than I am!" Chen Xu commented, opening a can of Coke from the freezer.
"Mr. Chen, why don't you give it a shot?" Ruan Ningxue offered him the controller with a grin.
"Pass. You all keep playing," Chen Xu declined with a wave of his hand. He wasn't confident in his luck—winning rare items had always been a game of sheer numbers for him. Getting two special items had already cost countless attempts.
Ruan Ningxue continued the game, while Yang Xin suddenly had an idea. "Oh, Mr. Chen, when are we developing the sequel to Dark Souls? The forums and official blogs are buzzing with players urging us for one!"
Qin Yi, who had just joined them, chimed in eagerly. "Exactly! When's the sequel coming? Based on the current storyline and world-building, wouldn't it make sense to create a prequel? It feels like the perfect direction!"
Hearing this, other employees perked up, their curiosity piqued.
As insiders, they knew better than anyone else about the possibility of a sequel. After all, certain story elements had been deliberately left unresolved during development, paving the way for future installments.
Yet, like the players, they were also desperate to uncover the full world-building and narrative of Dark Souls.
Facing their expectant gazes, Chen Xu shook his head and said, "You're right; it would be a prequel. But there are no plans for that just yet. Dark Souls has been out for less than two months—it's too early to talk about a sequel."
He continued with a small smile, "At least let the players take a breather. If you're all so keen, I could create a folder titled Dark Souls: The Prequel right now. That said, the company does have another big move coming up soon."
"A big move?" The employees grew even more curious.
"You'll find out when the time comes," Chen Xu replied cryptically. Smiling, he stood and returned to his office, leaving the rest guessing.