The double high ratings from the media and players, the discussions in various game communities and forums, and the hot posts about the game have all contributed to the continuous rise in the popularity of Divide.
It's not just players who are paying attention. Many designers in the gaming industry are also studying the success of Divide.
Although the content of Divide is quite rich, with over ten hours of gameplay in the main levels alone, spanning scenes from a shack in the first level to a gramophone in the final one, at its core, it remains a mid-level game.
For some indie game designers, the scope of Divide might feel too large. However, for many second- and third-tier game makers, the game's volume is certainly manageable.
Compared to major first- and second-tier game manufacturers, who often choose more popular game genres such as FPS and ARPG, stands out as a great candidate.
There are relatively few two-player cooperative games on the market, and the success of Divide has sparked players' enthusiasm for this genre, bubbling the old market with newer enthusiasm.
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So, what exactly made Divide a success?
Can its success be replicated? What can others learn from it?
These questions have become the core focus of many game manufacturers and designers.
The level design, numerical values, guidance, graphic art, music, and other details of Divide have all been studied repeatedly, setting a benchmark for two-player cooperative games.
However, for Chen Xu, Divide has already reached its conclusion.
This game differs from previous ones like JellyMan and Overcooked It's not suited for a Mod release.
This game is too complex. The art style, level design, and special prop functions are all intricately tied to the plot and theme. Any change in these areas could disrupt the entire game experience.
Therefore, although Divide is primarily a level design game, it isn't suitable for a creative Mod launch.
Chen Xu is satisfied with what Divide has achieved. After all, the original intention behind launching the game was to allow players to experience its joy. Looking at the results now, it can be considered very successful.
In the Neon Game office, Chen Xu leans back in a massage chair, holding his phone as he browses the official blog and corresponding community forums.
Under his official blog posts, many comments from players who have experienced Divide flood in. While some comments are similar, with minor differences, most are overwhelmingly positive.
What pleases Chen Xu the most is that players have come to recognize him again!
After all, the main hot topics in the near future revolve around Divide, and the Game Time and Space side also wants to make some news.
Last year, Neon Games and Game Time and Space had some close cooperation.
Additionally, Chen Xu had been interviewed by this media before. The content reported at that time didn't feel inappropriate, so when approached for another interview, Chen Xu agreed.
In the reception room, Chen Xu pushed open the door and entered.
The three Game Time staff sitting on the sofa stood up. The reporter, Chen Xu, was still somewhat familiar to them.
"Last year, it seems Game Time and Space interviewed me. I think you were here too...?"
"Yes, Mr. Chen, your memory is sharp!" Wu Tian smiled, recalling last year's interview.
He had been rather inexperienced at the time. After the interview ended, he had become a stenographer without realizing it, and it turned out to be a bit of a mess.
This time, he was determined not to repeat that mistake.
As Wu Tian smiled at Chen Xu, he made a silent vow to himself. He would lead the interview this time, without any errors.
After this decision, Wu Tian took the lead: "Mr. Chen, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. Shall we start?"
"No problem, let's get straight to the topic. The bottles of Coke are here," Chen Xu said, nodding, as he sat down on the sofa. He turned to Lin Rou.
Lin Rou, sitting next to him, responded and took out a few bottles of Coke from the freezer to distribute.
"Thank you..." Wu Tian said as he took the cold bottle of Coke from Lin Rou, but then paused for a moment. The scene felt oddly familiar.
But now, having learned from the past, Wu Tian, as the interviewer, took the initiative to speak: "Mr. Chen, the Dark Soul you developed last year has had a significant global impact and won the Best Role-Playing Game award."
"At the same time, the plot of Dark Souls has sparked heated discussions among players, and many believe your next work might be a sequel that fully explores the story of Dark Souls. So, why did you bring a different work, Divide, this year?"
Chen Xu smiled and nodded. "Mainly, it's to give players a gift. Especially after the release of Dark Souls, I noticed that many players had a slight misunderstanding of me, feeling that I enjoyed making players suffer. After the annual game event, some players also misinterpreted my thank-you speech, which hurt me deeply."
"I've always thought from the players' perspective. Whether it's ARPG, RPG, action-adventure, or casual simulation, I'm not the type of designer to stay within the same genre. I prefer to challenge myself with different kinds of games."
"Of course, one thing will never change: my original intention for making games. Every game I create reflects my love for the players, and I've always been committed to bringing them games that can warm and heal their hearts.
"Many players knows of Dark Souls, for its high difficulty, but if you actually study the players carefully, you will find that the difficulty of Dark Souls is not so high that it discourages everyone. Even after understanding the game's Soul level design, boss design, and combat mechanics, it becomes relatively simple."
"The key is whether players can find the way in the game. When players can't figure out the trick, they naturally find it very difficult. However, once they discover the trick, most can pass the level smoothly. It's similar to Divide, where players share a tacit understanding solving puzzles and eventually clear the level. The same applies to Dark Souls."
"However, Dark Souls is a manifestation of invisibility, while in Divide, I brought it to the surface."
Wu Tian listened to Chen Xu's explanation and nodded. He felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint it, as these were the facts!
"Then, Mr. Chen, can I ask about something that players are more concerned about? Will there be a sequel to Dark Souls?" Wu Tian decided to change the topic, fearing he would get too absorbed in the conversation.
"Of course, this is already in our development plan. The sequel to Dark Souls will continue the story from the previous game. It may take some time before it's ready for players, but at the gameplay exhibition in May, players can look forward to it," Chen Xu said with a smile.
Compared to last year, the folder wasn't even created this time. But can a game producer's painting cake be called painting cake? No, this is preheating.
Wu Tian was not aware of this and had already imagined the demo of Dark Souls' prequel at the gameplay exhibition, which was more than a month away.
Wu Tian looked excited: "Mr. Chen, how difficult will the prequel to Dark Souls be?"
Chen Xu smiled: "I have said this before — every game I make aims to bring happiness to the players and a heart-warming experience. The focus is not on whether the game is difficult, but on whether the design is reasonable."
"As for what can be revealed, I can only say that this will be a brand new and crazy adventure. Players can expect greater surprises than before, and I believe it will surpass the previous work in terms of artistry and gameplay."
Sitting on the sofa, Chen Xu and Wu Tian chatted about a variety of topics related to Dark Souls and other content that players were concerned about, such as the achievements of Neon games overseas.
For Wu Tian, however, the content of today's interview was a revelation! Especially when he thought about the news of the previous Dark Souls work, which made him even more excited. After all, he, too, is an obsessed fire passer!
Under the gaze of many Neon employees, Wu Tian left the office building of Neon Games with a bright smile.
The next day, on the homepage of Game Time and Space, an exclusive interview article was published with bold, red font:
"This is the original intention of Mr. Chen."