Chereads / We will start by healing the player / Chapter 160 - C161: Test Silent Hill P.T.

Chapter 160 - C161: Test Silent Hill P.T.

The development of Silent Hill PT is progressing smoothly, even though it is the first time working on the VR platform.

However, Silent Hill PT is not a complete game—just a demo, so the content is relatively small.

The game primarily focuses on decryption and does not involve a combat system. Even the original demo lacks any action system; at most, it includes interactive actions such as opening doors and picking up objects.

To enhance the experience in the VR version, additional detailed actions have been added to make the immersion more realistic. However, jumping, running, and climbing are still not included, as they would impact the content of the demo.

Additionally, the game is played from a first-person perspective, which means there are no major concerns regarding the performance of VR vision.

Compared to many first-person PC games, the default 90-degree field of view used on the PC platform needs to be widened when transitioning to VR. Furthermore, the first-person view in VR differs from PC games, as immersion mode alters the visual experience.

Many first-person PC games can make players feel like their eyes are positioned on the chest due to the differences in action between first-person and third-person views. Some games allow players to switch between the two perspectives, but this often requires two separate sets of action modules—one for each view. However, this increases development costs.

On the VR platform, the limited field of view design is easier to manage.

"Well... the scene where Lisa first appears is too bright. The player needs to see her outline but not her face," Chen Xu said.

"It's meant to evoke the feeling of holding a pipa half-covered, adding a sense of mystery. When the player looks back and realizes Lisa is charging toward them, it should feel like a deer unexpectedly dashing into their heart—like being struck by an intense shock."

In the project room, Chen Xu instructed Ruan Ningxue to adjust some light sources and seen colours.

Ruan Ningxue hesitated upon hearing this instruction. A deer ramming... this felt more like a crazy elephant breaking into the heart!

Qin Yi and others sitting nearby lowered their heads in silence.

During this time, the development of the promotional trailer for Dark Souls Prequel had also progressed smoothly, and the time needed to complete the gameplay exhibition was shortened.

The company has already started preparing for the exhibition, and the progress of the trailer for the prequel to dark Souls is nearly complete.

At present, Qin Yi and the team have already begun constructing the scenes, and they've also learned about the so-called VR demo from Chen Xu's side.

The more they understood, the more cautious they became.

This is because Silent Hill PT is a demo designed for the new VR test. The VR prototype provided by the game department is in a blocked state and cannot actually be experienced.

Of course, Qin Yi and the others admitted that no one wanted to experience it. Just watching it made their hearts race.

A more critical point is that this demo, which is only about 30 minutes long, is terrifying in its decryption. It even uses the flashback mechanism from the previous game, Undertale.

The clues to unlocking the level are hidden in the photo fragments that can be collected throughout the game, as well as in the error text prompts that appear when the game crashes.

If one cannot understand this information, the experience will be limited to a weird room corridor, falling into an endless cycle of reincarnation.

With the label of horror, Qin Yi and the team, who initially felt that the prequel to Dark Soul was filled with malice, suddenly realized something—this prequel was like a sunshine in comparison!

Soon, the days passed, and the gameplay exhibition approached. The company had already started planning for the event.

Of course, it's called planning, but to be honest, there wasn't much to plan.

It would be the same as last year, except for two new themed areas.

The theme songs for Divide and Dark Souls were chosen, differing from last year's strategy of releasing the promotional trailer on the final day of the event.

This year, there was no need for suspense. After all, it was just a promotional video.

It would be shown on the first day, and then the players could do as they pleased because the only major point had already been revealed.

As the company prepared for the event, Chen Xu went to the game department to hand over the completed Silent Hill PT demo.

"You finished it in just 20 days?" Yang Chen, the head of the game department, asked in surprise upon hearing Chen Xu's report.

"It's mainly because the demo content for Silent Hill PT isn't very large," Chen Xu replied with a smile, handing over the relevant materials to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen picked up the documents and glanced through them.

As the head of the game department, Yang Chen wasn't aware of every detail. After reviewing the subsidy application materials and the project content, Yang Chen understood the situation.

"Because there are too few project categories given, the entire demo basically revolves around one scene."

"Although the subsidy here is based on the amount of content, the main purpose this time is to better test the immersive feedback of the new version of VR. The funds should not be spent indiscriminately, but don't save money for the game department," Yang Chen said, shaking his head with a wry smile. He suspected that Chen Xu, being young, might be trying to cut costs wherever possible.

"Don't worry, Minister! The game may seem simple, but it's quite special, and it will definitely be helpful in testing," Chen Xu replied confidently.

"Alright, as long as you're confident. If the follow-up effect isn't good, you'll need to go back and revise it. Just remember, don't try to save money on our behalf," Yang Chen warned.

"I asked Xiao Zhang to accompany you to the park. Many designers are also learning about the relevant parameters there. Your demo can be used as a display, and you designers can have a good exchange of ideas. The experience of developers with the new version of the VR device is just as important as that of the testers," Yang Chen added.

After leaving the game department building, Chen Xu followed Xiao Zhang to the research park.

Many designers were listening to explanations about the various parameters of the VR equipment.

Among them were some new faces, senior designers who had only recently checked in with the game department. There were also familiar faces, like the warm and enthusiastic teacher Meng.

"Mr. Chen, your demo development is complete?" Meng Zuo asked, surprised.

Chen Xu explained that the demo was for a horror-themed game, but aside from that, Meng Zuo didn't know much about it. During his time there, Meng Zuo had focused on designing and hadn't kept up with the specifics of Chen Xu's work. He had also come to the park to learn more about the VR parameters to help adjust his own content.

"Yes, it's mostly done. The game is special, but not too large in scope," Chen Xu said with a smile.

The staff at the research park were also surprised. They hadn't expected to have testing material so soon.

While they were chatting, the staff informed them that the preparations for the test were complete.

"Unfortunately, apart from the testers who have passed the physical examination and review, we designers can't experience it. Otherwise, I'd really love to try your game, Mr. Chen," Meng Zuo said regretfully.

Some designers, both familiar and unfamiliar with Chen Xu, were chatting among themselves, clearly eager to see the demo. After all, this was the first officially playable demo for the new version of the VR device. Moreover, Chen Xu's works over the past two years had been distinctive, and many felt that Silent Hill PT might offer them some much-needed inspiration.

The only regret is not being able to experience it first-hand, which would help better understand the intention behind being a game designer.

"Well... I think Teacher Meng, you should reconsider later," Chen Xu laughed.

Upon hearing Chen Xu's words, the surrounding designers remained silent, only smiling.

After all, they were all peers, and it's important to show each other some respect.

A horror theme? How big of a deal is that?

As game designers, they've seen it all.

A horror game? It's not as if they haven't played Chen Xu's Escape before.

Meanwhile, a group of testers were preparing to experience the game.

Only one device was available, but three testers were on duty that day.

The three of them decided who would go first by guessing.

"Cheng Rang, I'll be the first to get the best experience," said Li Yue, a young man with a height of 1.85 meters, smiling as he glanced at the two people beside him. His work card read: Li Yue.

The other two colleagues were Tao Fa and Ye Xun, both of whom had a strong physique. After all, the nature of their testing work was quite specialized, and the personnel were carefully selected.

"Unfortunately, I've always been a fan of Chen Xu's games," Tao Fa said with a hint of regret.

"Yes, but don't be too scared later," Ye Xun teased.

"Haha, I've experienced all kinds of terrifying materials with the new VR equipment. I've even tested some horrifying pictures. Do you really think I'll be scared?" Li Yue laughed.

While the three were chatting, Chen Xu and the others arrived at a room with a large LCD screen in front of them. According to the staff's introduction, the game screen for the experiencers would be displayed there.

Soon, after the staff confirmed that everything was working fine, Li Yue eagerly entered the game warehouse.

As a young man, Li Yue was naturally a fan of gaming, and he was no stranger to Chen Xu.

Now, he had the chance to experience the first DEMO of the new VR device, which made him very excited, even thrilled.

With excitement and anticipation, he launched the test DEMO called Silent Hill PT in the game warehouse.