All the designers had initially come to discuss the latest VR equipment, explore related parameters, and delve into features under development. However, the DEMO of Silent Hill PT submitted by Chen Xu completely disrupted their plans.
Today, the research park witnessed a unique theme: screaming.
When emotions spiral out of control and fear takes hold, how can one best release such tension? The answer is simple: screaming.
Even seasoned testers and hardened veterans weren't immune. Initially, Li Yue tried to suppress his fear. When startled by Lisa, the ghostly figure in the toilet door, he merely let out an involuntary yelp. But as Lisa appeared up close, the overwhelming fear triggered a raw, instinctive scream he could no longer restrain.
When Ye Xun and Tao Fa joined the experience, they quickly realized what this game entailed.
"This can't possibly be a creation of this world!"
The only consolation was that Li Yue had already screamed earlier, breaking the ice and relieving the pressure for everyone else. The group soon embraced the freedom to shout. Before long, the entire research institute echoed with screams akin to slaughterhouse cries.
After taking a break, Li Yue prepared to dive back in, convinced he could handle things better this time.
"After all, it's just a horror game," he thought.
His reasoning was that familiarity with a horror game naturally reduces its scare factor over time. However, upon re-entering, he realized his mistake—or rather, a partial truth.
It's true that familiarity can dull fear. But there was a glaring problem: he wasn't fully familiar with it yet.
Sure, he had seen what the ghost looked like. But beyond that? Everything else remained an unsettling unknown. Were there more monsters lurking in the game? He didn't know. What awaited him next? Uncertainty loomed large.
Believing he'd reached the end, he was promptly proven wrong. Reality had another lesson in store.
The game transitioned into an inner world. Passing through the gate once again, he was greeted by a faint sound of running water. The lighting, once dim, now glowed in ominous shades of scarlet.
The chandelier hanging from the ceiling had vanished, replaced by a large refrigerator swinging back and forth in the air. The so-called red glow came from the blood dripping and pooling around the refrigerator, casting eerie reflections.
For the first time, haunting music played in the background, amplifying the dread. A chilling cry echoed through the air, emanating from the refrigerator—a baby's anguished wails.
With the noisy sound of the radio in the background, a vague sentence emerges: "After killing his family, his father hanged himself with a rubber hose (umbilical cord) in the garage."
At that moment, looking up at the refrigerator suspended from the ceiling, scarlet blood drips down, smearing directly onto the player's face.
The sudden sound of high heels behind them intensifies the oppressive atmosphere of the game.
In this suffocating environment, Lisa's enchanting figure leans in, her face close enough to almost touch. The testers in the research park couldn't hold back, their reactions reaching a fever pitch.
After leaving the research institute, Chen Xu felt relatively at ease. The Silent Hill PT demo seemed to achieve its intended effect, pushing the testers to their limits while providing valuable insights for improving VR equipment. Judging by their reactions, most testers wouldn't manage to complete the demo anytime soon.
Chen Xu found himself intrigued by the new VR equipment. Its immersive experience—both visually and audibly—was leaps and bounds ahead of previous iterations. However, he recognized the practical challenges. The equipment wasn't quite ready for widespread commercial use yet.
While Chen Xu pondered these thoughts, his phone rang. The caller was Yang Chen, the head of the game department.
"Minister Yang, what's up?" Chen Xu greeted as he answered.
"It's nothing major," Yang Chen replied, "just wanted to inform you that the subsidy should be available before next Monday. Also, about the demo you made—it's been incredibly valuable for testing. But Chen Xu, if you ever decide to market a VR horror game in the future, especially one like this, you should take it easy!"
Yang Chen's tone carried a mix of amusement and unease. He had reviewed the content of Silent Hill PT and found it... exceptional.
The game had no overtly gruesome scenes. The most discomforting element was arguably the baby embryo in the toilet. Yet, even without excessive gore, the atmosphere alone made the demo a harrowing experience.
If this game were ever paired with the latest VR equipment and released to the public, Yang Chen could hardly imagine the reaction. It wasn't just a game; it felt like a deliberate assault on the player's nerves. How many could endure such intensity?
Meng Zuo, who was with Chen Xu, chimed in, joking, "Minister Yang isn't wrong. If Silent Hill PT ever gets released, you'll end up scaring most of the players away."
Chen Xu smiled. "It's not that bad. The new VR version is just too immersive. The visuals and sound effects are so realistic, it amplifies everything."
The reason a horror game is terrifying lies not only in its frightening visuals but also in the importance of sound effects. Sound plays a crucial role in creating the overall atmosphere.
Take the example of the Escape from a Mental Hospital. Standing before its ominous gate, the building looms in the distance like a monstrous beast in the dark, exuding an oppressive presence.
However, imagine if Mr. Guo's comedic cross-talk were to suddenly play, accompanied by Mr. Yu's praises. The effect would instantly become irrelevant to the intended horror.
Similarly, even with eerie sound effects, if the foreboding Mental Hospital were replaced by a sunny, cheerful Beach, it would be difficult to evoke fear in anyone.
"That's absolutely true," Meng Zuo nodded in agreement.
"Even so, it's challenging for horror games to achieve explosive sales," he sighed.
"Indeed," Chen Xu acknowledged.
Horror games have always been a niche category. The extreme fear they evoke makes players hesitant to play alone, limiting their sales potential.
If they're not scary, though, they fail as horror games.
"But the design of Silent Hill PT really gave us designers a lot to think about. Especially the ghost encounters in the looping corridor, the narrow space designs, and Lisa's spine-chilling moments—it still gives me goosebumps when I think about it!" Meng Zuo exclaimed.
"That's mainly because it was just a demo. It allowed for more creative freedom," Chen Xu replied with a smile.
"But unfortunately, it's only available on the newer VR systems. Otherwise, I'd love to study the demo further, Mr. Chen," Meng Zuo added with a hint of regret.
"That's not an issue," Chen Xu said warmly. "If you'd like to play, it's just a demo. Our game department mentioned there's no need for confidentiality anymore. I'll make it accessible when I return. Let's discuss it in-depth after that."
Meng Zuo froze for a moment.
Wait, that's not what I meant!
It was just polite small talk! Who wants to play?
He opened his mouth to clarify but hesitated, too embarrassed to admit he was a little afraid.
"No, no, Mr. Chen, it's really not necessary," he stammered in an attempt to dissuade him.
"Don't be modest, Mr. Meng. Launching a PC version is simple. All the materials are ready, so it'll only take two days. Consider it a small gift for players—a surprise of sorts," Chen Xu replied, smiling.
Silence fell as Meng Zuo processed this.
Shocked, he couldn't help but imagine the players' reactions.
But joy? Is that what you call it?
On behalf of the players, I thank you for this… surprise.