May 7th is still four days away from the exhibition, and players are eagerly anticipating the gameplay showcase.
Some avid followers of Chen Xu refresh his official blog daily, hoping to uncover snippets of game-related news. Today, their efforts paid off.
The official blog announced:
The test DEMO Silent Hill PT has been launched on the Neon game platform. Interested players can download and experience it for free.
Initially, many players were left puzzled.
What was going on?
Chen Xu had just completed Divide. Shouldn't he be actively working on the prequel to Dark Souls?
Where did this demo come from?
Is it a new game? But if so, why call it a test demo instead of an experience demo?
Curiosity swept through the community.
Clicking on the Neon game platform to check the description, players experienced a moment of silence before reacting.
"This is a horror-themed DEMO?!"
Memories of Escape, another of Chen Xu's creations, are still vivid for many. Even now, some streamers—searching for fresh content—choose Escape for its entertainment value. Videos showcasing players screaming in terror still rake in views across various platforms.
And now, Silent Hill PT appears.
Despite initial hesitation, the introduction piqued curiosity. It clearly stated this was not a complete game or a game trailer. Instead, it was a demo created to test the latest VR equipment developed by the game department.
Recently, alongside the upcoming gameplay exhibition, news about a new type of VR equipment has dominated discussions. While international markets initiated hype to establish dominance, domestic developers remained relatively quiet—until now.
Some specifications for the VR equipment have been released, generating excitement among the public. However, for most ordinary players, this new technology remains a luxury, at least in the early stages. Many might only experience it at VR demo stores.
Game designers, however, view this development differently. The game department reportedly collaborated with prominent designers in the industry to create this DEMO, and some media outlets have already circulated this information.
Chen Xu has become involved in the development, stirring heated discussions among both players and designers.
['Online Discussion Among Players']
"Chen Xu finished developing the demo for testing so quickly? Is this just a rushed mission?"
"Seriously? The game department isn't even obligated. Isn't Chen Xu also working on the prequel to Dark Souls? If he didn't want to participate, he could've refused. This is probably just a small test demo."
"No way. I heard this demo is packed with content and is seriously scary!"
"Scary? How scary could it be? It might be immersive with the new VR version, but on PC? I doubt it'll be the same."
"To be fair, anyone who doubted Escape before ended up eating their words."
"That's just hype. Escape is a full game. This is only a demo. There's a big difference!"
"Stop focusing on Silent Hill PT! Shouldn't we pay more attention to the Dark Souls prequel? If Chen Xu worked on Silent Hill PT during this time, doesn't that mean the prequel's development might be on hold?"
"Wait, are you saying we won't get to play the demo at the gameplay exhibition?"
"Who knows? Chen Xu and the team didn't confirm if the exhibition would have demo content—just that there'd be new announcements."
"I can't take it anymore! I need to play more Dark Souls! It's for more torture!"
"Relax. Even if there's no Dark Souls, isn't Chen Xu giving us a beta demo? Maybe we'll catch glimpses of the new VR version through it!"
"Wishful thinking. The PC and VR versions will feel completely different. The VR version might be terrifying, but on PC, it probably won't hit the same way."
At Neon Games, Ruan Ningxue, Yang Xin, and Qin Yi scrolled through online comments with complicated expressions.
"Chen, your reputation as the Soldier of Love might end up as an unshakable label in the future," Yang Xin remarked.
"Absolutely," Ruan Ningxue agreed, nodding.
Initially, everyone had been curious about Silent Hill PT, the demo designed to test the new VR equipment. However, without access to the VR version, the team was left working with the previous data to adapt it for the PC. Even in this version, the sense of suppressed fear was palpable.
While it didn't match the immersion of VR, the uneasiness was somehow amplified, making it even more nerve-wracking.
"Look, this is all for the players. You say Silent Hill PT is just a demo, but isn't the content top-notch? If players couldn't experience it, wouldn't that be a massive loss?" Chen Xu explained, grinning. "Plus, some players have already provided a perfect excuse for why the Dark Souls prequel trial isn't at the gameplay exhibition."
The team exchanged speechless glances.
"And if player feedback is positive," Chen Xu continued, stretching, "we could consider developing a more complete Silent Hill for the VR platform instead of leaving it as a short demo."
"A more complete version?" someone asked, incredulous. "For VR?"
This proposal sounded like the ultimate challenge to players' nerves.
If Neon Games went through with it, the company might as well rebrand itself as a fear factory. After all, how many players could withstand such a terrifying experience without giving up entirely?
When the crowd fell silent, anticipation hung in the air.
Before the gameplay exhibition, the main theme in the gaming community was clear: scream!
In countless households, players who experienced Silent Hill PT let out terrifying screams, akin to a pig being slaughtered. The PC version, while lacking the high-immersion experience of the VR version, still captivated players. The parallel-world technology allowed Chen Xu to deliver visuals that were even more realistic than Kojima's original PT. This enhanced realism became a core aspect of the horror game's appeal, amplifying the sense of dread and immersion.
Many players couldn't withstand Lisa's first eerie turnaround. Some fled the game after catching a glimpse of her terrifying figure through the crevice of the toilet door. It was simply too much. "I can't hold on at all!" echoed across forums and chats.
Even compared to games like Escape, which thrived on relentless chases, this demo felt even scarier. Despite being just a demo, it was so intense that it felt like players were risking their lives.
The PC version's intensity left many wondering how terrifying the VR version must be. After experiencing the game, some players even sympathized with the testers who had endured the VR version.
In online forums and communities, players huddled together for comfort, sharing their experiences:
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"Whoever said this demo wouldn't be too scary, I'm adding a BUFF to you!"
"It's not just the high-energy moments; the whole atmosphere was oppressive. When something finally happened, my heart just couldn't take it!"
"The baby crying in the toilet, and the ghost knocking on the door—it scared me to the point I almost wet myself!"
"What's even scarier is how good the graphics are. Chen Xu, why did you put so much effort into a DEMO? You scared my dad half to death!"
"When the female ghost turned around to kiss me, I was so scared that I flung my mouse across the room!"
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On live-streaming platforms, many streamers were on the verge of collapse. Unlike Escape, which allowed players to follow the plot to progress, Silent Hill PT demanded puzzle-solving skills. With no clear path forward, some players were left endlessly wandering the house with Lisa.
Jokes soon started circulating in the community: "If you stay with Lisa, at least you get a wife, kids, and a house. Isn't that tempting?" The only downside? Lisa's presence made it a little too stressful to enjoy the perks.