Chapter 453: The Dark Side of Lin Yao Roller Coaster (Thanks to 2017456wap and the leader of Lexington)

More than two million sales.

It doesn't sound like much.

Especially in Lin Yao's previous life, it seems that if there are no sales of five million or ten million, it is embarrassing to say that it is a big hit...

But in fact, whether it is Lin Yao's previous life or here, as long as a game has more than three million sales, it will have an impact on the existing market.

And those works with sales of tens of millions, especially those in Lin Yao's previous life, are basically IP-enhanced.

Not to mention the most profitable IPs such as Pokémon, the Dark Souls 3 that domestic players are more familiar with, although it also has tens of millions of sales... But if there is no accumulation of the previous "Demon's Souls" and the previous work, and the accumulation of that Bloodborne, it is really impossible to sell so many.

For some games, tens of millions of sales can only make the production team happy, such as the orthodox sequel of Mario. If you don't sell tens of millions of sales, the production team will really think that they are not doing well... After all, the series is really brilliant.

For another part of the game, perhaps a million sales are enough to celebrate with champagne.

Three million.

Then we can have a big celebration party... For example, the Xenoblade Chronicles series.

Because JRPG has declined, except for national IPs like DQ, 3 million is really a hurdle.

Simply put, it depends on the type of game and the investment.

Lin Yao remembered reading a report in her previous life. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario and Zelda, said that Breath of the Wild needs 2 million sales to ensure that it does not lose money...

For a work like Breath of the Wild, a team of hundreds of people took five years to develop, and 2 million is not a loss...

So, for the first work of an original IP, selling 2 million copies is really not a small amount.

In the end, Breath of the Wild was able to sell 20 million copies. When it was first announced in 2017, no one would have thought.

Generally speaking, in the world where Lin Yao is currently, a small-scale, low-cost game can start celebrating if it sells 100,000 copies.

For 3A masterpieces, if they are promoted on a large scale, sales of about 2 million copies will definitely break even, and general 3A games can still make money!

Moreover, the development status of Linmu Studio is actually quite different from that of ordinary game companies... There are fewer human resources than ordinary project teams, and the time cost is much less than that of other companies. After all, under the planning of the completion mechanism, many costs can be saved.

For most of the games in the later period of Linmu Studio, the biggest part of the game cost is publicity and promotion.

But even if Linmu Studio counts all the costs, the sales of two million... are profitable.

Most 3A works of companies in this world basically start to make money with sales of two million.

Regarding this.

Li Guangshang understands, and He Fukanfu knows it well.

It's no wonder they have doubts.

Because two million is not the end, "Dark Soul" has not been released for a week!

This also shows that the final sales of this game must be more than two million, three million, or even four million.

This refund was withdrawn in the middle of summer...

It's really outrageous.

"Are these players... sick?"

When He Fukanfu heard the news, he looked at the head of the marketing department in shock.

He really didn't understand.

It's not that he didn't play the game, he played it! But he really didn't feel any fun!

Why.

But when it comes to the players, it becomes a masterpiece?

He doesn't understand.

He feels that his outlook on life has been refreshed. Do the players... like to be abused?

In fact, Kawabe Mikio doesn't know that in Lin Yao's previous life, the pioneering work of the Soul series, "Demon's Souls", was also not favored by Sony. There was no hope in the promotion and distribution stage, and there was not even a large-scale advertising investment...

And the well-known "industry toxic milk", Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida, commented that "Demon's Souls" was an incredibly bad game after the trial play...

In the end, "Demon's Souls" had very few shipments in the local market, and the final sales did not meet expectations. Sony even directly gave up the North American distribution plan. It was still the game producer From Software who was unwilling to give up and found another company Atlus, which finally allowed the game to land in North America.

Then.

Then Sony must have regretted it...

When the time came for the release of PS5, the remastered version of "Demon's Souls", which was not optimistic at the beginning, even became the escort masterpiece of Sony's next-generation console. It is still the only masterpiece that many players find eye-catching. It really makes people sigh that things are unpredictable...

"I think... it's probably because of this reason."

The head of the marketing department heard the doubts of Kawabe Mikio, hesitated for a moment, and replied with a strange look on his face: "The reason why this "Dark Souls" is so popular among players in Europe and the United States, and the media gave it high scores, is because they have all been baptized by "Dungeons & Dragons" and are no longer surprised by the weird designs in RPGs... "Dark Souls" is very much to their taste.

And I saw someone from the fourth development department playing the game that day, and I specifically asked him what he thought. He said that the desperate fantasy world created by the game is very fascinating. Although the game is very difficult, the higher the difficulty, the higher his desire to challenge... Even our production staff think so, and I guess European and American players are similar."

Kawabe Mikio: "..."

"As for the country where Linmu Studio is located, Linmu Studio is the most famous, a bit like our reputation in Japan... This makes many players there willing to give face and patiently try it out even if they have never played this type of game before, just because of the reputation of Linmu Studio. Not to mention the console side, their game lineup is still in the state of players buying one after the release of a game. Although some players refunded their money in the end, there are also many players who continue to play. After playing, they are just like those European and American players..."

Kawabe Mikio: "..."

The head of the marketing department continued, "Also, I've taken a look. Related topics are heating up in major communities in Europe and the United States. European and American players seem to have found the feeling of playing games when they were young in Dark Souls. On the one hand, they lament that there is now an RPG that can combine challenge and story, and on the other hand, they are discussing the trend. This has made more people want to try this unique game. Now the game is getting more and more popular... We have roughly evaluated it internally. Under this situation, Dark Souls will be launched on both platforms, and the final sales will be more than five million.

And this game is not only selling well, it seems to have opened up a market... After all, many European and American players like this kind of difficult game.

Some time ago, the fourth development department, the person I just asked about his experience of playing... also asked me if it is possible for me to make a game like this in the company."

Kawa Fukuo was silent for a moment, and asked, "...Who is that person?"

"Uh, the head of the fourth development department."

Kawa Fukuo: "..."

"...How should I reply to him?" The head of the marketing department saw that Kawa Fukuo was silent, and asked cautiously.

He Fukui said expressionlessly, "Get out."

"..."

The head of the marketing department was stunned for a moment, then his expression became stern, knowing that he had committed a big taboo.

How could he slap the boss in the face at this time!

The boss had just said not long ago that he would never allow first-party, second-party or even third-party to make similar games and log on to his console... He personally blocked all the roads.

If he changed his words now, it would be really embarrassing...

"Yes! I was abrupt!"

The head of the marketing department reacted, immediately bowed, apologized loudly, and turned around and left.

"Wait."

But the head of the marketing department just walked to the door. He

Fukui's voice came again.

His voice was not loud.

"Yes!"

But the head of the marketing department immediately stopped and answered loudly.

"In addition, by the way, ask the head of the fourth development department to write a plan..."

"...Yes!" The head of the marketing department paused and answered loudly again.

"..."

As the door closed.

He Fukui finally couldn't keep his expressionless posture, his shoulders slumped, and he broke his posture instantly, and his face looked a little strange.

It's really embarrassing...

But now the momentum of the console war is becoming more and more obvious, and the major console manufacturers have similar game types...

Maybe a new game type will become a breakthrough.

Although he wanted to be stubborn, wanted to stick to his own opinion, and wanted to say that "Dark Souls" was a piece of shit, he knew very well that if he didn't do it, other console manufacturers would follow suit...

After all, no matter what, European and American players are one of the most important sources of players, and they like... It really can't be ignored.

But.

Why did it become like this?

Why did a new troublemaker suddenly become a trend leader?

Why is this?

Kawabe Mikio couldn't figure it out...

...

As "Dark Souls" began to heat up overseas.

Domestically.

The topic of the game also began to heat up.

Because the first player who cleared the game... appeared.

And the first time he cleared the game, he posted a screenshot of his clearance on the forum.

In the screenshot.

His character was surrounded by flames, looking very tragic.

[I am firewood, passing on light... I finally cleared the game!

Let me tell you what I think of the game.

I am different from you. I really like this game very much... This game is the most special work of Linmu Studio and the best work in my mind.

Facts have proved that Lin Yao never disappoints.

You may not have played the game, so it may be hard to imagine the feeling of discovering the secrets of the game world every time you come to a new place... It's really great!

And I devote myself to the battle. Although the difficulty of the game is abnormal, I die more than ten times every time I open a new map, but! The sense of accomplishment of pushing the map and defeating the boss in this game is unmatched by any other game!

And the story of the game, although there is only a glimpse of the claws, but each equipment item, each dialogue with the NPC The information displayed is really fascinating. For example, there are four or five characters that impressed me the most in my first round of clearance. They may not even have many lines, but I am still impressed by them, such as Artorius.

If you don't delve into it, this boss is just a handsome boss, but as long as you pay a little attention to the clues hidden by Lin Yao in the game, you will know how tragic this person is...

Why did the map of Londo in the game become like that? Why are there all ghosts? It's because the gods were afraid of the erosion of the abyss, and they flooded Londo with floods to stop the spread of the abyss at the cost of the people of the city!

The story of Wolf Knight Artorius is also related to the abyss, but he stopped the erosion of the abyss not by sacrifice, but by going to the depths of the abyss that the gods feared, and fighting against the Lord of the Abyss-Manus, the Lord of the Abyss that the gods feared.

In the end, of course, he lost, his left hand was broken, and he escaped with a serious injury. Then, in order to protect his partner Sif, he left the only barrier against the abyss and fought the infected alone.

He kept fighting and being eroded until he came to the arena and met us players. In front of us, he killed the last infected person he met in his life. His will finally collapsed and he was completely eroded by the abyss...

The hero's end. Accompanied by desolate music, Artorius and us players started the last battle of his life.

This is his story.

He is really... so handsome! Even if he is completely eroded by the abyss and becomes a BOSS, he is still so dazzling. I learned about the plot from fragmented information, and then when I faced him, I was really overwhelmed with emotions.

And this experience, I think it is one of the biggest charms of the game! It is also the reason why I don’t complain about the difficulty of the game, because these heroes and gods are never just for show. They are not only awesome in the story, but also awesome in the performance! Every time I walk into a fog gate and see the carefully designed performance of Linmu Studio, the music starts, and I face the BOSS, I get goose bumps.

It would be strange if they could be killed by players with three knives! After all, we are just undead! Undead who can’t even bend their knees! ! 】 As soon

as this post came out.

Instantly, it resonated with a large number of players.

Those players who have been fighting in the game all ran out.

"Indeed, this game is really special. I also cursed at the beginning, thinking that Linmu Studio was sick... But as I played it slowly, I was really attracted to it. Along the way, I kept saying 'What the hell is this', 'It can actually be like this', and 'Holy crap'... When I hit the continuously festering creature, I was really scared. The huge monster festering and oozing magma, I really have to admire the imagination of Linmu Studio, it's dark and attractive."

"Exploring the world and discovering more mysteries, like the OP, this is what I enjoy the most in the whole game process, and the game does a great job in this aspect. Every time I arrive at a new area, I am taught a lesson, but I can't help but want to try it again..."

"I haven't felt the feeling of having to try many times to complete a game as a child. I don't know how long

I haven't felt this." "Good game! It's definitely not as bad as some people say. As long as you can adapt to the difficulty, believe me, you will discover a new world if you keep playing."

"Although I haven't read the fragmented information carefully, the OP is right. Artorius is really handsome... With a one-handed greatsword, he can beat me with one hand."

"That's really cool..."

Players who have already played the game began to vindicate the game.

The game was popular both overseas and domestically, and with the influence of live broadcasts,

the players who had refunded their money some time ago began to doubt themselves...

Then, many players repurchased the game.

On the forum, discussions about the game gradually took over. Players began to exchange experiences, post guides, and do live broadcasts, talking about the dark, strange, and dangerous fantasy world of the game, and the jaw-droppingly difficult levels...

In short, the game began to spread on a large scale.

In the game, interesting online mechanisms were also discovered by players.

There are more related gameplays...

This is the case in China, not to mention European and American players who are deeply influenced by Dungeons & Dragons.

Thanks to the excellent quality of the game itself, the wind direction suddenly changed...

Some game media even gave a comment, saying that "Dark Soul", a game with a very innovative and unique style, will change the future of RPG...

Once this comment came out,

Linmu Studio was really in the limelight...

Li Guangsheng looked at the overwhelming discussion about Linmu Studio's games on the forum and didn't know what to say...

He suddenly realized.

The times seem to have changed.

He doesn't seem to understand the players...

On the other hand, although the game has been vindicated.

But this does not mean that the difficulty of the game has been reduced.

Some players have been suffering and tortured while playing "Dark Souls". Under the cycle... their mentality has collapsed again.

Although they have to admit that this game is not just for disgusting people, it does have something, but they are still very unwilling, especially when they think of the game released by Linmu Studio last year... they are even more unwilling!

The difficulty is really different!

So soon.

On the forum.

There is such a saying.

The sand sculpture players said that Lin Yao has two sides, one side is a girl, light, and the other side is a demon... It is dark.

And "Dark Souls" is the work of the dark side Lin Yao... Her light side has been eroded, Lin Yao has changed!

Who spread this saying is no longer traceable.

But it has indeed spread, and it has spread more and more widely...

On the forum, there are even related sand sculpture pictures...

...

Linmu Studio.

"Psycho!"

Lin Yao looked at the screenshots of her first online game direct meeting on the forum, which were added with words such as "I will torture the players!", "No player can escape today!", "I don't want to be a family party anymore!", "Hahaha, the player died again", "Show the players some color" and so on. She couldn't help but raise her fist and gently hit the table.

"..."

Mu Wanqing stood behind her, also looking at the screen, and couldn't help laughing.

In fact, there were not many malicious players, and the pictures they chose were not ugly, but the meaning of teasing was really beyond words...

"What are you laughing at."

Lin Yao turned her head suddenly, shook her ponytail, and glared at Mu Wanqing lightly.

"I didn't."

Mu Wanqing frowned and shook her head.

"No, right!"

Lin Yao laughed out of anger, and reached out to scratch the side of the black silk glasses girl.

Mu Wanqing twisted her body and finally couldn't help showing a smile on her face.

"...boring."

Lin Yao glanced at Mu Wanqing's expression, and then remembered that she was not ticklish. She put down her hand with some disappointment, then straightened her waist and stroked her ponytail, complaining at the same time: "I don't know what the players are thinking. Why did they suddenly get angry at me? Where's Uncle Lin? Did you forget?"

"This is probably a way for players to relieve their stress... I'll keep an eye on that side. If it goes too far, I'll tell the forum operator."

Mu Wanqing looked at the girl who straightened her waist and arranged her ponytail, showing off her perfect body curves, and took it seriously.

Although she didn't know much about single-player games, and couldn't beat difficult games like "Dark Souls",

he still had a very accurate grasp of the players' psychology...

"No need to say it, I'm not that stingy..."

Lin Yao let go of the ponytail and shook her head gently: "But... didn't they say I changed? Okay, then I'll prove it to them... It just so happens that the production team of the console product department is free."

After that.

Lin Yao turned around, took out a piece of drawing paper, and started drawing the new game illustrations that had been determined during this period.

Mu Wanqing was a little curious, took a step forward, and looked over.

Lin Yao took a pencil and quickly sketched on the paper.

Very quickly.

A cute creature appeared on the drawing paper. It was a round creature, with a ball as the main body, and only the outline of the arms, which were also spherical. As for the feet, they were very big, as if wearing a pair of oversized shoes...

Lin Yao drew the outline of the character with a pencil, and then found a coloring pen and painted the creature on the drawing paper pink.

Coloring was completed.

A pink and cute creature jumped onto the paper.

"...What is this?"

Almost instantly.

Mu Wanqing was attracted.

No matter how mature it is, it is still a girl...

"Kirby, a round and cute little glutton."

Lin Yao turned her head and said with a smile: "One of the works of the console product department in the second half of the year has been decided to be this, the dark side, right? It has changed, right... Too naive!!"

"..."

Mu Wanqing looked at the cute creature on the drawing paper, and then looked at the girl with her chest puffed out. She felt helpless and a little funny.

He didn't know what the players would feel at that time...

After playing "Dark Souls" and dying, Lin Yao returned to the cute style for the next work...

Well, it would be very interesting...

"

Senior sister, so cute!"

Afternoon.

Console Product Department.

Lin Yao gave Zhu Nianqiao the setting picture of "Kirby" she drew.

Her reaction was similar to Mu Wanqing's. The first reaction was cute.

Lin Yao automatically ignored her exclamation, and then briefly told her about the setting of the game and asked her to prepare.

After listening to Lin Yao's words, Zhu Nianqiao's face also became a little strange.

"Senior sister, did you plan it in advance?"

Zhu Nianqiao asked in a low voice.

Lin Yao explained in detail.

Zhu Nianqiao understood it quickly.

"Kirby" is a very special action game, but compared with ordinary action games, this game... is very simple. The protagonist does not have any complicated actions, the enemy's offensive is not fierce, and even the fall damage is avoided as much as possible, because in the setting, this Kirby will suck air and float in the air.

And most importantly.

Kirby can also absorb enemies and gain their abilities, and it's an enhanced version!

This...

Players have just experienced a journey of darkness, depression, despair, and constant torture in "Dark Souls".

Lin Yao turned around and launched such a cute, relaxing and happy game...

Players have not yet been able to walk out of the oppressive and dark world of Dark Souls, and they have to face a round, pink, big-eyed cute creature that can fly by breathing and eat anything...

The mood is probably like riding a roller coaster, very complicated.

This will become a hot topic again...

"What premeditated, there is nothing!"

Lin Yao immediately shook her head and denied: "Don't worry about these, you get ready, I will find time to write the plan, and then in addition to this "Kirby of the Stars", the Mario game that is being produced, the host product department will also have a work that complements the hardware. I will tell Linmu Financial Holdings later that the name is "Ring Fit Adventure", and you should also be prepared."

"Okay~"

Zhu Nianqiao looked at the cute Kirby in her hand, thought about it, and responded with a long tone full of energy.

Who cares.

It feels like it will be very interesting!

Lin Yao chatted with Zhu Nianqiao again, then turned around and left the console product department.

She lowered her head and returned to her seat in thought.

Now the console product department's works for the second half of the year have been temporarily determined.

A new Mario game focuses on fun together, and Kirby's Star focuses on the small garden and all ages. As for the fitness ring, Lin Yao is not sure whether it can succeed in this world, but the design of this product is really interesting, and she feels that the probability of triggering a trend is very high.

Besides.

Even if it will fail, Lin Yao will actually launch this project.

If for nothing else, just to expand the production line of Linmu Financial Holdings...

Now Linmu Financial Holdings' production line only has consoles and handles. Although it is in full swing, Lin Yao still feels unstable.

In the early stage, Linmu Financial Holdings had just transformed, and it was difficult to produce consoles.

Lin Yao was not too anxious, but just put the simplest Labo on the agenda.

But now as the console production line gradually matures, she thinks it's time to put the subsequent plans on the agenda.

The fitness ring is a test run, and there should be carriage steering wheels, charging stands, Joy-con chargers and even action figures next.

She wants to completely help Linmu Financial Holdings get rid of the name of real estate.

However.

As for the console, Lin Yao has a plan, and she just needs to sort out the ideas.

But the PC department...

Lin Yao hasn't really thought it through.

There is no need to rush the sequel to "Dark Souls". The sooner the game is released, the better... Sometimes letting the IP ferment for a while is more conducive to long-term development.

So in the short term, Lin Yao doesn't want to rush to launch the sequel to Dark Souls.

If there is no sequel... what should I do?

Sorry, 456WAP is thanking you now... I missed it before, and it seems that I also missed Xiao Dai's reward. Anyway, I missed a lot of people. I explained before that time was too urgent. Anyway, I am very sorry and thank you very much (bow)

(End of this chapter)