Chapter 154 Public
The game's first-month sales remained stable at 300,000 copies.
For a debut title from a brand new studio, especially one like ours that focuses on gameplay innovation rather than simply increasing volume, this achievement is enough for us to celebrate with champagne!
After the joy, there will be even busier follow-up publicity.
The company contacted major gaming platforms to place advertisements and also invited many influential UP hosts to conduct reviews and live broadcasts.
For a time, the popularity of "The Moment of the Dead Bell" was pushed up again, and even became popular beyond its original small circle.
Many people suddenly realized that I was the graduate student who mentioned that I was "developing games" in the technology interview.
Those small splashes at the beginning have finally turned into a wave.
There are even discussions in the industry that this game might win a few awards in the year-end awards ceremony.
I can be said to have truly become what others call "Mr. Chen" or "Creator Chen".
As the face and technical core of the company, my popularity has skyrocketed.
After his personal Weibo account was exposed, his number of followers skyrocketed, and in the comment section, he often saw people urging him to update more:
"Boss! When will the next game be released?"
"Even the donkeys in the production team wouldn't dare rest like this! GKD!"
This time the popularity is on a completely different level from the last time he was interviewed, and the exposure is much higher.
But strangely, I felt much more at ease and no longer as anxious as before.
Maybe it’s because I have real works in my hands, which gives me confidence.
However, a certain Mr. Lin in the family doesn't think so.
Looking at all those exaggerated comments like "Wife!" and "Love you" under my Weibo, he was sour all day long, hugging me and whining:
"Ruirui is more popular than celebrities now..."
I thought he was so cute when he was jealous, but I also made a decision in my heart.
Soon, an important game launch conference came, and I was required to give a speech in person, and it would be a live online broadcast.
The process was not complicated, just introducing the game, sharing development stories, interacting with the host, and answering some questions from the audience. It was quite large, with many media and players in attendance.
I had a little selfish motive, so I deliberately let Lin Yan sit in the first row of the audience as an "important partner".
On the day of the press conference, I was sitting on the stage, looking at Lin Yan, who was dressed in a suit and looked very respectable, and I couldn't help but smile at him.
He gave me a firm and gentle look in return, silently conveying "Don't be nervous, I'm here."
The press conference went smoothly.
I first introduced the core content and unique gameplay of the game in detail, and showed a carefully edited new promotional video, which aroused exclamations from the audience.
Then I answered a few pre-prepared questions about the plot and characters, such as the hidden ending of a popular character, or a widely circulated funny meme in the game. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful, and I answered fluently, feeling more and more relaxed.
Soon it was time for the most uncontrollable audience interaction session. The staff randomly selected audience members to ask questions.
The questions are indeed varied:
"Mr. Chen! Are the Clockmaker and the Night Watchman a couple in the game? I'm so excited!" (Me: "Uh... players are free to interpret their relationship freely. We've buried a lot of details.")
"Why is the protagonist so good at tying bows?! What a weirdly cute thing!" (Me: "...It's just the art teacher's personal hobby. She said it's a cute contrast.")
"Will there be a major DLC? Money is not a problem!" (Me: "We're planning it, we're planning it, stay tuned for the details!")
Then, a chosen audience member took the microphone and asked a question that made my heart beat faster: "Hello, Mr. Chen, I'm particularly curious about the story between you and your partner. You said in a previous interview that he gave you tremendous encouragement and support, and you could even say that he was the one who set you on this path. Can you share some details? It feels so romantic."
My heart skipped a beat—now!
I took a deep breath, keeping a smile on my face, but my voice was more serious than before: "Thank you for your question. I really have a lot to say about this. In fact, my lover is also here today."
As soon as he finished speaking, all the lights and cameras on the scene were instantly focused on the figure in the middle of the first row of the audience who was trying to reduce his presence!
Lin Yan was obviously not expecting this at all. He was completely stunned. A rare look of astonishment and panic flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced by incredible surprise.
The close-up of him captured by the camera was projected onto the big screen behind him. He looked a little too handsome, but he was also visibly nervous.
I looked him in the eye and continued, word for word, clearly: "From the initial development of the NPC AI plugin, to the later founding of Ironstone, and every day and night of this game's birth, he has given me unconditional support, understanding, and love. Without him, there would be no Deathstroke, and there would be no me today."
My voice trembled slightly, but my eyes were firm. "So, here, I want to take this opportunity to thank him most solemnly. Thank you, Lin Yan. For always being by my side, believing in me, and supporting me."
The scene was silent for a second, and then erupted into exclamations and applause that was even louder than ever before!
Many viewers showed smiles of surprise and blessing. The camera was given to Lin Yan again. He lowered his head slightly, with an uncontrollable smile on the corners of his mouth, but his ears were completely red.
This segment didn't last too long. The host very professionally brought the topic back to the game itself, and the press conference continued smoothly.
But I know that some things are no longer the same.
As soon as the press conference ended, I returned to the backstage and before I could even stand firmly, I was hugged tightly by an embrace with a familiar scent.
Lin Yan buried his face in the crook of my neck, his voice muffled and filled with incredible excitement: "You... I didn't expect... you would..."
I hugged him back, patted his back with a smile, and said, "Why else would I have asked you to come to the event? And sit in such a prominent position in the first row?"
"It's only my duty to help you out..." He was still being stubborn, but he hugged her even tighter.
"Are you satisfied now, Boss Lin?" I looked up at him and teased him, "Now that the whole world knows she's taken, you'll be less jealous, right?"
"I'm actually a little worried..." Lin Yan let go of me slightly, frowning slightly, "Will this public disclosure bring any controversy to you and the game? After all..."
His concerns were not unfounded. Sure enough, the topic "Iron Stone Games' main creator came out at press conference to thank her boyfriend" became a trending topic at an alarming speed.
Edited video clips of the live broadcast were circulated everywhere.
Most of the voices were filled with shock and congratulations: "Holy crap! It's actually a boy! And he's so handsome! I'm so jealous!"
"Technology tycoon x business elite! What a powerful combination! A novel come true!"
"Blessings and blessings! The love in the two people's eyes can't be hidden!"
"The game is well made and the players are brave! Double points!"
But there are also some discordant notes:
"Ugh! A game made by homosexuals? I instantly don't want to play it anymore."
"Hype, right? Using this to attract attention is disgusting."
"I unfollowed him. I thought he was a serious gamer, but... "
To be honest, I felt a pang of regret when I saw those negative comments.
I'm not afraid of being scolded, I'm afraid that because of my personal choice, the hard work of the entire team will be affected, and "The Moment of the Lost Bell" will be boycotted for no reason.
I watched the reaction within the company with trepidation.
However, the atmosphere of "Iron Stone" is even better than I expected.
When my colleagues saw me, they still greeted me and discussed work. Some even came up to me and said:
"Brother Chen, you're awesome! So brave!"
"Boss, ignore those idiots on the internet! They don't know shit!"
"That's right! As long as our game is fun, that's all! Who cares about who the boss likes?"
There was even a programmer colleague who pushed up his glasses and jokingly said, "What's the big deal? In timeline C, the protagonist can still have a gay relationship with the bar owner. Our company culture has always been inclusive."
My heart finally relaxed and a warm feeling flowed through my body.
It’s great to be able to work with you all.
As for my boss Lin, his initial worries have long been thrown out of the window.
He happily browsed Weibo and video websites, specifically looking for those CP videos that showed us looking at each other and thanking each other at the press conference. His mouth was almost grinning to the back of his ears.
There is a particular video with a very high number of views, which is accompanied by a particularly sentimental BGM. The camera switches back and forth between him and me, slowing down and freezing... the atmosphere is full.
When he played the video for the third time and hummed along with the background music, I finally couldn't help myself: "Hey! Enough! The scene was obviously serious and touching, but this background music made it so ambiguous... This editor is too much!"
"I think the cut is very good, it captures the essence completely."
Lin Yan put down his phone, came over to hug me with bright eyes, and said, "This UP host has great taste. I have to give him a coin."
"...I'm really impressed by you." I felt a bit embarrassed and poked his chest. "Didn't you see how many people in the comment section are praising your handsomeness? 'Mr. Lin is so handsome', 'Do you think Mr. Lin looks like a celebrity'..."
Lin Yan chuckled, hugged me tighter, and rubbed his nose against mine: "Wife, are you...jealous?"
"No way!" I said stubbornly, but I felt a little sour inside. "It's just... it feels like a treasure I've hidden for a long time is suddenly discovered by so many people... It's not very satisfying."
Lin Yan's eyes instantly became deep and dangerous. He picked me up and carried me towards the bedroom.
"Hey! What are you doing? In broad daylight!" I exclaimed and hugged his neck.
"Don't you feel like your 'good things' are being coveted?"
He put me on the bed, leaned over me, and said in a low and sexy voice, "Now... I'll let you experience the exclusive and special experience of 'our own good stuff'..."
(Some indescribable details are omitted here)
The third time, I couldn't stand it anymore, and my voice was filled with tears: "Hey... Lin Yan... That's enough... At least let me rest for a while..."
The man on my body didn't stop moving at all. Instead, he chuckled and panted in my ear: "Master Director Chen, I saw you playing games all night to catch up on the project schedule... but you never asked for a break..."
“…How can this be the same?! Ah…be gentle…”
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