Faced with the expectations of countless online players, John quickly prepared a polished announcement. After recording a short clip, he edited the text and posted it, simple, direct, yet enough to ignite excitement across the entire community.
Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain will be released in early April.
The moment the post went live, the comment section beneath John's blog exploded.
"Damn! Really!? Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain is actually coming out!?"
"Is that the story of Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain on the monitor behind you? You did that on purpose, didn't you? That angle was way too perfect!"
"President John is definitely doing this intentionally! The angle, the timing, everything was planned!"
"Please, just act like a normal person for once!"
"Am I the only one suspicious here? Guys, think carefully, what day is early April?"
"April 1st!? April Fool's Day? Now that you mention it… something feels off."
"Holy crap… releasing Metal Gear: Phantom Pain on that day? Is this real or a joke?"
At first, players were overwhelmed with excitement. But as soon as they realized the date, unease began to spread just as quickly. Of all possible times… why choose that one? Was it real, or just an elaborate prank? No one could say for sure.
While ordinary players were left guessing, those within the game industry had access to clearer information. Some developers who had originally planned April releases, especially mid-to-large studios, began making inquiries immediately.
Before long, confirmation arrived: the early April release of Metal Gear: Phantom Pain was no joke. Advertisements had already begun appearing across major platforms.
With that certainty, reactions followed swiftly. Studios that hadn't locked in release dates started shifting their schedules, while those already committed to marketing campaigns scrambled to see if delays were possible.
As for smaller, low-budget titles, the impact from PixelPioneers Games' Metal Gear: Phantom Pain was minimal, especially for indie developers. The real pressure fell on mid-sized productions.
Soon, discussions among players intensified. Promotional material for Metal Gear: Phantom Pain flooded the internet. At the same time, UEGame overseas began its own campaign, confirming that the game would launch globally in sync.
For online services, the domestic release would be handled directly by PixelPioneers Games, while UEGame would manage overseas operations. Finally, on April 1st, Metal Gear: Phantom Pain officially launched.
Inside an ordinary game studio, Ash Liam, a planning staff member, sat in the office with his team after finishing their work. Now came the familiar routine: play the game, analyze it, and see what ideas could be extracted and repurposed into their own projects, riding the wave of its popularity. It was something they had done countless times before.
When Liam first entered the industry, full of passion and idealism, he had strongly resisted this kind of practice. But time, and reality, had worn down those sharp edges. Web games, mobile games, PC titles… over the years, he had worked on nearly every type.
There was a saying he once didn't understand: "If you love games, don't make games."
Now, he understood it a little better. Still, things weren't entirely bleak. He wasn't some top-tier genius, but the job paid decently, and in his spare time, he could still enjoy games for what they were. That was enough.
As the clock struck release time, Liam clicked on the preloaded icon and entered the game. The logos of PixelPioneers Games and the Metal Gear series flashed by, accompanied by the names of the main producers. Then, a faint sound of breathing filled his headphones.
"Humans don't live in a country, they live in language. And 'language' is our true 'motherland'." As the subtitle appeared, the screen revealed a dimly lit room filled with weapons. The dark tones were broken only by reflections from a pool and a mirror. The camera slowly pushed forward.
In front of the mirror, a strip of tape bore a chilling slogan: "Man Who Sold the World."
A mechanical arm picked up the tape and inserted it into a player. The camera shifted again, and with an oddly upbeat BGM, the screen faded into darkness. Then, beneath the PixelPioneers Games label, the game truly began.
Extending his eyes in confusion, Liam saw a nurse standing before him. He instinctively pressed keys and moved the mouse, only to realize he couldn't control the character. The camera, however, responded slightly.
Glancing around the office to make sure no one was watching, he casually tilted the view toward the nurse's chest. Nothing was actually revealed… but imagination did the rest.
Moments later, the nurse noticed he was awake and hurriedly called for a doctor.
"BIG BOSS has been in a coma for nine years!"
Liam blinked, watching the cutscene unfold. Ah… so that's the setup. Years later, enemies have grown powerful, perfect groundwork for a revenge-driven narrative that would gradually build player satisfaction.
Just as he reached that conclusion, the protagonist was abruptly injected with a sedative… and blacked out again. The next time he woke up, the bald doctor returned.
Then, to Liam's growing disbelief, the doctor delivered more bad news. Fragments had been embedded throughout his body. Most had been removed, but one remained lodged in his head. And his left arm… was gone.
Before he could even process it, another injection followed. Darkness again.
Looking at the on-screen prompt, Liam couldn't help but feel speechless. No wonder the guy was in a coma for nine years… Every time he wakes up, he gets another shot. One injection equals a week of sleep; who could survive that?
Despite his complaints, Liam continued playing seriously. But soon, something started to feel… off. Was Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain… a horror game? That didn't make sense. Metal Gear: Original Burst Point definitely wasn't like this.
Unarmed, he followed the bandaged man who had saved him, escaping through the hospital. The tension was suffocating. Hiding under beds, watching helplessly as other patients were murdered… fearing he would be next. Sneaking through corridors, triggering explosions with saline bags… It felt eerily similar to Outlast.
But then, what was that burning man!? Was this war… or had it suddenly turned into supernatural horror? Completely confused, Liam continued playing.
And online, players everywhere had already begun heated discussions about the bizarre and unsettling opening of Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain.