Inside Nebula Games, Lucas leaned back in his massage chair, watching the online debates among players and couldn't help but smile.
Especially when he saw posts from new players complaining they were about to give up, and videos on various video sites showing players dying in 100 different ways in the game, Lucas laughed even harder.
"Boss Lucas, the players online are about to start fighting, and you're still laughing so happily?" Rachel said, speechless.
"Isn't that normal? Seeing players so happy because of my game, as the designer, of course I'm happy," Lucas said, clearing his throat slightly.
Rachel, along with Anna and others who had just arrived, didn't say anything, but looked at Lucas with eyes that said, 'Yeah, right.'
"But aside from the game's story and high difficulty, these players are really amazing, they've already started speedruns! Excluding the Orphan of Kos and such, the fastest is one and a half hours to beat the game!" Hector said with some emotion.
As the head of game stats and level design, Hector had naturally played Bloodborne during this time.
Well... the PC version, of course, so he knew what that time meant.
"Theoretically, the time can be compressed to within 40 minutes, don't underestimate the players," Lucas said with a smile.
"Boss Lucas! Please stop! This is just a small group of players, please consider us casual players! Don't come at us with your great love again!" Rachel said, raising her hand.
"That's right! I'm still stuck at the Three Hunters of Yharnam!" Anna also complained, as casual players, it was too hard for them.
"If you really can't get past it, you can search online for some player-created modified dungeons, grind a bit of blood echoes to level up, that way it'll be easier, of course, if you do that, your save will no longer be able to connect with normal players," Lucas said with a smile.
Regarding Bloodborne, Lucas used the same model as Dark Souls before.
That is, to separate normal players from special players.
Farming chalice dungeons that come with the game and random dungeons allows players to do normal PVP and PVE.
Of course, players can also use special tools to modify the monsters and loot in the dungeons, which are the so-called modified dungeons.
For example, after players beat Blood-starved Beast and get the first Pthumeru Chalice, they can directly search for modified dungeons and grind millions of echoes, allowing them to become overpowered in their first playthrough.
Of course, if you do that, you'll basically be cut off from normal players, and you'll only encounter players who have entered modified dungeons.
And in fact, many players are basically beaten so badly in their first playthrough that they enter modified dungeons, but after beating the game.
If they're really attracted by the charm of Soulslike games, many players will instead create a new, normal account and play through the game again from scratch.
"But the dungeon maze gameplay setting does make the game more addictive!"
Marcus, sitting next to Lucas, said.
When Nebula Games developed Dark Souls 1 and 2, Marcus was still at NetDragon, but he had learned about it through various channels.
At the time, Dark Souls was fairly popular, but apart from hardcore players, many ordinary players didn't have much interest in a second playthrough after beating the game once.
But Bloodborne is different, with different rune and gem combinations and stats, you can build different playstyles in the game.
And with the chalice dungeon gameplay, it directly turns the game into a grindfest.
Many players jokingly call themselves gem hunters, their greatest wish is to get a high-level gem with good stats.
Of course, while grinding, these players are also very unhappy.
Because the deeper you go, the monsters in the maze are just insane!
The bell maidens that hide somewhere and keep summoning all sorts of monsters, the sneaky spiders, the fast-moving long-haired parasites, and the naked fat guys with sledgehammers.
It can be said that many players have suffered a strong mental impact.
"But it's too unfriendly to unlucky players!" Rachel added.
"That's right! Some people grind for a hundred hours and don't get what they want, while others get the gems they want easily!" Anna said with great emotion.
"You sound like you've experienced it, don't tell me..." Lucas said, smiling and looking at Anna.
"It's not me, impossible, Boss Lucas, don't talk nonsense, I'm very lucky!" Anna immediately denied it three times in a row.
Unlucky? She doesn't believe she's unlucky!
"But recently, players have really suffered a lot!" Lucas said with emotion as he looked at the complaints online from players who still haven't beaten the game.
Hearing Lucas's emotion, the people next to him were speechless.
Who is to blame for all the suffering?
It's Boss Lucas, of course!
Looking at the games that have been released recently, Assassin's Creed went completely wild after release.
Resident Evil and Bloodborne, horror, suffering, and making players feel the pain of being unlucky, it's all there!
How can players not suffer?
"Well... we can develop a game that makes players happy, and we can also arrange something for the Switch, as our opening act of the year," Lucas said with a smile, thinking of something.
"Boss Lucas, is your 'happy' the same as the 'happy' that we're thinking of?" Anna asked uncertainly.
"What's wrong with you guys? You have to trust me! Am I the kind of designer who lies to players?" Lucas sighed.
He doesn't lie to players, he always tells the truth, but the problem is that it's not the same as what the players are thinking!
"Don't worry, this time it's definitely a benefit for the players, although it's an action game, it won't require too much skill from the players, it's a game that's very fun to play, the setting will be Greek mythology, players will play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, who fights his way out of hell," Lucas said with emotion.
"And it's also a fairly relaxing game, one run takes about half an hour, so it's good for your health," Lucas added with a smile.
Everyone looked surprised at Lucas's words.
Relaxing, good for your health, and a fun hack-and-slash game!? Has Boss Lucas changed? He's being too nice to the players!
It's actually a bit strange!
Everyone felt the same way.
Lucas smiled as he looked at everyone's surprised expressions.
Of course, he kept some things to himself.
That is, the game will be very fun and a hack-and-slash for lucky players, but if you're unlucky..., good luck.
As for relaxing and good for your health? That depends on how the players play the game!
(End of chapter)
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