Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 159 - 154: New Version Update Announcement

Chapter 159: Chapter 154: New Version Update Announcement

Ranger said, "The new instances in ’Dark Sand’ are all planned based on the multiplayer mode, so how do you plan to handle this new historical slice?"

Meng Yuan wasn’t flustered at all, "This issue isn’t big, it’s just a matter of changing the game process.

"Just make it clear in the game announcements beforehand.

"However, I do need to plan the content of the instance carefully.

"After all, if we let a single player clear the entire instance, that would be too difficult. Even top players like Chu Ge and Zhao Haiping would have a hard time achieving that.

"Perhaps it would be a better choice to split the whole instance into different parts to clear..."

Meng Yuan fell into deep thought.

This historical slice was critical, there was no room for error, he had to come up with a foolproof strategy.

Ranger didn’t ask any further, these matters were all up to Meng Yuan to decide. Ranger contentedly felt the increase in his strength, then went to edit the video of the Return Order Expedition’s event.

...

At the same time, players were also waking up in the real world.

The discussion heat on the official ’Dark Sand’ forum also rapidly skyrocketed.

"Last night’s Return Order Expedition was simply exhilarating! The defense battle made me find the joy of playing tower defense games!"

"The battle at the West City Gate was so thrilling, I want to do it again."

"The video is out already? That was fast! The efficiency of ’Dark Sand’ officials is so fast they don’t have any friends."

"Quick, I can’t wait to see my own battle footage!"

"Are you sure it’s not footage of you getting beaten like a dog by the barbarian soldiers?"

The players teased each other, eagerly clicking to watch the video.

Like the last Return Order Expedition video, this one was also a perfect documentary. The video was more than four hours long and included footage of the main players, not missing a single one.

Including Zhao Haiping holding a saber, single-handedly taking down the enhanced barbarian soldiers, which truly made the players’ blood boil.

It goes without saying that tonight, when the servers reopen, the new sabers at the smithy will surely sell out.

That counts as influencing sales, right?

Zhao Haiping felt a bit of regret, wondering when the smithy would settle the money for influencing sales?

The biggest difference in this video compared to the last one was the focus on the players’ valiant performance during the defense of the city.

The players relied on the geographical advantage of the Return Order Fortress and defeated the powerful Northern Barbarian Cavalry, a stark contrast to their previous battles in the small county town.

Players like Li Weiyi naturally received a lot of thanks and praise again. If it wasn’t for these big shots who insisted on modifying the terrain, the battle wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

Many players captured their own footage to watch over and over again.

And they looked forward with joy to the multiplayer instance clearing movie and the official announcement of the new version update.

...

Right now, Li Hongyun was showing off in his dormitory.

"Look, how cool was my spear strike? I took down a Northern Barbarian heavy cavalryman from eight hundred miles away!

"Ah, so this is what it’s like to be in a video. It’s no big deal.

"I used to envy you commanding from the city walls like a trash-talking king, but now I see it’s nothing special.

"Even a player like me who just got the internal test eligibility can play a crucial role in a multiplayer instance."

Li Hongyun’s mood was fantastic.

The Return Order Expedition battle video could totally rival a super blockbuster movie, and this time, he was also one of the main characters.

Chu Ge just smiled quietly, not bothering to argue with this newbie ’king of luck’ over such matters.

Instead, he seriously composed a post, summarizing his experiences.

"Although we managed to win the battle this time without too much danger, we must not be complacent and must recognize that there was a great deal of luck involved in this victory.

"Many players initially looked down on the Northern Barbarian Cavalry, but after the demons broke through the West City Gate, when we really engaged with the Northern Barbarian Cavalry, we realized how terrible they were.

"We relied on the geographical advantage of the Return Order Fortress to hold our ground this time. If we were on the plains facing such strong heavy cavalry, we would probably only be slaughtered one-sidedly.

"So, we still need to pay attention to the relevant mechanisms in the game and prepare to face stronger enemies..."

Chu Ge’s post quickly gained the agreement of the players.

Especially those soldier players who actually crossed swords with the Northern Barbarians’ heavy cavalry at the West City Gate, they could better understand the meaning of these words.

This time it was a defensive battle, but what if next time we have to take the initiative to attack the Northern Barbarian Cavalry’s position?

The result would not be so certain.

So, Chu Ge’s post was also a wake-up call for the players, reminding them not to be arrogant, not to think they are invincible, and to prepare in advance for future more severe challenges.

After a lively discussion on the forums, the update announcement for ’Dark Sand’ also came out.

Everyone quickly clicked to check it out.

...

"Dark Sand" new version update announcement:

"Return Order players have joined forces to defeat the demons in the historical slice, reclaiming the fragment, and further expanding the territory of Return Order stronghold.

"Dark Sand" will enter a seven-day preparation state for the new version:

"First, the ultimate trial video clip of ’The Reluctant Marquis’ will be released in cinemas and online video platforms in the form of a movie, and revenues will still be fed back to players.

"Second, in the ’Enfeoffment’ gameplay, the territory of Return Order stronghold and players’ fiefs will be further expanded.

"At the same time, new craftsmen and shops will appear within the stronghold and fiefs, unlocking more resource points. Items such as fire guns and Sky Shattering Bombs will be purchasable from the corresponding merchants.

"Third, the Hero summoning feature will be opened.

"In the process of conquering historical slices, players may unlock some legendary historical figures. Players will be able to summon these heroes for a short duration in Return Order stronghold using construction points, to annihilate enemies.

"The hero activated by the instance ’The Reluctant Marquis’ is General Deng Yuanjing.

"Fourth, the allocation of internal test qualifications.

"An additional 20,000 internal test slots will be distributed in this phase, bringing the total number of internal testers to 60,000.

"The new internal test slots will be selected according to the original mechanism.

"Fifth, the unlocked subsidiary identity: ’Cavalry’.

"Above the four basic identities of infantry, assassin, scholar, and Ranger, the subsidiary identity ’Cavalry’ is unlocked, and a Cavalry-exclusive trial instance is opened.

"Players who have obtained the four basic identities can acquire the subsidiary identity of Cavalry after passing the Cavalry-exclusive trial instance and will gain Cavalry-exclusive talent skills.

"Remark: More subsidiary identities will be unlocked in the future, at which point players can also choose to give up Cavalry-exclusive talent skills and switch to another subsidiary identity. You can only have one subsidiary identity.

"Seven days later, the game will launch the brand-new version ’Recreating Huaxia.’

"Unlock the new instance ’Heroic Ambition of the Grasslands.’

"This instance features a single protagonist and is the most difficult in the current historical period. Hence, its clearance mode is different from before.

"First, the instance does not have an ’ultimate trial’ phase—once decrypted, it will directly initiate the ’Return Order Expedition.’

"Second, the instance is divided into different stages, allowing players to freely form teams and conquer different stages, with team clearances ranked according to scores.

"Third, players and teams with higher scores in this ’Return Order Expedition’ will gain more resources and higher positions."

After reading the new version update announcement, Chu Ge fell into deep thought.

The content of this update was as rich as ever.

Routine content, like movie screenings, enhancements to ’Enfeoffment’ gameplay, expansion of Return Order Talent Skill Library, unlocking of new weapons, needless to say, were all expected by players.

But what’s key is the gameplay that has never been heard of before.

First, the Hero summoning function.

From the current situation, it seems to be an addition to the Return Order stronghold and Return Order Expedition gameplay, which can summon heroic spirits to fight and can play a crucial role in the key moments of battling demons.

Next is the unlocking of the subsidiary identity "Cavalry."

According to the announcement, Cavalry is a subsidiary identity, while previous ones like infantry and scholar are basic identities.

Meaning, infantry players can become Cavalry, and so can scholar players.

Subsidiary identities don’t conflict with basic identities; they’re more like a professional certification.

In reality, according to the basic setting, Cavalry is a type of infantry, but considering how important horsemanship and warhorses were in the age of cold weapons, if Infantry were to shift to Cavalry, it would be unfairly advantageous compared to the other three professions.

So, it’s better that all four basic professions can learn to ride.

Of course, there will definitely be new subsidiary professions for players to choose from in the future. But for now, this Cavalry identity will be like getting a driving license in reality, something all players have to test for.

Whether or not they can pass is another story. The exclusive trial for this identity will undoubtedly not be easy.

With this Return Order Expedition, players have already realized the strength of Cavalry.

Without the geographical advantage of the Return Order stronghold, the pure infantry players would probably have difficulty fighting against the heavy Cavalry of the Northern Barbarians.

Now, if players can pass the Cavalry-exclusive trial, does it mean they can acquire specialized equestrian talents and warhorses?

If so, when the gameplay for the Return Order Expedition opens again, players might be able to form a Cavalry unit to battle the demons.

Also, there’s the instance called "Heroic Ambition of the Grasslands," which claims to be the most difficult to date.

Just by looking at the version name "Recreating Huaxia," one doesn’t need to think too hard to know that Chu Ge could tell this instance would definitely be related to Emperor Taizu of Sheng.

The phrase "Heroic Ambition of the Grasslands" further proves this point.

But why is this instance for a single protagonist?

If it’s a single protagonist instance, why does it require a team to pass?

This does not seem to fit the usual pattern of "Dark Sand."

Or is it that the development team wants to try out a new instance mode this time?

Regardless, this instance is certainly something to look forward to.