Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 384 - 393: Halloween Eve Release

Chapter 384: Chapter 393: Halloween Eve Release

October 31, Saturday.

Halloween Eve.

Although November 1 is the traditional Western Halloween, actually, October 31, the eve of Halloween, is when the festivities are most lively. However, during the translation into Chinese, Halloween Eve is often misinterpreted as Halloween, mixing up the two days.

But no matter what, this was the most suitable day for Heartbeat Dream to be released within the nearly one-month schedule that Nitiandang could find.

By then, Instructor Ding had already sat in front of the computer, completed the pre-download of the official version of Heartbeat Dream, and was eager to start as soon as the game went live.

"Happy Halloween, bros!

"What? Why didn’t the streamer go out on a date today?

"What are you talking about, since when did Halloween become Valentine’s Day? If you guys start celebrating Tomb Sweeping Day as Valentine’s Day, I’ll admit defeat.

"Besides, what’s so great about the real world? If I were to date, it would be with the girls from the 2D world!

"I haven’t seen Elios and Aurora for a whopping 1896 seconds, and I can hardly wait to unlock more stories in the official version!

"What? You guys think this release timing is kinda spooky?

"Oh, come on, that’s just feudal superstition, it’s just Halloween, and it just happens to be on the weekend. Nitiandang likes to play with this kind of dark humor, I know it."

Instructor Ding glanced at the time; there were only a few minutes left until the game’s release, but these minutes seemed to drag on forever.

He had no choice but to continue chatting with the live comments.

"’Did you see the report from Play Less Games Network?’

"I saw it, the moment it came out.

"But, I have to criticize these media outlets a bit, that report basically said nothing!

"All it had were clichés.

"Talking about letting players experience a dream-like gaming experience, feeling their heartbeat, that it’s unforgettable, and that at least they’ll be surprised half of the time...

"Not a single piece of solid info!

"I can only say that the quality of today’s news media workers is getting worse and worse. I even doubt whether Play Less Games Network really interviewed the game producers, or if they just made up an interview themselves.

"Otherwise, how could there not be a single photo of the interviewee?

"This report is equivalent to reporting loneliness; it’s totally meaningless. Alright, enough of that, the game is unlocked, let’s just get into the game experience!"

Instructor Ding said this and launched the game experience.

Clearly, the content at the start of the official version of Heartbeat Dream was almost identical to the demo version.

The opening still featured the refreshing login interface, the beautiful island, the introductory CG describing the world’s end, and Elios’s opening introduction.

However, the official version did thoughtfully distinguish players who had played the demo from those who had not.

If someone had never played the demo, the game’s early stages would follow the demo’s process again, even more detailed, providing ample guidance for players.

But for players who had already played the demo and mastered the gameplay, they could choose to skip most of the tutorial.

This was specifically evidenced by:

When Elios greeted the player, rather than saying "We finally meet," she would say, "Welcome back, Island Master."

After that, instead of saying "Although we’ve chatted online for a long time, you don’t really know what my job is, do you?" and providing a detailed guide for the player,

she would directly say, "Then I won’t bother you for now. You can come to me if you have any questions."

Instructor Ding had basically played all of the demo’s content and mastered the gameplay of various mini-games, so naturally, he did not need any further guidance.

He came to play the official version for only two things:

First, whether, with Elios and Aurora, whose storylines and favorability limits he had already almost completely unlocked in the demo, he could activate more stories upon entering the official version, or whether there were better-looking swimsuits to change into.

Second, whether those female characters not unlocked in the demo could now be pursued in the official version, or whether he could date several girls at once, playing the field.

However, what slightly disappointed Instructor Ding was that the official version did not seem to retain the favorability levels of the two characters from the demo version.

Although Instructor Ding hadn’t spent much time raising Aurora’s favorability before, having to restart from scratch was a bit annoying.

"Well, if that’s the case, let’s switch to another."

This time, Instructor Ding decided to switch to a new female character to land on the island: Yarvette.

This character was locked in the demo and could not be selected, but she was unlocked in the official version.

From her appearance, she seemed to be a cool Nordic mature lady with flowing long hair highlighted with touches of red, coupled with a golden accessory reminiscent of a Saint Seiya Cloth, giving her a valiant appearance.

Of course, what also attracted Instructor Ding were her impressive figure and powerful long legs.

Especially the mysterious tattoo symbol at the center just above the bust, below the collarbone, which was hard to look away from.

If one were to look up the information, they would know that this symbol that appears like three interlocking triangles is called Valknut (val-knoot), and it is one of the widely-discussed mysterious symbols in Norse Mythology, some believe it symbolizes Odin.

However, if you look closely, you’ll notice that the symbol in the game is slightly different from the original, with variations in the details and overlapping parts of the three interlocking triangles.

This is, in some way, a kind of traditional artistry. Games made by Nitiandang, although they always have a clear prototype, are somewhat adapted.

Soon, the game plot advanced, and Yarvette arrived in Eden.

Instructor Ding followed his previous demo gameplay, turned on "Passive Mode," and worked hard to increase Yarvette’s favorability level.

Even though he was in passive mode and the girls were chasing him, different character types exhibited different behaviors.

For instance, some characters in chase mode acted more tsundere, inviting the player out on dates in a roundabout way, and refusing to admit it when found out. Some characters were more straightforward in their admissions, seemingly trying to win the player over with sincerity. And of course, there were mature ladies like Yarvette, who almost gave off a "I command you to date me" vibe.

Can’t deny it, changing it up felt quite nice!

Instructor Ding was quick to change his mind and move on from his attachments. Just a moment ago he was lamenting over Aurora’s reset favorability, and in a blink, he became "I want to be Yarvette’s dog."