Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 500 - 483 Production Line

Chapter 500: Chapter 483 Production Line

At night, in the conference room of Nitiandang Games.

"This is the new game idea; take a look.

"Gu Fan, don’t speak! You’re no longer in charge of the gaming department, so do not comment on the specific design of the game and let our new producer speak."

Lilith stared at Gu Fan apprehensively.

Gu Fan struggled to maintain composure but nodded, "Of course, President Li, I do not interfere where I do not belong. I’ve always been very clear about the division of responsibilities."

Lilith nodded, "You better be!"

Gu Fan chuckled internally. Clearly, Lilith was now wary of him but had no choice but to use his expertise.

In fact, if Lilith had been a bit more assertive, she could have chosen to completely exclude Gu Fan from any involvement in game development, even discussion on the design proposals.

But Lilith still hoped Gu Fan could contribute something related to physical products for the games.

After all, since Gu Fan took over the physical department, the products he developed had indeed turned out well, satisfying Lilith.

Even though those physical products eventually failed, none of the failures were due to the products themselves, but because the games flopped, dragging the physical products down with them—some sort of chain reaction.

Hence, in the aspect of physical products, Lilith still wanted to give Gu Fan some opportunities, observing him a bit longer.

Of course, Lilith also faintly hoped that Gu Fan could present some good ideas, which after her "wise" vetting, might still be useful.

Thus, a rather twisted situation ensued.

Gu Fan was allowed to attend the meeting as an observer, but he couldn’t voice any opinions first, allowing others to speak first.

After diminishing Gu Fan’s influence, Lilith felt she regained control.

Gu Fan, Zhou Yang, Wei Chengjie, and Su Tong started reviewing Lilith’s new idea.

By then, Zhou Yang and Wei Chengjie had also returned from out of town. They were still to lead the outsourced team in developing the new game and, of course, participate in its design.

Yet, it was clear that the main speaker would be Su Tong.

While everyone reviewed the proposal, Lilith also frowned slightly, lost in thought.

What if... just hypothetically...

What if Su Tong is the traitor?

Should she find someone new to take on the producer role?

But...

If that were the case, is there truly anyone in Nitiandang she could genuinely trust?

Would it be better to hire an externally-proven producer? Or just relocate Qin Fengliang here?

It all seemed unreliable...

Lilith did not prefer to hunt for a new producer externally, nor was she keen on a major reshuffle, as that would severely slow down the game’s development progress. If the game’s launch got bogged down, wouldn’t all the negative emotions harnessed upfront be stalled as well?

Amid this indecision, Lilith couldn’t help but wish to act as a stopgap, just winging it.

Gu Fan was rather relaxed initially, but upon seeing the idea, he inexplicably felt a chill down his spine.

What’s the situation?

Is President Li pointing at me?

A leader, a bureaucrat—doesn’t this specifically reflect the situation at Nitiandang?

Isn’t this just the classic traitor playbook? Practically typecasting.

But soon, Gu Fan adjusted his mindset.

No big deal.

So she’s pointing me out; President Li has been skeptical about me not just yesterday or today, and what can she do? Nothing.

Let’s see what Su Tong says.

Soon enough, everyone finished reviewing the idea Lilith provided.

Simply put, it was about developing a two-player simulation management game where one player plays the leader and the other a bureaucrat.

The game’s goals might appear aligned, but there are actually some differences.

"In any case, the first thing is to confirm the specific setting for this game. Once the setting is determined, we can then finalize the details of the management system."

Lilith looked forward to Su Tong’s input with expectation.

Although it was another simulation management or strategy game, choosing different settings would make a huge difference in the game produced.

Would it be an ancient setting? A modern setting or a futuristic sci-fi setting?

Will it focus on management or on strategy?

What proportion of the game would each system account for?

A good idea is certainly important, but these details are equally crucial.

Su Tong glanced at Gu Fan.

Gu Fan cleared his throat twice, "Why are you looking at me? You are the producer now.

"Just follow President Li’s logic and think ahead, and make a diligent design. I am now in charge of physical products, which are meant to support your work."

Lilith quickly added, "Exactly, in the design process, consider how to instigate players’ anger, to fully bring out the essence of a two-player game!

"If in the end the two players aren’t angry enough to go PvP offline, then the design is flawed!"

Zhou Yang and Wei Chengjie looked at each other. My goodness, so President Li isn’t holding back anymore, is she? Both players to get so angry they face off offline?

"If we really create such big news,", I’m afraid there won’t be a need to promote the game, nor to buy trending searches."

Su Tong pondered seriously and said, "President Li, what do you think about a production line management game?"

Lilith was taken aback, "Huh? A production line management game? What exactly is the production line like?"

"So, you mean it’s set against a sci-fi backdrop, right?"

"Why do you prefer this backdrop?"

Su Tong explained, "Because I think this type of game focuses more on details, which can better create conflict."

"Isn’t that better suited to your needs, President Li?"

"For instance, imagine a player acting as an official who secretly tosses a different part into the production line."

"Then another player would have to comb through the entire production line from scratch. Just thinking about it feels overwhelming."

Lilith’s eyes lit up, "Huh?"

"Great! A great idea! It’s a perfect fit with the original concept!"

Simulation management games also come in many types.

For instance, some games only require players to make specific decisions, and even when placing buildings, they only need to be placed at specific locations without much freedom.

"City of the Abandoned Gods" is such a type.

However, other simulation management games offer high levels of freedom, where players can even manually adjust the details of certain buildings.

Production line games are among the most ruthless of these types.

In simple terms, the game features an extremely complex technology tree.

From raw material extraction, to component manufacturing, then to machine construction, and finally to large warehouses and other specially purposed buildings...

The entire technology tree is incredibly complex; a top-tier technological building may need up to a dozen production steps.

And to mass-produce these technology buildings, players would need to lay out the production lines from scratch.

For example, first build a mining machine to mine ores, then use a conveyor belt to transport the ores to the smelter;

The smelter turns the ores into plates, which are then transported to the manufacturing machine that constructs specific components;

The conveyor belt then carries various primary components produced from the ores to high-grade manufacturing machines that make more complex components, using these more complex components to construct advanced technological resources, and then using these advanced technological resources to develop higher-level technology...

This cycle continues endlessly.

During this process, each resource line requires extremely precise planning and intricate calculations.

The players’ ultimate goal is to achieve fully automated production of all components, continuously gathering all the resources on the map to eventually build a highly automated technology city.

"Automation" is the biggest charm of this kind of game.

Originally, this type of game is quite addictive, with both positive and negative emotions, though positive emotions tend to dominate.

After all, the natural barriers of this game mean that players who remain are generally those who can truly enjoy the planning and management aspects.

Building up a fully automated production line, establishing a grand automated city.

When the entire system operates flawlessly, players will experience immense joy.

But if you introduce a traitor into this scenario, the game suddenly becomes brutal.

Because any incorrect component could potentially bring the entire production line to a halt.

And if players want to pinpoint what went wrong, they would have to comb through the entire production line.

Not to mention that another player could play tricks, manipulate specific data, or even twist the execution of policies...

In the end, it wouldn’t be surprising if two players actually started fighting.

Lilith excitedly stood up and paced around, clearly, the new idea suggested by Su Tong thrilled her enormously.

It was a perfect match with the original concept!

But she quickly calmed down.

Although this game seems to generate a lot of negative emotions, too much of it could scare the players away. We still need to consider disguises as much as possible.

And then, there’s the eternal enemy: bugs.

Lilith tried hard to predict where bugs might appear this time but ultimately failed to pinpoint any.

Nevertheless, no matter what, one should not take it lightly.

"Alright, that’s a good idea. So, what specific backdrop should we use?"

"Even if it’s sci-fi, there are many different backgrounds, right?"

Su Tong thought for a moment, "How about a sci-fi survival theme?"

"In the game’s setting, include some survival elements.

"For example, while developing technology, players also face severe natural disasters, such as extreme cold or heat waves.

"These disasters would transform randomly and last a long time, having a severe impact on human survival.

"Players must plan ahead.

"At the same time, players can also choose their own political systems, their technology paths, initially focusing on survival but later aiming to escape this disaster-ridden planet to a new home."

Lilith nodded happily, "Hmm? Very good!

"It’s just perfect; you really are a genius!

"How did you manage to make all these systems perfectly compatible with the basic concept? Great, let’s settle on this, no more changes!"

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