Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 509 - 492: Game Framework

Chapter 509: Chapter 492: Game Framework

"It seems President Gu is really pushing for these spherical displays, huh?"

"Don’t even need to think about it, the experience stores are definitely all remodeled."

Zhuge Jun and Hou Ji found seats and started examining the sphere display in front of them.

Though it was called a two-person sofa, in reality, it assumed a semi-circle shape, partially enclosing the sphere display.

The sphere display was not showing any information currently, but from the look of its base, it could be freely rotated.

With the assistance and guidance of an employee, Zhuge Jun fiddled around before finally entering the "Star Plan" game.

While the sphere display was the main focus, there were also traditional devices, such as a console, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and so on.

They were snugly fitted around the sphere display and the two-person sofa.

After some manipulation, the game images on the regular monitor were synced to the sphere display, and from that point, they could officially start playing.

"Take your time gaming, call me if you have any issues."

After setting everything up, the internet café administrator went on to attend to other customers.

Zhuge Jun and Hou Ji couldn’t help but rub their hands together in eagerness, unable to wait to dive into the game world of "Star Plan."

"How should we divide the keyboard and mouse, and the gamepad?" Hou Ji quickly picked up on this question.

They noticed that each sphere display was equipped with only one set of keyboard and mouse, and one gamepad.

If both players wanted to use the keyboard and mouse, or both wanted to use the gamepad, it would be a problem.

The gamepad was fine, they could simply ask for another one, but asking for another set of keyboard and mouse might affect the gaming experience since Hou Ji’s side lacked a keyboard stand and a mouse pad designed for such use.

"Why not let’s just play and see how it goes."

"Hmm? It seems like the sphere display is also touch-sensitive."

Zhuge Jun noticed that when he touched the sphere display, ripples appeared on the screen similar to water, indicating that the screen supported touch operations.

"Oh? Is that so, then one person could use the keyboard and mouse, and the other could use the touch screen."

Soon, they were both immersed in the game, one on the left and one on the right.

Zhuge Jun, on the left, had a platform for using the keyboard and mouse, so he naturally defaulted to using those for controls;

Hou Ji, on the right, decided to work with the gamepad or the sphere display’s touch screen for the time being.

Upon entering the game, stirring music started to play.

In the vastness of space, a star shone, illuminating the cold black night...

Zhuge Jun immediately felt a very familiar sense of déjà vu—wasn’t this the promo CG that had been leaked online before?

They’re actually using it as the official opening CG?

Zhuge Jun instinctively felt something was off. After all, a promo CG and an opening CG were two different things. Though not unprecedented, this mix and match approach was typically the hallmark of smaller companies. Wasn’t it a bit careless for Nitiandang to do the same?

But on second thought, for a game like "Star Plan," CGs weren’t all that critical to begin with. Besides, with Nitiandang’s increasingly rapid game release pace—it was almost ’defying the heavens’—their reluctance to craft a new CG in such a short development time was somewhat understandable.

The key was how the game itself would be.

The opening segment of the CG was not displayed on the sphere display, which was normal, as it couldn’t be shown on it.

Instead, it continued to show content about the Comet until the regular monitor’s image also arrived at the Comet.

Clearly, the sphere display’s content was greatly limited, difficult to use as the sole display, serving only as an auxiliary.

Of course, it was technically possible to force a rectangular frame onto the sphere display and show content like a regular monitor, but the display effect would definitely be poor.

Nitiandang chose "display quality" over "practicality."

However, after the camera zoomed in on the Comet, the CG finally added a new segment.

The lens first zoomed in, moving through the surface until it reached inside, focusing on the silicon-based creatures that were working diligently.

Then it gave a close-up of the First Governor who was supervising the creatures’ work and handling production planning.

Following that, the camera moved to the most magnificent building currently constructed, displaying the Sovereign inside, observing various data.

These two silicon-based creatures were very distinct from the others, easily identifiable by their appearance and actions.

After the showcase, the in-game time paused, and arrows appeared above the two little creatures’ heads, indicating 1P and 2P—meaning Player 1 and Player 2.

Both Zhuge Jun and Hou Ji were able to use their devices to make a choice; Zhuge Jun, as the default 1P, chose the First Governor, while 2P Hou Ji chose the Sovereign.

They had thought about switching, but after reading the character descriptions, they dropped that idea.

The system offered simple guidance to the players:

The First Governor was responsible for direct management of the game’s construction work, recommending the use of keyboard and mouse or touch screen for controls;

The Sovereign was mainly in charge of selecting routes and setting goals, which required less operation, and thus could be adequately managed using a gamepad.

Zhuge Jun, already adept at detailed operations, leaned towards playing the role of the First Governor.

Hou Ji casually picked the Sovereign without any fuss.

After making his selection, the game officially began.

As a dual-player game, "Star Plan" offered different display modes to ensure the best gaming experience for both players.

The first display mode involved each player using a separate monitor, each to their own.

This mode was mainly suitable for players who connected online.

Shen Guang and Qiu Qinghong had used this mode when they tried the demo together.

The second display mode was split-screen.

This simple yet brutally effective mode was common in many multiplayer games.

The third display mode was a hybrid display.

The main section of the screen focused on the perspective of the governor. However, around the edges, there were various interfaces, such as the tech tree and specific metrics.

The governor and the leader could only control the aspects pertaining to themselves.

When the governor and leader wanted to view different things, a picture-in-picture would slice off a part of the screen for the leader player.

Of course, there was also a fourth mode, which used a spherical display. Because the screen was sufficiently large and the display incredibly sharp, both players could share the same screen, without even needing picture-in-picture.

Players could even rotate the sphere or perform some basic touch controls by touching the screen; after all, the screen couldn’t possibly discern whose hand was operating it.

This actually gave the players a higher degree of freedom.

"Alright, let’s officially get started!"

Zhuge Jun began the construction with great enthusiasm.

...

Meanwhile, in Li Wenhao’s live streaming room.

"Today we’re going to play Nitiandang’s new game ’Star Plan.’

"I see a lot of streamers have already found partners in advance, but no worries, I don’t need to.

"I can just match up with a teammate online, no matter what kind of teammate, I can carry them!

"That’s the confidence of a pro player!"

Li Wenhao usually got up at 10 a.m. and started streaming in the afternoon, but today, since it was the launch day of "Star Plan," he had exceptionally started streaming in the morning to catch the hype as early as possible.

After all, he had weathered the "Blood of Lies" incident with more luck than certainty, even managing to convert some viewers to his side.

Now, he needed to keep the momentum going and retain these new viewers.

His usual content involved small or indie games, which included simulation games, one of his areas of expertise.

That’s why he had such grandiose statements to make.

Of course, choosing to match with teammates online instead of finding a regular gaming partner was also for the sake of the show.

Nitiandang hadn’t invited streamers to try the game this time, so Li Wenhao didn’t know much about the game’s specifics.

He could only infer based on the demo experience.

However, unlike other streamers, Li Wenhao had a wealth of experience in management simulation games, so he immediately realized that the dual-player cooperative mode could very well be the centerpiece of "Star Plan’s" viewer engagement.

Dual-player cooperation could turn out great, or it could be a disaster.

Since most other streamers had chosen regular partners, he should deliberately take the opposite approach.

"Star Plan" provided an online matchmaking mode, after all.

Li Wenhao wanted to test how reliable this matchmaking system was. If reliable, he could put on a performance as good as those with fixed partners and show off some impressive skills to his fans.

If not, he could still showcase his own strength by carrying the game.

Either way, he couldn’t lose.

After some interaction with the viewers, seeing that the streaming room was buzzing with activity, Li Wenhao officially started the game.

The opening sequence was the same for everyone, leading quickly to the selection screen for governor or leader.

Li Wenhao had two sets of input devices on his computer, both a keyboard and mouse and a gamepad.

If he wanted to, he could play both roles simultaneously, controlling the governor with the keyboard and mouse and the leader with the gamepad.

This would be difficult for a typical dual-player action game, but not for "Star Plan," as the leader didn’t have many actions and could be easily managed.

But obviously, Li Wenhao wouldn’t do that. Where would be the fun in missing out on the dual-player game’s unique features?

He decisively chose to find a teammate through matchmaking.

Given the new game’s current popularity, matchmaking was swift.

Soon, he matched with a player whose online nickname was "Mouth King."

Since the default was to use the official platform for online matches, this ID was likely the official platform account ID.

Seeing the name, Li Wenhao felt an inexplicable concern.

But it’s not like he could kick someone out just for their name, right? Maybe this guy was just joking around when he picked such an ID.

With that thought, Li Wenhao decided to give it a try and typed in the chat box, "Hello."