Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 560 - 543 Newly Created Folder

Chapter 560: Chapter 543 Newly Created Folder

"Of course, it’s the hype video for our new game," Gu Fan said matter-of-factly.

Gan Di was a bit perplexed, "A new game? Besides ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2,’ does Nitiandang have any other new games to be released?"

It was quite normal for him to feel odd about it, since the timing clearly didn’t match.

’Endless Fantasy Legend 2’ was still at the stage where not even a new folder was created, so what hype video could there possibly be for this game?

Then, what could the new game possibly be?

Perhaps Nitiandang had other project teams working on other new games and it was just the right time for a promotion?

Yes, that must be it.

However, Gu Fan passed over his phone, saying, "Where is there another new game? It’s ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2.’"

"Pfft!"

Gan Di almost sprayed out his mouthful of soy milk, choking in the process.

"This game doesn’t even have a new folder created yet!

"And I’m the lead strategist for this game. How could I not know about this!"

Gu Fan spoke indifferently, "Just because we haven’t created a new folder, we can’t promote?

"The players are our bread and butter, rightfully entitled to be informed about new games.

"Our actions at Nitiandang can be summarized as ’responsive to every situation,’ whether we’re establishing a new game or releasing one, we promptly report and clarify to our bread and butter.

"As for why you don’t know...

"That’s because you’ve just taken up the role of lead strategist, and many handover tasks haven’t been completed yet.

"But the established promotional plan can’t just be neglected."

Gan Di felt a certain ominous premonition rising within him, as he took the phone from Gu Fan’s hand and played the video.

Overall, it was a rather simple video.

The video started with a promotional clip from ’Endless Fantasy Legend.’

He had seen the scenes and images before.

It was merely characters manipulating various elemental forces in combat, not essentially different from the previous installment.

Wait, these were clearly scenes from the previous game, right?

Thinking about it made sense, since ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2’ hadn’t even gotten a new folder created to date - where would the material come from? Naturally, they had to make do with materials from the old game.

But ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2’ was meant to be a major overhaul!

Was it appropriate to keep using images from the predecessor?

But soon, Gan Di realized it was appropriate.

Because Nitiandang also very considerately added a line of small print in the lower right corner: "The current game images are from ’Endless Fantasy Legend’ and do not represent the graphics of the sequel."

What a piece of work, Gan Di couldn’t help but commend.

Others typically write, "Images are from the game’s test footage and do not represent the final effect."

That sort of disclaimer had some sense to it.

And Nitiandang? They’re just using footage from the predecessor. Who else does this?

But then, Gan Di realized the biggest pitfall was still to come.

After playing some material from ’Endless Fantasy Legend,’ the screen finally displayed something truly related to the sequel: a few lines of text.

"’Endless Fantasy Legend 2’ coming soon to all platforms! (Folder creation complete)

"Veteran game master Gan Di as the lead strategist, will personally craft, bringing you the perfect gaming feast!

"Over a hundred characters to acquire, nine elements, and an unprecedented vast new world await you!"

The mere three sentences nearly made Gan Di faint three times over.

And each sentence corresponded with visual content.

The first sentence showed "all platforms," which included not just common official PC gaming platforms, but also console platforms, and, more outrageously, even iOS and Android platforms.

Probably to make sure everyone saw it, the video even emphasized by enlarging the icons for iOS and Android, placing them in the most prominent positions.

The second sentence not only named Gan Di but also displayed his live stream avatar and ID.

The third sentence didn’t present specific visuals, but the key phrase "over a hundred characters" said it all.

The audience’s live comments were quite interesting too.

Aside from the screen filled with question marks, the most frequent comment was:

"Who’s Gan Di?"

Presented with this ridiculousness, Gan Di didn’t even know how to begin criticizing. Are these people even human? Is this still human?

Is this how things are done?

From the players’ comments, it was clear that even a foot could tell what the situation was going to be like.

It’s definitely screwed!

To start, the players were one hundred percent convinced it was a mobile game, and a gacha mobile game at that.

Because the "all platforms" visual had already included iOS and Android.

Following the "one drop of blood" principle, once a game hits mobile, it’s a mobile game.

Even if it’s also available on PC or consoles and has a large player base, it’s still a mobile game.

The pay-to-win gacha element was easy to spot since they emphasized "over a hundred characters."

Nobody thinks these hundreds of characters come with a buy-out model for free, right? No way, no way?

It’s definitely gacha, because from every angle, the buy-out model just doesn’t jive with "hundreds of characters."

The worst part is that Gan Di is named as the chief planner.

This means that a lot of the players’ anger will be focused squarely on him.

Though Nitiandang is the true culprit here, it’s like an enemy unit that can’t be targeted.

No matter where the criticism is directed, Nitiandang won’t respond. It’s wasted effort.

But Gan Di is different, his profile picture and ID are right there, making it easy to find his live stream.

Even if many bystanders don’t know, Gan Di’s fans would probably be more than willing to lead the charge.

So, Gan Di finds himself in a rather awkward position.

He hasn’t even made a dime yet, but the insults have already started arriving early!

Just glancing at the chat, Gan Di could feel his blood pressure rising.

"Seriously, who is Gan Di?"

"The guy in ’Savage 6’ who likes to casually nuke everything?"

"Gan Di? He’s the genius who creates mods for Nitiandang’s games. Some of the classic mods for ’Legend of Infinity Fantasy’ were his handiwork."

"Oh! Never heard of him."

"It’s normal if you don’t play with mods. He may not be a big streamer, but he’s got serious skills. So, did Nitiandang recruit him?"

"But if they did recruit him, shouldn’t he be a programmer? How did he suddenly become the lead planner?"

"Recruit my foot, he has to be some sort of insider! This confirms it, much of Nitiandang’s drama has been staged!"

"Anyway, how could they entrust the sequel to ’Endless Fantasy Legend’ to a newbie?"

"Even if the game isn’t their favorite child, it doesn’t deserve this sort of treatment, right?"

"Old fans are feeling knocked out cold. Isn’t this turning it into a pay-to-win mobile game? Nitiandang, oh Nitiandang, are you really making a decision that goes against your principles?"

"Nitiandang never said they wouldn’t make mobile games, right? As for MMOs, they have dabbled with ’Shadow World.’"

"But a pay-to-win mobile game? Isn’t that just taking a step backward? People move to pay-to-win mobile games to make money and then chase their dreams of making single-player games. Nitiandang is doing it backward, downgrading from successful single-player games to cash-grab mobile titles."

"Hey, don’t jump to conclusions. How do you know creating a mobile game is just a cash grab? Maybe Nitiandang will revolutionize the traditional pay-to-win model."

"Shouldn’t the funniest part be the ’new folder created’ line? Is this a joke or not? I can’t tell..."

"It’s clearly fake. With the speed Nitiandang develops games, it’s clear they have multiple projects at once. This game is probably already halfway done."

"Insider tip from your uncle at Nitiandang, they really don’t do multiple projects at once. They work on them one by one, just a lot faster than other companies. Believe it or not, that’s up to you."

"Really just created a new folder? So, what’s with the announcement now? Afraid of being criticized later?"

"Let’s just keep doubting, anyway. Nitiandang has pulled off several miracles before. Sometimes, the crazier the news, the more likely it’s true."

"True that. If not for Nitiandang’s dumb luck, any other company would’ve been dead a long time ago."

The discussion beneath the video was lively to say the least, no wonder it got so popular overnight.

And it’s not just on video websites, every major gaming forum and many players’ and fans’ groups are buzzing about it.

Except for Nitiandang, it would be hard for any other game company to garner such absurd attention.

They haven’t revealed any details about the new game, only released a crude video with a few simple lines, and it’s already ignited such wide attention.

Other game companies have got to be green with envy seeing this; it’s hype that came for free.

But for Gan Di, caught in the eye of the storm, this is definitely not good news.

Because his original thought was, if he’s going to be criticized, at least he’d make some money.

But now, he hasn’t made a dime and the insults have come early!

"President Gu, why on earth did you throw me under the bus with this video? I haven’t even..."

Gan Di hesitated.

Gu Fan looked at him quizzically, "Haven’t what?

"Weren’t we clear from the start that you’d be the lead planner? The contract’s done, and we’ve given you the basic plan for the game.

"The earlier we promote, the more it shows the company’s confidence in you.

"What are you trying to say?"

Gan Di’s mouth twitched slightly, "Nothing... it’s nothing."

Inside, he felt like a stampede of ten thousand alpacas were raging. If he had a choice, he’d flee right this minute.

If the video hadn’t been released, he could still make a run for it, but now that it’s out, everyone knows he’s the producer of ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2.’

He’s already weathered the storm of insults, and what if he doesn’t make any money? That’d be a double loss!

And his reputation wouldn’t exactly soar if he were to duck out now. The players would only mock him more.

Now he’s stuck up there with no way down!

For Gan Di, this was a no-win situation, with only one option left:

Finish ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2,’ and try to make it less than terrible.

Best case scenario, he’d strike it rich and famous. But even if he draws flak, he’s got to bring in the money; otherwise, the abuse will have all been for nothing!

One can’t help but suspect the timing of the video’s release—is it possible that President Gu and President Li suspected I’d be handing in my resignation, so they rushed out a video to keep me tied down?

No way, Nitiandang’s such a big company, and we’ve got no beef. Would they really go to such lengths to manipulate me? And what good would it do them to keep me on board?

No, it can’t be. It must be a coincidence, I’m overthinking this.

Gan Di didn’t say much else, just quietly finished his breakfast and then said, "Don’t worry, President Gu, I’ll do my best."

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