Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 568 - 551: The Mutation of Fantasy Continent

Chapter 568: Chapter 551: The Mutation of Fantasy Continent

The general plot dialogue in the game is done using common real-time algorithms, where two character models face each other and converse, occasionally accompanying the dialogue with corresponding actions and expressions.

By today’s industry standards, this approach has become routine, whether in AAA single-player titles or higher-tier online games, generally adopting this method.

However, Nitiandang’s system clearly had more detail, richer animations, and more natural camera movement, providing a better sensory experience.

Furthermore, the game’s text content was fully voice acted, which presumably involved top-tier voice talents. While not especially stunning, it achieved a level of non-awkwardness that was among the best in the country.

Of course, for a financially robust company like Nitiandang, good voice acting is to be expected and not particularly praiseworthy.

However, what surprised Zhuge Jun was that the game didn’t just feature voice acting in main and critical scenes, but also in side quests and various other less important dialogues—they were all voiced!

But this voice acting wasn’t done by voice actors directly; it was AI voice acting.

AI voice acting technology had matured considerably, simply requiring voice actors to read a large amount of text with emotion and enthusiasm for the system to deeply learn their speaking habits. Compared to the emotionless monotone voice reading, it marked significant improvement.

Some AI voice acting could even finely imitate the unique tones and quirks of voice actors.

This technology was initially used for short videos, and then gradually extended to longer videos and audiobooks. In short, progress had been swift.

Some videos even made it difficult for players to discern whether it was AI voice acting or not.

Of course, no matter how lifelike it was, there was still a gap from real voice acting.

Professional voice actors would invariably infuse some emotion into their different lines, which AI could imitate to some extent but could still be discerned upon close listening.

According to the common industry practice, if a game had a large amount of text, only the main storyline would be voiced, not the side quests.

But Nitiandang went a step further in this regard, which warranted commendation.

On one hand, it saved on voice acting costs since after recording a voice actor once, that recording could be reused for any storyline without additional cost; on the other hand, it also saved game storage space, as large volumes of voice files typically consumed much space, a problem non-existent with AI voice acting.

Depending on the game’s scale, the saved cost could even amount to several gigabytes.

Regarding the story’s beginning, there was nothing particularly special; it entirely met expectations.

"Endless Fantasy Legend 2" could be seen as a tale set hundreds of years after its predecessor, on the Fantasy Continent after peace was restored, guarded generation after generation by heroes.

By the time of this installment’s hero, the player-controlled character, there was a disturbance in nature, with the original seals loosening and not only that but also the mist that enveloped the mainland dispersing.

A vast expanse of land appeared in everyone’s sight.

Xi Yun, an Earth Attribute little girl with a bun hairstyle from the neighboring Earth Country, was an adventurer curious about the dissipating mist and came to investigate, encountering danger along the way and fortunately being rescued by the player.

Through this little girl’s mouth, the game also made an initial introduction to the players about the map’s composition at that time.

A large map appeared before the players, not yet showing each region’s details but already outlining the general contours and images representing the element attributes and general features of the region.

The original "Endless Fantasy Legend 1" mainland was predominantly in the east of the entire world, a domain of Wood attribute.

However, a large part of it bordered the outside world, for instance, its west was largely part of the Earth Country, the westernmost part of the original map; the southwestern volcanic regions belonged to the Fire Country.

These areas were already present on the previous installment’s map, but like the main body of the Wood Country, they were obscured by the mist.

Every region had different elements, different borders, and the entire map appeared intricately complex, over four to five times larger than its predecessor.

The following plot involved the hero escorting the little girl to the forest to find the Great Sage to decide their next course of action.

The capital of the Wood Country was, naturally, the King’s City from "Endless Fantasy Legend 1," but the area in the eastern part of the Kingdom had undergone significant changes.

Scouts sent to investigate returned with reports that an anomaly had occurred in the eastern rainforest area; trees began to grow wildly, blocking out the sun, and many elves who lived concealed in the mountains started to appear and attack passersby.

Moreover, with the disappearance of the mist, the volcanic regions in the southwest seemed to have amassed a large number of the Fire Country’s Demonic Legion, poised and possibly on the verge of starting a war.

Compared to the elves in the rainforest, who, although concerning, had no intentions of leaving the forest, the Fire Country posed an imminent threat.

Additionally, Xi Yun conveyed to the Great Sage the crisis Earth Country was facing at that time: Great Liang of the mighty Earth Country was also in internal chaos, plagued by Flesh Monsters and evil spirits caused by Black Tai Sui, with the Little Emperor under the spell of the Xun Xiang Cult, leaving the common people unable to survive.

Xi Yun’s visit to the Wood Country was also in hopes of finding allies to possibly rescue Great Liang from dire straits.

Thus, at least three countries’ main missions were now clearly laid out before the players.

The most pressing was to head towards the volcanic region and enter the territory of the Fire Country to fend off the invasion of the volcanic demons.

Next is to keep an eye on the anomalies in the forests of Wood Country; if there’s spare capacity, then head to Great Liang in Earth Country to quell the internal chaos and flesh epidemic.

Of course, other regions also definitely have their respective main quests. As the game’s protagonist, the Hero certainly needs to traverse the entire map.

However, Zhuge Jun confirmed that these contents should all be unlocked in sequence.

Since this is the beta version, going to Fire Country and fighting a bit should suffice.

With that, the game quickly entered a state of free activity, where the Hero and Xi Yun embarked on their journey to the volcanic region.

About ten minutes later, Zhuge Jun arrived at the main target area designated by the quest.

During this process, he also briefly experienced some of the big world’s gameplay, such as puzzles on the roads, treasure chests guarded by minor monsters, ingredients found everywhere, and iron pots by the roadside for cooking, which were all from the world gameplay of "Endless Fantasy Legend 1," so it was effortless to get started.

During these ten minutes, players could choose to play around in the big world or head straight for the main storyline.

For Zhuge Jun, the gameplay in the big world itself wasn’t too appealing, since he had already experienced it in the previous game. In this installment, he preferred to first complete the main storyline, unlock the various teleportation points, then slowly explore the big world.

For players who had never played "Endless Fantasy Legend 1," this process was also a way to familiarize themselves with the big world gameplay.

Indeed, before even reaching the border of Fire Country, enemies had already been encountered.

Demons and elemental creatures ablaze with roaring flames were starting to invade villages at the boundary between Wood Country and the volcano.

Only then did the real battle begin.

Because previous combats were only tutorial in nature, fighting mostly attribute-less or Wood attribute monsters, which posed no challenge.

The enemies now, however, were fully engulfed in flames and didn’t look easy to provoke.

"Come on, hopefully, the main storyline’s battles can give me a bit of a challenge!"

Zhuge Jun charged confidently.

Although this game itself is also a mobile game, many players drawn by the "Ascension" IP still hoped for higher combat difficulty and operational difficulty.

That would be more challenging.

Five seconds later, Zhuge Jun’s screen went dark, and he returned to the respawn point.

"Ah??

"What’s going on?"

Zhuge Jun was somewhat puzzled; he only remembered confidently charging forward and fighting this massive figure engulfed in flames.

This huge figure didn’t appear to be a demon, just a human able to use the Fire Element. Therefore, Zhuge Jun didn’t take it too seriously and didn’t dodge immediately when he saw the opponent raising his hand.

After all, just enduring a hit should not be a big problem.

He first cast a small Hero’s skill, surrounding himself with the Wood attribute as lush vegetation began to grow.

Then, the fiery fists of the big figure hammered into him.

"Burn!"

The flames instantly ignited the Wood attribute, bursting into a giant fireball that enveloped the Hero, setting him ablaze. Not only was there rigidity, but also a flame dot was added, and his health rapidly decreased.

Zhuge Jun was stunned; he promptly tried to dodge by tapping the sprint key, hoping to escape the range of the flames and possibly extinguish them through this maneuver.

But in the next second, the big figure followed up with another punch.

The Hero’s health was like a flicking candle in the wind.

However, these two injuries and the energy accumulated earlier were enough for him to unleash a major attack.

Zhuge Jun didn’t think too much, following the principle of "click wherever it lights up," he immediately unleashed his ultimate move in retaliation.

However, the next second, the massive fireball smashed into the big figure, but only saw his Blood Bar drop a little.

Resistance!

In the next second, the scurrying Hero was burned to death by the flame dot on his body, returning to the respawn point.