What is this? It's the official launch! Although The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim had already been released a month earlier, even if this seemed like just an expansion pack, it was still a bold and timely move by PixelPioneers Studio. Otherwise, why release it now? What's the meaning behind launching Epic Continent at this moment?
The gaming community was abuzz.
"Wow! It's awesome! PixelPioneers Studio and Gemtechs have jointly announced that The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim will receive a new DLC, Dawnguard. Even better, it's free! There'll be brand-new maps, races, weapons, equipment, and numerous branching storylines!"
"Epic Continent dropping alongside a new Skyrim DLC? That's epic!"
"Time to create a new mage build and replay Skyrim! I'm curious about what Epic Continent has to offer, what's the story?"
"Why all the fuss? Power Storm games are always about throwing money around to dominate."
"I wonder if Epic Continent can really surpass Skyrim. Still, it is one of our own, so I'm rooting for Skyrim to succeed."
"+1 to the comment above. PixelPioneers Studio isn't like the typical profit-driven companies. Sometimes they feel too idealistic. If it weren't for their high sales, I'd honestly worry they'd end up operating at a loss."
"They're selling at such low prices. Maybe there will be in-app purchases later, especially in multiplayer. It could be similar to what Resident Evil Resistance did."
"That's fine, as long as it stays fair."
Players passionately debated across forums, while insiders speculated just how much impact Epic Continent from Power Storm could have.
Steve, a major figure in the industry and an acclaimed global game developer, doesn't speak lightly. If Steven said Skyrim can compete with his own Epic Continent, the quality must be impressive.
For many players unfamiliar with PixelPioneers Studio, Steven's press conference came as a surprise. PixelPioneers Studio? Who are they? And what is this game, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, that even Power Storm respects enough to name it alongside Epic Continent as a Game of the Year contender?
In the country, Power Storm's reputation is massive. But overseas, they're revered as legends. For such a studio to say another game, from a relatively unknown foreign developer, is on par with theirs, that caught global attention.
Surprisingly, no one scoffed or questioned the comparison. The name Power Storm carries immense credibility. If they say it, it must mean something.
"I did some digging, they've developed cool titles like Binding of Isaac, Octopath Traveler, Outlast, and Resident Evil. All under the same studio!"
"Yeah, they also made Resident Evil Resistance. Gotta admit, this studio has some serious style."
"A friend from there told me the coolest thing isn't just their games, but the founders, a couple. One even proposed through a custom VR game last year! The video's online."
"That's awesome. I kind of envy them."
"To be honest, I don't care much about the people behind the studio. I just want to know what kind of experience Skyrim offers."
"Too bad we can't play it directly. It's only available on Huaxia's platform, and I heard there's no English version yet."
Thanks to Power Storm, many overseas gamers became intrigued by Skyrim. Simultaneously, both local and international publishers flooded PixelPioneers Studio, all vying for one thing: the overseas distribution rights to The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. Gemtechs also began actively negotiating for global release rights.
Despite being among the top three game publishers, Gemtechs has struggled to break into overseas markets, mainly due to a lack of compelling games. While they've done well domestically, only Moondustries has managed some international name recognition. Gemtechs and Essence remain in the shadows. Now, with Skyrim trending, Gemtech regrets not offering more during the initial licensing discussions. They could have secured a global hit.
As players, journalists, and developers discuss the looming clash between Skyrim and Epic Continent, back at the Fantasy studio in Moondustries, producer Dwain stared at the latest sales data and wept in the restroom.
Come on, this month was supposed to belong to us! Everything was carefully timed. Fantasy had avoided the window around Skyrim's release. So why did things still go wrong? Why release such a major title now?
Caught between the colossal force of Epic Continent and the soaring popularity of Skyrim, Moondustries had no choice but to cut down on marketing and distribution channels for Fantasy. How could they compete? Power Storm's Epic Continent was the direct rival. How do you fight something like that?
To be fair, Fantasy isn't bad, but it's not top-tier. Compared to a masterpiece like Epic Continent, it's bound to be overshadowed. Even within the AAA category, there's a wide gap. It's not just about development costs, it's about quest design, story structure, and gameplay pacing.
John, despite his funding, wouldn't have been able to build Skyrim from scratch if he hadn't seen the finished version in his dream memory. Even with the same budget and GDD outline, give two developers the same resources and they'll create vastly different games.
John understood that, even with the memory as a guide, he brought in Martel and collaborated with Mercury Studio to make the project work. Experience, subtle and invisible, is everything in game development.