TL.N: Haven't done this in a while so translation might be rough in the next few chapters. I will try to carry this on but can't promise consistency on updates as I got school.
Even while most people were happily throwing themselves into the challenge of Sekiro, a wave of hostility quietly began to rise.
On the fourth day after release, the noise broke out. Out of nowhere, a group of parents started banding together, loudly protesting against the games made by [New World].
That fear had spawned from shady businesses spend huge sums sending messages about the gore and brutality of Sekiro.
And now, within just a few days, education bureaus and mayor hotlines across the country were swamped with complaints. Many of them specifically targeted [New World].
Some parents even forced their way into player chat groups for Sekiro and Subnautica, shouting accusations.
"What kind of game is this? You're ruining lives! My son's only in junior high, he's still a kid! And your stupid game ruined him!"
The players, of course, weren't having it.
"Hilarious. You don't watch your kid, and somehow it's the game's fault? Ours too?"
"So what, if games disappear, your son suddenly becomes a genius scholar? He won't waste time on comics, sports, or something else?"
"You should look in the mirror first. That'd be a faster cure."
But their pushback wasn't enough. The criticism kept building. Media outlets joined in, publishing one article after another.
"Parents flood officials with complaints. [New World]'s games may look realistic, but they're dangerously addictive!"
"A nineteen year old acted recklessly, blaming his obsession with [New World]!"
"Experts warn: Sekiro is dangerous. Parents, get your children away from [New World] before it's too late!"
People were furious. They swarmed the comment sections to fight back:
"Which 'expert'? Name one! You can't, right?"
"Why is it only New World's games that are addictive? Other companies games are magically safe?"
"It's obvious, someone is stirring things up. Even a fool can see that!"
The backlash had come too fast, too suddenly, like a storm sweeping across the city. People could tell someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
But those stirring the pot didn't care. For them, chaos itself was the point. Soon, [New World] was trending again, this time under hashtags like "Boycott New World Games."
The malicious comments poured in.
"These games are toxic! Shut down the studio! My son wastes all day on Sekiro, wasting his time!"
"And it costs thousands just to play. What a scam!"
"I don't get it. A bunch of men swinging swords? Pathetic!"
But some players fired back.
"Sekiro is insanely hard. If your kid plays it all day, is he Wolverine?"
"The game costs a few hundred, not thousands. At least learn the facts before you rant!"
Fury boiled, but the players couldn't retreat. They genuinely loved [New World] and its games. If they stayed silent now, if the authorities caved to the noise, then the dev behind Sekiro, their beloved creator, might be forced to yield.
And if that happened, it would already be too late.
They refused to go back to the days of bad, soulless games.
So they fought back, loudly, fiercely, and without hesitation.
The chatter about Sekiro's gameplay and story vanished overnight. In its place was a full blown war of words across the internet.
Some parents went straight to officials with complaints. Players countered just as hard, flooding government platforms with pleas.
What began as a internet battle quickly spread to the goverments.
Even tech giants abroad began paying quiet attention. If [New World] was really forced to change things, it could only benefit them. The studio might be forced to make certain concessions, and if it did, opportunities would be waiting.
---BREAK---
That noon, Natalie sat at the table, phone in hand, scrolling through endless streams of insults and arguments on Twitter. Her face was clouded with worry.
"Tony… this fight online is getting worse," she said softly.
Just days ago, Sekiro had been everywhere online, with players debating its story and sharing strategies. She'd been so happy. But now, the joy had turned into open war.
Twitter had become the Ashina battlefield of the real world. Players fought bosses in the game, and fought their enemies here.
"What do we do now?" Natalie asked, her voice tight.
"What else can we do? Eat." Tony gestured at the food on the table. "I ordered this from a restaurant. If we don't eat soon, it'll get cold."
"At a time like this, you can still eat?" she frowned.
"What good is starving? It won't change anything." He shrugged, calm as ever. "Honestly, I already expected this."
"You expected it?!"
"Of course." Tony gave a helpless smile. "New World carved out too big a slice of the pie. Do you think the other studios would just sit there and swallow it? A crusade like this was bound to come sooner or later."
His smile faded. His voice turned steady, cold. "But whether I speak up doesn't matter. Whether other studios speak up doesn't matter. Even the support of the players doesn't matter." He tapped a finger toward the ceiling. "What matters… is what the goverment decides."
"Then… do you think they'll side with us?" Natalie asked quickly.
"I don't know." Tony shook his head. "The backlash is too intense this time. The officials will definitely step in. And before they do, they'll come to me. When that happens… that meeting will decide whether New World has to change ot not."
He'd always kept his identity hidden from the public. But secrecy can't be hidden from the authorities, they of course, knew exactly who he was.
After all, things like paying taxes, registering a company, launching a game platform, none of it could be done without real names. Tony's identity had long since been clear to them.
1023 Words.