It's been nearly a week since "Resident Evil: Village" came out, and most of the reviews from game media at home and abroad have been released.
An average score of 8.7 from these reviews is already quite high.
However, when it comes to the impact on the game industry, it's not the score that matters most, but rather its sales.
Compared to broader ARPG games like "The Witcher: Wild Hunt," "Resident Evil: Village" clearly can't compete.
But in the realm of horror games, 4.1 million copies is a new record for first-week sales for the genre. And this is on the CosmosVR platform. While the good reputation of Nebula Games and Lucas helps, it's mostly due to the game's content itself.
However, while media and game designers focus on the design direction and ideas of "Resident Evil: Village."
The players are much simpler; they just want to 'conquer' Lucas.
In the minds of players, Lucas has many different images.
From "Outlast" and "Silent Hill PT" back in the day, many players joked that Lucas's games were very down-to-earth, giving him a fitting nickname: "Underworld Man."
After all, without twenty years of experience working in the underworld, how could anyone make such terrifying games?
Then there's the so-called "Flame Keeper." A series of difficult games like "Dark Souls" and "Monster Hunter: World" directly sparked a trend of masochism.
Beyond that, there's the most well-known title: "Warrior of Love."
Games developed by Lucas might be very scary, like the disturbing monster designs in "Bloodborne" that drain your sanity, or the environmental design in "Outlast" and "Silent Hill PT."
They might also be difficult games that make you suffer, like "Dark Souls" and "Sledgehammer."
There are also some games that seem quite fun, like "Party Animals" and "Human: Fall Flat."
But more often, they deliver a punch.
A sudden betrayal and you're left reeling – who can handle that?
Even his debut work, which many players joke about as a dark past for Lucas, and the game that kicked off the revolution in "adult games," "Mirror." Even this simple match-three puzzle game contains elements of emotional pain.
And right at this moment, it's just like in the past.
After several games full of fun, a horror game once again made countless players understand what it feels like to have a stomach ache.
Combined with the intentionally placed traps in "Resident Evil: Village," it made the players very excited.
Especially in the meme sections of various videos, Lucas's previously leaked interviews and award acceptance speeches have all been turned into meme videos.
The phrase "heartwarming work" has also been brought up by players to be mocked repeatedly.
And as Lucas's fame grew, the target of this 'attack' changed from a domestic player's celebration to an international player's celebration.
Some players from China shared posts from foreign forums and fan-made meme videos from video websites.
Similarly, foreign players shared various resources created by Chinese players.
............
"Boss Lucas, you're still smiling so happily!"
In Nebula Games' lounge, Anna couldn't help but complain to Lucas.
This wasn't just emotion built up from "Resident Evil: Village," but years of accumulated resentment.
Not only Lucas, but their official blogs as core development members, are also targets for many players.
It's like indiscriminate attacks.
"Calm down, it's not the first time." Lucas was completely unfazed.
Think about the scene when "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" had a trilogy; that was truly spectacular.
As for now? It's just a small matter.
Hearing this, Anna and Rachel, who had just arrived, were speechless.
But then they thought about it, and it seemed to make some sense!
"But we really can't just let it go like this, after all, we are fundamentally a very fun game company." Lucas said, stretching.
A fun game company?
Alright, Boss Lucas, you decide.
Anna and Rachel exchanged glances, wanting to say something but holding back.
"So, Boss Lucas, are we developing a fun little game?" Hector asked curiously.
Over the years, he had probably understood some of Lucas's thoughts.
A flick to the forehead followed by a piece of candy. When players are upset about a game, right?
Quickly go and give them a piece of candy to appease them.
Then, once their wounds have healed, hit them hard again.
"Don't we already have content ready? 'Blood and Wine' and 'Hearts of Stone' are things we promised players at the last direct presentation." Lucas said, pulling out his phone.
He logged into his official blog and took a quick look.
The comment section of his latest post about "Resident Evil: Village" was filled with players' passionate concerns. Just reading it, you could feel the emotion they poured into sending those messages from the other side of the screen.
............
The players, who were still busy 'conquering' Lucas, soon discovered the content of his latest official blog post.
It was a short message accompanied by a concept art image of Toussaint, which had been revealed at Zack's previous carnival direct presentation.
"[Hearts of Stone] and [Blood and Wine] will be released on December 20th. The White Wolf Geralt will have his final curtain call in Toussaint."
Seeing this message, many players felt a jolt. They had already developed some trauma.
After all, Ethan Winters had just had his curtain call, and now the DLC for "The Witcher: Wild Hunt" was going to have the White Wolf's curtain call as well?
Another stab after a stab?
This made the players uneasy.
'No way! Seeing the word "curtain call" makes my heart skip a beat. Is Geralt going to die?'
'If it were any other game company or designer, I'd say you're overthinking it, but this is Lucas! So many characters have already died!'
'Remember the conversation with the old man in Kaer Morhen? The witcher isn't going to have a peaceful retirement in bed; that was already hinted at!'
'Damn it, don't do this! I don't want Geralt to die!'
The more the players discussed, the more pessimistic they became. Combined with Lucas's self-proclaimed title of "Warrior of Love," many players already considered Geralt dead and were speculating about his death.
Some thought he might die protecting his daughter Ciri, just like Ethan Winters.
Others thought he might die protecting Yennefer.
Some also believed that the main story of the DLC might continue with Ciri as the witcher, while the Northern Kingdoms and the Southern Empire were still at war, and the White Wolf would die in the conflict between the two powers.
Others analyzed it through the DLC's name. "Hearts of Stone" refers to a heart as hard as stone, devoid of emotion. Who were Geralt's emotional connections?
Ciri and Yennefer. In the previous game, if Ciri died, Geralt's ending would also be a death ending.
So, "Hearts of Stone" might refer to Ciri's death turning Geralt's heart into cold stone.
There were countless theories, big and small, essentially covering everything. It would be enough to write a book titled '100 Ways for the White Wolf to Die.'
.........
Inside Nebula Games, Lucas couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the players' speculation online: "They have no trust at all, do they? I only announced a DLC, and there wasn't even a trailer, and the players are already this pessimistic?"
So, how did their trust disappear? Anna and Rachel rolled their eyes: "So, Boss Lucas, should we say something?"
"No need. If I respond now, wouldn't that be spoiling it for the players? Let them experience this surprise themselves." Lucas said with a smile, shaking his head. He then added, "Besides, the more pessimistic they are now, the bigger the surprise will be later. And the more they attack me now, the deeper their guilt will be then!"
"So, Boss Lucas, will our next game also be primarily tragic?" Hector interjected.
"Yes, but not entirely." Lucas said after thinking.
"Boss Lucas, do you have ideas for a new project!?" Hector's eyes widened. He had just asked casually, but judging by this, Lucas seemed to really have plans for a new project.
"You'll know when the time comes." Lucas stretched, offering no explanation.
Regarding a new work, he had some thoughts.
In "Resident Evil: Village," what was the most disappointing part for players?
It was that only Rose was saved in the end, and Ethan was gone forever.
Therefore, in the next new work, Lucas plans to bring players a different kind of story, a work that can bring them some solace.
Of course, considering the time factor, the new project will probably not be ready until early next year.
(End of chapter)
---
Read +100 advanced chapters on my patre*n
patr eon.com/GustinaKamiya
Free Tier can read 3 advanced chapters
---