Chapter 27: The Next Game
Lisa and Jane were perplexed.
"Not developing an Undertale sequel and not creating a metagame?" Lisa asked.
Jane thought the same. It's important to know that video game media now primarily focuses on Undertale. And in forums frequented by industry designers, professionals from various fields analyze the unique characteristics of Undertale's model.
After all, such a novel element seems like it could become a new trend. Some game developers and designers have even publicly announced plans for games with metagame elements. But now Alex says he won't do it? Imagine people's surprise when that news gets out.
After all, the concept of metagame was practically unknown before Undertale. Normally, with Undertale's popularity, they would rush to release a sequel, like the Mirror DLC. At the very least, it would be a completely new metagame! Jane and Lisa had already discussed this privately.
They even thought about developing an Undertale prequel. After all, in the game, the story of Asriel and Chara was basically a brief synopsis, never fully developed. And now, Alex was telling them he wasn't going to make an Undertale sequel, not even a metagame?
"It's not really suitable, and the scope of metagames is very limited. Undertale impacted players, but the main reason is that they were unprepared and didn't fully understand metagames."
"If we keep releasing metagames now, the subsequent response definitely won't be better than Undertale's. In fact, based on players' first impressions, it might even seem worse," Alex explained to them.
The others didn't understand the metagame genre, but Alex knew it very well. Before transmigrating, metagames were no longer anything special. Ashe, The Stanley Parable, Pony Island, and Alex's choice of Undertale were outstanding examples. However, the best-selling titles are Undertale and Ashe.
The Stanley Parable, which in the past introduced metagaming to the game, hasn't had the same sales as these two promising titles. As for Pony Island, many players don't even know it.
The main reason is that meta elements are not a primary selling point. A closer look reveals that Ashe incorporates action elements. While Undertale subverts the RPG setting, it is essentially a combination of RPG and bullet-hell. Both games rely on meta elements as a complement, while Pony Island and The Stanley Parable focus more on metagaming, with other elements as a complement.
Meta elements can impact players, but they are not the main feature. They are more suitable as a lubricant, allowing them to interact effectively with the game content.
Many major games in the past have adopted similar designs. For example, the boss Psycho Mantis from the Metal Gear Solid series can understand the player's actions. And then there's the ending of NieR: Automata, where the player's save data is used to save others. All of these are uses of META elements, but they are mostly just auxiliary scenarios. Undertale's success is definitely not solely due to META elements.
After listening to Alex's explanation, Jane and Lisa were still a little confused. They understood it, but not entirely. However, they did grasp one point: continuing to release metagames might not generate much revenue or improve their reputation. Furthermore, with so many developers incorporating metagame elements, players might get tired of it.
"So, what kind of project should we choose now?" Lisa asked Alex.
"For now, let's make a low-budget transition game, and we need to expand the team," Alex said.
"As for the genre... look at this."
With that, Alex opened the laptop beside him and went to a website: the official Game Department website. Then, to Jane's and Lisa's slightly bewildered looks, he opened an announcement:
[Science is the source of human progress; scientific progress and innovation are revolutionizing our lives.]
This year, the Game Department is organizing a Science Fiction Tournament with the theme "Technology Changes Life."
Requirements:
Game designers from all over the country.
Requirements:
Any platform and a positive and motivating theme.
Event Organization:
This event is organized by the Game Department, and the selection process will involve two judges and player voting to ensure impartiality.
Selection and Recognition:
According to the total number of participants, one first prize, three second prizes, six third prizes, and several honorable mentions will be awarded.
The most outstanding works will be promoted and recommended on the official platform website after the event. Winning designers will also receive the title of Outstanding Designer as an incentive. (Registration is open from September 1st to September 5th, and the event closes at the end of September)
"Are we participating?" Lisa asked in surprise.
She knew about this event. Although it seems like a national game designer recruitment campaign, in reality, the participants are mainly independent designers or small and medium-sized companies. There are undoubtedly benefits, as the Game Department is the organizer.
Game review, including designer rating evaluations, game engine technology development, and the issuance of relevant policies, are generally managed by the department. Being publicly recognized is undoubtedly beneficial. Furthermore, appearing on the official platform's homepage offers tangible benefits.
After all, the official game platform is one of the largest distribution channels in the country.
As for why large companies don't participate, it's mainly because this type of event is useless to them. High-budget, high-production games don't lack this kind of exposure. And high-budget, high-production games are undoubtedly commercial. Commercial games naturally have some special elements that can attract players.
Not to mention violence and sex, even multiple female protagonists and harems, these elements are very unattractive in such official activities. Therefore, it's natural that large-budget games don't participate.
Most are indie game designers and small and medium-sized game production companies. Of course, some studios acquired by large companies will also participate.
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