Chapter 66: Overcooked Launch
After winning first place in last year's "Sci-Fi Expedition" competition and having caused a stir in the horror genre with Outlast, Alex's influence transcends the world of indie video games.
Furthermore, Overcooked represents more than just a simple game for Nebula Games; it serves as a testbed for the platform's direction. Therefore, Overcooked received even more promotional resources than Outlast.
For this game, Alex even recorded several short, minute-and-a-half advertisements. In the ads, a couple sits in front of their computers in a sunny room. The monitor displays the Overcooked screen.
"A brief separation won't affect our chemistry or our bond."
Chopping vegetables, cooking them, and serving them, the screen trembles as the in-game kitchen splits in two. They are cooking from a hot air balloon. Cooperating, the couple laughs and enjoys the game.
The next instant, time advances, from day to night. In the background, two men and women, each in a different place, gradually merge. A fleeting moment passes, and the next instant, they find themselves living together in the same house. But the same thing remains true: the computer screen in front of them displays the game Overcooked.
"From past to present, our feelings remain the same."
Getting up from his chair, the man opens a food delivery app on his phone, preparing to order food. But then, the woman snatches the phone from him, beaming, and, seemingly invisible, pulls out a chef's hat and waves it in front of his face. They open the refrigerator and enter the kitchen, one chopping vegetables while the other cooks, moving from video cooking to in-person cooking.
"Enjoy the game, enjoy life, and experience the joy of the game with your special person."
With melodious background music, the video ends with a candlelight dinner for both of them. Finally, a subtitle appears in the center of the screen: "Overcooked launches on February 14th."
This is, of course, a promotional video for the couples' version; there are also versions for siblings and friends. Three different versions were recorded, covering virtually all levels.
The Overcooked trailer clearly intrigued players. The adorable visuals, combined with the touching trailer, had already sparked the anticipation of countless players. Alex's official Twitter account, where the trailer was posted, quickly filled with comments.
"Oh my God, the game designer I follow is back to life!"
"The trailer is amazing! The couples' version is the one that gives me a pang of jealousy, me, who is single."
"This game is so cute and touching! Is this Alex's compensation for scaring us with Outlast?"
"This is the true 'Love Warrior.' I'm buying it to play with my girlfriend. I love it, Alex!"
"Look closely, it looks like a cooking game. Cooperative for two? Poor me, I can only play with my best friend!"
"Don't get discouraged, best friends sometimes become lovers!"
"Hehe, this year I plan to confess my love to my partner on Valentine's Day. He loves video games, so this is a good opportunity to confess to him while playing. I have all the methods ready. I'll cook in the game and then show off my real-life cooking skills. The confession gift will be hidden in the cake I bake afterward!"
"Calm down, brother, I wish you success in your confession!"
"Yes, this is the Alex I know. Stop playing those hellish games like Outlast. It's fun to watch others die of fear, but I still like this kind of game full of love!"
Not only players commented on it, but also some industry designers who follow Alex.
"Did you hear? Alex's new game is actually a cooperative game for couples."
"It's not really a cooperative game for couples, it's just that the promotion and holiday launch have that trend."
"But I'm not very optimistic about this type of game. Mainly because, if it's cooperative, everything will fall apart if the level design isn't good. Alex's previous games were story-driven, so this is the first time, right?"
"It's hard to comment on the game's content, but Alex has nailed the promotion!"
"Yes, yes, watching that trailer makes me so excited I want to buy one for my girlfriend."
"But I don't think it will be easy to become popular. After all, for a cooperative game to sell well depends on popularity. If it manages to generate the same popularity as the previous Outlast, then Overcooked will have impressive sales."
"But there don't seem to be any similar competitors during the winter holidays, so Alex is taking advantage of it."
"Lack of competition is not necessarily a good thing. After all, the video game industry is not a zero-sum game. As long as it's not flooded with products, it will help expand the sales market."
"I think Alex's expectation that this game will have the same sales as the previous Outlast is probably unrealistic."
"It's undoubtedly profitable. After all, judging by its performance, Overcooked's development costs shouldn't be high. It's just a little less profitable."
"But compared to Outlast, Overcooked's art style is more adorable and cartoonish, reaching a much wider audience."
"By the way, have you noticed? Alex's Nebula gaming platform has a buy-one-get-one-free promotion!"
"That's right. For the winter holidays and Valentine's Day, they always have gifts for players. Besides, who wouldn't want to get followers on their platform?"
"That's right. And Overcooked is a cooperative game. If it were sold individually, some players might hesitate. This buy-one-get-one-free promotion could convince many interested but undecided players to make up their minds."
Alex's new game is being widely debated by both the industry and players. Ordinary players simply care about the game's performance. The industry, on the other hand, focuses more on market analysis.
The "buy one get one free" promotion on the Nebula platform has also been commented on by some industry designers. But, just as Alex expected, few cared too much.
After all, as the saying goes, who in the video game industry doesn't want to develop their own platform? If it's launched on other platforms, the commission won't be low. As for the game Overcooked, many industry designers share the same opinion. That is, they believe this game can generate revenue, but it's uncertain how big its impact will be.
Alex was not affected. They will have to wait for its launch to know how it performs.
Over time, on February 14th, the third day of the winter holidays, Alex updated an official message on his blog.
"Overcooked is now available. It's a harmonious and exciting multiplayer game. You and your fellow chefs must complete different types of delicious orders before the diners explode. Prepare your knives and chef uniforms and let's play! In this crazy kitchen, there's no tolerance for mistakes!"
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