Chapter 72: Is Alex the Master of Love?
With the increasing number of streamers and video creators live streaming Overcooked, more and more players are discovering the game.
Social media is brimming with discussions about the game. "Breakup" and "end of friendship" have become keywords, especially with the growth of its popularity.
Forums and Q&A communities are filled with improvised stories from players, such as how my girlfriend and I were in love, but because of Overcooked, our friendship ended and we broke up.
While some of these stories do occur, for couples who actually break up because of Overcooked, the game is simply the trigger. Their relationship was already like gunpowder, ready to explode.
However, this has not stopped the proliferation of Overcooked memes.
After Valentine's Day, Overcooked's popularity has soared daily, and communities are filled with players' jokes and discussions.
On the other hand, in various live streams, while streamers and video creators hotly debated the game's content, countless viewers accentuated the discussion with comments like "break up" and "go solo."
After all, it's natural to see the fun.
However, while these players enjoyed the memes and experienced firsthand what a breakup kitchen is like, a prominent post on the official blog had reached the front page of the PC gaming category.
"What do you think of Alex, the game designer who calls himself a 'Love Warrior,' who decided to launch Overcooked on Valentine's Day and recorded a beautiful and touching promotional video?"
This post was filled with player responses.
"Forget about the 'Love Warrior'! I was so naive that I thought Alex had created a touching and friendly game. My girlfriend and I broke up playing Overcooked! Alex, compensate her!"
"Hey, man, what's wrong? Did you break your hand?"
"Exactly!" "Don't abandon treatment, brother. Medicine is very advanced nowadays. Go to the hospital quickly and maybe you can get your girlfriend back!"
"It's okay, brother. You already have two girlfriends, so losing one doesn't matter."
"You're going a bit too far. The author of the post is already in a state of shock."
"Ahem, a friendly reminder. Click on the post author's profile and you'll be surprised."
"F***, didn't you say in your last post that you broke up with your boyfriend? Are you male or female?!"
"Hey, kid, how narrow-minded! Can't guys have boyfriends? Come and add me as a friend and I'll give you something good!"
"Don't stray from the topic! Anyway, I feel like Alex is full of malice! He already left his mark with Outlast!"
"It's not just Outlast. Think carefully about the games Alex developed before and enjoy them thoroughly."
"That's right, that's right! Alex is not a love warrior at all. Think about it, the games he has developed so far are as sharp as knives!"
"That's right! I strongly suggest that the Game Department take action. Alex's games are really too dangerous. Outlast was just trying to scare us, but with Overcooked, he's trying to get us into real-life confrontations!"
This superfluous topic garnered over 20,000 comments in a single day.
Of course, there were dissenting voices.
Many players said that Overcooked was not that exaggerated and that playing with friends and loved ones was a joy, with teamwork and tricks they would enjoy.
However, these comments were clearly isolated and outdated.
The prevailing opinion was that they no longer believed Alex was some kind of "love warrior."
Nebula Games.
By then, after the winter holidays, employees from all departments had gradually returned to work.
Jane and Lisa, in the company's lounge area, looked at Alex with satisfied smiles.
"Alex, his plan has been discovered!" Lisa showed Alex the blog post.
"That's right!" Jane nodded.
During Overcooked's development and the recording of its promotional video, they naively believed it was a touching and friendly game that fostered relationships.
However, some internal development issues were dismissed as mere coincidences.
But with the game's launch, the buzz about the "breakup kitchen" and "friendship-ending kitchen," coupled with this exceptional talk, instantly brought them to their senses.
Beneath Overcooked's warm and inviting facade, a true veneer of malice lurks!
"Oh, the world is changing and people are no longer the same! You're one of the game's developers, how can you harbor such thoughts?" Alex asked, looking at them seriously.
"Why do so many players break up? Because their relationships are already in trouble!"
"Why do they break up? Because they can't communicate or reach a consensus within the game; because when pressed, they blame others when they make mistakes, adding fuel to the fire; because they express disdain and lose patience when others are slow to react and can't keep up with them."
"So the true essence of Overcooked is to teach couples and friends the true meaning of getting along. The key to preserving true friendship and love is communication, tolerance, and patience."
"Without these three elements, relationships naturally deteriorate."
When Alex finished speaking, Lisa and Jane, sitting across from him, fell silent.
After a long pause, Lisa looked at Alex strangely.
"Alex... is that the legendary love guru?"
"Alex, why do you always say such convincing things?" Jane was speechless.
'This situation felt familiar to them!'
It seemed a similar explanation had already been given in Outlast.
'Was it a Russian doll?'
If not for the previous situation in Outlast, it would have made sense to them.
"If you think it makes sense, then that proves the truth. I am a producer who wholeheartedly cares for players!" Alex smiled.
Both their expressions remained unchanged.
Both felt that Alex was trying to deceive them.
Hmm... no, it should be said that he was deceiving the players.
As Alex took out his phone, opened his official Twitter account, polished his words, and sent them, both exchanged glances.
Each caught what the other was trying to say: "Be more careful next time. Alex's trick is a bit unusual!"
- - - -
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