Chapter 84: Game Testing
Upon hearing Alex's words, the players present went wild. After all, the information revealed in those few words was truly astonishing. Two games would have mobile versions, available for download and testing during the exhibition. Additionally, there would be a grand finale.
Honestly, most players didn't pay much attention to the grand finale. After all, they were just empty words. And although Nebula Games had developed several popular games, they weren't big names, so they lacked excitement.
The key was: did this mean they could try them without queuing?
Everyone noticed that Nebula Games' giant screen had started displaying promotional images of the games. There was also a large QR code, clearly designed for players to scan and download.
Players gathered in front of Nebula Games' booth took out their phones and began scanning the code to download. After all, didn't everyone come to a video game exhibition to try new games? Now, with a game they could try directly by just scanning a code and downloading it, without queuing, it was natural for everyone to try it.
Most male players downloaded Three Kingdoms Tactics first. After all, compared to the very cute Fall Guys, Three Kingdoms Tactics' graphics clearly attracted them. Additionally, the Three Kingdoms franchise is a well-known name and has a certain appeal.
For many female players, the opposite happened: the adorable Fall Guys captivated them.
Of course, it wasn't like that everywhere. Some players, with a feminine heart, decided to play Fall Guys first, while others chose to try Three Kingdoms Tactics first.
Additionally, some players specifically queued to experience the differences between the PC version and the mobile version. Meanwhile, others chose to play offline with physical cards instead of their phones. After all, playing a board game in person seemed more appealing to them.
Arriving early, Mike and his group were among the first to try it. The five of them lined up to play Three Kingdoms Tactics, having noticed it when reading about it in the game's introduction.
Three Kingdoms Tactics was the perfect size for five players, making it ideal for them. Fall Guys, on the other hand, could host teams of up to four players, and unteamed matches were split, so they decided to try Three Kingdoms Tactics first.
Another factor was a slight psychological scar. After all, they had already experienced the lighthearted, joyful, and harmonious atmosphere described by Alex. While the game's visual style undoubtedly gave that impression, Mike had a feeling that the experience might be drastically different from reality.
Instead of playing with physical cards, they opted to try the PC version. It was much more convenient, and according to nearby staff, with physical cards, you could only read the rules, while the electronic version offered a beginner tutorial mode, allowing for a deeper understanding of the game.
After a simple opening image, the game screen appeared. Alex didn't use sophisticated animations for Three Kingdoms Tactics' opening animation. It was simply a comic strip showing the Three Kingdoms generals. After all, it was a board game.
Upon entering, they began with a long battle. The player assumes the role of the lord, the Benevolent King.
"The voice acting is fantastic! And the visuals are pretty good too!" Mike mumbled.
He had never played a card game. Well, if discard card games count, there's that.
But Three Kingdoms Tactics still retains some subtle details. For example, when successfully executing a lethal attack, the dynamic feedback, accompanied by the reduction of red hearts from the health bar and the flash of a sword hitting the character's portrait, is very powerful.
The game's sound effects and feedback are also very well-placed. When health is reduced, the character's portrait also becomes blood-stained, and as it decreases, scars appear on it. Clearly, the game's card portraits are not just one. Intact or damaged, each state has its own corresponding display. Different equipment cards also have unique special effects. This makes a typical card game quite exciting.
The game continues. The simple tutorial mode, where players basically follow the system's instructions, is designed to help players understand the game's basic controls and the various card functions.
After all, the essence of Three Kingdoms Tactics' gameplay lies in the rules of card battles. Without good system guidance in this aspect, it would be difficult for players to understand the game's fun.
Similarly, the large screen in Three Kingdoms Tactics' exhibition area also displayed images of Mike and his team playing. For the players waiting in line to understand, everyone whispered about Three Kingdoms Tactics' performance.
"It's a bit like a discard card game!"
"This is much more complicated than a discard card game!"
"Yeah, and I think the traitor is very difficult to play. Everyone else has two, but he only has one."
"That's not true. Think about it, whether it's the lord or the rebels, whoever you support will have the advantage. Isn't it exciting?"
"What if both factions attack you?"
"Then, whoever attacks me first, I'll help the other side kill them!"
"It seems the traitor mainly focuses on controlling the situation. Whether he kills a loyal minister or a rebel, the other person has to cooperate with the traitor; otherwise, he loses."
"Then the reward for the traitor's victory should be even better."
"That's right, one against four!"
"Look, the lord has an extra skill! And an extra health bar!"
Although players can download and play the game themselves, some prefer not to try it and watch it on the big screen. The general rules of Three Kingdoms Tactics are not difficult to understand, and this tutorial simply helps players understand the fundamentals.
For example, there are basic controls like factions, casualties, dodges, peaches, and the attack range obtained with equipment cards and horses.
More advanced controls, such as commander skills and synergies, as well as strategies like crossing a river, destroying a bridge, and stealing indeterminate cards, will be included in later side quests. These features will not be displayed during the exhibition.
After the official launch, players will receive commanders and a permanent skin upon completing these side quests. This is the perfect trio of online multiplayer games. Rewards are offered to encourage players to complete tasks, which teach them about the game, and the rewards keep them hooked.
This tactic has been widely used in mobile games in the past. Launching a server with 100 or 60 consecutive draws, or even free orange and gold cards, follows this model. This has also spawned an entire industry called first-draw number scams. Studios create a large number of accounts specifically to take advantage of these bonus draws and then sell them based on luck.
However, it is undoubtedly effective. At least in the early stages of the game, it is still very attractive to players.
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