Chapter 86: What the Heck is the Cafeteria Opening?
While playing Three Kingdoms Tactics, several players were sitting next to the Fall Guys demo, trying out the game. While a full game of Fall Guys requires 60 players, Alex prepared a QR code so that players could download Fall Guys directly onto their phones.
Although the feeling of playing on a touch screen might be a little different from using a keyboard and mouse, the entertainment was undoubtedly good.
As for the official launch, cross-platform functionality will be added. Whether on PC or mobile, players can choose whether to enable the cross-platform feature. Otherwise, they will only be able to play with players on the same platform.
Additionally, Fall Guys is a play-and-leave game. Players can leave immediately if they are eliminated and don't want to continue watching the match. This loop system ensures that, even during the exhibition, players can start a new match after a short wait.
There are many players!
Furthermore, compared to Three Kingdoms Tactics, Fall Guys clearly has more players and is more popular. This is not because Fall Guys has more women playing, but because, from a spectator's perspective, Fall Guys has a wider audience than Three Kingdoms Tactics.
After all, it takes a while to understand the fundamentals of Three Kingdoms Tactics, such as generals' abilities and cards. While Three Kingdoms Tactics' gameplay is simple and easy to understand after playing or even watching one or two matches, it's still no match for Fall Guys.
These tiered variety shows are something almost everyone has seen, or at least heard of. Moreover, the gameplay is not particularly complex; it's about overcoming obstacles and reaching the finish line before other players and the time limit.
The colorful gummy figures, all together, are hilarious.
Of course, in addition to the reasons mentioned, there is another crucial factor: Alex was the live streamer. He was explaining a Fall Guys tournament to the players. Obviously, this attracted quite a bit of attention, even from other exhibitors in the same room.
This also frustrated other game developers and designers.
"Are there laws? Is there justice?!"
"You're being so eccentric with the cosplayers and promoters, all with long legs and dazzling figures. It's like a cartoon zoo party."
"The games are just as eccentric. Everyone else prepares equipment and demos for players to try, but you simply publish two QR codes and ask them to download and play."
"And judging by how complete the game is, it's practically ready for launch, and you still bring it to the fair."
"Do you treat the fair as if it were your own game launch?"
"Even more outrageous, you're a game designer, but you use that position to liven up the atmosphere, even acting as a streamer. Can't you afford to play?!"
Many game designers and company executives in the same room were frustrated to see their audience dwindling.
"What the heck is going on?!"
"My side is completely deserted, while yours is packed!"
However, Alex and the players clearly didn't care about the frustrations of these game developers and designers. Three Kingdoms Tactics, Fall Guys, and Alex's presence attracted a lot of attention.
"Hey, what's everyone doing at that booth?" some players, new from other booths, asked, approaching curiously.
"Nebula Games' new game is from the same designers and the same company that created Outlast and Overcooked. There's no queue; just scan a QR code and play," an enthusiastic player in the audience explained.
"Good grief! Cool? What game is that?" A casual player, who had just endured an hour of queuing and had only played for five minutes, widened his eyes.
"Here are two games: Three Kingdoms Tactics and Fall Guys. See for yourself on the big screen."
"Hurry up and get your partner! Alex is commenting on the next match. I hope you can get in!"
On the big screen, a small green Fall Guy won a crown. Alex also interacted with the players as they prepared for the next round.
"Haha, I've been paired!"
"Me too!"
"Haha, look, that hamburger head is me!"
"I'm Pineapple Head!"
As the new round of matches began, many players who had found their partners were excited. Tom and his team also made it. It turned out to be Tom, Mike, and Sarah.
"Tom, don't try to trick me this time!" Mike said, looking at Tom beside him.
It was evident that he was still recovering from the sudden tantrum between the Strategist and the Benevolent King.
"It was just an accident, don't worry! Calm down! This time I'll definitely take you to the finals!" Tom patted his chest. At 1.92 meters tall, he looked very convincing.
Meanwhile, Sarah was researching combinations to make her Fall Guys look even better. Chloe didn't team up with Mike and the others, planning to sort things out on her own and experimenting with a custom room mode.
As for Ethan, he was still playing Three Kingdoms Tactics with random players at the exhibition. He was really disgusted. He died before even playing a card. What a shame!
"But the controls of Fall Guys in this game are a bit complicated!" While waiting for the first round, Mike and Tom commented on their opinions about the game. They had just briefly tried it in the demo. The basic controls were simple: the joystick controlled direction and there were buttons for jumping and grabbing. It was quite straightforward.
But the physics engine and game controls are simply terrible. The characters walk so wobbly that you fear they'll fall flat on their faces. Jumping and walking also feel like playing with clay and springs.
"Stop talking! The game is about to start. This level will eliminate more than twenty players. You shouldn't even pass the first round," Sarah said, rolling her eyes.
Sixty Fall Guys lined up before the match began, a truly spectacular sight.
"Alright, the new round is about to begin. And the first round map is randomly set as 'Cafeteria Dinner.' As you can see, all players are on high alert."
On stage, Alex, microphone in hand, offered a serious commentary. The players who had entered the matchmaking process, and some who weren't playing but just observing, burst into laughter at Alex's commentary.
Everything seemed normal at first, but what the heck was this cafeteria dinner? Isn't this level called 'Through the Door'?.
All players were confused. But soon they understood why Alex called it that.
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