Dr. Dixy Normous's video was like a fuse, thoroughly igniting the mountain of public opinion that had already accumulated.
Within just a few hours of the video's release, terms like 'Warhammer 40k Perditia,' 'Most Realistic Game Ever,' and 'Hardcore Game Ceiling' quickly dominated the trending topics on major social media platforms.
Countless players and 'cloud players' engaged in fierce discussions about the video's content, with some yearning for it, some questioning it, and others simply enjoying the spectacle.
Just as this buzz reached its peak, an official forum named 'Warhammer 40k: Perditia' quietly launched.
As soon as the news broke, it was like a floodgate opening, and a massive number of users instantly poured in. The forum's page design was extremely simple, even crude, but this did not deter the players' enthusiasm in the slightest. With every refresh, dozens of new posts appeared, ranging from analyzing video details and discussing game mechanics to pure emotional venting and urging for an open beta, a diverse array of content.
As the sole producer and backend administrator of this game, Terrabyte naturally built this forum himself. He browsed the rapidly scrolling posts, seeing an astonishing number of online users in the backend. Then, he published the only official sticky post in the most prominent position on the forum.
Notice Regarding the Second Closed Technical Test of 'Warhammer 40k: Perditia'
"Thank you all for your attention to this game. The second closed technical test is about to begin. This test will add ninety new players to the original ten testers. Test qualifications will be randomly drawn from all registered users."
This post was like pouring a basin of cold water into boiling oil; the entire forum instantly 'exploded.'
As soon as the registration channel below the post opened, the numbers began to soar at a terrifying speed. One hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, eight hundred thousand... Soon, the number of registrants broke the one million mark. It seemed that despite Robert describing all sorts of torturous points in the video, that ultimate sense of realism still held a fatal attraction for countless players.
Terrabyte also had no intention of deliberately keeping players in suspense. For him, players were a valuable resource, the key to saving Perditia. Any further delay, and the few remaining humans on that planet would truly be doomed.
After the number of registrants reached a certain threshold, he closed the channel, randomly selected ninety lucky individuals, and sent them test invitations... The familiar sensation of weightlessness and falling struck again.
Robert skillfully composed himself, waiting for his consciousness to reconnect with his body. When he opened his eyes again, and his vision cleared from complete darkness, he was back in the familiar trench, filled with the scent of gunpowder and earth.
He eagerly scrambled up, ready to greet his fellow comrades, but froze the next second.
He looked around and realized something was amiss; the trench was empty. Including himself, there were only the original ten players here.
The NPC Astra Militarum Soldiers who were supposed to be stationed here, and Commissar Walter, who always had a stern face and was prone to kicking people's butts, were all gone. The empty position was eerily silent, with only occasional explosions in the distance proving that this world was still at war.
What's going on? The main force retreated and forgot about us players? Or is the game bugged?
Robert subconsciously touched his side. Fortunately, the chainsword named 'xenos must die' and the lasgun were still there, giving him a sense of security.
The other nine veteran players also gradually woke up from their brief bewilderment, looking at each other, clearly unsure of the current situation.
It's worth noting that the players who had previously complained that the game was too hardcore, the penalties too severe, and declared they 'wouldn't play anymore' before the Q&A session, were still online.
The other players obviously noticed this as well. The player with the ID 'Maverick' showed a mischievous smile, teasing, "Oh, bosses, didn't you say you weren't playing anymore? Why did you go back on your word and come back online?"
The player who was called out blushed, stubbornly arguing, "Can a player's actions be called going back on their word?" He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, "This... this, this, this is called being brave enough to make a change! I said I 'wasn't playing' before, but I didn't say I 'wouldn't play' now!"
His righteous sophistry instantly amused everyone. For a moment, the silent trench was filled with cheerful air.
The cheerful air in the trench did not last too long.
A low rumble of engines, growing louder from a distance, broke the brief relaxed atmosphere. The sound grew louder and louder, and even the ground beneath their feet began to vibrate slightly.
"Something's happening!" Robert was the first to react, immediately crouching down, gripping his chainsword, and cautiously peering half his head over the edge of the trench's breastwork.
The other nine veteran players also put away their joking expressions, each finding cover and looking in the direction of the sound.
In the distance, dust rolled, and several Chimera Armored Personnel Carriers, emblazoned with the Imperial Aquila, were speeding towards their position. Their massive metal bodies bounced over the rough terrain, making loud clanging noises, and finally stopped not far in front of the trench.
The rear ramp of the lead personnel carrier slammed open with a 'thud,' and a familiar figure emerged — it was Commissar Walter, dressed in a black greatcoat and with a serious expression.
Immediately after, the doors of all the personnel carriers opened. The players in the trench were surprised to find that all those who disembarked from these vehicles were 'new recruits' just like them, wearing standard Carapace Armor!
This large group of ninety newcomers were clearly the lucky ones chosen for the second closed beta. Most of them were pale at this moment, their steps unsteady. Some were retching while holding onto the vehicle, while others stared blankly at the real battlefield filled with the smell of gunpowder, clearly still adapting to the 'tumultuous' riding experience and the immense shock this game brought.
Commissar Walter scanned the trench, his sharp gaze finally settling on Robert.
"Robert!" he shouted.
"I'm here, Commissar!" Robert instinctively straightened his back and responded loudly.
Walter gestured with his chin towards the ninety disoriented new players behind him, issuing a concise command: "These are all your subordinates. From now on, they are all under your command. I require you to lead them to hold this position for at least one day."
"Huh?"
Robert was completely stunned by this sudden appointment. Commander? Me?
However, his mind raced, and he quickly understood. This was probably not a random system assignment, but a result of his previous actions — whether it was actively gathering intelligence or burying fallen comrades, these actions inadvertently increased his favorability with Commissar Walter.
'It seems this game does have a favorability system, but it's completely hidden, and everything depends on the player's actual actions.'
Having figured this out, Robert's confusion vanished, replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility. He immediately stood at attention and loudly assured the Commissar, "Yes, Commissar! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"
Walter nodded, seemingly satisfied with his reaction. He gave Robert one last look, his tone unreadable as to whether it was concern or a warning, only saying, "Be careful, don't die."
With that, he turned and boarded the Chimera APC, signaling the other drivers. Amidst the roar of engines, the convoy turned around and quickly left the position, leaving behind only rolling dust and one hundred players looking at each other.