Chapter 10: Overwhelming First Place!
Schwarzer didn't say anything. Although Qiu Hengyang was his junior, both of them were B-level designers, and Qiu Hengyang was still active on the front lines of research and development. If they really started fighting, neither of them would look good. Besides, Schwarzer himself felt he couldn't win a fight against Qiu Hengyang anyway.
So he had no choice but to swallow his pride and keep quiet for the time being.
The host also sensed that the atmosphere among the three judges was a bit strange and quickly said, "Alright, thank you to the three judges for your wonderful comments. Actually, I think it's impossible to create a game that everyone loves. Some people like it, some don't—that's normal. There's no clear right or wrong. The final decision rests with our audience. So next, please proceed with the second round of recommendations."
The host smoothed things over, and Schwarzer's expression finally improved a little.
In the following segment, the audience could make another round of recommendations. However, it was obvious that the focus was entirely on "Flappy Bird" and "Hunter Island."
No other game could surpass "Flappy Bird." The key was to see how many recommendations "Hunter Island" could get in this final round.
The audience was also hesitating.
"Who are you voting for?"
"I think Teacher Schwarzer has a point. Isn't 'Flappy Bird' too simple? Does it really deserve the championship?"
"Then are you voting for 'Hunter Island'?"
"Sigh, it's hard to say. Even though I feel 'Hunter Island' was made with more effort, it's just not as fun as 'Flappy Bird.'"
"Then what are you hesitating for? Qiu Hengyang also made a good point. I'm voting for 'Flappy Bird' anyway."
"Then I'll vote for 'Flappy Bird' too."
"Vote away, vote away. I can't be the only one suffering."
Soon, the new round of data came out.
"Flappy Bird" recommendations: 1037!
"Hunter Island" recommendations: 537!
For "Hunter Island" to surpass "Flappy Bird," it would need over a thousand recommendations to compete for first place. Clearly, that was hopeless.
Moreover, "Flappy Bird" had gained nearly 500 recommendations in the second round, basically crushing the competition!
The host said, "Alright, the final results are out. According to the rules, 'Flappy Bird' has proven the audience's love for it by leading in both playtime and recommendations. However, we still need to hear the opinions of the three judges. If all three judges unanimously agree that it shouldn't be first place, then unfortunately, we must disqualify it."
"Three judges, what are your opinions?"
The host looked at the three judges.
Schwarzer and Lin Hai both remained silent.
To veto this game, all three judges would have to oppose it. But Qiu Hengyang's stance was already clear. Even if Schwarzer and Lin Hai both objected, it wouldn't matter, so they wisely chose not to speak.
Qiu Hengyang picked up the microphone: "I approve of this game. I believe it fully deserves first place in this game design competition."
The host nodded. "Alright! Then the first place in our game design competition has been decided. It's Designer No. 7's work, 'Flappy Bird'!"
"Next, please invite Designer No. 7 to the stage to receive the award. You will receive 300,000 in research and development funds from the organizers, a D-level game designer qualification, and a personal exclusive experience store. Congratulations!"
Chen Mo stood up from his seat and walked toward the stage.
The audience and contestants were all watching, curious to see what kind of person had developed this sadistic game.
Probably half the audience wanted to grab Chen Mo by the hair and ask, "Do you have a sociopathic personality? Why did you create such a self-torturing game? Why!"
Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
To everyone's surprise, Chen Mo's reaction was very calm. There was no ecstatic expression, as if he had already anticipated this moment.
Accepting the award on stage seemed like just a formality to him.
"Congratulations."
The host shook hands with Chen Mo and handed him the competition trophy.
"After you leave the stage, a staff member will contact you to transfer the prize money to your account. As for the experience store, please discuss the specific handover details with the staff."
Chen Mo nodded.
The host announced loudly, "Then let's give another round of warm applause to Designer No. 7, Chen Mo!"
The audience erupted in applause, and the reporters' cameras flashed nonstop. Chen Mo held the trophy and cooperatively put on a polite, ceremonial smile.
But just then, a voice rang out.
"Ahem, host, I'd like to say a few more words, if I may?"
The host was startled and turned to see that it was Schwarzer speaking.
What did this mean?
The host hesitated. According to the procedure, the competition was essentially over. The comments had already been made. What else was there to say?
But since Schwarzer had brought it up, there was no reason not to let him speak. So the host nodded. "Of course, go ahead."
The applause gradually died down, and the audience was also curious about what Schwarzer wanted to say.
Schwarzer cleared his throat and addressed Chen Mo. "First of all, congratulations on winning first place."
Chen Mo nodded. "Thank you."
Schwarzer continued, "As someone with more experience, I'd like to share some insights with you. Do you want to hear them?"
Chen Mo smiled and nodded. "Please, go ahead."
Schwarzer said, "I think, young man, your ideas are indeed very unique, and your approach to game design is unconventional—that's impressive. But making games isn't just about having ideas. In fact, having too many ideas can sometimes backfire on you."
"When making games, you need to be steady and grounded. Relying on loopholes to make a game might make it popular for a while, but it won't last."
"Take your game, for example. I still hold the same view: you didn't bring the audience any touch of emotion or joy. Instead, you relied on provoking their negative emotions to keep them playing. That's something I find contemptible."
"I hope you can quickly steer yourself away from this wrong path. Don't let this award make you go further astray. That will only harm you. Do you understand?"
As soon as Schwarzer said this, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Although his words were all high-sounding platitudes, the underlying meaning was clear: Chen Mo's game succeeded by exploiting loopholes and playing tricks, relying on luck. If he made a similar game again, it would surely fail.
Obviously, Schwarzer still hadn't swallowed his pride. He couldn't confront Qiu Hengyang directly, nor could he admit he was wrong, so he chose to lecture Chen Mo instead.
Confronting Qiu Hengyang was risky. If Qiu Hengyang lost his temper and they started fighting, Schwarzer might not come out ahead. But lecturing Chen Mo carried no risk. As a novice designer, Chen Mo would at most nod meekly and say, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher," even if he had objections, he'd have to swallow them.
Qiu Hengyang understood Schwarzer's little scheme perfectly well. But since Schwarzer wasn't targeting him, he couldn't step in. He could only watch Chen Mo suffer in silence.