Chapter 348: The "Critique of Reality" Horror Game
Chen Mo nodded: "Yes, I know that. However, there are currently very few people making horror games domestically. For VR games, although horror games aren't a mainstream genre, their immersion is the best among all game types, and they can also somewhat fill a gap in the market."
Qiao Hua pushed up his glasses and fell into deep thought.
Chen Mo continued: "Minister Qiao, this game definitely needs to be rated, just like 'Diablo'—it must be for adults only."
"Moreover, before players enter the game, the VR capsule needs to check their physical condition. People with heart disease or similar ailments cannot play. During the game, the player's various physiological indicators must be monitored in real-time. If any indicator becomes abnormal, the connection must be cut off immediately."
"Currently, there are also some VR horror games abroad, and the related settings and safety measures are already quite mature. If we follow this standard, there shouldn't be major problems."
Qiao Hua sighed softly: "Yes, I know that. But the current attitude of the Game Committee is still not to encourage games that excessively depict blood and violence, because such games carry certain risks and may have a subtle psychological impact on people."
"Of course, we all know that this impact is actually minimal, just like watching horror movies—no one becomes psychologically disturbed or goes out to kill or harm others because of watching a horror film. From my personal perspective, I think we can try some experiments in this area, but you need to come up with a convincing argument to persuade Chairman Zhang."
Chen Mo thought for a moment: "I do have an argument."
Qiao Hua became a bit interested: "Let's hear it?"
Chen Mo briefly explained his idea.
After listening, Qiao Hua frowned and thought for a while: "It seems... it could work. This is indeed a fairly good reason, but whether it can actually persuade Chairman Zhang is hard to say. Still, you can give it a try."
"Wait here. I'll go consult Chairman Zhang. I'll call you in a bit."
Qiao Hua quickly walked out of the office to find Chairman Zhang Zhongxiang.
In this parallel world, the situation was different from his previous life. Game censorship had become much more relaxed. Moreover, the Game Committee didn't have absolute standards for which games could pass review and which couldn't. Whether a horror game like "Outlast" could pass review and be allowed for players ultimately depended on Chairman Zhang Zhongxiang's decision.
About half an hour later, Qiao Hua returned.
"Come with me. Chairman Zhang is waiting for you. You only have twenty minutes, so think carefully about your wording. If this doesn't pass, there probably won't be another chance," Qiao Hua said.
"I understand, Minister Qiao." Chen Mo followed.
Qiao Hua led Chen Mo to Chairman Zhang Zhongxiang's office, knocked on the door, and gestured for Chen Mo to enter.
Inside the office, Zhang Zhongxiang was reviewing the concept draft.
Seeing Chen Mo enter, he pointed to the seat in front of his desk: "Sit."
Chen Mo sat down and cautiously observed Zhang Zhongxiang's expression.
Zhang Zhongxiang frowned slightly. It seemed he had many doubts about this concept draft.
Chen Mo's right hand stroked the virtual bracelet on his left wrist as he silently called up an item and used it.
Zhang Zhongxiang cleared his throat and said: "Chen Mo, I've finished reading your concept draft. This game is a horror game with a large amount of blood and violence. According to the Game Committee's consistent stance, such games cannot pass review. Because under this highly immersive mental state, this type of game can have a certain impact on players' mental health."
Chen Mo said: "Chairman Zhang, I don't think that's necessarily the case. First of all, as adults, their worldview is already formed. A healthy person, when experiencing horror movies, horror games, or even haunted houses, will be somewhat frightened."
"Currently, horror movies and haunted houses exist in our country, which shows that as long as the intensity is controlled, horror experiences won't cause harm."
"Currently, horror games abroad have very mature player protection mechanisms. Moreover, with so many horror games released abroad each year, there has never been a reported case of a player suddenly dying or being stimulated to harm society. So, this impact isn't actually that severe. Or rather, this impact can be completely avoided."
Zhang Zhongxiang frowned: "The main issue is that horror games basically contain no healthy or positive content. This makes it very difficult to convince the more traditional and conservative members of the Game Committee."
Chen Mo countered: "Then, Chairman, do you consider 'critique' itself to be positive content?"
Zhang Zhongxiang was taken aback: "Critique?"
Chen Mo nodded: "Yes, just like essays that critique ugly truths."
Zhang Zhongxiang thought for a moment: "It should count."
Chen Mo continued: "'Outlast' has a spiritual core, and that core is critique. In this game, the protagonist, as a righteous journalist, investigates a mental hospital to expose the crimes within."
"And the mental hospital is actually a place controlled for horrific experiments. These foreign mega-corporations, for the sake of profit, disregard the lives of patients, trample on the law, and even have high-ranking figures acting as their protectors."
"The player will take on the role of this righteous journalist, exposing the evil deeds under the control of these mega-corporations. This itself is a critique of ugly truths and an exposure of the seemingly beautiful but false facade abroad."
Zhang Zhongxiang blinked, suddenly feeling that what Chen Mo said made sense.
Indeed, if "Outlast's" story were set domestically, it would absolutely never pass review, no question.
But if it's set abroad... doesn't this indeed constitute critique and exposure?
Zhang Zhongxiang thought again: "But this is a completely fictional story."
Chen Mo explained: "Chairman, art comes from life but is higher than life. In world history, how many horrific racial massacres and genocides have there been? The living hell shown in Auschwitz was far more terrifying than what this game depicts. That concentration camp still exists to remind people to always remember. If I make a game to question humanity, isn't that a positive and constructive thing?"
Zhang Zhongxiang: "..."
He opened "Outlast's" design concept draft again and read it from beginning to end.
After a long silence, Zhang Zhongxiang finally nodded: "Alright, this game will be approved for now. But you must remember, the game's story background cannot be changed—it must be set abroad. And you must ensure that the VR device settings are well-implemented to guarantee that this game won't have adverse effects on players."
"If players strongly protest, this game will be taken down. If it causes serious social impact, you won't be exempt from liability. Understand?"
Chen Mo nodded: "Understood, Chairman. I understand!"