Chapter 533: The Press Conference

As Chen Mo released more and more information, the online discussions about *Dark Souls* grew increasingly heated, drawing attention that was in no way inferior to its predecessor in his past life.

The main reason was that, for domestic players and designers, this was the first game capable of showcasing the Pangu System, personally crafted by Chen Mo. It carried a heavy burden of expectations.

Even if Chen Mo had made something other than *Dark Souls*, it would still have garnered significant attention.

However, Chen Mo had yet to reveal much about the specific gameplay mechanics. Most of the video footage he provided showed battles with elite minor enemies, which were very smooth and seemed easy. As a result, many players mistakenly believed it was a hack-and-slash game.

It couldn't exactly be called a "mistake," because, following normal logic, it *should* have been a hack-and-slash game...

As early as when *Diablo* was released, many gaming media outlets and professional designers had analyzed that grinding in a hopeless world setting was actually a very effective game mode. Chen Mo had no reason to abandon it.

But Chen Mo stubbornly refused to release more content, leaving players feeling frustrated and stifled.

Just when all players' anticipation for *Dark Souls* had reached its peak, Chen Mo announced a press conference.

The press conference was held in a large hall in the Imperial Capital, with over a hundred media outlets and dozens of professional game designers invited. The event was also broadcast live online.

Chen Mo walked onto the stage, and the entire hall fell silent.

"Today, I'm mainly here to show everyone the game *Dark Souls*," Chen Mo said with a smile. "I know everyone has been waiting for a long time. I won't beat around the bush. Let's get straight to the point."

The audience below erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Chen Mo stepped aside, and the large screen behind him began playing the game's opening cinematic.

The cinematic was very brief, only about a minute long, but it perfectly showcased the game's world and core theme.

The world was in ruins, with crumbling castles, withered trees, and a sky shrouded in thick, gray clouds. A lone figure clad in heavy armor slowly walked forward, holding a longsword and shield, his face hidden by a helmet.

The camera zoomed in, and the figure raised his sword, pointing it at the distant sky.

Then, the screen went black, and the game's title appeared: *Dark Souls*.

The cinematic was simple, but it conveyed a strong sense of oppression and desolation, leaving the audience feeling a heavy weight in their hearts.

"Now, I'll show you some actual gameplay footage," Chen Mo said, stepping aside again.

The screen then displayed a series of game clips.

The first clip showed the player character fighting a group of minor enemies. The character's movements were smooth, and the attacks were clean and decisive, easily dispatching the enemies.

The second clip showed the player character battling a large enemy. The enemy's attacks were slow but powerful, and the player character had to dodge carefully, looking for openings to counterattack.

The third clip showed the player character fighting a boss. The boss was enormous, with a massive health bar, and its attacks covered a wide area. The player character had to constantly move and dodge, seizing every opportunity to deal damage.

These clips were all very short, but they gave the audience a preliminary understanding of the game's combat system.

"These are just some basic demonstrations," Chen Mo said. "The actual game will have more enemies, more bosses, and more weapons and equipment for players to choose from."

"Next, I'll answer some questions from the media."

A reporter immediately stood up and asked, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the combat in the game seems very challenging. Is this game a hardcore action game?"

Chen Mo nodded. "Yes, *Dark Souls* is a hardcore action game. It requires players to have high reflexes and operational skills. But at the same time, it also offers a great sense of accomplishment. Every time you defeat a powerful enemy, you'll feel an unparalleled satisfaction."

Another reporter asked, "Mr. Chen, we saw that the game's world setting is very dark and oppressive. Is this game's story also very heavy?"

Chen Mo replied, "The game's story is indeed quite heavy, but it also contains many touching elements. Players will gradually uncover the truth of this world as they explore, and they will also meet many memorable characters."

A professional designer asked, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the game's combat system seems very different from traditional action games. Can you elaborate on that?"

Chen Mo explained, "The combat system in *Dark Souls* emphasizes patience and strategy. Players can't just recklessly attack; they need to observe the enemy's attack patterns, find weaknesses, and then counterattack. At the same time, the game also has a stamina system. Players need to manage their stamina wisely; otherwise, they'll be left vulnerable."

The designer nodded thoughtfully.

Another reporter asked, "Mr. Chen, we saw that the game's graphics are very realistic. Is this the result of the Pangu System?"

Chen Mo smiled. "Yes, the Pangu System provides powerful graphics processing capabilities, allowing us to create a more realistic game world. But more importantly, the Pangu System also offers a more flexible development environment, allowing us to achieve many unique gameplay mechanics."

The reporter continued, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the game's difficulty seems very high. Will this affect the game's sales?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "I don't think so. Hardcore games have their own dedicated player base. As long as the game is of high quality, it will naturally attract players. Moreover, *Dark Souls* isn't just about difficulty; it also offers a deep combat system and a rich world for players to explore."

Another reporter asked, "Mr. Chen, we saw that the game's total playtime seems very long. Can you give us an estimate?"

Chen Mo thought for a moment and said, "The total playtime for *Dark Souls* depends on the player's skill level. For experienced players, it might take around 30 to 40 hours to complete the main storyline. For newcomers, it might take longer."

The reporter was a bit surprised. "30 to 40 hours? That's quite long for an action game."

Chen Mo nodded. "Yes, but the game's content is very rich. There are many hidden areas and side quests for players to discover."

Another reporter asked, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that you've been very secretive about the game's specific details. Is there a reason for that?"

Chen Mo smiled mysteriously. "I want players to experience the game's surprises for themselves. If I reveal everything in advance, it would spoil the fun."

The reporters exchanged glances, all feeling that Chen Mo was being very secretive.

A professional designer asked, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the game's combat system seems very similar to some classic action games. Did you draw inspiration from them?"

Chen Mo nodded. "Yes, I drew inspiration from many classic action games, but *Dark Souls* has its own unique characteristics. I believe players will feel the difference when they play it."

The designer nodded thoughtfully.

Another reporter asked, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the game's difficulty seems very high. Will this discourage some players?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "I don't think so. *Dark Souls* isn't just about difficulty; it also offers a deep combat system and a rich world for players to explore. Moreover, the game's sense of accomplishment is very strong. Every time you defeat a powerful enemy, you'll feel an unparalleled satisfaction."

The reporter nodded.

Another reporter asked, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the game's graphics are very realistic. Is this the result of the Pangu System?"

The reporter continued, "Mr. Chen, we noticed that the game's total playtime seems very long. Can you give us an estimate?"