Chapter 609: Another Game That's Hard to Get Approved
Actually, Chen Mo already had a pretty suitable choice in mind for the new game.
For this next game, Chen Mo planned to make it the year's final release. The development schedule wouldn't cross into the new year; he aimed to finish it before the Spring Festival, launch it smoothly, and then have a proper, relaxed holiday.
Looking back on the year, Chen Mo had churned out quite a few classic titles.
After earning the S-level designer qualification last year and winning Game of the Year with *Overwatch*, Chen Mo's vision had gradually expanded beyond national borders, looking toward overseas markets.
Additionally, the monetization system had moved away from pure pay-to-win, instead playing with happiness points and resentment points.
Except for *Human: Fall Flat* and *The Normal Big Adventure*, which were made during the Spring Festival to test the new monetization system, everything Chen Mo had done afterward was a major production.
As a groundbreaking handheld console, the Switch's influence was still limited to China and relatively niche, but it had vast potential for future development.
*Super Mario Odyssey* was a classic title that served as a flagship for the Switch's launch, adored by countless players. Of course, since it wasn't a VR game, its impact was far less than in its previous life. But undeniably, with its collection and puzzle-solving features and near-perfect level design, it had won over many designers and game review media, earning a near-perfect score.
Next came the year's heavyweight, *Dark Souls*. The VR version of *Dark Souls*, built with the Pangu physics engine, swept through the VR gaming circles both domestically and internationally, giving players everywhere a brutal time.
However, *Dark Souls* also earned countless praises for its unique combat system and level design, setting a direction for future action games and melee combat systems.
And, of course, *Honor of Kings* was also released, and the time to harvest the mobile gaming market was almost here.
Releasing so many classic games in one year was already as prolific as a sow.
For the year's final work, Chen Mo didn't plan to make another ultra-large-scale classic. On one hand, time was running short; on the other, he had already put out the *Dark Souls* series this year, so there was no need to rush out another masterpiece.
The game Chen Mo wanted to make next was roughly like this:
- Moderate game size.
- Let players have fun.
- Make the best use of previously obtained items and skill books.
*Dark Souls* had already made players suffer so much; it was time to give them a taste of sweetness.
This wasn't Serent's mercy, just... happiness points were running low.
Of course, this game was still a bit hard to get approved, so Chen Mo would have to visit the Game Committee with his intelligence-reduction aura again.
To be honest, the intelligence-reduction aura was very useful. At least last time, *Outlast* was made smoothly, and there had been no problems since.
After all, in this parallel world, unlike the previous one, the Game Committee was relatively lenient with game reviews. Combined with the rating system, getting approval was already easier. Even if there were some tricky items, a bit of intelligence-reduction aura would handle it.
Chen Mo wrote up the design concept draft in advance and then went to the Game Committee to find Qiao Hua and Committee Chairman Zhang Zhongxiang.
...
As soon as he entered the Game Committee building, Chen Mo ran into an acquaintance.
Han Lu, a reporter from the Sky Network's gaming channel.
Yes, that Han Lu, the one Chen Mo had tricked many times with "using money to create happiness."
Seeing Chen Mo walk in, Han Lu was also surprised. "Hey! CEO Chen!"
Chen Mo smiled. "What brings you to the Game Committee?"
"Yeah, I had an exclusive interview. Just finished." Han Lu glanced at the documents in Chen Mo's hand. "Is this..."
Chen Mo said, "Oh, new game review. Just going through the motions."
Han Lu's eyes instantly lit up, her reporter instincts kicking in. "New game! Your next game is already set?"
Chen Mo nodded. "Pretty much. Just need approval, and it's good to go."
Han Lu looked very excited. "So, would you mind taking five minutes for a quick interview? Could you give a little hint about this brand-new game?"
Chen Mo checked his phone. It was still early.
"Sure, but you don't have any equipment with you," Chen Mo said.
Han Lu replied, "No problem, just a simple interview. I have my voice recorder with me. I'll just ask a few questions."
Chen Mo nodded. "Alright, then."
They found empty seats in the Game Committee building and sat down.
Calling it an interview, it was really just Han Lu asking a few questions, Chen Mo answering, recording it with the voice recorder, and then she'd transcribe it later.
Han Lu was very excited. She hadn't expected to run into Chen Mo while doing an exclusive at the Game Committee. This was basically first-hand news about the new game!
Han Lu said, "CEO Chen, I know your time is valuable, so I'll be quick. First, can you reveal what genre the new game is?"
Chen Mo: "Oh, it's a lawnmower game."
Han Lu was stunned, three giant question marks seemingly appearing over her head. "Lawnmower game?"
Chen Mo nodded, very confidently. "Yes, a lawnmower game."
Han Lu blinked. From Chen Mo's expression, she really couldn't tell if he was telling the truth or joking...
After all, Chen Mo's last "lawnmower game" was *Dark Souls*...
Clearly, Chen Mo's understanding of "lawnmower game" was a bit different from the players'. In his so-called "lawnmower game," the players were the grass!
Han Lu asked, "So, since the *Dark Souls* series is finished, is this a spiritual successor? Will it continue *Dark Souls*' combat system?"
Chen Mo shook his head. "No, no, no. This time it's a real lawnmower game, and it's a modern warfare theme."
Han Lu scratched her head. "A real lawnmower game?"
"Really." Chen Mo's expression was very serious.
Han Lu had a "whatever makes you happy" look on her face, clearly not believing him...
After all, she had been fooled by Chen Mo several times before. She knew that not even a single punctuation mark in what Chen Mo said could be trusted!
Han Lu asked again, "Then, can you roughly reveal some features of this new game?"
Chen Mo thought for a moment. "Hmm... I can't say too much specifically, since the game hasn't been approved yet. But a few things are certain."
"First, it's a lawnmower game, dedicated to providing players with an extremely satisfying gaming experience."
"Second, it's a game with very deep meaning. It exposes the truth about the evil deeds of foreign conglomerates. These big corporations disregard the lives of ordinary people for profit, trample on the law, and even have high-ranking officials acting as their protectors. At the same time, the game is full of interrogations of human nature. Every player will undergo a spiritual elevation..."
Han Lu blinked, completely dumbfounded.
Was it really that profound?
A modern warfare-themed lawnmower game that mercilessly exposes reality and interrogates human nature?!