Chapter 811: Matrix Glasses Exclusive
"Pokémon World" was released globally simultaneously, and with the suspenseful promotional campaign that had already been built up beforehand, it instantly sparked heated discussions among players!
Especially overseas, although Lehui and Matrix Glasses were not well-known brands, Thunderbolt Interactive's influence was significant. The line "Matrix Glasses Exclusive" at the end of the video served as a solid, hard-as-nails advertisement for Matrix Glasses.
Many players only then realized that this new game, which had been promoted for so long, was actually an MR game!
Although the specific gameplay was still unclear, just from the promotional video, players could vaguely guess the core mechanics and fun of the game.
On gaming forums both domestically and internationally, discussions about "Pokémon World" instantly dominated the boards, with explosive popularity.
This frenzy wasn't just because the game was promoted by Thunderbolt Interactive, but also because it was the most heavily advertised, feature-rich, and ambitious MR game to date.
Riding the wave of the current smart glasses trend, MR games were seen as a new branch of gaming development for the foreseeable future. Although many felt MR would struggle to surpass the three major platforms of mobile, PC, and VR, it was undeniable that MR games would evolve into a unique category and carve out a place in the gaming industry.
While players and designers were debating the advanced forms of MR games, the emergence of "Pokémon World" clearly offered a fresh perspective and new possibilities.
Domestically.
"Have you guys seen the 'Pokémon World' trailer? Chen Mo is about to drop a bombshell for Matrix Glasses!"
"Matrix Glasses is already dominating the domestic market. Why keep pushing exclusive MR games?"
"Idiot, this is obviously to expand into the international market! Didn't you see the trailer was multilingual and released globally at the same time?"
"This game requires going outside and walking? As a homebody, I'd like to say, 'No thanks'..."
"Fool, this game isn't meant for players like you. You homebodies should just stick to VR. MR is for Matrix Glasses users, letting them play MR games closely tied to reality when they're outside, in malls, or at gatherings with friends."
"I think it'll be pretty popular abroad. Their lifestyles are different—many foreigners love outdoor activities. This kind of game should be right up their alley, right?"
"There's demand domestically too. For example, when commuting on the subway or bus and bored, or hanging out with friends at parks or scenic spots on weekends. Before, you could only play on your phone while waiting or in line. Now there's another option: use Matrix Glasses to catch Pokémon!"
Abroad.
"Oh, an MR game that integrates most of Thunderbolt Interactive's popular IPs? I saw Azeroth, 'Dark Souls,' 'The Last of Us,' and even the frying pan from 'PUBG'? That's a Pokémon too?"
"Even though some Pokémon are completely unfamiliar, they look pretty cute—like that last creature called 'Mewtwo' and that yellow rat that generates electricity?"
"The final scene set in Times Square was a nice touch."
"Well, Thunderbolt Interactive is already an international game developer, so it's normal for them to make games for a global audience."
"What I'm more concerned about is whether the real-world scenes can actually achieve the effects shown in the trailer? Can I see my Pokémon following me at any time? If so, that would be pretty fun."
"Technically, it shouldn't be too hard. Similar MR games already exist, but they're far inferior to 'Pokémon World' in scale and gameplay."
"Why is this game only playable on Matrix Glasses? No Hise Glasses version? Unbelievable! Did Hise Glasses refuse to pay up, or did Matrix Glasses pay too much?"
"Honestly, this is the first time I've heard of the Matrix Glasses brand..."
"Let me explain: Matrix Glasses is currently a competitive smart glasses brand. According to users, the quality is decent, and it's cheaper than Hise Glasses. Oh, and as for why it's exclusive to 'Pokémon World'... it's because these glasses are essentially co-developed by Thunderbolt Interactive and the manufacturer. In fact, Serent even personally designed them."
"...I see. So Matrix Glasses is like the Switch—basically Serent's own pet project? That makes sense. But I'm still annoyed because I already have Hise Glasses and don't want to spend money on another pair. Is there no mobile version of 'Pokémon World'?"
"Obviously not. Don't get your hopes up."
...
The promotional video for "Pokémon World" not only drew global attention to the game but also gave Matrix Glasses a boost in popularity.
Previously, many foreign players had no intention of buying Matrix Glasses. But after hearing that it would exclusively feature "Pokémon World," some wealthy enthusiasts considered getting one.
Of course, it was unrealistic to expect a single video to drive massive sales of Matrix Glasses. But at least, many people clicked into shopping sites to check out the specs.
After reading up, many thought, "These glasses are actually pretty good!"
The high-end version was on par with Hise Glasses, while the other two versions focused on price advantages. Plus, since the camera function was omitted from the initial design and the configuration was adjusted, the price was correspondingly lower.
Based on reviews on shopping sites, buyers who purchased these glasses were generally satisfied, with no major flaws.
Many people's minds were starting to waver.
Hardcore Thunderbolt Interactive fans naturally bought them without a second thought, eagerly awaiting the game's release. Although they didn't know exactly how the game would turn out, the involvement of so many IPs had already elevated "Pokémon World" to a high pedestal.
Others were still on the fence, waiting to see if the game was fun before deciding whether to buy Matrix Glasses.
...
The promotional blitz for "Pokémon World" made many smart glasses hardware manufacturers nervous.
Clearly, a key goal of this game was to promote Matrix Glasses and expand market share. Otherwise, the game could have been made compatible with all smart glasses, broadening the player base and earning more money—wouldn't that be great?
Since Thunderbolt Interactive was willing to go all out with slogans like "S," they were obviously stirring things up. Other smart glasses manufacturers trying to negotiate cooperation with Thunderbolt Interactive would likely hit a wall.
But developing a similar game? Highly unrealistic.
"Pokémon World" had the backing of all of Thunderbolt Interactive's popular IPs, with a massive global fan base. Without even knowing the game's mechanics, what kind of competing product could they possibly create?
All they could do was wait for the game to launch and hope it wouldn't be too successful.