Chapter 1033: Combing Hair into an Adult Style
"Check out Weibo housing prices?"
"Sofa!!"
"Damn, first floor, what kind of hand speed is that?"
"I just clicked on the video out of impulse, and the sofa was gone!"
"Quick, check out Serent's new game! The trailer is already out!"
"Eh, this intro... superhero, billionaire, playboy... Does this mean it's a crossover with 'The Dark Knight,' turning the movie into a game?"
"No way, this isn't Batman at all, this is a completely different person!"
"But... this is way cooler than Batman!"
Not long after Chen Mo posted on Weibo, news of the new game spread everywhere, and this promotional video was shared repeatedly.
Beyond the original introduction, Chen Mo specifically emphasized: "This game isn't a cinematic game experience; it's a transmigration-style game experience!"
Soon, the new term "transmigration-style game experience" was picked up by major gaming media outlets, instantly becoming a hot topic.
From the trailer, many people thought this was another cinematic game from Chen Mo, similar to "The Last of Us."
Clearly, the content of the preview suggested a strong narrative focus, with most shots centered on this very distinctive protagonist.
But according to Chen Mo, this game wasn't the same type as "The Last of Us"; it was a "transmigration game."
As for what a "transmigration game" was?
Many players weren't particularly impressed, because they felt they had already experienced "transmigration" in GTA.
Both were games on the Matrix gaming pod, so why didn't Chen Mo use the term "transmigration game" for GTA, but did for "Iron Man"?
This left many players puzzled—was this new game using some new trick?
...
...
The development cycle of "Iron Man" left Qian Kun and many designers on the project team utterly stunned.
Just two weeks.
From the moment Chen Mo wrote the design concept draft, to Jarvis handling production, motion capture actors doing their work, fine-tuning the new AI, releasing the trailer, and the official launch—only two weeks.
Of course, during this period, Jarvis worked tirelessly and efficiently, and the motion capture actors did their best to provide various expression and action templates for the AI NPCs. The workload was still significant. But regardless, the two-week timeline shocked and even panicked most people, because the new AI technology was just too efficient.
The full playthrough time for "Iron Man" was about six hours, shorter than some original AAA titles, so the price was adjusted slightly, selling for only 1280.
Of course, factors like reduced development costs, experimenting with a new game type, and a strategy of small profits but high sales volume also contributed to the slightly lower pricing of "Iron Man."
Just like many previous "conscientious" pricing strategies, on one hand, it aimed to further expand the market; on the other, Chen Mo was planning for the future. He hoped the Matrix gaming pod and these classic games would enter countless homes, becoming an important form of entertainment for every player—whether rich or poor, allowing everyone to enjoy the joy of gaming. Not like now, where next-gen VR games were only a luxury for the wealthy.
...
Zhang Zhibin curiously surveyed the rows of Matrix gaming pods in front of him.
After the last "Current Affairs Debate," as the only guest who sided with Chen Mo, they naturally exchanged contact information afterward.
Although his title was "senior media professional," Zhang Zhibin was also an avid gaming enthusiast in private, which was why he defended GTA so fiercely on the show.
This was his first time at Thunderbolt Interactive's headquarters, as his workplace was in the south, and he didn't often travel to the capital. This time, he was on a business trip, so he took the opportunity to visit Thunderbolt Interactive's HQ. Also, he heard that Chen Mo's new game "Iron Man" was available for a trial, so he decided to check it out.
"Zhibin, over here."
Zhang Zhibin heard someone call his name and looked up to see Chen Mo waving at him from not far away.
Zhang Zhibin quickened his pace: "President Chen, why did you come down personally? No need, I'm just looking around. You go ahead with your work."
Chen Mo smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be so formal. Just call me Chen Mo. A guest from afar is a rare treat. Want something to drink? My treat."
Zhang Zhibin shook his head: "Drinks don't matter. You can get any drink in the Matrix shopping center. My interest in food and drink has faded a lot. This time, I mainly want to experience what you call a 'transmigration game'—how exactly does the transmigration work?"
Chen Mo grabbed a can of cola from the nearby service area: "Here, happy fat-guy soda. Be a happy fat guy."
Zhang Zhibin: "..."
Chen Mo led Zhang Zhibin inside and found an empty Matrix gaming pod: "Right here. Have a good experience of what a transmigration game is."
Zhang Zhibin set the cola aside and climbed into the Matrix gaming pod.
"If I don't think it's 'transmigratory' enough, I won't pay, you know," Zhang Zhibin joked.
Chen Mo chuckled: "Even if it's 'transmigratory' enough, you don't have to pay. My treat."
...
...
Zhang Zhibin woke up in the seaside mansion and immediately went outside to find the entrance to "Iron Man."
The entrance was very conspicuous, and he found it quickly—it was... a luxury car.
The car wasn't flashy in color, as it was pure black, not some cool supercar. But Zhang Zhibin could tell it was still extremely valuable, given its beautiful front end and emblem, and it was a stretch model.
What drew attention were the people around the car: four bodyguards in suits, standing straight, eyes forward, looking very reliable; a slightly overweight middle-aged white man opened the car door, looking at Zhang Zhibin as if inviting him to sit inside.
Zhang Zhibin hesitated for a moment, and the driver Harold asked with a hint of inquiry, "Mr. Stark? Is there a problem?"
Harold spoke English, but Zhang Zhibin found he could understand him without any difficulty.
Of course, Zhang Zhibin knew English and was fairly proficient, but he wasn't at the level of seamless communication with foreigners. Like most people, his English listening and speaking skills were far from native level; he could understand the meaning but needed a moment to process.
But this time, although the driver was clearly speaking English, the meaning immediately surfaced in Zhang Zhibin's mind, as if he had heard Chinese.
Zhang Zhibin got into the luxury car, and driver Harold drove off into the distance.
At that moment, Zhang Zhibin saw a stream of blue data flow over his body. His clothes from the seaside mansion transformed into a suit and tie, a pair of brown-tinted sunglasses appeared on his face, and when he touched his mouth, he found a bit of stubble.
Zhang Zhibin reached into his pocket, pulled out a smartphone, and opened the camera to look at his face.
Sure enough, he had now become Stark.