Q&A

….

[-Continuation-]

.

[-Third Person View-]

Dark Circle and PJ were quite taken aback when Hachiman said the official trailer.

As the visuals unfolded, the audience collectively leaned forward, transfixed by the sheer scale of the game's world.

From expansive biomes to intricate mechanics, the trailer encapsulated an ecosystem so immersive that even the most skeptical onlookers couldn't help but be drawn in.

By the time the words [Minecraft] official trailer blazed across the screen, a tangible energy pulsed through the room.

"Guess they are really pushing this whole live your world thing." Dark Circle muttered under his breath, his arms crossed.

"Yeah, I can see that." PJ replied, nodding as the screen faded to black.

The stage shifted yet again, the backdrop darkening as a massive screen lit up.

A familiar face strode into view - a gaming influencer with neon-blue hair, their personality just as vibrant as their aesthetic.

They grinned at the audience, mic in hand, soaking in the applause.

"Let's hear it for our builders!" The host announced, gesturing toward a group of performers awkwardly waving from the wings. The crowd responded with polite cheers.

"And, of course, I once again welcome you to the launch event of [Minecraft]! Now, it's time for the part you are all waiting for - a live Q&A with the developers themselves!"

The audience erupted into cheers. PJ rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because those never turn into a roast session."

Dark Circle chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly. "Guaranteed, someone is gonna bring up bugs. And don't forget the classic microtransactions rant."

Meanwhile, in the front row, Komachi was practically bouncing in her seat, her cheers standing out among the crowd. "Go, big brother! Don't embarrass us!"

Her father glanced sideways.

"Too late for that, Komachi." He said dryly, earning a giggle from her and a faint smile from her mother.

Onstage, the trailer replayed briefly as the developers began highlighting key features. Hachiman's voice, laced with dry humor and reluctant pride, served as the narration.

From the sidelines, Ryota emerged, waving casually to the crowd. "I'm Ryota, for those who missed me earlier. While Hachiman here talks your ears off, let me remind you, this game was built with love, and yeah - a lot of coffee."

The audience chuckled, and Hachiman, without missing a beat, muttered into the mic. "Pretty sure it was mostly tears and bugs, but sure, let's romanticize it."

…

The presentation continued with a demo of the game.

Ryota controlled a character on-screen, demonstrating the crafting system by combining resources to make tools and build a simple house.

"See? Simple and intuitive." Ryota explained, placing a crafting table on the screen. "Even someone like Hachiman can figure it out."

Hachiman's response came swift and deadpan. "Bold words from someone who needed help finding the inventory controls last week."

Laughter rippled through the audience, the playful banter giving the presentation a lively, unscripted feel.

As the demo wrapped up, the host returned to the stage, their commanding presence immediately drawing attention.

"Alright, folks, it's time for the Q&A! If you've got questions for the developers, line up at the mics. Oh, and Mr. Ryota and Mr. Hachiman, don't think you're getting off easy - we have got plenty of questions for you, too."

A long line quickly formed at both sides of the auditorium.

Komachi, meanwhile, was busy taking selfies with her parents, who were clearly proud of Hachiman despite his usual pessimistic attitude.

Yui Yuigahama, seated next to her, whispered excitedly. "I didn't know your brother was so involved in this! He is amazing!"

Komachi grinned. "Of course he is! But don't tell him that. It will go straight to his head."

Back on stage, the full developer panel had assembled, each carrying themselves with varying degrees of confidence and awkwardness.

Hachiman shuffled to his seat, hands in his pockets, while Ryota waved enthusiastically to the audience.

The assistant director, Jim, nodded politely, wearing a smile that screamed media trained.

Takashi, the manager who was essentially the puppet master of this operation, walked with an air of quiet authority. His mentor-like presence seemed to overshadow the two developers trailing behind, who exchanged a nervous glance before sitting at the table.

The team settled into their seats at a long table, each with a bottle of water and headset mic.

The head developer, wearing a graphic tee that proudly proclaimed, "I Code, Therefore I Bug," adjusted his mic before addressing the crowd.

"Thank you all for being here." He began, his tone exciting. "We are thrilled to finally share this project with you. We have been working on [Minecraft] for quite a while now. And today, on top of what we are already shown here is a small sneak peek of what the next update looks like."

The screen behind him flickered to life, showcasing a gameplay demo of the new mechanics. Grappling hooks, dynamic environmental physics, and a mysterious portal system flashed across the screen. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience, their excitement building with each reveal.

As the demo ended, the host stepped forward again. "Alright, it's time for some Q&A!."

Cheers erupted as attendees rushed to form lines at the microphones. PJ, seated near the middle, leaned towards Dark Circle with a smirk.

"Think I should ask a question?" PJ asked.

Dark Circle raised an eyebrow. "You mean start trouble? Go for it."

PJ shrugged. "Someone's gotta do it."

The first question came from an excited teenager who could barely hold the mic steady. "Will there be cross-play on launch?"

The head developer nodded. "Absolutely. PC, consoles, even mobile players can join the same servers. We want everyone to experience the game together."

The next question was more pointed.

A gruff voice from the other mic asked. "I heard there were server lag issues from the beta testing? Did you fix them?"

The room fell quiet. The developer stayed calm and spoke only two words. "We have."

PJ leaned over and muttered, "Translation: 'We hope it doesn't crash.'"

Dark Circle smirked but said nothing.

Hachiman sighed audibly, rubbing his temple before answering. "There is a reason it is called beta testing. And yes, we have fixed them. If there's still something we missed, feel free to spam the forums. I am sure Ryota will enjoy reading those complaints."

"Hey!" Ryota protested, but the audience laughed.

Questions continued, ranging from technical inquiries to outright jokes. One particularly bold fan asked. "Are you adding a dating mechanic?"

Ryota replied coolly. "We believe relationships are best left to the real world."

The audience laughed, and the questions kept coming. A young girl eagerly asked. "Will there be animals in the game?"

Ryota lit up. "As of now, just a cat. But in future updates? Absolutely! Cows, wolves, and maybe even some surprises."

He paused, lowering his voice as if sharing a well-kept secret. "Actually, let me tell you something. If you're clever enough, you might figure out how to tame the cats. But shh, don't spread the word. That's for players to discover on their own!"

The host returned to center stage, beaming. "Alright, folks, keep those questions coming! Our developers are here all day to make sure everything gets answered."

Questions flow steadily after that - some digging into gameplay mechanics, others lighthearted and fun. One player asked about easter eggs, drawing a sly grin from the head developer.

"Let's just say… keep an eye on the lava lakes." He teased, glancing briefly at Ryota and Hachiman.

Finally, someone in line asked the inevitable. The next question was less friendly. "What about microtransactions?"

The developers visibly braced themselves. The lead replied cautiously. "We will have cosmetic - only items available, but we are avoiding pay-to-win mechanics entirely."

The audience gave a polite but skeptical clap. PJ let out a low whistle. "Bold move. Let's see how long that lasts."

An older man with a skeptical tone asked. "Why blocks? Why not realistic graphics?"

Hachiman straightened in his chair, his tone dry but deliberate. "Blocks are simple. They let players focus on building and creativity instead of getting lost in unnecessary details. Plus, it's easier to run on low-end PCs. You are welcome."

The audience laughed and clapped, the tension easing as the Q&A session gained momentum. Even PJ leaned back in his chair, smirking.

The audience laughed, but Yukino noticed a flicker of pride in Hachiman's otherwise stoic demeanor.

The audience chuckled, and Komachi's voice rang out from the front row. "Big brother, that's not a selling point!"

Seated a few rows back, Yukino observed quietly, her posture composed. Yui Yuigahama leaned closer, her whisper carrying a mix of amusement and surprise. "Wow, Hikki actually looks serious up there. Who knew he could pull this off?"

Yukino allowed the faintest of smiles. "He was always more capable than he likes to let out." She replied, her tone soft but certain.

The questions continued, covering everything from the inspiration behind the game to specifics about the mechanics. Each answer from the team seemed to build more excitement in the room.

Finally, the host took the stage again, her voice rising above the chatter. "Alright, everyone, we have one last surprise before we wrap things up. Ready for it?"

The lights dimmed, plunging the room into darkness. The audience hushed, the anticipation almost tangible. Then, the massive screen lit up, revealing a cinematic clip.

A towering, multi-headed Ender Dragon emerged, surrounded by swirling storms and glowing rivers of lava.

The dragon roared, its wings beating as the screen displayed an epic battle scene.

….and the video ended with a tagline: "The world is yours - together."

The crowd erupted in cheers, and PJ leaned over to Dark Circle, whispering. "Called it. Overpowered boss. They will nerf it in a week."

Dark Circle chuckled, his gaze fixed on the screen. Despite his joking, there was a spark of admiration in his eyes.

The applause was thunderous, and Yukino, though typically reserved, couldn't help but feel impressed. The scale of the project, the effort behind it - it was hard to ignore.

Yui clapped enthusiastically, turning to Yukino. "This looks really fun!"

Yukino raised an eyebrow. "It is indeed it."

As the lights came back up, the developers took their bows, and the crowd began to disperse. Komachi waved at Yukino and Yui from the front row. "Come on, you two! Let's go congratulate Big brother!"

Yui laughed, pulling Yukino along. "Let's not miss this. I want to see Hikki try to act humble!"

Yukino allowed herself to be led, her usual composure softening as she followed.

Tonight, she thought, was a night worth remembering - for everyone involved.

.

….

[To be continued…]

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