C48: Horror games are a doddle

Entering the middle of December, we had already completed about 60% of the game content for Escape. The remaining 40% mostly involved voice acting, scene construction, and polishing the performances.

One of the biggest takeaways for us during the development of Escape was gaining a deeper understanding of how to use the editor more effectively. Additionally, with the current resource of 2GB, the monthly quota was more than sufficient for the game's content creation.

Beyond the game's development, the Neon game platform quietly took shape and the beta version was launched during this period. We promoted it with a post on my official blog, but it didn't create much buzz.

The media coverage was practically non-existent. Only a few outlets, probably struggling for news, mentioned it briefly in their sub-columns. If someone isn't an avid reader in the gaming industry, they have likely missed it entirely. Not like it has a lot to offer to them.

At this point, the only games available on the platform were To the Moon and Undertale. Together, the two games sold 172 copies, but the total playtime was less than 50 hours. Clearly, the people who bought them were mostly doing charity on our platform, probably purchasing another copy to show their support for my team and for the small game company.

Regrettably, we can't add Magic Mirror to it. It is not good for the brand we are creating. We don't want to be hammered by the official platform and game platform for promoting and selling gentleman's games domestically.

But I wasn't disheartened. I knew that building a platform takes time, and it wouldn't all happen overnight.

As days rolled around, Escape was nearing completion, and I began rolling out the corresponding promotions. On New Year's Eve at 11:50pm, I made a post on my official blog. It was simple—just a sentence and a game poster.

"Only by escaping can we survive the disaster! January 25th, the escape begins!"

The poster featured a hospital room as the backdrop, with medical equipment scattered across the floor and table. Two large characters—Escape —were written ominously on the wall. The night vision mode cast everything in a stark, black hue that instantly made you think of blood. Beneath a bed in the corner, there was a terrified figure lying down, their right index finger pressed to their lips as if to shush whoever might be looking.

After I released this post, several major media outlets were quick to pick up on Escape even in the dead of the night. The game also became available for pre-sale on the official Neon platform, priced at 65 yuan—affordable, considering the game scale wasn't massive.

In major game communities and forums, there has been a lot of discussion about Escape already since November. Since that day we haven't let it die down, as we will occasionally release some comments and topics of discussion over my SNS blog.

Of course, it's something I've initiated myself. I have arranged for my team to use the high-profile alt I bought during the development of Magic Mirror. This was to engage in discussion in their free time. I also asked them to troll everyone at their leisure.

It has the advantage of engaging with the fans. While we are also seasoning up the discussion, waiting for the time for it to explode. After all, it is not always possible to get Word of mouth, we should be ready to put in the hard work and start with an explosion.

( •̀ᴗ•́ )و ̑̑

Marketing is an explosion ~ where users don't get the time to think, they will be swept in the wave of fervor. Cough Cough... I sound like a villain.

(//ω//)

No No, I am not a villain. I will be giving them a game worth their money and worth our words. It's not really me Bull Shitting or Bragging!

(ง ื▿ ื)ว

With the growing fame of games like "Undertale" and "To the Moon," which took the top spot in sci-fi gaming competition, it's clear that some news about our next project alone can create some buzz. However, the Neon game reputation still isn't enough.

The real driving force behind this is still the power of money.

Time keeps moving forward, and finally, "Escape" is going live on the night of 24th January at Twelve PM.

[Somewhere in some stream]

In Shark TV's game section, Sun Yixie opens his broadcasting room on the streaming site which is under the name "Old Boys Commentary".

New messages continually popped up. To them I replied.

____________________________________________

"Why is it just me today? Because Brother Huang is out for a check-up at the hospital. He'll probably be back later."

"And stop bringing up horror games all the time. I'm telling you, horror games are completely stress-free for me, just like breathing." I wrote with bravado.

"You think I will be playing horror games like a wimp, wishy-washy because you're all hoping to see me scared, but when you see my expressionless face—like it's nothing—you'll be disappointed, right? That disappointment! I can see it coming." I taunted my audience

"Alright, this is how it's going to be. You all know by now that I feel nothing while playing horror games. I've played so many in the past that they look like some friend meet. But let's give it a try anyway. Everything for the family! We are a family! If it's not fun, we'll wait for Brother Huang, and then we'll troll him together."

"Okay, fine, I'll turn on my camera for now, but honestly, it will be a disappointment. It won't show up." I wrote it assuring them of the event in the chat that is going to transpire in the next few hours.

"Because I'm experienced, horror games are as easy as rolling for me."

____________________________________________

As I sit there showing my keyboard skills while bickering with ten people, I stay calm, reading, replying, and trolling back on the messages that keep popping up in the chat.

Saying over and over that it's as easy as breathing.

I feel confident and self-assured.

I opened the official game platform, ignoring the comments in the chat for a minute.

After some moments while I sipped on the Wa-Wa milk pack, I finally finished installing the game, turned on the camera, and entered it.

There was a short sizzling sound, and then the game interface appeared.

The entire screen was tinged with cyan, reminiscent of the tone from old Hong Kong movies.

The background showed a building that looked like a hospital, with sparse lighting and some dynamic clouds floating around, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"It feels a little creepy, but only a little. Like I said before, horror games are as easy as breathing for me," I said again while glancing at the live chat.

Some replies are showing flipping tables ~ (╯'□')╯︵ ┻━┻. Clearly frustrated at my response.

'Babes I am the Ultimo Troll' I mused

At this point, I was still feeling quite confident.

"let's go with normal for the first play through."

Upon entering the game, everything was shrouded in darkness. A low narration played, accompanied by strange background music and the crackling sound of a car radio. The stereo was playing "Let's Feel Alive by Vincever"

The narration started...

----------------

"My name is Miles Upscher, an ordinary journalist.

In the deep, remote Colorado Mountains, an abandoned mental hospital has reopened – The Giant Mountain Mental Hospital."

"But one day, a mysterious person wrote me a letter, telling me there's a huge secret hidden in the depths of this mental hospital, and I came here to investigate."

"Chances are~ This may be a prank"

"But..."

----------------

The narration briefly introduced the game's world.

At this point, I remained calm, just as expected. Most horror games start in a similar cliché fashion, so it didn't faze me.

Once the narration ended, the actual game screen appeared.

It started with an uncontrollable scene. The protagonist, driving a car, was heading toward Mental Hospital in the Colorado Mountains.

The dark background and the radio's static immediately created a chilling atmosphere.

Soon, the car arrived at the hospital's entrance and stopped.

The game's tutorial appeared, instructing me to pick up my camera from the passenger seat. Then I read the letter.

The letter's content was the same as the narration – as a reporter, I had come to the Mental Hospital, hoping to uncover the next big news.

After reading the letter, a task prompt appeared on the screen: "Enter the Giant Mountain Mental Hospital."

At this point, I could finally move freely in the game.

After stepping out of the car, the pitch-black night combined with the sound of wind and the rustling leaves, along with the ominous sight of the mental hospital, made my heart beat a bit faster...

To be continued...