Chapter 262 Next Generation Fighting Game (Happy New Year to Everyone)
Chen Ba didn't know how various companies persuaded investors and boards of directors to donate a sum of funds to Tianba Studio for free for the development of "Star Emperor 2".
They have a way anyway!
In contrast, it was the development ideas of "Star Emperor 2" that gave him quite a headache.
There is a little trivia...
Although "Star Emperor" is famous for its gorgeous special effects and exquisite game graphics, it actually uses the older Dream Builder 5 engine.
Chen Ba thought of that year.
At that time, the Dream Builder 5 engine had just been released, and there was no medium or large game developed using this engine on the market, and no one knew what the upper limit of this game was.
Then, "Star Emperor" became a blockbuster. With its amazing special effects performance and picture rendering accuracy, many people saw the power of the Dream Builder 5 engine.
But this is all the old almanac!
The engine of Dream Builder 7 is already used, who still cares about the Dream Builder 5 of the past? It is also impossible for "Star Emperor 2" to continue to be developed using the Dream Builder 5 engine!
But here comes the problem.
There is no need to build Dream 5, so what engine should be used to develop it? The latest Zhumeng 7 engine? Or should we wait for the Dream Building 8.0 version update?
Chen Ba, who had just returned to the studio, posed this difficult problem to Yang Dong, Lao Luo and others.
"Dream 7 is not good!"
Seeing Brother Ba looking at him, Lao Luo gave his own understanding: "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the Dream 7 engine is not strong enough, or that this engine cannot be used, it's just..."
It is also used in scoring situations.
For an ordinary game, or a new game without a previous game, there is no problem at all using the Dream Builder 7 engine.
But "Star Emperor 2" is different. This is a sequel after all. With the previous game in front of it, the psychological expectations of fans and players will be different.
"I understand what you mean..."
Chen Ba nodded.
Lao Luo's idea coincides with his. In fact, he is not planning to use the Dream Builder 7 engine to develop the second-generation sequel to "Star Emperor".
The reason is very simple. Compared with Zhumu 5, the improvement of Zhumu7 engine is too small. When the game is made, it will probably give people a feeling of "old wine in new bottles".
even though……
After many rounds of iterative updates, today's mainstream PC hardware configurations are enough to play "Star Emperor" without stress.
But even so, when selecting games with excellent picture quality and special effects, "Star Emperor" is still on the list, even ranked among the top few.
This is enough to prove that "Star Emperor" built with the Dream Builder 5 engine still has certain merits even in the Dream Builder 7 era.
Think about it from another angle, one is an old game from many years ago, and the other is a new game that was just released, they can be evenly matched...
The improvement in Dream Building 7 is really not that big!
Chen Ba will definitely embezzle the sponsorship fees given by the major sponsors. After all, the money is picked up, so it is not greedy or greedy.
But even if it is corruption, the game cannot be used as a defense, right?
Therefore, based on this premise, Chen Ba first denied the Dream 7 engine, and then proposed a more feasible plan: to magically modify a new engine based on the Tianba engine!
"Magic reform?"
Yang Dong was very curious about this, so he asked: "How do you plan to change it, and to what extent? And is it necessary? I think the Tianba engine is already very useful!"
"It's easy to use, but the Tianba engine is obviously not qualified for the development of "Star Emperor 2", so it needs to be modified."
Chen Ba touched his chin and thought: "As for the extent of the magic modification, it depends on what kind of game we want to make "Star Emperor 2"."
What kind of game will it be made into?
After hearing this, several big question marks appeared on Yang Dong's forehead, and he couldn't help but replied: "Isn't it just a fighting game? What else can it be?"
"What you said..."
"Fighting games are also divided into several categories, and I'm not talking about the type of game, but the positioning of the game."
Chen Ba explained: "This is the first time that our Tianba Studio has produced a sequel for a game, which is of great significance."
The first time is always unforgettable.
As the first game under Tianba Studio to be divided into previous and later games and form a series, "Star Emperor 2" is destined to not be that simple.
Chen Ba positioned this game as a "next generation" fighting game with high expectations.
"Next generation?"
"I said, Brother Ba, don't just learn a few new words and use them randomly!" Liu Jinfu complained, "This word has been marketed for many years, and now I want to laugh when I hear it."
The word next generation originally came from neon, and the meaning of this word is actually the Xindaya translation of the English Next Generation.
Next generation = next generation!
What are next-generation games?
There are two explanations for this. One is a simple continuation of the series. For example, in the "Resident Evil" series, every new game can be declared "next generation".
But this explanation is too far-fetched, and is generally not widely recognized. What everyone truly understands as "next generation" actually refers to the earth-shaking change that has evolved from functional machines to smart machines.
In the gaming world, this change has happened several times.
For example, the first game to run smoothly on a handheld console can be called a "next generation" game.
Because it is the first game to go to handheld consoles and allows players to play it anytime and anywhere, it is a next-generation game.
As for the rest...
Because of marketing and publicity, the words "next-generation games" are just a thing to hear now. Most of the manufacturers that claim so-called "next generation consoles" and "next generation games" are just playing word games.
The next generation they understand is completely different from the "next generation" imagined by players.
That's why Liu Jinfu felt speechless.
Brother Ba went to a meeting. Where did he learn a few new words and use them when he came back?
It’s a next-generation fighting game!
I would like to ask you, where exactly is your "next generation"? The so-called next generation doesn't mean adding a number 2 after the game name, right?
That's really funny...
"You're kidding, am I the kind of person who just learns a few new words and then uses them randomly? I'm definitely serious!"
Seeing that his concepts and ideas were questioned, Chen Ba couldn't stand it anymore and quickly explained: "I said it is a next-generation fighting game, that is, the next generation, which can change the core gameplay of traditional fighting games."
"ah?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at him.
Change the core gameplay of traditional fighting games? how to change? Is Brother Ba going to do some big work again?
"Let me ask you, when it comes to fighting games, what do you think of first?"
Xiao Lu: "Sense of impact?"
Lao Luo replied: "Gas consumption root?"
Yang Dong, who originally wanted to talk about the gas-guzzling root, was overtaken by Lao Luo. He scratched his head and said: "Besides the classic gas-guzzling root, I think it should be the joystick. After all, arcade fighting is so nostalgic."
"I want to say this too."
Liu Jinfu echoed: "There is no fighting without a joystick. Fighting games must have a joystick, and it must be the kind of joystick in an arcade. You can throw in a coin and play a game. It's so classic."
"That's right, rocker!"
Chen Ba confirmed Dong Ge and Liu Jinfu's answers, and then said: "The joystick is the soul of fighting games. This is a fact recognized by everyone."
The keyboard and mouse are good, and so are the controllers... But these are at best inferior substitutes. If you want to truly experience the so-called "Spirit of Fighting", the arcade at the school gate welcomes you!
Looking at the changes in fighting games over the years, it is not difficult to find that game manufacturers are desperately trying to restore the original joystick operation on keyboards, mice, and controllers.
But unfortunately, no matter how hard we optimize and work hard, the feel is still incomparable...
And there’s nothing the players can do!
After all, joysticks are not as practical as keyboards, mice, and controllers. It is impossible for them to buy a set of "joysticks" that are destined to be dusty just to play a game.
This is just like a car racing game. Everyone knows that the steering wheel and gear lever pedal feel better and are more enjoyable to play. The experience is simply heaven and earth.
But how many players would buy a steering wheel and pedal shifter set specifically for this kind of experience?
No joke.
Except for a small number of "hardcore" players who will upgrade to this steering wheel + gear lever pedal configuration, 90% of racing players use keyboard, mouse or controller.
The same goes for fighting games.
Keyboards, mice and controllers have become mainstream, but the concept that joysticks are the soul of fighting remains unchanged. When it comes to fighting games, what everyone thinks of is the sweat-stained joysticks on that machine in the arcade at the school gate.
"What I want to do is to break this concept, make the saying that the joystick is the soul of fighting completely become a thing of the past, and bring a new operating experience to fighting games."
Chen Bachang thought: "If this is done, what's wrong with calling it a next-generation fighting game?"
"That's really no problem!"
Everyone thought about it, and if they could really break the old concepts and introduce a new operating mode and experience method to fighting games, it would indeed be a real "next generation" fighting game.
But the problem is...
This sounds simple, but when it comes to actually doing it, where should you start?
Everyone can say nice things, but if you really want to achieve the effect described by Brother Ba, the difficulty is not that high.
In fact, it doesn’t matter if it’s difficult.
The key is, no one has heard of Brother Ba’s so-called “new operating logic and experience method”, and they don’t even know how to solve problems. Isn’t this just a joke?
"Don't be embarrassed, this is not a blowjob."
"I already have a general direction for the specific production ideas!"
Having said this, Chen Ba rummaged through the box and found a business card from the drawer that he had received when he attended the China Overseas Game Show.
Two lines of words were written on it:
Zhonghai Mirage Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., Zhang Yi!
"This is……"
Everyone was a little confused about the business card that Brother Ba suddenly found. They didn't understand what Brother Ba meant. Why did he start to take out the business card while talking?
And who is this Zhang Yi?
A mirage in China? Never heard of this company! What products do they make?
"This Mirage Electronics is mainly engaged in the production of consumer electronic game controllers, that is, gaming peripherals."
Chen Ba explained: “During the China Overseas Game Show, I was fortunate enough to experience one of their new products that is still in the research and development stage, a multi-functional sensor bracelet and gloves.”
The stuff is pretty good.
After wearing special bracelets and gloves, the movements and instructions made by the player's hands will be faithfully transmitted to the game, with high accuracy and low latency.
Worried that everyone would not understand, Chen Ba turned to explain: "For example, we can implement the action of shaking hands in the game."
Not in the form of code!
When the player stretches out his hand, the character in the game will also stretch out his hand, and then bend his fingers to make a handshake, and the game character will shake hands with the other person.
The whole process is smooth and natural, and the delay is basically negligible. The movements are very precise, and even the slight trembling of the fingers can be restored.
At this point in the introduction, Chen Ba felt that the warm-up was almost enough.
So he blinked and said: "As far as I know, this kind of technology is not particularly difficult to achieve today, and the threshold cannot be said to be that high."
"And the cost is not very high. A few hundred yuan is equivalent to the price of a 3A game. There is even room for further cost reduction..."
Yang Dong understood.
Thinking of Brother Ba's metaphor and description just now, he immediately realized that Brother Ba was planning to sell a set of peripherals while selling games!
Fighting games, peripherals…
Since he had never actually come into contact with the product, Yang Dong was very skeptical and said: "Brother Ba, if this technology you mentioned is applied to our "Star Emperor 2" game, what will it look like?"
"Probably, left hook and right hook! Eat me, Dahuang Xingyun..."
Chen Ba pretended to make gestures, then waved his hand and said: "Anyway, you know, after playing a game, you will be very tired."
"Then it's of no use?"
Xiao Lu muttered: "After playing a game, I was so hot and sweaty that I was half exhausted. Does anyone really like this kind of thing?"
"It's really a bit tiring."
Chen Ba does not deny that this is indeed a major concern of his, that is, playing the game while playing left hook and right hook will make the player very tired.
But this problem can be solved. Compared with the benefits, it is not unacceptable.
The so-called benefits...
Chen Ba knew that if he didn't explain this clearly today, he might not be able to convince everyone.
"Satisfy your junior high fantasy!"
What the hell? !
Seeing everyone looking at him in shock, Chen Ba said helplessly: "Yes, it is to satisfy the middle-class fantasy that all men have."
What is the background of "Star Emperor"?
Stop making trouble!
That was the background of a serious fantasy fairy novel, the style that boys like best. Who is the peak at the end of the immortal road? The beginningless path becomes empty at first sight. I am the emperor of heaven and suppress everything.
Let me ask, who hasn’t imagined playing this kind of game, what if the protagonist becomes himself?
With a finger in the air, the distant planets turned into ashes. With a punch, the infinite power annihilated half of the galaxy in an instant...
Under this kind of visual impact, not to mention being exhausted, everyone is willing to die from exhaustion!