章 81: C81: Preparations

As I brought in the cardboard boxes, I could see the curiosity in everyone's eyes.

The boxes were quite large, almost 80cm high. From the outside, it was impossible to tell what was inside.

"Mr. Chen, what's in there?" Ruan Ningxue asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Is it a second custom-made sculpture for the exhibition? But wasn't one shipped earlier?" Qin Yi chimed in.

Clearly, intrigued by these big boxes.

We moved them here, it was obvious they weren't too heavy.

"Costume suits for our mascots," I said with a smile.

Costume suits!!!

In an instant, the male employees' eyes lit up with excitement. They were visualizing the original artwork of Sun Shangxiang, Da Xiaoqiao, and the other female characters from the Three Kingdoms.

But when I cut the seal of the box with scissors, the expressions on their faces shifted to confusion.

Inside the box weren't the kind of suits they had envisioned. Instead, it was filled with colorful doll costumes.

Yes... JellyMan suits from JellyMan.

They looked fluffy and quite bulky.

So, this was what I meant by doing something different?

"JellyMan is our secret weapon this time," I explained.

"As for Three Kingdoms, while it's still popular, it's not nearly as hot as JellyMan right now."

"Plus, every other company is using female cosplayers. After a while, the audience is bound to experience some aesthetic fatigue. In that case, our approach will surely stand out." I added with a grin.

This was a decision I made months ago when we first started developing JellyMan.

Sure, female cosplayers are appealing, but it's hard to draw in players purely on that alone. Plus, don't forget that there will be female gamers in the exhibition. One needs something fluffy to attract them.

And with seven exhibition areas and who knows how many other game companies, big and small, most of them will be featuring female cosplayers. It's easy for the audience to get bored.

But JellyMan is different.

It has a quirky, fun style, which perfectly matches the tone of the game.

In terms of grabbing attention, I was confident we wouldn't be outshined.

There was also another factor.

At Neon Games, we didn't really have any characters that were suitable for female cosplayers to portray.

The most powerful character, Magic Mirror, wasn't even allowed on the exhibition stage due to its strict content guidelines, so we had to adjust our strategy. Nobody wants to be thrown out of the venue.

As everyone listened to my reasoning and looked at various Jelly Bean costumes, nodding, it made sense and was reasonable.

When placed at the game exhibition, these costumes would certainly catch the eye.

Especially compared to the Overcooked area, where most characters were in doll costumes anyway.

Just imagine Other game companies featuring the usual flashy cosplayers. While our booth feels like a whimsical children's paradise—it would definitely draw attention.

Of course, all of this was liberating some awareness. The real focus had to be on the game.

After all, while JellyMan might capture attention for a while, it wouldn't hold it forever.

As the saying goes, men are only divided into two types: Trendy and old-fashioned.

Some may be drawn to flashy things for a while, but the gaze eventually returns to what truly matters.

But when it comes to games, it's a different story.

Flashy things? What are those? Let me play!!!

For this exhibition, during the research and development phase, whether it was Three Kingdoms or JellyMan. I made sure to develop both for PC and mobile platforms. This way, players could enjoy game charm no matter where they played.

Days passed, and the game entered its final testing phase. I also communicated with the exhibition organizers and began preparations in advance.

As the date approached, discussions among players in the gaming community started to heat up.

_____________________

"There hasn't been any big news about new games recently!"

"The gameplay exhibition is coming soon. Based on past years, I bet different companies are saving announcements for it."

"Anyone planning to attend this year? Let's go together!!!"

"I want to see the face of Old Thief Zhong"

"He isn't even invited"

"Might not be that interesting. It's probably going to be dominated by NetDragon or Tenghua."

"True, if there's going to be a blockbuster, it'll likely be from one of them. Even if other companies have something, they probably won't steal the spotlight at the exhibition."

"Don't always focus on the blockbusters. While they're fun, there's more to gaming than just those big titles. You should also keep an eye on the indie scene."

"Speaking of indie games, Chen Xu comes to mind. He was probably last year's biggest surprise in the gaming world, right?"

"Hold on there, that surprise may not be for everyone!"

"Yeah, I still can't forget his Warrior of Love comment—never seen someone so thick skin!"

"I checked on Chen Xu's official blog. There is a post which says he will be participating in this year's exhibition. Wonder if he's bringing something special?"

"I doubt it. It's only been two months since Overcooked, what could he possibly have in store?"

"Newcomer, huh? Chen Xu develops games fast. Look at how quickly he moved from To the Moon to Escape to Overcooked. And I heard his team has expanded since then."

"Exactly, and it doesn't have to be a full release to be considered a new game. There could be a demo or something. That's pretty common from other developers too."

"That's right, I hope there will be a little surprise then."

"Don't be surprised, I've had enough 'surprises' from Overcooked and Escape."

Players continued to discuss...

_____________________

[Fast Forward...]

At the Shanghai Expo, I had already arrived with Ruan Ningxue, Yang Xin, and Qin Yi, and we began setting up the booth in Hall 6. In terms of location, it was prime—right in the center.

I decided to divide our exhibition area into three sections. The first would feature our previously launched games like To the Moon, Undertale, and Overcooked. The other will feature the newer entries Three Kingdoms and JellyMan.

Meanwhile, the Neon Games cosplay team was rehearsing their performance. Men and women were both involved in the preparation, but at that moment, everyone was stunned by the doll costumes in the backstage boxes. The female cosplayers, in particular, looked confused, their faces morphed like cats.

Initially, they had assumed Neon Games, as a hot entrant in the industry last year, would attract attention with something sexy, glossy, and hot—otherwise, why would the compensation be higher than what other companies were offering? But now?

Well, they sure had a rich imagination.

These doll costumes weren't made to be flashy for either gender—forget about showing any legs. The custom-made doll heads didn't even reveal the eyes!

"When performing, make sure your movements are exaggerated. But most importantly, pay attention to your safety," I reminded everyone. I don't want to pay their hospital bill, in case an accident happens due to their laxity.

"The stage will rotate, so make sure to coordinate your movements. There's ice water backstage if anyone needs a break. If you feel unwell, speak up immediately and inform your co-workers or the staff." I emphasized safety again—if something went wrong, it would be a serious issue.

After giving the instructions, I found a stool and sat down to rest for a moment.

On the other side. The cosplayers and Neon Games' marketing manager were discussing how to reel in the crowd.

クリエイターの想い
Blood_22

Like it ? Add to library！

Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.

コメント 0のコメント

投票

章 82: C82: Fashion

The day of the exhibition arrived with inch-perfect weather—sunless skies and comfy temperature.

Players, enthusiasts, and fans from all over the country gathered in Shanghai, crowding in lines to enter the Exhibition venue. The scene was bustling and full of energy.

But for the manufacturers exhibiting it was a hectic day. We had our own designated entrance. We don't need to crowd in lines to enter the venue. Although every few years some lunatics will try to pull in some stunt by joining the crowd.

Upon arriving at the exhibition hall in Area 6, media outlets and manufacturers lined up to enter the venue through the special entryway.

....Meanwhile, people start discussing things as they wait...

Gossip easily found their way... Here we begin...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"NetDragon has a massive lineup like always! They've surely prepared a groundbreaking VR title with some new innovative features!" Paparazi_1 added.

"And Tenghua, too. Their new release glimpses impressive." Paparazi_2 chimed in.

"They are a different breed and they play in different leagues," Zhong added.

"It's tough for us smaller developers to stand out. Hopefully, we can pick in some scraps."

Even though we had a separate entrance, it was still quite crowded. Besides the game manufacturers, showgirls and cosplayers were also arriving, so we still had to make our way in, one by one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Chen Xu POV]

As we waited, I exchanged greetings with a few designers and managers from other companies nearby. Curious, I glanced at the neighboring booths to see what was happening.

Each booth had a distinct personality. On Tenghua's side, a giant LCD screen was playing a flashy promotional video, likely their centerpiece for this year's exhibit.

NetDragon wasn't holding back either. They'd set up eye-catching promotional materials, complete with showgirls dressed to impress, each penetrating heart.

Meanwhile, in our section of Area 6, things looked...mixed.

"Mr. Chen, is this your first time exhibiting here? Haven't you arranged any costumes for cosplayers or showgirls?" M_1 asked, striking up a conversation.

The success of Neon Games has been memorable, especially since the second half of last year and the New Year this year. Most people in the game industry, particularly independent designers, have studied them.

The Neon Games logo is easy to spot. But there's another reason we stand out—compared to other companies, our lineup is unconventional.

Other booths were brimming with cosplayers in various costumes, with some even holding props. Showgirls wore an assortment of Office Lady and JK uniforms, creating an enticing visual atmosphere.

But our setup? It was different.

...

A few of us are in classic knight cosplay, decked out in shining "armor" with oversized, irregular, unsymmetrical weapons. We have just stepped out of a medieval battleground—ready to defend the realm or pose dramatically for a photo. But then there's the rest of us...

Instead of the gallant knight look, we're in jelly-like suits, loose and wobbly, topped off with brightly colored sneakers. It's as if we just wandered out of a high-energy workout video from the 80s!

Fortunately, we've all got our ID cards clipped on, or people might think a random crowd of fitness fanatics just crashed a medieval showdown, or maybe the entire Neon Games team showed up ready to exercise intent to fight dragons.

...

"It's all ready. It's in the exhibition hall. I'll change into it later," I explained with a smile.

Hearing this, colorful expressions appeared on their faces—shocked, stunned, unsure, of what to think. But no one delved further into it.

"The location of our exhibition area this time is a bit awkward!" someone nearby remarked.

"Yeah, I feel like those two companies will draw all the attention!" a designer commented while glancing at the two giant companies' venues nearby.

"Well, that's what happens when a giant company sponsors an event," another chimed in.

I mused, "I don't need everyone, I only need the one that is left of them"

Then I smiled and added, "Not necessarily. With so many players attending, Net Dragon and Tenghua might not capture everyone's attention. Plus, they have long queues for their exhibition areas. There'll be players who prefer to avoid waiting in line, which, in a way, could work to our advantage."

"That's true!" someone nearby agreed enthusiastically.

"One-two giants clash, and our little ones can benefit—though it depends on the situation!" M_1 added.

"Mr. Xu, could we exchange contact information? It'd be great to connect more in-depth in the future and discuss collaboration." M_1 continued.

"Yes, for sure." I chimed.

I exchanged contact details with the surrounding designers, eventually joining a new group.

Although this was an independent game venue, only capable designers and manufacturers were invited. Building these connections would prove beneficial, especially since I'd decided to gradually develop Neon's game platform.

Soon, I found myself chatting with the designers and manufacturers who were present.

Eventually, we entered the exhibition hall. Since the players hadn't yet arrived, the place felt empty. The cosplayers and models on our team were preparing to change into their outfits.

"What's caught everyone's attention over there?" Yang Xin, who was accompanying me, murmured.

"That's right, why is everyone looking at us?" Ruan wondered, noticing that some people at nearby booths were glancing our way with curiosity.

"Well, we do have the largest booth in this area, so maybe they're just intrigued. Didn't you also keep looking over at the Net Dragon and Tenghua booths?" I tactically explained the reason...

"That makes sense!" Ruan Ningxue and Yang Xin both nodded, realizing I was right.

They felt a bit proud. Our Neon Games booth was luring attention!

Just then, the staff brought over the mascot costumes that had been prepared and stored earlier in the exhibition hall. The cosplayers stepped forward, putting on the outfits, while the staff hung up the game promotional posters. The main attractions were Three Kingdoms and JellyMan.

The combination was a little mismatched, with one game being a realistic art style and the other a full-on cartoon. But it worked, especially with Three Kingdoms on the left, JellyMan on the right, and Neon Games' classics displayed in the center.

Other game developers were eyeing our setup with surprise. Watching the cosplayers transform into a funny jelly bean character or a little crocodile chef from Overcooked, they were a bit stunned.

Our booth was completely bizarre! While the rest of the indie game area mostly showcased characters with the typical long-leg aesthetic, ours looked like a kids's playground—the entire vibe was different.

But we didn't have much time to dive into the reactions. The doors opened soon, and players began entering the exhibition, bringing it to life.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

OL (Office Lady): This refers to women working in offices, typically dressed in formal business attire. The "OL" style often includes blouses, skirts, and blazers, creating a professional, elegant look. It's commonly associated with corporate and office environments in Japan.

JK (Joshi Kousei): This stands for "female high school student" in Japanese (女子高生). The "JK" style involves high school uniforms, which usually consist of pleated skirts, blazers, ties, and sometimes sailor-style tops. This style is popular in Japanese youth culture and is often romanticized or used for cosplay and fashion.

m_1 - It is some Manufacturer One.

I have used some weird vocab in some places.

Don't forget to point out the mistakes and errors in the text.

>>>><<<<

コメント 0のコメント

投票