NIP #503 - "Ape God" failed, Cai Yuhao broke down
#503 - "Ape God" failed, Cai Yuhao broke down
Also failing miserably was Miracle Games' "Ape God."
When the trailer for "Ape God" premiered at Miracle Games' press conference, the entire gaming world was in an uproar. The awe-inspiring visuals, the captivating world view, and the gameplay full of endless possibilities made countless players eager to explore this mysterious continent of Tivat(提瓦特: Continent in Ape God).
However, there is often an insurmountable chasm between dreams and reality.
On the day of the game's release, zealous fans flocked to it, eager to immerse themselves in this highly anticipated virtual world. However, from the moment they put on their motion-sensing equipment and entered the game, their beautiful dream began to crumble.
Li Ming, a loyal gamer, had high expectations for "Ape God." He took a week off, prepared plenty of snacks and drinks, and planned to have a hearty gaming marathon. However, just a few hours later, he slumped on the sofa, his face filled with disappointment and confusion.
"Is this really the same game?"
Li Ming muttered to himself, looking at the scene before him in disbelief. The colorful and vibrant world in the trailer was now just a monotonous and dull scene in front of him. The vaguely visible mountains in the distance were like deliberately blurred backdrops that could not be approached at all; the so-called primeval jungle was just some low-pixel tree models stacked repeatedly.
Li Ming tried to run forward to explore this so-called "open world." However, he soon discovered that his actions were bound by invisible walls. Those seemingly vast plains and forests were actually just some pre-set narrow paths. The term "open world" became so ironic in his mind.
Unwilling to give up, Li Ming decided to try other features in the game. He followed the tutorial and began collecting resources and building shelters. At first, these tasks brought some novelty. But soon, he realized how repetitive and boring these operations were. Collect, build, upgrade, then collect, build, upgrade again. This cycle seemed endless, yet meaningless.
"Maybe the combat system will have some highlights?"
With the last glimmer of hope, Li Ming controlled his ape character and launched an attack on a beast. However, this time the disappointment came even more violently. The motion-sensing system malfunctioned frequently. He clearly wanted to swing his weapon, but the character made completely irrelevant movements. In the end, Li Ming had to switch back to traditional button controls, but in doing so, the "immersive experience" touted by the game was gone.
Just as Li Ming was struggling, the entire gaming community had fallen into a wail. On major forums and social media, negative reviews about "Ape God" flooded in like a tide.
"This is not 'Ape God' at all, it's simply 'Pit God(坑神: God of scamming)!'" A player with the ID "Angry Banana" roared on the forum. He listed many problems in the game in detail: poor picture quality, frequent lag, illogical plot development, and ridiculous AI.
"I saw a group of so-called 'highly intelligent' apes actually falling from the trees when picking bananas! Is this something a highly intelligent creature would do?"
Meanwhile, a player who claimed to be a "script analyst" published a long article, mercilessly criticizing the game's story setting.
"The whole plot is a cliché 'outsider vs. native' routine, with no novelty. The so-called suspense elements are just child's play for players with a little common sense. Even more ridiculous is that the game tries to create a unique ape civilization, but the way of thinking and behavior of these apes is no different from ordinary humans. Where does this reflect any uniqueness?"
However, what angered the players the most was the ubiquitous krypton gold trap(氪金陷阱: Pay-to-win trap) in the game. One player sadly complained on social media: "I have already paid a high price for this game, but after entering it, I found that without additional payment, even the most basic game content cannot be experienced! This is not a normal game at all, it is simply a krypton gold mobile game(氪金手游: Pay-to-win mobile game) in a 3A coat!"
Faced with overwhelming criticism, Miracle Games' response added fuel to the fire. They first issued a vaguely worded statement, claiming that they were "carefully listening to player feedback," but avoided mentioning specific issues. Subsequently, they hastily launched several small-scale update patches, but only fixed some insignificant details, and ignored the core issues reflected by the players.
What was even more unacceptable was that just as players were waiting for the game to improve, Miracle Games launched a series of paid DLC and krypton gold activities. This move triggered a new round of verbal criticism, and many players said they would boycott the game and called for refunds.
……
As time went by, the number of "Ape God" players dropped sharply. Those players who were once full of expectations now either left in disappointment or stayed and became angry trolls. On the game forum, the originally lively discussion area became deserted, and the remaining posts were mostly complaints and complaints.
Li Ming, the player who was once full of expectations, now shows a wry smile every time he thinks of "Ape God." His motion-sensing equipment has been covered with dust, and the continent of Tivat(提瓦特: Continent in Ape God) that once haunted him is now only left with disappointment and helplessness.
……
However, in an atmosphere of pessimism, there are still some tenacious players who have not given up hope. They launched an initiative called "Save Ape God" on the forum, calling on the development team to listen carefully to the players' opinions and work hard to improve the game. They listed a detailed list of suggestions, including optimizing picture performance, redesigning game mechanics, and improving the plot setting.
"We know how difficult it is to create a truly great game," the initiative wrote, "but we still believe in the potential of 'Ape God.' If the development team can humbly accept criticism and dare to correct mistakes, maybe this game still has a chance to be reborn."
This initiative was responded to by many players. Although they were extremely disappointed with the game, deep down, they still hoped to see this grand concept truly realized.
However, Miracle Games' response was disappointing again. Not only did they not respond positively to the players' demands, but they also announced that they would shift their development focus to other projects, leaving only a small team to be responsible for the maintenance of "Ape God."
This decision undoubtedly sentenced "Ape God" to death. The game community mourned, and many people began to reflect: What caused such a promising project to eventually become a farce?
Some people pointed the finger at the over-exaggerated marketing promotion, believing that it was these false promises that raised players' expectations and ultimately led to great disappointment. Others criticized the development team for being too ambitious, trying to cram too many elements into one game, but the result was that nothing was good.
A deeper analysis pointed out that the failure of "Ape God" exposed the lack of innovation ability and quality control in the domestic game industry. Over-reliance on imitation and following the trend, and lack of in-depth thinking about the essence of the game, can only create works that are superficial.
As time went by, "Ape God" gradually became a warning case in the industry. It reminds developers that a successful game not only requires a grand concept, but also requires solid technical skills and a deep understanding of player experience.
For players who were once full of expectations, the failure of "Ape God" was undoubtedly a huge blow. However, just as the game promotes "growing from setbacks," perhaps this experience can also become a driving force for the progress of the entire industry.
On the first anniversary of the release of "Ape God," Li Ming reopened the long-sealed game. Looking at the familiar opening animation, his heart was filled with emotions. The continent of Tivat(提瓦特: Continent in Ape God) that once made him excited was now only left with desolation. However, just as he was about to quit the game, a small system prompt popped up:
"Dear adventurers, thank you for your continued support and suggestions. We are working hard to improve the game and hope to bring you a truly wonderful adventure world. Please look forward to it."
Li Ming was stunned for a moment, and then showed a wry smile. He knew that this may just be the development team's wishful thinking. But for some reason, deep down, there was still a glimmer of expectation. Maybe, in the near future, the fascinating continent of Tivat(提瓦特: Continent in Ape God) will one day truly appear in front of us.
……
Sitting in the leather chair of his luxurious office, Cai Yuhao gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. His face, which always had a confident smile, was now twisted and deformed, his brows were furrowed, and the blue veins on his forehead were clearly visible. His eyes burned with anger, scanning back and forth in the office, as if he wanted to burn everything around him to ashes with his eyes.
"This bunch of trash!" Cai Yuhao suddenly roared, his voice full of anger and frustration. He stood up abruptly and grabbed the folder on the table and slammed it against the wall. Papers scattered like snowflakes, but this did not calm his anger.
He strode to the floor-to-ceiling window, propped his hands on the windowsill, and looked down at the bustling city scene below. In the past, this scenery always made him feel proud and satisfied, but at this moment, he only felt that everything was extremely ironic.
"Five years! A full five years of effort!" Cai Yuhao muttered to himself, his voice trembling with suppressed anger. He turned to face the empty office, as if complaining to an invisible audience, "How much money did we invest? How much manpower? And the result? It was destroyed by a group of players who don't know how to appreciate it!"
He walked to the desk, grabbed his phone and quickly browsed the latest game reviews and sales data. Every negative review, every refund request, was like a sharp blade piercing his heart. Cai Yuhao's face became more and more ugly, and finally he couldn't bear it anymore and slammed his phone on the ground.
"What do they know?!" he roared, his voice full of unwillingness and resentment. "These so-called players, they simply don't know how to appreciate true art! We created such a grand, such a unique world, and they only complain about the graphics and operation!"
Cai Yuhao staggered to the liquor cabinet next to him and poured himself a glass of whiskey with trembling hands. He gulped down the strong wine, letting the alcohol burn in his throat. However, even strong alcohol could not extinguish the anger in his heart.
He turned to face the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the office, looking at the embarrassed self in the mirror. The hairstyle that was carefully taken care of in the past was now messy, and the shirt was wrinkled due to the violent emotional fluctuations. Cai Yuhao stared at himself in the mirror, his eyes full of self-pity and unwillingness.
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"No, I can't just give up like this," he murmured to himself, with a hint of madness in his voice, "I will let them see what true game art is!"
With that, he grabbed his phone and dialed the public relations department with trembling fingers. "Get me a press conference," he ordered, his voice with an undisguised urgency, "I want to personally explain the greatness of 'Ape God' to the world. Those stupid players, I want them to understand what they have missed!"
After hanging up the phone, Cai Yuhao slumped in his chair, covered his face with his hands, and made a sound between a sigh and a sob. He knew that this battle had just begun, and he had no way to retreat.
……
Faced with the great success of the project, Lu Yu felt a little unwilling, he clearly wanted to lie down and be a salted fish(摆烂: lie flat, do nothing).
So, he took his girlfriend Liu Mengyuan and the company's employees to the countryside to experience farm life and relax!
On a sunny weekend, Lu Yu drove Liu Mengyuan and the company's employees to a farmhouse in the suburbs. The car drove slowly along the winding country road, with endless golden rice fields on both sides. The autumn wind blew, and the rice waves rolled, like a golden ocean.
Liu Mengyuan sat in the passenger seat, excitedly pointing to the scenery outside the window, "Lu Yu, look at the sunflower field over there! It's so beautiful!" Lu Yu smiled and glanced at it, and said softly: "I'll take you to take pictures later, and I promise to take the most beautiful you." Liu Mengyuan blinked playfully when she heard the words, "Then I have to dress up well!"
The motorcade finally arrived at its destination, a quaint farmhouse courtyard came into view. The yard was planted with various seasonal vegetables and flowers, and several chickens strolled leisurely in the yard. The bleating of sheep could be heard in the distance.
Lu Yu took the lead in getting out of the car, went around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Liu Mengyuan gentlemanly. "Be careful with your feet," he said gently, reaching out to help Liu Mengyuan get out of the car. Liu Mengyuan said playfully: "Lu Yu, I'm not an old lady, I don't need to be so careful." Lu Yu smiled and pinched her nose, "In my heart, you will always be the little princess who needs my protection."
The owner of the farmhouse greeted them warmly. They were a kind and amiable old couple. They led everyone to visit the entire farm and introduced various crops and livestock. Lu Yu and Liu Mengyuan walked slowly behind the team hand in hand, talking in low voices from time to time, with happy smiles on their faces.
After the visit, the boss suggested that everyone could experience farm work.
Lu Yu immediately pulled Liu Mengyuan to pick strawberries with great interest. The two squatted in the strawberry field, carefully selecting ripe fruits. Lu Yu suddenly picked up a particularly ruddy strawberry and gently brought it to Liu Mengyuan's mouth, "Try it, is it sweet?" Liu Mengyuan looked around shyly, and only opened her mouth to take a small bite when no one was paying attention. "Well, it's really sweet!" she said with a smile, her cheeks flushed slightly.
At noon, everyone worked together to prepare lunch. Lu Yu and Liu Mengyuan were in charge of washing and cutting vegetables, standing side by side at the sink, busily working. Lu Yu would occasionally steal glances at Liu Mengyuan's profile, and when she caught him, he would always pretend nothing was happening, making Liu Mengyuan unable to help but smile.
After lunch, Lu Yu suggested taking a walk by the nearby stream to digest. The two walked slowly along the path beside the stream, stopping from time to time to admire the wildflowers along the way. Lu Yu suddenly squatted down, picked a small daisy, and carefully placed it behind Liu Mengyuan's ear. "It's beautiful," he said softly, "but still not even a ten-thousandth as beautiful as you." Liu Mengyuan was a little embarrassed by this sudden love talk, and gently patted Lu Yu's shoulder, "Smooth talker!"
In the afternoon, the farmhouse arranged a tug-of-war competition. Lu Yu and Liu Mengyuan naturally stood together. After the competition started, the two were perfectly in sync, exerting force together with the slogans. During one particularly strong pull, Liu Mengyuan stumbled backward, and Lu Yu immediately reached out to support her waist, asking with concern, "Are you okay?" Liu Mengyuan shook her head, looked at Lu Yu gratefully, and the two plunged back into the intense competition.
In the evening, the owner organized a barbecue in the courtyard. Lu Yu took the initiative to take on the task of grilling meat, while Liu Mengyuan helped prepare the seasonings. Lu Yu carefully turned the skewers on the grill, and occasionally asked Liu Mengyuan, "Do you want to try it and see if it's cooked?" Liu Mengyuan would lean over, open her small mouth to take a small piece of meat fed by Lu Yu, and then comment on it with a serious expression.
As night fell, a bonfire was lit in the courtyard. Everyone sat around the fire, chatting and singing, enjoying themselves. Lu Yu put his arm around Liu Mengyuan's shoulders, and Liu Mengyuan leaned in his arms. The firelight reflected on their faces, adding a touch of warmth and romance to them.
"Lu Yu," Liu Mengyuan said softly, "I'm really happy today." Lu Yu looked down at her and replied softly, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy." Saying that, he gently kissed Liu Mengyuan's forehead.
After the bonfire party, Lu Yu and Liu Mengyuan walked hand in hand back to their room. The night sky was dotted with stars, and the chirping of crickets rose and fell. Lu Yu suddenly stopped and said to Liu Mengyuan, "Mengyuan, thank you for always being by my side. With you, I feel like I can bear any amount of pressure." Liu Mengyuan smiled and squeezed Lu Yu's hand, "Silly, didn't we agree to face everything together?"
The two smiled at each other and continued walking forward. This day's farmhouse trip not only allowed Lu Yu to temporarily forget the pressure of work, but also made him cherish the girl who had always supported him even more. In this quiet rural night, their love seemed sweeter than ever.