There is a Problem with This Online Game Planning

Monster Hunter was considered a very old IP in Lin Yao's previous life.

From the launch of "Monster Hunter 1" in 2004 to the release of "Monster Hunter: Rise" in 2021, this series has gone through a total of 17 years.

According to Lin Yao's own understanding.

This game series can basically be divided into two eras.

Take "Monster Hunter: World" as the transition point.

All previous works are old times.

Although there are not many orthodox sequels in the old era, after each orthodox sequel of Monster Hunter, there will be a more powerful one, further adding new content, and the G series with a suffix G, so there are many works.

This practice was broken until "Monster Hunter X" and "Monster Hunter XX".

However, the latter is still the traditional G series, but the suffix does not have G.

And after that, it's "Monster Hunter: World".

The biggest difference between this work and the old one is that it is open to all players.

The meaning of the suffix world is not only that this game is available on the three major platforms of XBOX, PS, and PC, but also refers to the fact that players have discovered new continents and new worlds in the game.

New continents, new ecology, new monsters, and...a brand new experience!

And this work, instead of following the law of the ancestors, launched an enhanced version with a G suffix, but made the new content into a DLC.

The entire Monster Hunting series was also divided into two after the release of this milestone work in the series.

After "Monster Hunter: World", "Monster Hunter: Rise" is a work of the new era.

This work, Lin Yao knew when she established the project, in the eyes of the old hunter, it was really not good.

But on the other hand... this game is the best entry-level game for novices.

It does not have the shortcomings of the backward XX system and the difficulty is relatively persuasive. It also abandons the setting of drinking medicine to make it hard, simplifies the reconciliation, and greatly reduces the materials required for making equipment.

It also added the flying insect system and the dog system, so that hunters can go to the sky and enter the earth.

The experience of the whole game is that it is designed with combat as the core and is very friendly to newcomers, but it is not as good as "Monster Hunter XX" in terms of gameplay and depth.

In addition, "Monster Hunter" has always had the tradition of the G series. For example, "Monster Hunter XX" has almost all the content of X. After XX is released, the positioning of "Monster Hunter X" will become very awkward.

The same is true for "Monster Hunter: Rise". Under Capcom's long-term update strategy, before the DLC is released, this is actually a "trial version" without G bits. No, it's not as good as a "trial version". Pukong's strategy is to update for a long time, but the update is so slow.

This leads to its positioning, which is really embarrassing. If you compare it with the old era, "Monster Hunter XX" puts aside the shortcomings brought about by the limitations of the times. It is a masterpiece. In terms of gameplay and depth, its rise cannot be compared.

Compare it with the works of the new era. There is a "Monster Hunter: World" that has landed on all platforms and really gives players a new experience. This is too good to play...

This is not the same, and it is normal for many old hunters to be dissatisfied.

After all...the series is 17 years old.

The works are accumulated.

Except for the unique "Monster Hunter: World", it is actually hard to say whether 3 is better or XX is better. Every veteran hunter has a different answer.

Lin Yao personally likes "Monster Hunter XX" the most, but when discussing it with her colleagues, some people objected.

This is normal.

Teacher Guiyue's works, there are those who like Baimao and those who don't like Baimao... let alone games.

But there is one thing that Lin Yao knows very well, that is—compared to all the works of the old era, the single-wheel handheld terminal, "Monster Hunter: Rise" is indeed the most friendly to new players in terms of experience, and it is also the closest to the times. This cannot be disputed.

In the works of the old era, some of the designs and systems of that year have indeed not kept up with the times. This is also true. This is irrelevant to the old hunters, but it is a bit difficult for the newcomers.

At that time, "Monster Hunter" of Linmu Studio was established after "Call of Duty", and the latter was released before the former.

In this case, she had to follow the works of the old era, and she didn't have the confidence to let players who had never been in contact with the Monster Hunter series accept it.

So the final decision is the "Monster Hunter: Rise" framework that is most friendly to newcomers and designed with combat at its core.

The biggest advantage of Linmu Studio here is that it has no historical burden.

Although the foundation is still rising, when Lin Yao first set up the project, she spent a lot of thought on how to integrate "Monster Hunter XX" with some content from previous games of the old era.

As for "Monster Hunter: World"... don't even think about the handheld, let's talk about the PC later.

In short, she really had a headache at the time.

And it turns out.

It is really difficult to stuff the content of previous monster hunting into Rise.

After all, there are two eras, the old and the new, which in themselves represent a huge difference.

What's more, there is a difference in painting style.

So... After discussing with the project team represented by Lin Yao and Zhu Nianqiao, they adopted the method of integrating the previous monsters and maps.

But in the end... the whole game is equivalent to two games in size.

The volume is so large that the capacity of the game cartridge is not enough.

The map is so vast that even some monsters can't fit in it.

After all, factors such as the convenience of players to play must also be considered.

so.

Combining the situation of "Pokémon", Lin Yao took a big gamble...

Really big gamble.

Lin Yao didn't even know what the result would be.

Even now when she saw Zhu Nianqiao announcing the release date at the end of the stage, the audience cheered happily.

Lin Yao didn't feel relieved either.

Because the next... is the test.

She is ready to go to the rescue at any time.

"Actually, don't worry too much."

Standing next to Lin Yao, Mu Wanqing looked at the girl who had changed back into a T-shirt and jeans and put on white shoes, and comforted her softly.

"Um."

Lin Yao nodded in agreement, but still looked worriedly at the stage.

Seeing her appearance clearly, Mu Wan smiled slightly, and gently held her slender and fair fingers.

Although Lin Yao never said it out loud.

But she really likes it and takes good care of the girl on stage who is full of energy and vitality every day.

Maybe most of the time, Lin Yao treats her as a younger sister.

This point, Mu Wanqing is very clear.

In fact, Lin Yao originally wanted to attend the "Monster Hunter" meeting by herself.

But Zhu Nianqiao finally rejected Lin Yao and insisted on trying it by herself.

In the end, Lin Yao had no choice but to let her take the stage.

Although Lin Yao was worried, she reluctantly nodded in the end.

I'm just too worried now...

Faced with this situation, Mu Wanqing actually had no choice but to stay by Lin Yao's side.

...

on stage.

Just as Lin Yao was talking with Mu Wanqing.

The cheers of Zhu Nianqiao announcing the release date gradually died down.

With a smile, Zhu Nianqiao began to introduce the game energetically, and finally played a demo video of the real machine on the spot.

The actual demo video isn't very long.

Basically, the player goes to the target location and then hunts monsters.

In the video, the flying insect system, dog system, running map, different map environments, weather system, and weapon moves are all shown.

The players couldn't take their eyes off it.

Seeing a hunter fighting a creature twice his size on the screen, the first reaction is to feel like "Dark Soul".

After all, the latter also has many boss battles against large creatures.

But looking back, they found that there is a big difference, let alone the fact that the undead cannot bend their knees, the entire game has a different style of painting.

However, it was fun!

On the screen, the hunter controlled by the staff slashed at the monster named Kappa Frog that just appeared in the promotional video.

Dogs are in charge.

Hunters are responsible for output.

In the end, the real machine demonstration ended with a beautiful sword chopping.

Very handsome, very attractive to players.

Although most games, you have to play it yourself to know if it is suitable for you.

But it's clear that just seeing the face will throw out the content.

Players are interested.

After the live demo is played.

The cheers rang out again.

Zhu Nianqiao also returned to the stage again and began to introduce more details of the game.

However, the players need to know the news, basically learned in the front.

For others, you basically have to play the game yourself to have a deeper experience.

So, apart from Zhu Nianqiao announcing that the game can be hunted online, some players cheered again.

Most of the players who came with their friends started to discuss the quality of the game with them, and discussed what to ask when they were selected for the Q\u0026A session.

The game meetup has come to this point.

It has been considered a success.

Players are satisfied with the fact that there is no pie in the game, they have a general understanding of the game, and enough information has been disclosed, and they are also interested.

This is undoubtedly a successful new game launch.

but.

...the meeting is not over yet.

"The above is the basic content of the new game."

Zhu Nianqiao said the conclusion.

She was greeted by another round of cheers.

Everyone thought that the introduction was over and it was time to move on to the next stage.

Including Li Yu in the front row.

He began to think about how to queue up quickly after the trial version of "Monster Hunter" came out.

But Zhu Nianqiao did not enter the next stage after the cheers of the players stopped.

"So, after the basic content of the new game is revealed, we still have some news to tell you."

Zhu Nianqiao stood on the stage and continued: "Well, in the words of our boss Lin Yao, we made a decision that violated our ancestors..."

offstage.

The audience hears this.

I was stunned.

Start booing immediately.

The main reason is that Lin Yao's name and the words "violate the ancestor's decision" are put together, which is quite funny.

And Zhu Nianqiao saw how enthusiastic the atmosphere was, smiled, breathed a sigh of relief, and finally said: "Then... please watch another promotional video, about the release promotional video of "Monster Hunter"."

Say it.

Zhu Nianqiao walked directly to the side.

The lights dimmed.

The audience looked at the screen with doubts and curiosity.

And ah! ?

on the screen behind the stage.

With the lights dimming.

The screen lights up.

The promotional video that just appeared is played again.

Exactly the same as the first promotional video...

Um? ? ?

The players were even more confused.

Misplaced?

Just when the player thinks so.

The promotional video broadcasts to 45 seconds.

Kanbanniang appeared, and the dragon twin sisters, Huoya and Shuiyun looked up at the sky.

But the next second.

The image on the screen suddenly split into two. On the screen of the second person, although the environment is still the same, the signboard girl has changed.

It turned into the iceberg beauty who once appeared in "Easter Egg Adventure", wearing a green shawl and wearing glasses. She sat quietly at the table, holding a heavy book in her hand, and was looking down quietly.

And beside her, there was a woman with a good figure, wearing a black silk uniform and a boat-shaped cap.

This is the first point of difference.

And saw this scene.

The players are sure, Linmu Studio did not misplace the promotional video.

But what is this? ? ?

Why split into two screens? Why did the characters change?

This sudden, confusing scene made the players whisper to each other.

And behind the promo.

It even surprised the players...

1 minute and 20 seconds.

The time when the monster appeared in the first promotional video has changed.

The environment becomes a snowy plateau.

And on the snowy plateau, the monsters appearing on the stage are no longer umbrella birds.

It was a mammoth-like monster with a huge body, ice slag hanging from the back and the roots of the limbs, a heavy armor covering the head, and thick and long fangs.

It roared to the sky, and in front of it, the hunter drew his sword.

[Second place, Silver Ridge Giant Beast]

at the same time.

The screen image is once again divided into two.

on the other side of the screen.

It is also a snow-covered plateau, but what appears on the stage is another rabbit-like monster with thick fat deposits and keratinized skin on its abdomen. It is holding a 'snowball' that is bigger than itself, roaring towards the place where the hunter is. Direction thrown.

[Second place, Snow Lord]

then.

The camera cuts to hilly terrain.

This time, it was a typical Western dragon that appeared on the stage. It crawled forward, its hard carapace was covered with thorns, its wings were like insect wings with complicated patterns, and blue-white lightning wrapped around its body. There is also a huge electric blade formed by the convergence of electric light.

[Second place, Qingdian Lord Electric Dragon]

The other side of the screen.

Then aim at the mountains full of dense trees.

A golden creature with the appearance of a wild wolf, with thunder light attached to its body, roared, while manipulating Qianguang, releasing Wanlei!

[Second place, Golden Thunder God Thunder Wolf Dragon]

"OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Players don't know what's going on.

But the screen on the stage is big enough.

Even if the screen is divided into two, players can still see clearly.

not sure what it is.

But the monster... handsome! ! !

really handsome!

So the players were very face-saving and immediately cheered.

that is.

That question still lingers in their minds...

That is, what is this?

The progress bar of the promotional video moves slowly.

Then two monsters with two different heads appeared.

In the follow-up promotional video, different hounds and cats were also shown.

But the promo ends.

It is still the familiar resentful tiger and dragon, that familiar picture.

The monster's deep roar sounded, and then the resentful tiger dragon with purple flames in its mouth landed on its front legs and roared towards the camera.

Zi Yan danced in the air.

"Bet on the glory of the hunter!"

Without fear, the hunter drew out the tachi from behind, which was about the height of a man, and then swung it violently.

The two picture windows on the screen are playing the same scene!

The camera moves forward.

The gigantic resentful tiger dragon jumped up, holding the purple flames floating to the sides in its mouth, raised its thick forelimbs, and swung it towards the camera.

At this moment, the screen also went dark.

The purple flame in the mouth of the resentful tiger dragon slowly formed the cover of the game this time.

But the game covers on both sides of the screen are somewhat different.

Although the main subjects are all resentful tigers and dragons, one is forward pounce and the other is jump pounce.

And behind the resentful tiger dragon, there are two monsters, which are different.

On one side are the Silver Ridge Behemoth and the Green Electric Lord Electric Dragon.

On one side are the Great Snow Lord and the Golden Thunder God Thunder Wolf Dragon.

Even the name of the game is different!

They are——

"Monster Hunter: Dragon"

"Monster Hunter: Fanglong"

Watch different game covers appear on the screen.

In the entire auditorium, there was no cheering, only bewilderment...

Is this going to release two games?

until.

Zhu Nianqiao came to the stage and explained softly: "Because the volume of "Monster Hunter" is too large, it will be as big as two games. The huge volume of the game has brought some problems. The cassettes we store cannot be loaded. This is too large a volume of content, resulting in part of the game content, had to be separated.

At present, considering the issue of game cartridge release, the game will be released in two versions at the same time, namely Flying Dragon and Tooth Dragon. Eighty-five percent of the content of the same version is basically the same, but the remaining 15 percent of the two versions , there will be a difference. At present, we are also intensively preparing for online updates, and some game content will be released in the form of free updates.

We sincerely hope that you can experience a different hunting experience with your friends. If it is not possible, we will find a way. "

As soon as she said this.

moment.

One stone stirs up a thousand waves...

...

next door.

Seeing the announcement of the most worrying news, Lin Yao turned her head to look at the players' reactions.

Throughout the auditorium, most of the players looked stunned... and the rest, some cheered, some whispered, and some asked questions directly.

In short.

They all seemed puzzled.

Yes.

The big gamble of Linmu Studio this time is to pave the way for a double version release.

"Monster Hunter" of Linmu Studio, according to the idea of ​​the first project approval, will stuff XX content into it on the basis of rising...

But I have to say that the content of XX is too large, even somewhat beyond expectations.

Add overlapping parts.

For a better game experience, some maps must be cut off.

However, the production team produced two lines in parallel, which created new problems. The two monsters were basically completed, and Lin Yao was unwilling to give up the extra monsters.

It just so happens that the new work of "Pokémon" will also be released in two versions according to expectations.

So in the end Lin Yao... decided to take a risk.

It is indeed quite risky to release both versions at the same time.

After all, the Monster Hunting series has never done this in the previous life. Generally, those who dare to do this, and those who dare to do it every year, are those few games.

Such as Pokémon, Monster Watch.

Because of where the game type is.

And why dare such games.

The main reason is that the core gameplay of games like Pokémon... the exchange gameplay in collecting, cultivating, fighting, and exchanging.

Suitable for double version.

The main reason for the release of dual versions of this type of game is to increase players’ desire to exchange. At least at the beginning, Shigeru Miyamoto’s idea is to hope that children can gain friendship and fun in the exchange of Pokémon.

As for whether the purpose has changed later, it is a matter of opinion.

In short.

This type of game is indeed suitable for the release of double versions.

And most of the games are not suitable, or to put it bluntly, they don't have any strength, so it's basically not good to do so.

Dual version release.

It is true that not all game types are suitable.

Lin Yao actually took a certain risk in releasing the double version of "Monster Hunter".

Although Linmu Studio made differences between the two versions, Lin Yao also divided the two monsters in XX into two according to their strength, and stuffed them into the two versions.

And there is also a 50% discount on the digital version.

But first, "Monster Hunter" is a new IP, without any bonuses, and the only thing that can back it up is the reputation of Linmu Studio itself.

Second, there is no such business model in this world where one game releases two versions...

The combination of the two does have certain risks.

Players' evaluation, acceptance and subsequent impact are all unknown.

And the reason why Lin Yao is willing to take such a risk is because there is too much content, and at the same time, she wants to pave the way for this business model first, so that the prepared "Monster Hunter" can block it.

"Pokémon" will basically have new works every year in the future, there is no doubt about this.

After all, it is a big IP.

But to be honest, the popularity of Pokémon is really not high now... plus there are too many problems in "Monster Hunter" itself.

Lin Yao just thought, pull out "Monster Hunter" to share the firepower and test the water together...

After all, Linmu Studio is now able to bear certain risks.

But the new distribution model and business model also means new risks, and being able to bear it does not mean that there is no trouble.

According to the current reputation of Linmu Studio, it is really not an exaggeration to say that releasing double versions is a gamble.

What Lin Yao is most worried about is not the players' comments, but the dissatisfaction of the audience.

Zhu Nianqiao is still young after all...

If you really have to experience players booing at the scene, you may be frustrated for a long time.

but.

fine.

Facing this new mode, players are more confused... and did not express too much resistance.

Instead, some people cheered.

Zhu Nianqiao also patiently explained the dual-version release model.

Then there's the question-and-answer session.

Facing the curious audience, she also answered what is the difference between the two versions.

For example, look at the version girl, the two monsters, and the appearance.

There are also issues related to different versions of online.

In short.

The questions of the players were all answered, and they also had a general understanding of the dual-version mode of Linmu Studio's game release.

But that's okay.

They don't seem to have a unified view.

The players have happiness on their faces, but they also have worries and doubts.

soon.

As the last audience asked questions.

Thanks to Zhu Nianqiao.

The Monster Hunter meetup is over.

"Sister~~yes! We succeeded!"

Come on.

Zhu Nianqiao's well-behaved image couldn't be maintained immediately.

The moment she left the audience's sight, she immediately trotted up, hugged Lin Yao, and jumped up and down.

"Let go! It's too early to be happy!"

Lin Yao struggled to get out of her embrace, and at the same time she breathed a sigh of relief, she withdrew her hand from Mu Wanqing's hand, pressed her head, and looked at a corner of the auditorium through the exit door: "Next, the ferment of public opinion, after the release of the game Evaluation is the key point, and tomorrow's "Pokémon" is the highlight!"

"There will definitely be no problem! The proposal proposed by the senior sister!"

Zhu Nianqiao waved his fist confidently and said confidently.

"...Your vitality can be divided into half of Miss Mu."

Lin Yao glanced at Zhu Nianqiao who was still full of energy after being held down, she was a little funny, and complained.

Mu Wanqing: "..."

...

that night.

As expected.

Except for the Monster Hunter game itself.

The game's dual-version release has also become one of the hottest topics in the game-related community...

Players expressed their views on this fresh release model.

But because the game quality of "Monster Hunter" itself is hard enough and there are enough points to discuss, it can barely suppress the discussion about the dual version.

But the time came to the next day.

The third day of the carnival was still very lively.

And the main axis of the day is the new work of "Pokémon".

When the person in charge of the "Pokémon" project team finally announced that the game will also be released in two versions.

The enthusiasm for the double version can't be suppressed at all.

The release of two versions has completely become the topic that players are most concerned about...

And the players are pretty good.

Lin Yao's colleagues faced the sudden double-version release mode of Linmu Studio.

Even more confused.

"So, what kind of work is this!?"

sky fox.

Li Guangsheng asked a little tiredly.

Mou Feng didn't answer because he was also confused.

What is this?