You said you would make games by yourself, but how did you become the richest man by doing nothing?

#504 - Taoyuan Township’s new work is a rural werewolf game?!

Lu Yu and Liu Mengyuan walked hand in hand on a path between rice paddies, surrounded by rice swaying in the wind, the air filled with the fragrance of soil and straw.

As they walked, they unknowingly arrived at a secluded corner.

Here, they were surrounded by tall rice stalks, like a secret garden isolated from the world. Liu Mengyuan suddenly stopped, turned to face Lu Yu, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous light.

"Lu Yu," she said softly, "have you ever thought about being in a place like this..."

Their heartbeats gradually accelerated, and their breathing became rapid.

The surroundings were silent, with only the rustling of the wind through the rice fields.

At the same time, two fighting shadows appeared on the open space next to them.

The two shadows on the ground seemed to merge into one.

The two shadows were like blooming flowers in spring, both subtle and passionate.

A large hand from one shadow stroked the skin on the other shadow's cheek, causing a shiver.

The smaller shadow wrapped its arms tightly around the other's neck, burying its face in the hollow of their shoulder, greedily breathing in their scent.

A low moan, like that of a night cat, echoed through the fields, harmoniously intertwined with the chirping of insects and birds.

A breeze swept through, bringing a touch of coolness, but it could not extinguish the passion in the air.

The two fighting shadows, like swaying wheat in a storm, rose and fell.

Finally, the two fighting shadows reached their peak simultaneously, panting to calm their excitement after the fight.

The last ray of sunlight disappeared on the horizon, and twilight gradually enveloped the earth. Lu Yu gently patted Liu Mengyuan's back and said softly, "We should go back, it's getting dark."

...

Lu Yu gently wiped the sweat from Liu Mengyuan's forehead, while Liu Mengyuan nestled in his arms, enjoying the wonderful afterglow.

The two got up, straightened their clothes, and walked hand in hand towards the farmhouse. After walking for a while, Liu Mengyuan suddenly said, "Lu Yu, don't you think the countryside is actually quite mysterious?"

Lu Yu looked at her in surprise, "Why do you say that suddenly?"

Liu Mengyuan pointed to the gradually darkening fields around them, "Look, how beautiful and peaceful it is here during the day. But at night, these tall crops, the dim paths, and the faintly visible farmhouses in the distance, don't they all have a strange feeling?"

Lu Yu nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed, especially those ancient rural villages, there are always some long-standing legends and taboos."

Liu Mengyuan continued, "And don't you think that in such secluded places, if something terrible happened, outsiders might never know."

Lu Yu's eyes suddenly lit up, "Mengyuan, now that you mention it, I suddenly have an idea."

Liu Mengyuan looked at him curiously, "What idea?"

Lu Yu said excitedly, "A horror game set in the countryside. Imagine a player playing a visitor from the city, coming to a remote village. On the surface, it's peaceful and serene, and the villagers are hospitable. But as time goes on, the player gradually discovers that the village is hiding terrible secrets."

Liu Mengyuan's eyes lit up, "Sounds interesting! We can add some folk legends and superstitious elements, such as ancient sacrificial rituals, or cursed crops."

Lu Yu nodded, becoming more and more excited as he spoke, "Yes, we can design some special game mechanics. For example, the scenes during the day and night are very different, and the villagers' behavior will also change accordingly. Players need to collect clues during the day, communicate with the villagers, but be careful not to arouse suspicion. At night, they have to face various supernatural phenomena and dangers."

Liu Mengyuan added, "We can also add some rural-specific elements, such as scarecrows, barns, wells, etc., to make these ordinary things become eerie and terrifying in the game."

Lu Yu put his arm around Liu Mengyuan's shoulder and said with a smile, "I didn't expect my girlfriend to have such a dark side! But I like it, these ideas are great."

Liu Mengyuan blinked playfully, "You can't judge a book by its cover. But Lu Yu, haven't you always wanted to make a lighthearted and fun game? Why are you suddenly interested in horror games?"

Lu Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Maybe it's because today's experience made me realize that the beauty and horror in life are actually only separated by a fine line. Just like this field, it's so beautiful and peaceful during the day, but it makes people shudder at night. I want to explore the dark side hidden beneath the surface of calm through this game."

Liu Mengyuan nodded thoughtfully, "This theme is indeed very profound. But designing such a game will probably bring you a lot of pressure, right?"

Lu Yu shook his head with a smile, "With you by my side, I'm not afraid of any pressure. Moreover, it is precisely because of these challenges that we can stimulate our creativity, isn't it?"

Liu Mengyuan leaned on Lu Yu's shoulder and said softly, "Then I will always support you, no matter what kind of game you want to make."

The two smiled at each other and continued to walk towards the farmhouse. Although the fields under the night were a bit gloomy, with each other's company, their hearts were filled with warmth and anticipation. This beautiful night not only deepened their relationship but also opened up a new direction for Lu Yu's career.

On the first day after the vacation, Lu Yu couldn't wait to summon the company's core production team. Mo Xiaoxuan, Wan Xiaotong, and Hua Wu felt Lu Yu's unusually excited atmosphere as soon as they walked into the meeting room.

"Everyone," Lu Yu said straight to the point, "I have a wonderful idea. Our next game will be a rural-themed horror game, and it will use werewolf killing as the core gameplay!"

Seeing the three people's confused expressions, Lu Yu continued to explain, "Imagine that after entering the game, players find themselves in a secluded and mysterious village. This village has a tradition of holding ancient werewolf killing rituals. Every full moon night, the villagers gather in the village center square for a life-and-death werewolf killing game."

Lu Yu excitedly described his vision, "The game will be divided into two stages: day and night. During the day, players need to explore the village, collect clues, and communicate with NPCs, trying to figure out everyone's identity and intentions. And at night, it's the thrilling werewolf killing session."

"We can design a variety of roles, such as ordinary villagers, prophets, witches, hunters, and so on. Each role has unique abilities and backstories. Players need to gradually understand their identity and abilities through daytime exploration."

"The most exciting part is," Lu Yu said excitedly, "we can add some supernatural elements. For example, villagers killed by werewolves may turn into ghosts and continue to affect the game process. Or, we can design some ancient curses to make the game more eerie and unpredictable."

"In addition, we can also add some rural-specific elements, such as scarecrows, barns, ancient wells, etc., to make these ordinary things become eerie and terrifying in the game. Players need to find clues in these scenes and avoid danger."

"Finally," Lu Yu concluded, "the ending of the game will vary depending on the player's choices and performance. It may be to reveal the secrets of the village and escape, or to become a new resident who will stay in the village forever, or even to become the host of the next round of rituals."

After Lu Yu finished speaking, he looked at the other three with anticipation. However, the meeting room fell into an awkward silence.

Mo Xiaoxuan broke the silence first, frowning and saying, "Boss, your idea is very creative, but implementing such a complex social reasoning game in a somatosensory pod game may encounter many technical problems."

Wan Xiaotong also expressed concern, "Yes, the core fun of werewolf killing lies in the interaction and reasoning between players. In somatosensory games, it is difficult for us to simulate real interpersonal interactions. Moreover, long conversations and reasoning may make players feel tired."

Hua Wu raised a question from a market perspective, "Our previous games were all lighthearted and joyful, and suddenly transitioning to a horror game may make our old players feel uncomfortable. Moreover, horror games in somatosensory pods may bring overly strong stimulation to some players."

Mo Xiaoxuan added, "In addition, rural horror themes may involve some sensitive cultural and folk elements. We need to handle these contents very carefully to avoid causing controversy."

Wan Xiaotong also expressed her concerns, "Engaging in a highly tense game experience for a long time in a somatosensory pod may have a negative impact on the player's physical and mental health. We need to consider how to balance the game's stimulation and the player's comfort."

Hua Wu concluded, "Boss, we understand your desire to try new things. However, considering our technological accumulation, market positioning, and player base, perhaps we can consider some innovation directions that are more suitable for us?"

Faced with the team's unanimous opposition, Lu Yu's enthusiasm seemed to diminish. But he didn't completely give up on the idea, but fell into deep thought. He knew that every question raised by the team made sense, but deep down he still firmly believed that this idea had great potential.

"I understand your concerns," Lu Yu finally said, "but I think this idea is worth trying and exploring. Maybe we can make a small-scale prototype first to see if we can solve these problems?"

The meeting room fell silent again, everyone weighing the feasibility of this proposal.

Everyone said in unison: "Why not ask Vice President Liu for her opinion?"

Seeing that he couldn't persuade everyone for the time being, Lu Yu had to go home first.

...

When Lu Yu returned home, he found Liu Mengyuan preparing dinner in the kitchen. He walked over and hugged her gently from behind, sighing, "I encountered some resistance when discussing the new game with the team today."

Liu Mengyuan turned around and looked at him with concern, "What's wrong? Don't they like your idea?"

Lu Yu said with a wry smile, "They think it's too risky to make a rural horror game in a somatosensory pod. Maybe we should continue to make those lighthearted and fun games."

Liu Mengyuan hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually... I'm also a little worried. After all, this theme is very different from your previous style."

Lu Yu let go of her, thoughtfully saying, "You're right. Maybe we should give up on this idea and continue to make those safe, risk-free games."

Seeing the slightly lost expression on Lu Yu's face, Liu Mengyuan suddenly felt a little unbearable. She remembered that beautiful night in the countryside and the light in Lu Yu's eyes when he talked about the new game.

Lu Yu continued, "Do you remember that night in the countryside? That mysterious and romantic atmosphere, I really hope to recreate it in the game."

Liu Mengyuan's eyes softened, "I remember. That night was really special."

Lu Yu looked into her eyes and said softly, "Actually, the inspiration for this game came from that night. I want more people to experience that romantic and exciting feeling. Not just horror, but more of the thrill of exploring the unknown and the interaction between people."

Liu Mengyuan's eyes lit up, "Are you saying that this game also has romantic elements?"

Lu Yu nodded, "Of course. Imagine, in that mysterious village, players not only have to uncover the truth, but they may also encounter their true love. Just like we met in the countryside."

Liu Mengyuan's face turned slightly red, "If you say that, it does sound interesting."

Lu Yu continued, "Moreover, this game can allow city people to rediscover the charm of the countryside. Although there are horror elements, it mainly showcases the mystery and beauty of the countryside."

Liu Mengyuan said thoughtfully, "Thinking about it that way, it does seem a bit interesting. There's exciting adventure, romantic encounters, and you can experience rural culture."

Seeing that Liu Mengyuan's attitude had changed, Lu Yu struck while the iron was hot, "Yes, I think this game has the potential to become a very unique experience. What do you think?"

Liu Mengyuan smiled and said, "Okay, you convinced me. I think you should continue to try this idea. Maybe you can make a small-scale beta version first to see how players react?"

Lu Yu happily hugged Liu Mengyuan, "That's great! With your support, I have more confidence. I believe that as long as we put our heart into it, we can definitely create a game world that is both thrilling and warm and romantic."

In this way, Lu Yu successfully turned Liu Mengyuan from initial worry to support. He cleverly connected the game with their shared beautiful memories, stimulated Liu Mengyuan's romantic imagination, and also emphasized the game's cultural value. This strategy not only dispelled Liu Mengyuan's concerns but also made her interested and expectant about the game.

...

After that, Peach Blossom Village released the first concept trailer for their new work, "Code: Village."

The concept trailer for "Code: Village" immediately caused a sensation in the gaming circle upon its release. The trailer began with a peaceful rural scene: golden rice fields swaying gently in the breeze, distant mountains shrouded in mist, giving a mysterious yet warm feeling.

The camera slowly advanced to an ancient village. Ancient wooden houses lined the cobblestone path, with red lanterns hanging under the eaves, emitting a soft light. The villagers greeted each other with friendly smiles, the scene was warm and peaceful.

Suddenly, the scene changed, and a blood-red full moon rose in the sky. The atmosphere of the village instantly became eerie. The originally friendly villagers became wary, and began to suspect each other. The trailer cleverly used light and shadow effects to render the village a place full of the unknown and danger.

Next, the screen flashed rapidly through several scenes: a mysterious altar with a wolf head statue on it; a group of villagers gathered in a circle under the moonlight, performing some kind of mysterious ritual; a figure flashed past in the darkness, leaving only a pair of glowing beast eyes.

The pace of the trailer gradually quickened, showcasing various scenes that might appear in the game: players running through rice fields, escaping from something, searching for clues in dilapidated barns, and engaging in tense standoffs with other characters by the old well. Each scene was filled with tension and mystery.

Finally, the scene returned to the center of the village. A group of villagers stood in a circle, with a blindfolded person in the middle. As the blindfolded person slowly turned, the scene began to distort, and the villagers' appearances also began to change, some turning into werewolves, while others remained human. This scene hinted at the core gameplay of "Werewolf" in the game.

At the end of the trailer, the game logo appeared: 《Code: Village》, followed by a line of smaller text: "In this village, everyone has secrets, and your choices will determine life and death."

As soon as the trailer was released, it immediately sparked heated discussions on Weibo. Here are some comments from netizens:

1. @Gamer007: "Taoyuan Township is really creative this time! Village + horror + werewolf, this combination is amazing!"

2. @NightOwlGamer: "Finally, someone has made a game with this theme! Playing werewolf in a sensory cabin, just thinking about it is exciting!"

3. @TechGeekXiaoMing: "The visuals are so strong, I feel like I'm suffocating in it. Taoyuan Township's technology has improved again."

4. @GentleJasmine: "Although I'm a bit timid, I really want to try it after watching the trailer. Looking forward to it ~"

5. @hardcore_gamer: "This game is definitely one of the most anticipated works of the year! Taoyuan Township is awesome!"

6. @ArtisticYouthXiaoWang: "The village theme is finally no longer limited to planting vegetables and raising animals. This sense of mystery and cultural heritage is the real charm of the countryside!"

7. @SmartStarShining: "Deduction + horror + action, I feel like this game will test the player's comprehensive abilities. Full of challenges!"

8. @AnimeGirl: "The villagers' designs are so unique! I hope there will be many interesting characters in the game."

9. @OldGameFan: "Is Taoyuan Township finally making a game for adults? Looking forward to playing a more in-depth story this time."

10. @VirtualRealityEnthusiast: "Experiencing this kind of game in a sensory cabin, just thinking about it is so exciting! Taoyuan Township is probably going to lead the industry trend again this time."

…………

At this time, in order to compete with Taoyuan Township, Pei Shengnan of Longteng Group was racking his brains for a new project. After seeing this trailer, he was completely dumbfounded!