The news about Nebula Gas acquiring Galaxy Intelligent Technology didn't really make any waves in the gaming community.
For regular players, they didn't care at all.
After all, buying a company isn't the sa as releasing a new ga.
As for the ga industry, people just sighed at Nebula Gas' big move.
Buying a studio or so other kind of business is nothing unusual.
Even though Galaxy Intelligent Technology is a bit well-known, outside of the AI research circle, most people have never heard of it.
So the ones most surprised by this acquisition were actually the employees inside Nebula Gas.
During lunch break, employees from all departnts at Nebula Gas were chatting with surprised looks on their faces.
Everyone was shocked by the company's move.
They actually bought a company?
The company just got a lot bigger all of a sudden!?
Anna and Rachel already knew sothing big was coming, since Lucas had hinted about it before.
But back then, they had no idea the big move would be spending a huge amount of money to buy another company.
Hector and many people from the developnt team were especially excited.
They were already imagining what AI could do for gas in the future.
For gas, better tech can always bring a better experience for players.
"If we bring AI into Dark Souls and mix it with the random mode, what would that look like!" Hector said from the couch, staring at the Dark Souls screen beside him with excitent.
"Be human, will you?" Rachel complained after hearing him.
Dark Souls is already hard enough as it is. And when you turn on the random mode, many unlucky players even say it's harder than the normal ga.
Because everything becos uncontrollable.
And now they want to add AI?
Wouldn't that just destroy the players?
"Did Lucas buy this company to prepare for the next Dark Souls sequel?" Anna guessed, resting her chin on her hand.
That wasn't just her guess—many Dark Souls fans were thinking the sa thing.
But the next mont, soone answered her question: "Don't overthink it. This is just a move for the future. Nebula Gas' projects will definitely be more diverse going forward, and we need to build up our tech."
Holding a cup of coffee, Lucas found a seat and sat down.
Hearing what Lucas said, Rachel and Anna both nodded.
"So, Lucas, what's the plan for the near future?" Hector asked.
Lucas shook his head: "Of course we have plans for new projects, but the schedule won't make it in ti. The Spring Festival cos earlier this year, and in a few days I also need to attend the annual ga event held by Ga Division."
Unlike in our world, in this one there are annual ga awards both dostically and internationally.
This ti, Lucas was invited to the Ga Division event, which has an official tone to it.
And compared to past years, this year's annual ga event is a bit different.
In the past, the awards were called "annual ga" awards, but they were more about industry influence.
They didn't affect players as much as so comrcial award events.
Last year, Lucas' works were also selected.
Undertale won Best Indie Ga, and To the Moon got Best Music.
But this year is different.
Ga Division has reford the event, trying to get more players involved to boost influence and attention. It's a whole different level compared to previous years.
From the ga events over the past two years, this is pretty clear.
This is also one of the reasons why NetDragon and SkyNova suddenly rolled out two big VR titles this year, and they're going head-to-head with each other.
On the other hand, the head of Magic City's Ga Division, David, privately told Lucas that during the annual event, they'll also hand out certificates to designers who earned senior titles this year.
So there's no way Lucas would skip it.
That ans during this period, Lucas has been extrely busy, with almost no ti to develop a new project before the end of the year.
After hearing Lucas, Hector, Anna, Rachel, and the others were all pretty excited.
Obviously, they knew how important this year's annual ga event is.
"Lucas, do we have a shot at winning any awards?"
"Yeah! We released quite a few gas this year, right? Overcooked, Fall Guys, Legends of the Three Kingdoms, Valiant Hearts: The Great War, and Dark Souls!"
Everyone was hopeful.
"Valiant Hearts: The Great War will definitely get an award. As for the others, we'll see." Lucas said with a smile.
That's basically an unspoken rule, after all, Valiant Hearts: The Great War topped this year's anti-war ga event.
Ga Division wouldn't let it walk away empty-handed. At least a consolation prize.
"As for the new project, I already have an idea. Dark Souls tortured players so badly that they're complaining about all over the internet. So for the next one, I've decided to make sothing a bit more friendly. After I attend the Ga Division event, we'll have a eting and talk about it in detail." Lucas said with a grin.
More friendly again? When they heard Lucas, Rachel, Anna, and Hector all had a strange look on their faces.
......
On the day of the annual ga awards, the weather was pretty good.
Compared to past years, this year's event had more prestige and attention than ever before.
Major streaming platforms had dedicated channels to broadcast the entire event live.
Because of that, all the invited ga designers showed up, no matter the reason. Even those who knew they were just there for show still attended.
Partly to give Ga Division face, and partly to stay visible in the industry.
Just like the Oscars, even if you're just a background presence, walking the red carpet is still worth it.
The event was held at the Magic City Convention Center.
Ga Division had even arranged hotels in advance.
Unlike previous years when there were seminars and industry networking activities, this year all that was canceled. The focus was fully on the players.
Players only care about whether their favorite gas win awards. Industry networking?
They don't care at all!
Besides, when they call it an industry exchange, are those so-called talks even real experience sharing?
Every ga designer already has their own mature ideas and insights on ga design.
Who would be dumb enough to share those openly?
So in the past, those talks were mostly for show.
For regular designers, maybe they were helpful.
But for designers invited to this event? They might not all be top-tier, but they're the backbone of the industry.
For them, those talks have zero value.
It was really just a formality.
So Ga Division simply removed that part and kept only the award ceremony, which was also the part players looked forward to the most.
Before the event started, Lucas walked in through the entrance with his pass.
There were a lot of designers at the venue.
But they were basically divided into several groups.
SkyNova, NetDragon… plus so ga designers from second- and third-tier companies, along with so well-known ones.
Compared to the tension between SkyNova and NetDragon's designers, the regular ga designers' relationships were much simpler.
"I wonder who's going to win Ga of the Year this ti!"
"I feel like NetDragon's 'Star God' has a good chance."
"Not necessarily, SkyNova's 'City of Sin' has done really well too!"
"Hey, is nobody ntioning 'Dark Souls'? I think it's absolutely top-tier."
"Cough, cough… I haven't played enough to comnt."
"Yeah, sa. I haven't even gotten past the underground prison yet."
"It's excellent, but the platform's a disadvantage. If 'Dark Souls' were VR, I think it'd be a huge contender, but on PC it's still at a disadvantage compared to VR, especially for awards like this."
"Yeah… hey, wait, is that Lucas?"
"Looks like it… yeah, that's him!"
"Co on, let's go say hi."
In one corner of the hall, a group of indie ga designers and so from smaller companies were chatting about the event.
They were people Lucas had t briefly at a previous gaplay showcase held by Ga Division.
Later, Lucas had even joined their ga design discussion group.
But only a few of them had been invited this ti.
Lucas had just walked into the venue and hadn't had ti to look around when he heard soone call him from behind.
He turned and saw so familiar faces.
"Everyone's here?" Lucas smiled and greeted them.
"Got lucky with the invite, ca to broaden our horizons," one of them laughed.
"Lucas, your 'Dark Souls' this year has been a real lesson for all of us designers!"
"Oh please, didn't Lucas give us a lesson last year too? 'Undertale' blew so many people's minds!"
Everyone fell into a round of friendly flattery.
"Alright, alright, let's find a spot to chat, no need to block the way," Lucas said with a grin.
They walked deeper into the venue while talking.
After finding a spot, they kept chatting, and during that ti so other designers ca over to exchange contacts or just say hi and get acquainted.
Before long, it was evening.
This was the highlight of the event.
dia from across the gaming industry had already arrived, ready for live coverage.
In the livestream chat, players waiting at their computers were talking non-stop.
"When's it starting already?!"
"Ga Division has been way more active in recent years!"
"My vote for Ga of the Year goes to 'Star God'!"
"No way, 'City of Sin' isn't to be underestimated!"
"I wonder if 'Dark Souls' has a shot."
"Forget all that, where's Lucas? Haven't seen him yet!"
" 1, I need to rember what Lucas looks like. 'Dark Souls' destroyed !"
The livestream was full of playful banter from players.
anwhile, Lucas and the other designers were entering the venue.
"Lucas, what a coincidence!"
The seating had already been arranged.
The designers sitting in the front rows were basically all nominees.
Lucas found his seat, and a familiar voice ca from beside him.
"Marcus, we et again." Seeing his face, Lucas imdiately recalled the mory.
After all, he still rembered how enthusiastic Marcus had been back at the gaplay showcase.
"Yeah!" Marcus smiled, but deep down he couldn't help feeling a bit nervous.
Because every ti he ran into Lucas, there always seed to be so kind of little accident.
Marcus didn't have much ti to dwell on it.
Once all the ga designers entered, the award ceremony officially began.
Just like yesterday, the rest of the night was set in motion.
(End of The Chapter)
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