"Sigh."
Collecting his emotions, Teacher Ma said with feeling, "I wonder if students have had this experience."
"When our loved ones leave us, we don't feel the sadness immediately; we're numb. Yes, at first, the entire person is actually numb."
"They say this is a protective mechanism of the brain, to prevent life-threatening sorrow from excessive grief."
"Later, upon seeing familiar scenes or objects, that emotion erupts like a rushing waterfall, and tears flow uncontrollably as if a switch has been flipped."
"Ah, this game has a bit of that feeling."
Teacher Ma sniffled forcefully and said softly, "You know, I was really scared during that signal tower part. I'm a bit afraid of heights. That shot where BT grabbed me is etched in my memory."
"Now Sarah grabbed me and reenacted that past scene, which is the familiar scene I mentioned earlier. Observant students should have noticed that I had already been crying."
Teacher Ma's weeping wasn't the heart-wrenching kind; it was quiet, almost soundless, with tears falling like broken pearls.
If he hadn't mentioned it, most viewers wouldn't have even noticed.
'Teacher Ma is also immersed. It's the first time I've seen Teacher Ma lose his composure like this.'
'BT is too... truly tear-jerking.'
'Ah, there's another stab after this is over.'
'No spoilers! You guys should at least give the newbies a chance to feel the sadness.'
'You truly understand the audience.'
'Doesn't anyone notice the lady has麒麟臂 (Kirin Arm)?'
'Your angle is quite sharp. Next time I film an action movie in Japan, I'll have to hire you as the cinematographer.'
'In such a sad atmosphere, how can you bear to make me laugh (doge)'
......
"Hurry, Pilot!"
It's worth noting that Commander Sarah no longer calls Cooper by his name, but "Pilot." She has acknowledged Cooper.
"Buck, hurry, let's get out of here!"
As the hatch closed, Sarah shouted.
Teacher Ma, sitting dazed by the window, looked out at the exploding Typhon, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
How did he get into this game?
It seemed to be early June, the War of the Gods. Major companies went all out, launching over ten meticulously crafted VR games on the same day, preparing to adapt to the trend of the times.
Initially, he didn't play "Titanfall." Instead, he played his former company, Penguin Clan's "Holy War," a grand fantasy masterpiece that incorporated many famous novel scenes.
Because he read fewer novels, he was a bit confused by many of the memes and plot points, but he persevered.
At that time,
The VR games from major companies each had their unique characteristics. Penguin Clan's "Holy War" focused on original Chinese style, fulfilling every player's childhood dream of being a wandering swordsman, and received widespread acclaim.
Pig Clan's "Journey of the Wind" also had explosive word-of-mouth. Its graphics and immersion were top-notch, and it was extremely popular at the time.
Overseas major manufacturers, while not creating massive hits, still maintained their usual standards. Whether it was "Avatar: The Way of Water" or "Xenoblade Chronicles," each had its own unique features.
Bao Xue's "Star Wars 2077" went without saying. With its built-in fanbase, it was a massive hit upon release.
Only Ling Jing's "Titanfall" had very little discussion and almost no presence.
Besides Ling Jing not investing in advertising, the main reason was that on the first day, players were all immersed in the training room of the Pilot trials, with nothing particularly noteworthy to discuss.
By the second day, players piloted their own Titans, no, Captain Lastimosa's BT-7274, and experienced an unprecedented VR immersion. Discussions gradually began to grow.
He probably experienced the word-of-mouth surge on the third day. After players were hyped up from their first battle, and he had nothing to do in the nurturing game "Holy War," he decided to dedicate some of his streaming time to trying other types of games.
Then, he chose "Titanfall."
There was no other way, considering he had acquired the BT-7274 simulation access module.
It's a bit funny to say, but Teacher Ma's initial intention when grabbing the simulation access module was to resell it at a high price.
Later, he found that the workmanship of BT-7274 was too exquisite, and the VR experience inside the cockpit was excellent, both in-game and in reality. Especially his right arm could move to assist the player in entering the cockpit.
It was so great!
Teacher Ma, who wasn't short on money, decided to splurge and, with a grand gesture, declared he wasn't selling it; he was keeping it for personal use!
And so...
The subsequent story was about his battles with BT.
Boom boom boom!!!
Teacher Ma's drifting thoughts were brought back to reality by the explosions. Typhon exploded, shattering into countless scattered debris. His home had become a mine.
Many viewers in Sister Zhou's stream didn't pay close attention to this scene. They were all infected by Sister Zhou's deafening cries, and didn't notice that this scene in the game was quite evocative.
It evoked a desolate sense of loneliness amidst the stars. The visual depiction of loneliness was exceptionally strong, and even those prone to tears might find themselves weeping.
'Homeworld mined, how tragic.'
'Good news: you're saved. Bad news: your home has become a mine, and it can't be changed back.'
'I have no home anymore!'
'Spicy!'
'Stellaris vibes.'
'Why are you screen-capturing, just stand there!'
'Stellaris players can relate.'
'Even the small fighter has advanced space jump technology. What civilization technology tree is this?'
'This is a planet-destroying weapon.'
'Teacher Ma has gone silent again. This is not like his usual streaming style at all.'
'Please understand, not many streamers playing 'Titanfall' today will have a smile on their face.'
......
"Pilot Cooper."
Sarah said solemnly, "Many people owe you a life."
After a moment, she added heavily, "And BT..."
"Buck, set a course for Harmony, take us home."
"No problem."
The screen went dark for a moment, and when the scenery reappeared, it was a sea of stars, with a blue planet in view.
Cooper's monologue began: "The destruction of Typhon saved Harmony."
"The Militia calls this planet their headquarters, while millions of others call it home."
"The commander said she would assign me to the Marauder Corps and give me a new Titan, but the technology department would first clear the neural link between me and BT."
"I don't know... what it feels like to have a new Titan... I quite liked this old one."
"This is Pilot Jack Cooper, ending transmission."
As his voice faded, the screen transitioned from the distant sea of stars to a close-up of a Pilot's helmet on a windowsill. Next to it lay a dark dagger and a white pistol.
Teacher Ma remained silent, accompanying his viewers as they watched the credits.
Until the last second, as Teacher Ma was about to exit the game and end his stream...
The lights inside the Pilot's helmet on the windowsill suddenly flickered a few times:
Beep beep... Beep beep beep... Beep beep—
Beep beep beep beep... Beep... Beep... Beep beep beep—
Beep... Beep beep beep—
Beep beep beep... Beep beep beep... Beep—
Beep—
.......
(There will be another chapter later, but it's unlikely to be finished by 12 o'clock. I'll upload the unfinished version on time in the last minute and then continue writing.)
(Because I've decided to guarantee three chapters per day this month, striving for over ten thousand updates daily.)
(But today I drove over four hours from the national highway back to my rented place. I'll be settling down to write now, so I can only do this. I'll share my magical experiences from the past two days when I have time.)