Chapter 1 Lin Wan's Addition

Lin Wan raised her hand and said, "I have something to add. Every unit in the human army has its own thoughts. They won't necessarily collapse or disobey orders. They might even volunteer for suicide missions against the Zerg and achieve victory, right?"

"And how these humans act specifically is obviously something that can be tied to pre-battle strategies."

"For example, what kind of measures does the commander take to affect the morale and thoughts of the soldiers, so that the soldiers change from being demoralized to being united?"

Huang Sibao nodded: "Yes, that's definitely a good approach."

Everyone began to take notes one after another. After discussing it here, some initial ideas of the game had already emerged.

This game is completely different from traditional RTS games, emphasizing pre-battle strategy rather than in-game strategy, and emphasizing realism.

Moreover, this game attaches great importance to the plot. The weight of this film is even higher than the game itself.

After Ma Yiqun finished recording, his eyes suddenly lit up: "I suddenly thought of a plot idea!"

"Boss Pei likes the 'breaking the fourth wall' gameplay very much, and this time he is emphasizing realism, isn't this very consistent?"

"If we imply to the players in the plot that there is a real person in every unit being controlled, and every unit that sacrifices is a real life... wouldn't that have the effect of breaking the fourth wall?"

Zhu Xiaoce pondered for a moment: "The idea is a good one, but... it's a bit outdated."

"As early as 1985, someone wrote a science fiction novel with this idea, and it even won the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award. Moreover, that story was also about humans and Zerg, about a child who mistakenly thought it was a game, but in reality, he was commanding an interstellar war..."

Ma Yiqun didn't care: "Of course I know that. That's a science fiction classic. How could I not have read it?"

"But literature isn't like, if you've written about a subject, then I can't write about it. Just like after *The Lord of the Rings*, does that mean writers can't write Western fantasy anymore? Of course not."

"The key is whether it's a clumsy imitation or writing something new while standing on the shoulders of predecessors?"

"Whether it's writing a book or making a game, a good idea is the foundation of everything. Whether this idea can be used well depends on how you interpret it."

"I think this idea is very suitable for this game and very much in line with Boss Pei's consistent game design philosophy."

Zhu Xiaoce nodded: "Well... you're right. But that also means we have to find a way to tell this story in a new way."

"If we don't come up with something new, it will become picking up what others have left behind, and the film and the game will both collapse."

Everyone fell silent again.

Obviously, if they really do this subject, then they have to find a way to surpass the classics, or at least make a different interpretation, which is difficult to imagine.

Huang Sibao was a little melancholy: "Boss Pei gave too little information this time."

Lin Wan flipped through Boss Pei's requirements again and found a blind spot: "I saw Boss Pei's requirement here that he can only find one actor, and he doesn't need to have any expressions. Is this implying the plot of the film?"

Zhu Xiaoce said: "I've already thought about this. There are only two possibilities."

"Either, the protagonist wears a helmet or a mask throughout the entire film, so that people can't see his face, and he becomes a stereotyped symbol. Some films handle it this way."

"Or, the protagonist is born with a cold demeanor and no expression. This highlights the protagonist's persona."

"But both of these explanations make sense, which makes it difficult to choose."

Ma Yiqun thought for a while: "Although both can be explained, the rationality is also different."

"If the protagonist is turned into a stereotyped symbol, then this symbol must have a referential meaning. This usage is more common in some superhero themes or science fiction films that reflect social contradictions and social problems."

"But our main focus here is on science fiction wars. What can the 'stereotype' represent? It seems difficult to find a specific referential intention."

"But if it's to highlight the persona, then the direction is very clear."

"What kind of person has no expression? A person with strong psychological qualities and extremely calm people have no expression."

"I remember reading a report before that our country's astronauts have very strong psychological qualities. Even when the spacecraft is launched, their heart rate is still less than 80 beats per minute. Even when they mistakenly think they are about to sacrifice, their heart rate does not fluctuate much."

"People like this are definitely not likely to be emotional. Being expressionless is normal, which is very in line with Boss Pei's character requirements."

Zhu Xiaoce pondered: "So, Boss Pei is implying that the protagonist is a space warrior with strong psychological qualities?"

"Moreover, there is only one protagonist, and the others are all extras, which means that most of the time it is the protagonist's solo performance. In a relatively independent space, commanding the battle with the Zerg?"

"If we combine Boss Pei's concept of 'breaking the fourth wall', we can roughly determine the prototype of a story:"

"The protagonist is a well-trained veteran space soldier and a commander. Most of the plot is about commanding the fleet to fight against the Zerg through the screen."

"But, are the people he is commanding real? Does he know this? That's the key."

Everyone fell silent again.

The clues left by Boss Pei have been deduced almost to the end, but they still haven't come up with a clear enough story outline.

The game mechanics affect the film plot, and the film plot will in turn affect the game mechanics. As long as one point is not determined, the entire project will be difficult to handle.

Huang Sibao thought for a while: "Why don't I ask Boss Pei again?"

"Report to him what we have come up with, and let him give us some more hints?"

Zhu Xiaoce shook his head and said firmly: "No!"

"Since Boss Pei has said all that he has to say, it means that he doesn't plan to reveal any more information."

"We can't always rely on Boss Pei for everything."

"*Game Producer*, *A Beautiful Tomorrow*, *Struggle*, all of these were projects that Boss Pei guided us through step by step, but we can't keep waiting for Boss Pei to feed us."

"We have to work hard to write a good story ourselves. Boss Pei has already set the big framework for us. We should play a part ourselves."

Everyone looked at each other and felt that what Zhu Xiaoce said made sense.

Indeed, we can't always rely on Boss Pei. We have to work hard ourselves!

This time, Boss Pei only gave a general direction and didn't explain too many details.

But this also means that everyone has a very high degree of freedom in terms of game play and story structure. It's a good opportunity to try to break through.

After several rounds of brainstorming, the papers in front of everyone were filled with dense writing.

Although it wasn't completely finalized, the general direction was very clear.

Huang Sibao gently knocked on the table: "Okay, I think we have enough results today. We can't expect to get fat in one bite for the task that Boss Pei gave us."

"After going back, everyone calm down, and after some time, review these contents."

"I'll create a group chat, and everyone can share any good ideas in the group at any time."

"Don't delay this time, prepare and think at the same time."

"Xianbin, your side should first make a large framework, and the art requirements should be released as soon as possible, including the original paintings of human soldiers, warships, and various Zerg units, etc., which can be prepared first."

"The same goes for Feihuang Studio. After determining the parts that can be determined, start preparing in advance."

"Prepare and think at the same time, maybe you can suddenly think of a good idea?"

Everyone nodded and stood up.

Huang Sibao once again expressed his gratitude to everyone. After all, Lü Mingliang, Lin Wan, Ma Yiqun and others had nothing to do with this project, and they came here purely to help.

Lü Mingliang and Lin Wan and others also said that they didn't need to be polite. After all, this is Boss Pei's project, and everyone is obliged to help!

Soon, everyone left.

Zhu Xiaoce said to Huang Sibao: "Brother Huang, I'm thinking, why don't we finalize the lead actor first? It seems like Lu Zhiyao has some time available recently."

Huang Sibao was stunned for a moment: "Of course there's no problem with Lu Zhiyao, but he's a good actor. Isn't it a bit of a waste to have him play a character with no expression? Besides, isn't the script not yet finalized?"

Zhu Xiaoce said: "I have an idea and want to find Lu Zhiyao to verify it."

Huang Sibao: "What idea?"

Zhu Xiaoce said: "I plan to lock him up and play games for a few days, and put him in the role. Maybe in this process, I will find some inspiration?"

……

Zhu Xiaoce came to the conference room and dialed Lu Zhiyao's phone.

"Hello? Director Zhu?"

Zhu Xiaoce went straight to the point: "Boss Pei wants to invest in a new film, with an investment of 300 million. Do you have any ideas about this?"

Lu Zhiyao's voice was full of surprise: "Yes, of course I do!"

Many companies say how much money they invest in filming, but they are often just bragging. The money that is really invested in the film itself may not be that much.

But Boss Pei doesn't play those word games. If he says he will invest 300 million, then it can only be more, not less. This is definitely a big production!

Boss Pei's projects are definitely good projects. Even if Lu Zhiyao gets less pay, he definitely has to come.

Lu Zhiyao was very much looking forward to it: "Director Zhu, do you have a script? Can you send it to me to take a look?"

Zhu Xiaoce was silent for a moment: "Uh... the script is almost finished, why don't you come to Jingzhou first, and we'll discuss it in the long term?"

Lu Zhiyao: "Almost finished?"

Zhu Xiaoce's tone was very firm: "Yes, almost!"

Lu Zhiyao thought for a while: "Then, Director Zhu, are there any other actors in this play? Are Uncle Zhang and the others coming?"

Zhu Xiaoce: "Uh... for the time being, it's just you. You're the lead actor, and other actors will join later."

For some reason, Lu Zhiyao felt a little unreliable.

But on second thought, this is Boss Pei's project after all, so there's nothing to worry about. .

Lu Zhiyao immediately nodded: "Okay, then I'll prepare and I'll be there in a few days!"