novellk Chapter 29 The Pioneer of Stealth Games
Chapter 29 The Pioneer of Stealth Games
"Save the game? How do I do that?"
John grabbed the man's shoulder as if he had found a lifeline.
The man gave him a strange look, then opened the pause menu for him and selected the save function.
A string of numbers was displayed.
"Don't let anyone see this. This can only be used once. Remember it well."
"If I enter this string of numbers, I can get back to this level?" John's eyes widened in utter shock.
He finally understood what the "Continue" option on the Start Menu meant.
"Yes, but you'll have to insert coins again next time you play." The kind person waved his hand, finally losing his patience. "Alright, alright, just write it down and go on your way. I'm waiting."
……
"Arnold, we have news from Fox."
Arnold Schwarzenegger's agent, Dave, hung up the phone, his excitement undisguised.
"You'll be the male lead in next year's 'Into the Dragon's Den'!"
"Really?! That's great!"
Schwarzenegger's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands in delight.
The news that "Going Solo" is in the works is nothing new.
However, there has been no consensus within the industry regarding the selection of the male lead.
Should they choose Sylvester Stallone, a veteran action movie icon, or Arnold Schwarzenegger, a rising star?
Now a conclusion has finally been reached.
"Director Lester said he really liked your look in Contra, believing it perfectly captured his vision of Colonel John Materazzi, the male lead!"
Dave gestured wildly, clearly aware of how precious this opportunity was.
He couldn't see much commercial potential in the fantasy adventure film "Queen's Sword" that he had just taken on.
If Schwarzenegger wants to grow into a true Hollywood star, it is necessary for him to break free from his current "savage" image.
The tough guy persona is the most suitable for him and the most in line with the times.
"Arnold, we need to tell Mr. Lin this good news."
Since the release of Contra, Dave has been completely convinced.
He has no doubt that his leading role in "Going Solo" is inextricably linked to the recent outstanding performance of "Contra".
Endorsing this game was truly the best decision they've ever made!
"You're right, Dave."
Schwarzenegger's gaze fell on an arcade machine next to him.
Those were among the first actual Contra consoles, and Lin Lixin specially gifted him one, which was placed in his home.
This thing completely changed his view of video games.
At the very least, it changed people's perception of the video games produced by Lin Lixin.
"beep--"
……
"Is that so? Well then, congratulations, Mr. Arnold."
Lin Lixin didn't show much surprise on his face after hearing Schwarzenegger's report of good news.
He remembered the movie "The Lone Ranger," an action film that grossed $57 million and was one of the prototypes for "Contra."
Aside from losing to Rambo 2, which was released around the same time, this is undoubtedly a masterpiece, a landmark work.
Even without the recent terrifying impact of "Contra," Schwarzenegger would have been the final lead actor in the original timeline.
He simply accelerated the process.
"Mr. Lin, it's all thanks to you. Contra is truly an incredible work." Schwarzenegger's tone was excited on the other end of the phone. "I play it almost every day, learning that 'tough guy' image."
He paused, then thanked him sincerely a few more times before bringing up another matter:
"Mr. Lin, my movie 'Terminator,' starring me, will be released in October. Please come and support me!"
"Of course, of course I'll go."
Lin Lixin agreed without hesitation.
That's the premiere of "Terminator," so no matter what, he'll definitely go to the cinema to join the fun.
The image of the T-800 is definitely the most significant part of Schwarzenegger's acting career, even surpassing the "tough guy" image he was created for in action movies.
After this film, Schwarzenegger's golden age officially began, and he won numerous awards.
And with every step he took afterward, every action movie he starred in, it's likely that people all over the world will be unable to avoid mentioning "Contra".
Lin Lixin hung up the phone and handed the account statement to Sam, who was sweating profusely beside him.
As Lin Lixin's good friend, roommate, shareholder, field worker, cleaner, and accountant, he hasn't had a single day of peace since Tetris was released.
But the money flowed into GAMENOVA's purse, and he ate until he was stuffed.
It's painful yet pleasurable!
I'm so happy!
"I want to play video games!!!"
Sam let out a miserable howl, and two more documents ended up in his hands.
"Hold on, Sam. Once we've settled down, we'll hire a few people to manage things, and you'll be free."
Lin Lixin casually drew a picture of a delicious-smelling pancake, then turned his attention back to the C64 in front of him.
My conversation with Schwarzenegger just now once again proves that this kind of heroic narrative and tough-guy action drama is the mainstream of our time.
If he wants to take a shortcut and adopt a "Hollywood" or "American" style that is the opposite of Ren Zhengfei's family-friendly style, it is obviously the right way.
"What should we make for our next game?"
Lin Lixin stared at the few lines of text displayed on the screen and began to think seriously.
The limitations of the technology are still too severe. Without 3D technology, many good ideas simply cannot be implemented.
In the 2D genre, it's not easy to find works that have been market-tested and are suitable for the current situation.
"If we want to make home consoles, we still don't have enough manpower..."
Lin Lixin was well aware that making arcade games was ultimately only a stopgap measure.
Clinging to the arcade industry and being unwilling to let go will only turn it into a short-lived "old guard" like Sega and Namco.
Even with Gerald Lawson and Vivian on board, it's impossible for them to actually build a complete home console architecture from scratch.
Both manpower and financial resources are still insufficient.
"It seems we still need to focus on arcade games."
If we were to say which arcade game company was the most lucrative in this era, besides Namco, it would probably be the future pachinko king – KONAMI.
The Konami of this era was not the Konami that would later be constantly criticized and had its founder, Kamen Rider, fired.
It remains the undisputed king of arcade games.
Kung Fu, a pioneer of beat 'em up games, and Castlevania, one of the originators of Metroidvania games...
Even Contra and Salamander, which Lin Lixin had already acquired long ago, were both made by Konami.
"Wait, Brother Island...?"
When he thought of Hideo Kojima, a legendary, world-class IP uncontrollably came to mind.
Metal Gear.
Also known as: Metal Gear.
The pioneering work of the stealth gameplay.