Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The release of Spider-Man movie and game is approaching.
• Yinzi struggles with whether to watch the movie or play the game first.
• He decides to watch the movie first and buys tickets for the premiere.
• The principal supports the movie aggressively, allocating it to the best theaters and ensuring plenty of tickets.
• Fans rush to buy tickets, and many non-fans also manage to secure them.

Character Developments

• Yinzi: Struggles with his fandom and desire to keep Old Thief to himself, ultimately wants more people to discover and like Old Thief.
• Old Thief: Gains recognition and popularity in film circles, with his movie receiving significant support from the principal.

Significant Themes

• Fandom and the desire to keep one's idols to oneself vs. wanting others to discover and appreciate them.
• The power of fans and their influence on ticket sales and movie success.
• The impact of a principal's support on a movie's distribution and accessibility.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi interacts with his fans, discussing whether to watch the movie or play the game first.
• Yinzi's fans provide amusing suggestions and banter, trying to distract him from the ticket-buying process.
• Yinzi reassures his fans about the ease of getting tickets initially, but they ultimately witness the principal's aggressive support and the rush for tickets.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yinzi, a fan of Old Thief (Ethan Vale), is surprised to see negative comments about Sprout's movie release, despite it not being out yet.
• The movie's release dominates theaters, pushing out other anticipated films, leading to public outrage and accusations of favoritism.
• Yinzi tries to defend the movie but is met with more criticism, with people accusing Sprout of hiring paid shills.
• Principal Wang, Wanda's heir, is unfazed by the criticism and believes the movie's quality will speak for itself.
• The theater manager expresses concern about the backlash but is reassured by Principal Wang, who seems determined to proceed with the current schedule.

Character Developments

• Yinzi: Shows loyalty to Old Thief and tries to defend the movie but struggles against the tide of criticism.
• Principal Wang: Demonstrates confidence in the movie's quality and remains unmoved by public opinion, indicating a growing maturity and determination.
• Theater Manager: Expresses concern about the backlash and worries about Wanda's future under Principal Wang's leadership.

Significant Themes

• Power and Influence: The chapter explores the power dynamics between Sprout, Wanda, and the public, with Principal Wang's influence allowing Sprout's movie to dominate theaters.
• Public Opinion vs. Quality: The tension between public outrage and Principal Wang's confidence in the movie's quality raises questions about the importance of public perception versus actual merit.
• Fairness and Opportunity: The public's anger highlights their desire for fairness and equal opportunity in the film industry, with some feeling that Sprout's connections are being used to push out other films.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi and the public: Yinzi tries to reason with the angry crowd but faces pushback and accusations of being a paid shill.
• Principal Wang and the Theater Manager: Principal Wang reassures the theater manager, who expresses concern about the backlash and Wanda's future under Principal Wang's leadership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Jianlin (Old Thief) observes the online backlash against Sprout and its game, with fans struggling to defend it.
• Movie tickets for Sprout's game-based film are selling out despite the criticism, contrasting with the online negativity.
• Ethan Vale (Old Thief) calls the publicity team to his office, indicating a potential issue or concern.

Character Developments

• Wang Jianlin remains unfazed by the criticism, focusing on Sprout's response and the game's release.
• Ethan Vale feels conflicted and concerned about the state of Sprout's fans, showing empathy for their situation.
• The publicity team members become anxious and introspective, worried about potential mistakes they may have made.

Significant Themes

• The impact of online criticism and fan culture on a game and its developer.
• The contrast between public opinion and actual consumer behavior.
• The responsibility and involvement of a company's leader in its public image and fan management.

Character Interactions

• Wang Jianlin observes the online situation but does not intervene, leaving Sprout to handle the criticism.
• Ethan Vale interacts with his secretary, Xiao Zhang, and the publicity team, showing concern and summoning them to his office.
• The publicity team members discuss among themselves, trying to figure out if they've made any mistakes, showing a sense of unity and shared responsibility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale (Old Thief), the head of Sprout Studio, calls a meeting with his publicity department.
• He reveals that there's no issue with the movie's promotion; Sprout's strategy is to let the final product speak for itself.
• He tasks them with creating a promotional extravaganza for both the movie and the game, emphasizing Sprout's quality.
• A player's comment about Ethan being an "ordinary person" goes viral, and Ethan decides to address it publicly.
• Sprout's official account responds to the player, and a promotional campaign featuring Spider-Man is launched.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale shows his commitment to Sprout's quality and his willingness to engage with players.
• The player who made the comment about Ethan being ordinary finds inspiration and pride in Sprout's response and promotional campaign.

Significant Themes

• The power of words and their impact on others.
• The importance of standing up for one's beliefs and values.
• The role of heroes and the desire for protection and inspiration.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale interacts with his publicity department, showing trust and support.
• The player interacts with his friend, sharing his excitement about Sprout's response and promotional campaign.
• Ethan Vale, as Old Thief, interacts with the player through Sprout's official account, inspiring him.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Sprout launches an unprecedented marketing campaign for Spider-Man, plastering posters across major cities, dominating screens, and even using gaming pods and Death Stranding for promotion.
• The campaign stuns critics and fans alike, revealing Sprout's immense wealth and influence.
• The movie and game are released to sold-out theaters, with fans anticipating and supporting the film despite initial skepticism from other industry figures.

Character Developments

• Dumpling, a Sprout fan, experiences the unity and harmony of Sprout's fanbase firsthand at a cinema.
• The movie's protagonist, Peter Parker, transforms from an ordinary high school student to Spider-Man, learning the responsibilities that come with his powers.

Significant Themes

• The power of fandom and community, as seen in Sprout's dedicated fanbase.
• The responsibilities that come with power, as explored through Peter Parker's journey.

Character Interactions

• Sprout fans interact and bond over their shared love for the company's games, even in a non-game context like a movie theater.
• Peter Parker interacts with various characters, learning lessons about responsibility and heroism.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dumpling watches Sprout's movie, "Spider-Man," and is awestruck, as are other viewers.
• The movie and its accompanying game launch simultaneously. The game's immersive experience is praised by players.
• The movie and game trend online, with viewers and players discussing and recommending them.

Character Developments

• Dumpling, a streamer, reflects on Sprout's (Old Thief's) talent and the gaming community's underappreciation of him.
• Peter Parker, the protagonist of "Spider-Man," transforms from a shy high school student to a courageous superhero.

Significant Themes

• The power of storytelling and immersion in both movies and games.
• The gaming community's passion for sharing and recommending their favorite games.
• The underappreciation of talent and the realization of mistakes (in this case, the gaming community's initial criticism of Sprout).

Character Interactions

• Dumpling interacts with the gaming community online and in person, sharing their excitement and enthusiasm for Sprout's work.
• Gamers recommend Sprout's other games to non-gaming fans, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sprout's fans demand apologies from those who previously insulted Old Thief.
• The offenders quickly apologize, surprising everyone.
• Dumpling, a Sprout fan, gifts Old Thief's games to some of the apologists.
• Players start recommending Old Thief's games as an "initiation ritual" for Sprout's gaming fans.

Character Developments

• Dumpling shows cunning and humor in her interactions with new fans.
• Old Thief's fans display loyalty and enthusiasm for his games.

Significant Themes

• Apology and Acceptance: The swift apologies show the power of public opinion and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.
• Fandom and Identity: Becoming a fan of Old Thief is portrayed as a personal choice, with playing his games serving as a way to express fandom.

Character Interactions

• Dumpling interacts with new fans, gifting them Old Thief's games and encouraging them to play.
• Old Thief's fans engage with each other, recommending his games as a way to join their community.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group plays Sprout's first game, 'Old Thief', and finds it surprisingly challenging and unlike his usual high-quality games.
• Dumpling watches and plays the game after seeing the movie, praising the game's opening and its connection to the movie.
• Viewers discuss the movie's success and its impact on the game, with some suggesting Sprout should make more movies.

Character Developments

• Dumpling, a game streamer, expresses her honest opinions about the game and the movie, gaining respect from her viewers for her candor.
• No significant character development occurs in this chapter, as it focuses more on the game and movie than individual characters.

Significant Themes

• Expectations vs Reality: The group's expectations of Sprout's first game are subverted when they find it challenging and not up to his usual standards.
• The Impact of Marketing: The movie's success influences the game's reception, with some viewers suggesting the movie outshines the game.
• Honesty and Candor: Dumpling's honest opinions about the game and movie resonate with her viewers, highlighting the value of candid feedback.

Character Interactions

• Dumpling interacts with her viewers through the chat, discussing their thoughts on the movie and game.
• Dumpling mentions other viewers' reactions to the movie and game, showing a sense of community among her viewers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game's opening cinematic is praised for its perfection.
• Wang Jianlin watches the movie and is deeply moved by its story and the potential of its superheroes as virtual idols.
• The game begins with Peter Parker, now an experienced Spider-Man, struggling with his daily life and bills while also handling a crime emergency.
• The game's setting is eight years after the movie, and it introduces new elements not seen in the film.

Character Developments

• Wang Jianlin: Realizes the potential of Sprout's superheroes as virtual idols and is impressed by Ethan Vale's storytelling abilities.
• Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Struggles with his daily life and money issues while also dealing with his superhero responsibilities. He is shown to be a chatterbox and uses humor to cope with his fears.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of balancing a superhero life with daily responsibilities and financial issues.
• The power of storytelling and creating relatable characters.
• The potential of virtual idols in the gaming and entertainment industry.

Character Interactions

• Wang Jianlin and Ethan Vale: Wang Jianlin is impressed by Ethan Vale's storytelling abilities and sees the potential in his superheroes as virtual idols.
• Peter Parker and Ned: Their friendship is highlighted, with Ned supporting and helping Peter despite knowing his secret identity.
• Peter Parker and his boss: Their dynamic shows the tension between Peter's personal life and his superhero responsibilities.

Gameplay and Mechanics

• The game features an immersive web-swinging system and fun gadgets, allowing players to experience Spider-Man's agility and abilities.
• The game's difficulty is lower than Sprout's previous games, catering more to movie fans than hardcore gamers.
• The game introduces new elements not seen in the movie, giving players a fresh experience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Jianlin, Principal Wang's father, entrusts him with the project of building a theme park, Wanda Paradise, to rival Disney.
• The park's initial character lineup is criticized by Principal Wang for lacking distinct identity.
• The Spider-Man movie's success leads Principal Wang to invite Ethan Vale for a meal to discuss a partnership between Sprout Games and the park.
• Principal Wang proposes giving Sprout's game characters their own zones and IPs in the park, including Pokémon and Spider-Man.

Character Developments

• Principal Wang shows growth and responsibility in taking on his father's project, demonstrating his understanding of game development and player preferences.
• Ethan Vale remains focused on game creation and player experience, emphasizing the importance of character stories and interconnected narratives.

Significant Themes

• The evolution of game and park development to cater to new generations of players.
• The importance of character identity, story, and connection in attracting and engaging audiences.
• The passing of responsibility and the weight of expectations from Wang Jianlin to Principal Wang.

Character Interactions

• Wang Jianlin and Principal Wang discuss the park project, with Wang Jianlin entrusting his son with its development.
• Principal Wang and Ethan Vale discuss a potential partnership between Sprout Games and the park, with Principal Wang proposing character-specific zones and IPs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Principal Wang and Ethan Vale discuss the Sprout IP park project. Ethan confirms that they can start construction, and more movie characters are on the way.
• Ethan reveals that the heroes' stories are interconnected, further exciting Principal Wang.
• Ethan agrees to let Principal Wang announce the project publicly, acknowledging the pressure and expectations that will bring.

Character Developments

• Principal Wang: He becomes increasingly excited about the project, feeling a heavy responsibility after deciding to announce it publicly. He writes and sends the announcement himself, demonstrating his personal involvement and commitment.
• Ethan Vale: He remains calm and collected, providing guidance and understanding to Principal Wang. He shows his trust in Principal Wang's abilities.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility: Principal Wang feels the weight of expectations from his father, Old Thief, and the players, pushing him to succeed.
• Trust: Ethan Vale's confidence in Principal Wang's capabilities is evident in his willingness to let him announce the project publicly.
• Ambition: Both characters display ambition in their desire to create a successful IP park that surpasses existing standards.

Character Interactions

• Principal Wang and Ethan Vale: Their interaction is professional yet friendly. Ethan provides guidance and understanding, while Principal Wang shows enthusiasm and dedication to the project. They share a mutual respect and trust.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Principal Wang initially hints that the movie's characters are from various films, but he doesn't elaborate.
• Fans eagerly discuss and speculate about Principal Wang's post, with many believing that a Sprout Park is in the works.
• A neutral fan watches a video about Old Thief, expecting to learn about the game company's success but is surprised by the content.

Character Developments

• Principal Wang: He teases the fans with his post but doesn't reveal the full truth, enjoying the buzz around his words.
• Neutral Fan: He starts as a skeptic but becomes more interested in Sprout and Old Thief after watching a video from a self-proclaimed "hater."

Significant Themes

• Fan anticipation and speculation: Fans eagerly discuss and interpret Principal Wang's post, showing their excitement and eagerness for more Sprout content.
• The power of fandom: The neutral fan's change in attitude demonstrates the influence of fandom and the potential for a company to win over neutral or skeptical audiences.

Character Interactions

• Principal Wang and the fans: Wang engages with the fans through his post, creating a buzz and fostering anticipation.
• Neutral Fan and the "hater": The neutral fan interacts with a self-proclaimed "hater" of Old Thief, who surprisingly praises the game company, sparking the neutral fan's curiosity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A video is uploaded discussing Sprout, a game company known for its challenging games and the developer's controversial personality.
• The uploader, a fan, lists Sprout's games and the destruction of peripherals they've caused, yet expresses affection for the games and the developer, Ethan Vale.
• The video serves as a warning to new players about the challenges and potential frustration, but also hints at the community's love for Sprout's games.
• The uploader and viewers discuss the upcoming Sprout movie, expressing confidence in its quality.

Character Developments

• The uploader, a Sprout fan, is revealed to have a complex relationship with the games and the developer, expressing both affection and frustration.
• The viewers, also Sprout fans, are shown to have a similar love-hate relationship with the games and the developer.

Significant Themes

• The theme of love-hate relationships with challenging games and their creators is explored.
• The theme of community and shared experiences among gamers is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• The uploader and the viewers interact through the barrage comments, sharing their experiences and opinions about Sprout's games.
• The viewers welcome a newcomer to the community, expressing their eagerness to guide them through the games.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cui Chang, a liaison between the state and Sprout, visits Sprout's headquarters with a group of people to test a new game, "Hell on Earth."
• Ethan Vale, the game designer, feels uncomfortable with the large entourage but understands their purpose.
• An employee is embarrassed when Ethan Vale points out he was speaking loudly while wearing headphones.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale shows a playful side by teasing the employee, contrasting with his usual serious demeanor.
• The employee realizes the volume of his voice while wearing headphones, leading to self-reflection and embarrassment.

Significant Themes

• Culture vs. Domination: Cui Chang praises Ethan Vale's games for representing culture rather than dominance, reflecting Sprout's shift in focus.
• Realism in Gaming: Ethan Vale aims to make "Hell on Earth" highly realistic, conveying the true feelings of soldiers on the battlefield.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale and Cui Chang discuss the game and the purpose of Cui Chang's visit.
• Ethan Vale playfully teases an employee who was speaking loudly while wearing headphones.
• The employee feels embarrassed and seeks solace on the balcony after realizing the volume of his voice.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game, "Beyond Blood and Mud, to the Far Side of the Green Fields," is a realistic war simulation.
• Cui Chang and his team of fifty soldiers test the game, expecting a 50v50 battle, but find a complex, organized structure with various roles.
• They quickly divide into teams, with one commander and multiple squad leaders, demonstrating their military prowess.
• Cui Chang decides to allow the game's release to the public, despite initially being cautious.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale, the game designer, is revealed to have a deep understanding of war, having created a game that reflects its complexities and requires teamwork.
• Cui Chang, initially hesitant about the game's release, shows a willingness to engage with the public and potentially recruit talented players.

Significant Themes

• The reality of war: The game's name and the soldiers' reactions highlight the harsh truths of war, contrasting with public perceptions of glory and legend.
• Teamwork and organization: The game emphasizes the importance of cooperation, communication, and following a hierarchical structure, mirroring real military operations.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale and Cui Chang discuss the game's release, with Cui Chang initially reluctant but eventually agreeing due to Ethan's persuasiveness and the soldiers' impressive performance.
• The soldiers quickly organize into teams, showing their ability to work together and adapt to the game's complex structure.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cui Chang, after watching the game footage, realizes the realism and immersion of Sprout's war game, which lacks kill notifications but provides subtle cues like blood sprays and sound effects.
• The game's intensity and brutality shock Cui Chang and his team, causing them to experience a sense of real war and fear.
• Cui Chang discusses with Ethan Vale about customizing maps and settings for international competitions, including a 'ban' feature for losing players.
• Sprout officially releases its promotional video for 'Hell on Earth,' announcing the trailer and launch date.

Character Developments

• Cui Chang shows understanding of game design and strategic thinking, appreciating the game's realism and considering its potential for international competitions.
• Ethan Vale demonstrates his competence and foresight in preparing various features and settings for the game.

Significant Themes

• Realism and immersion in gaming, blurring the line between virtual and real experiences.
• The potential of gaming as a platform for international competition and conflict resolution.
• The consequences and implications of losing in a virtual war game, with the 'ban' feature raising questions about digital punishment and its real-world implications.

Character Interactions

• Cui Chang and Ethan Vale collaborate and discuss the game's features and potential, showcasing their mutual respect and understanding.
• Players worldwide react to Sprout's promotional video, expressing excitement, curiosity, and anticipation for the new war game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sprout announces a new game release with an intense, war-themed trailer.
• The trailer showcases brutal combat, destruction, and a mysterious flag with the words "Hell on Earth."
• Yinzi, a streamer, reacts to the trailer and discovers a Great Xia flag logo at the end, indicating government collaboration.

Character Developments

• Yinzi's excitement and anticipation grow as he watches the trailer and learns about the government collaboration.
• EA and Ubisoft express concern about Sprout's new game due to its war theme, similar to Battlefield 1.

Significant Themes

• The brutality and intensity of war.
• The anticipation and uncertainty surrounding Sprout's new game.
• The recognition and status of Sprout (Old Thief) as a national-level game designer.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi interacts with his audience, discussing the trailer and the game's potential.
• EA and Ubisoft communicate about Sprout's new game, expressing their concerns.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game "Hell on Earth" launches, with countless players ready to join.
• The game's built-in systems focus on trust and cooperation within teams for victory.
• Yinzi logs into the game and finds an overwhelming amount of information and text-based instructions, unlike the story-driven approach of previous games.

Character Developments

• Yinzi, the main character, is overwhelmed and frustrated by the game's complexity and lack of a story mode.
• The viewers watching Yinzi's stream also express confusion and frustration with the game's information overload.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding and adapting to new rules and systems in games (and by extension, life).
• The contrast between the game's grim, lonely atmosphere and the players' initial expectations of a familiar FPS experience.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi interacts with his viewers, sharing his frustration and trying to understand the game together.
• Yinzi jokes about his lack of friends compared to other players who can fill entire private rooms.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yinzi attempts to crack password-protected rooms in the game, but fails.
• He joins a local Chinese room and becomes the commander of a 50-man force.
• The game begins, and Yinzi struggles to issue commands as a commander, feeling overwhelmed.

Character Developments

• Yinzi: Shows curiosity and eagerness to explore the game, but struggles with the commander role due to lack of experience.
• Cui Chang: Monitors Yinzi's attempts to crack passwords and decides to keep an eye on him.

Significant Themes

• Curiosity and exploration: Yinzi's desire to understand and experience all aspects of the game.
• Learning curve: Yinzi's struggle with the commander role highlights the challenges of learning new skills and responsibilities.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi interacts with other players in the game, trying to join their rooms and later becoming their commander.
• Cui Chang interacts with his backend team, discussing Yinzi's actions and deciding on a course of action.
• Viewers interact with Yinzi's stream, laughing at his struggles and offering advice.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game has just started, and no systematic tactics have been developed.
• Yinzi, the commander, feels helpless due to the chaotic fighting and risks being kicked from his position.
• He learns that manpower resources are used for issuing commands and are reduced when teammates die.
• He deploys airdrops, which are discovered by the enemy and wasted.
• He realizes the importance of every command and asks his team for suggestions.
• The enemy starts pressing in, and Yinzi begins communicating with squad leaders to report enemy positions.
• He deploys a reconnaissance plane, which reveals enemy positions, and he delegates command authority to nearby squad leaders.

Character Developments

• Yinzi evolves from a hesitant and unsure commander to one who actively seeks input and makes strategic decisions.
• Squad leaders become more vocal and willing to share information with Yinzi.

Significant Themes

• The importance of effective communication and information sharing in battle.
• The role of a commander in strategizing and delegating authority.
• The value of learning from others and seeking input.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi interacts more with his squad leaders, actively seeking their input and relaying information.
• Squad leaders communicate their difficulties and feedback to Yinzi.
• Viewers in the chat offer suggestions and advice to Yinzi.