Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale and his team return home to overwhelming media praise for their latest game.
• Zhou Peng, who publicly expressed his desire to join Sprout Studio at the TGA awards, returns with his team, eager to work with Ethan.
• Ethan decides to create a new pixel game department led by Zhou Peng, focusing on pixel art games.
• Ethan announces his next game project, "To the Moon," a simple, no-difficulty romance game.

Character Developments

• Zhou Peng and his team exhibit passion and dedication to pixel art games, impressing Ethan and earning them a new department.
• Ethan continues to show his unique vision and willingness to explore diverse game genres, despite his personal lack of experience in romance.

Significant Themes

• The power of passion and dedication in one's craft (Zhou Peng and his team).
• Ethan's ability to create compelling experiences despite not personally experiencing the emotions he portrays in his games (love, in this case).

Character Interactions

• Zhou Peng and his team interact with Ethan, expressing their love for pixel art games and eagerness to work with him.
• Ethan interacts with Song Shan, who questions Ethan's ability to create a romance game without personal experience in love. Ethan responds by asserting that his lack of experience allows him to create a purer, more idealized love story.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale and Zhou Peng secretly plan the romance game.
• Ethan Vale guides EA remotely, rejecting their work with just a question mark.
• Sprout Studio gives away Dead Cells for free along with DLCs as a Lunar New Year gift.
• Ethan Vale's relatives, including his Third Uncle, visit for the New Year.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale: Shows his dedication to quality and guidance, even after leaving EA. He also displays a caring side by giving away games for the New Year.
• Zhou Peng: Shows determination and secrecy in developing the romance game.
• Song Shan and Xie Lingjiang: Reflect on their past struggles and growth, acknowledging that they built everything from nothing.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Distrust: Song Shan's distrust of Zhou Peng's ability to create a romance game.
• Growth and Change: The employees' struggle to maintain quality after Ethan Vale's departure, and the characters' reflections on their past.
• The Power of Giving: Ethan Vale's act of giving away games for the New Year highlights the joy and happiness it brings to players.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale and Zhou Peng: Secretly collaborate on the romance game.
• Song Shan and Xie Lingjiang: Discuss Zhou Peng's capabilities and their past growth.
• Ethan Vale and EA: Ethan guides EA remotely, setting high standards.
• Players and Ethan Vale: Players express gratitude and joy over the free game giveaway.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale receives a New Year's greeting with a work file attached, which he finds inappropriate.
• EA is eager to release the first-stage trailer of their game, and Ethan agrees after reviewing the submission.
• Ethan goes shopping and meets his third uncle and cousin, Ye Cheng, who works at Sprout Studio.
• Ye Cheng mistakes Ethan for their boss, Old Thief (Ethan's gaming alias, Black Star), due to their striking resemblance.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale shows understanding and patience towards EA's eagerness, despite his initial annoyance at the New Year's greeting.
• Ye Cheng demonstrates loyalty and admiration for his boss, Old Thief.
• Ethan feels embarrassed and amused when he realizes Ye Cheng doesn't recognize him.

Significant Themes

• The theme of work-life balance is highlighted through Ethan's internal grumbling about receiving work during the New Year.
• The power dynamics between employees and executives are explored when Ethan imagines scolding EA executives for their past mistakes.

Character Interactions

• Ethan and EA's liaison discuss the game's progress and the release of the trailer, showing a professional working relationship.
• Ethan and his third uncle catch up, with Ethan feeling happy to have family visit during the New Year.
• Ethan and Ye Cheng meet for the first time, with Ye Cheng mistaking Ethan for Old Thief due to their strong resemblance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Cheng discovers that Ethan Vale, his distant cousin, is the renowned game designer Old Thief, the founder of Sprout Studio.
• Ye Cheng's father tries to get Ethan Vale to hire Ye Cheng at Sprout Studio.
• Ethan Vale invites Ye Cheng and his family to his home for New Year's.
• Ethan Vale's father and Ye Cheng's father play an online game together, unaware that their loud voices affect the game's environment.

Character Developments

• Ye Cheng: Realizes the importance of work-life balance after meeting Ethan Vale. Struggles with the revelation that his cousin is Old Thief.
• Ethan Vale: Shows a more personal side to Ye Cheng, revealing his love for family and his desire for his employees to rest properly.
• Ye Cheng's Father: Shows eagerness to play online games and obtain the latest gaming technology.

Significant Themes

• Work-life balance: Ethan Vale encourages Ye Cheng to rest more, highlighting the importance of not overworking.
• Family: Ethan Vale creates a game for his father's enjoyment, emphasizing the importance of family bonding.
• Revelation: Ye Cheng's discovery of Ethan Vale's true identity leads to a mix of joy and terror.

Character Interactions

• Ye Cheng and Ethan Vale: Their relationship evolves from distant cousins to colleagues and family members, with Ethan Vale showing concern for Ye Cheng's well-being.
• Ye Cheng's Father and Ethan Vale's Father: They bond over their shared love for online games, highlighting the generational gap in gaming culture.
• Ye Cheng and Ye Cheng's Father: Their dynamic shifts as Ye Cheng's father becomes more interested in gaming technology, creating a source of tension between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale (Old Thief) receives the game files for EA's new project.
• EA releases a high-definition 4K trailer for their new game on the New Year holiday.
• Players worldwide react enthusiastically to the trailer and Dead Cells, another game gifted by Old Thief.
• Speculations about Old Thief's next game for the Lantern Festival are discussed among players.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale is shown to be dedicated to his work, reviewing EA's files during the New Year holiday.
• Ye Cheng, while intimidated by Ethan, is eager to gain his contact information and learn about his work.

Significant Themes

• The anticipation and hype surrounding Old Thief's games and involvement in the gaming industry.
• The psychological impact of war games, as seen in Yinzi's preference for This War of Mine.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale and Ye Cheng interact briefly, with Ye Cheng adding Ethan on WeChat and receiving a console from him.
• Yinzi interacts with his livestream viewers, discussing the trailer and Old Thief's games.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game's opening introduces the concept of a "suicide squad," a unit willing to die for victory, with a powerful, emotive soundtrack.
• The story shifts to a man recalling his past as part of a legendary suicide squad during World War I.
• The squad faced a formidable enemy: a colossal Zeppelin airship, which could devastate the battlefield from the skies.
• The promotional video ends with the airship's appearance, hinting at the game's setting and scale.

Character Developments

• The protagonist, an older man, is shown reflecting on his past as a member of the suicide squad, revealing his courage, determination, and the lasting impact of his war experiences.
• His daughter is introduced, showing concern for her father and curiosity about his past.

Significant Themes

• The theme of war and its lasting impact on soldiers is central to the chapter.
• The idea of sacrifice for a greater cause is explored through the concept of the suicide squad.
• The vast scale and devastation of World War I are foreshadowed.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with his daughter, showing a caring and affectionate relationship.
• The protagonist's memories of his past comrade, Matteo, hint at the bonds formed between soldiers during war.
• The players in the chatroom discuss and react to the promotional video, sharing their thoughts and speculating about the game's setting and their roles.

Key Plot Points and Events

• EA hires Old Thief to make a game, causing excitement among players.
• EA releases a trailer, sparking high praise and anticipation from players.
• EA's progress is slow but steady, with Old Thief reviewing and often rejecting submitted work.
• EA executives enjoy the positive player feedback and reminisce about their past rivalry with Ubisoft.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale (Old Thief): Stands firm in his game design principles, demanding high quality and not afraid to reject work.
• EA Executives: Grow more confident and proud after receiving positive player feedback, reflecting on their past rivalry with Ubisoft.

Significant Themes

• Quality and passion in game development.
• Following in the footsteps of a master (Old Thief) to improve one's own work.
• The evolution of game design principles and the challenge of imitating a successful formula.

Character Interactions

• Players and EA: Players express their excitement, impatience, and understanding towards EA's slow progress.
• EA Executives: Reflect on their past rivalry with Ubisoft, feeling both competitive and empathetic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Thief (Ethan Vale) releases the game, setting a new standard for open-world games.
• EA, having invited Old Thief, releases multiple trailers for their game, aiming to create hype and excitement among players.
• On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Old Thief releases a new game, "Plants vs. Zombies," on the Epic platform. The game offers a 'play first, pay later' option, allowing players to choose whether to pay for the game or play for free.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale shows a more playful and nostalgic side, releasing "Plants vs. Zombies" as a tribute to his childhood and to bring joy to players during the Spring Festival.
• EA executives are shown to be eager to capitalize on Old Thief's success, releasing multiple trailers and considering hiring him for another game.

Significant Themes

• The theme of nostalgia is prominent, with Ethan Vale revisiting his childhood by releasing "Plants vs. Zombies."
• The theme of player agency is also present, with players deciding whether to pay for the game or play for free.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale interacts with EA executives, agreeing to provide musical BGM for their trailers and teasing them about making an open-world game for them.
• Players interact with each other, expressing excitement and humor about the 'play first, pay later' option, with many planning to play for free.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dumpling, a gamer, downloads and plays 'Plants vs. Zombies', finding it visually childlike but enjoyable.
• She notices a plant, Tall-nut, resembling Eagle-chan, a chess streamer, due to its yellow color and serious expression.
• Eagle-chan, seeing the comparison, is initially upset but later finds it amusing.
• Eagle-chan downloads and plays 'Plants vs. Zombies', struggling with its mechanics and finding it difficult.

Character Developments

• Dumpling: She enjoys the game despite its simple graphics and discovers the Tall-nut-Eagle-chan resemblance, laughing about it.
• Eagle-chan: Initially upset about the Tall-nut comparison, she later finds it funny. She tries playing 'Plants vs. Zombies' but struggles, showing her inexperience with games.

Significant Themes

• Humor and Laughter: The chapter explores how humor can arise from unexpected comparisons (Tall-nut and Eagle-chan) and from watching someone struggle with a game (Eagle-chan's gameplay).
• Perception vs. Reality: The visuals of 'Plants vs. Zombies' are simple, but the game is enjoyable. Eagle-chan's serious expression in a photo is perceived as a match for Tall-nut's expression, but she finds it funny once she sees it.

Character Interactions

• Dumpling and Eagle-chan's Fans: Dumpling laughs at the Tall-nut-Eagle-chan comparison, while Eagle-chan's fans tease her about it. Eagle-chan initially reacts defensively but later joins in the laughter.
• Eagle-chan and 'Plants vs. Zombies': Eagle-chan struggles with the game's mechanics, showing her inexperience and providing comedic moments for her viewers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Eagle-chan, a popular streamer, starts playing Plants vs. Zombies.
• Viewers edit her picture to make her look like a smiling Tall-nut, which amuses her.
• She struggles to beat the game, repeatedly failing and restarting levels.
• Despite her frustration, she keeps playing and trying to improve.
• She becomes the top streamer in the Plants vs. Zombies category due to her extensive streaming time.

Character Developments

• Eagle-chan: She starts as a confident streamer but becomes increasingly frustrated with the game's difficulty. Despite her struggles, she remains determined and keeps trying, showing resilience and sportsmanship.

Significant Themes

• Frustration and Persistence: The chapter explores Eagle-chan's growing frustration with the game and her persistence in trying to beat it.
• Community Interaction: The viewers' edits and comments create a lively and humorous atmosphere, highlighting the interactive nature of streaming.

Character Interactions

• Eagle-chan and Viewers: The viewers' edits, comments, and encouragement create a dynamic and engaging environment. Eagle-chan interacts with them by responding to their comments and jokes, even muting those who call her "Teacher Gao."
• Eagle-chan and the Game: The game serves as a challenge and a source of frustration for Eagle-chan, but also a catalyst for her determination and growth as a player.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ke Jie (Jiebao) watches Zhan Ying (Eagle-chan) struggle with 'Plants vs. Zombies' and decides to play it.
• He initially thinks the game is easy but soon finds it challenging.
• Viewership surges as viewers expect him to struggle like Eagle-chan.
• Jiebao discovers that the game is harder than it seems, despite many reviews saying it's 'very easy.'

Character Developments

• Ke Jie: Initially overconfident about his gaming skills, he learns the hard way that the game is more challenging than he thought.
• Zhan Ying: Not explicitly shown, but her struggle with the game is mentioned, showing her determination despite her initial difficulties.

Significant Themes

• Perception vs. Reality: Many players claim the game is 'very easy,' but Jiebao and Eagle-chan find it challenging, highlighting the discrepancy between perception and reality.
• Overconfidence: Jiebao's initial overconfidence leads him to underestimate the game, causing him to struggle.

Character Interactions

• Jiebao and Eagle-chan: Though not interacting directly, their shared experience with the game creates a bond, with Jiebao understanding her frustration better now.
• Jiebao and his viewers: They interact through the chat, with viewers expecting Jiebao to struggle and recommending other challenging games.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ke Jie (Jiebao) attempts to play 'Getting over it', a notoriously difficult game, but quits after half an hour due to its extreme difficulty.
• He watches other players' speedruns and various games, including 'Ice and Fire', feeling a mix of admiration and frustration at their skills.
• After losing to an AI in a game, Ke Jie goes into seclusion but returns with renewed determination, stating, "It still has to be me."
• Ethan Vale, watching Ke Jie's stream, considers inviting him to play 'Teamfight Tactics'.
• Plants vs. Zombies becomes popular among elementary school students due to its free-to-play model.
• Ethan Vale reflects on the impact of the game on players' lives, including a player's story about finding companionship and belonging through games.

Character Developments

• Ke Jie (Jiebao) struggles with the difficulty of 'Getting over it' but ultimately returns with renewed determination after watching others play.
• Ethan Vale shows empathy and understanding towards players, wanting to bring joy to children through games.

Significant Themes

• The challenge and perseverance in the face of difficulty.
• The impact of games on people's lives and emotions.
• The importance of companionship and belonging.

Character Interactions

• Ke Jie interacts with his fans and viewers through his livestream, sharing his experiences and thoughts about games.
• Ethan Vale reflects on a player's story, showing understanding and empathy towards players' experiences with games.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two professional Go players, Ke Jie and Zhan Ying (Eagle-chan), struggle with Plants vs. Zombies, highlighting their unexpected gaming ineptitude.
• Zhan Ying's persistence in pursuing her Go dreams, despite initial setbacks, is emphasized.
• Zhou Peng, a game designer, joins Sprout Studio and releases his first pixel-style game, "To the Moon," under Old Thief's guidance.
• "To the Moon" is a narrative-driven game with minimal gameplay difficulty, focusing on uncovering John's past memories and emotions.

Character Developments

• Ke Jie: Once a dominant Go player, he struggles with his identity and purpose as AI challenges his leadership.
• Zhan Ying (Eagle-chan): Despite initial failures, she remains determined to excel in Go, inspiring others to play the game.
• Zhou Peng: He grows under Old Thief's mentorship, creating a deeply emotional game that transcends traditional gaming boundaries.

Significant Themes

• Persistence and determination in the face of adversity (Zhan Ying's Go journey).
• The evolution of gaming and the role of pixels in modern game design (Zhou Peng's work with Old Thief).
• The power of storytelling and emotional resonance in games ("To the Moon").

Character Interactions

• Ke Jie and Zhan Ying: Their shared profession and contrasting gaming abilities lead to a connection and mutual respect.
• Zhou Peng and Old Thief: Zhou Peng learns from Old Thief, creating a game that reflects both their visions and styles.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yinzi, a die-hard fan of Old Thief, downloads and streams his new game, 'To the Moon'.
• The game's premise involves two doctors who fulfill the final wishes of dying people by altering their memories.
• Yinzi enters the game and encounters Dr. Eva and Dr. Neil, who are tasked with fulfilling the dying wish of John, who wants to go to the moon but doesn't know why.
• They enter John's memories using a platypus plush, starting from his old age and working backwards.

Character Developments

• Yinzi: He remains excited and expectant about Old Thief's new game, despite some viewers' criticisms.
• Dr. Eva and Dr. Neil: They are dedicated to their work, cooperating to fulfill John's wish despite the challenges.
• John: He is cooperative but confused about his desire to go to the moon. He is lucid in his old age but can't explain his dream.

Significant Themes

• Memory and Identity: The game explores how memories shape our identities and desires.
• Fulfilling Dreams: It delves into the importance of fulfilling one's dreams, even if the reasons behind them are unclear.
• Loyalty and Expectations: Yinzi's loyalty to Old Thief contrasts with some viewers' expectations and criticisms.

Character Interactions

• Yinzi and his Chat: They joke and discuss the game, showing their excitement and anticipation.
• Dr. Eva and Dr. Neil: They work together, with Neil often being the butt of Eva's jokes, showing a friendly dynamic.
• John and the Doctors: John is cooperative with the doctors, trusting them to help him fulfill his dream.

Key Plot Points and Events

+ Yinzi and his fans discover hints about John's past, including a twin brother and a wife with Asperger's syndrome.
+ They explore John's memories, trying to fulfill his final wish to go to the moon.
+ They find that John's memories were altered by beta-blockers, causing him to forget his twin brother's death and his promise with River to meet on the moon.
+ In the game's ending, John and River meet on the moon after death, fulfilling their promise.

Character Developments

+ John: Struggles to understand his wife River's feelings and eventually fulfills his promise to meet her on the moon.
+ River: Desperately tries to express her love for John through folding paper rabbits and building a house by the lighthouse.

Significant Themes

+ Love: The pure, unspoken love between John and River, and the struggle to understand and express it.
+ Memory: The impact of altered memories on John's life and his relationship with River.
+ Loss: The loss of John's twin brother and River's eventual death, and how these losses shape their lives and desires.

Character Interactions

+ John and River: Their relationship is built on mutual understanding and support, despite the challenges posed by River's autism and John's amnesia.
+ Yinzi and his fans: They work together to uncover the truth about John's past and fulfill his final wish, bonding over their shared emotional journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• "To the Moon," a simple, narrative-driven game, becomes a sensation, transcending the gaming circle and appealing to people who have experienced life's separations and reunions.
• A wave of pixel games follows, with studios investing in this style, seeing potential and low-cost development opportunities.
• Void Bean Games releases a combat-focused pixel game, initially praised but later criticized for not meeting the emotional depth of "To the Moon."
• The designer of Void Bean Games publicly challenges "To the Moon's" creator, Old Thief, to a game-making contest, with players as judges.

Character Developments

• Old Thief (Ethan Vale) remains silent and unprovoked despite the challenges, suggesting maturity and confidence in his work.
• The Void Bean Games designer becomes increasingly arrogant due to initial praise, leading to public backlash and a challenge to Old Thief.

Significant Themes

• The definition of a masterpiece: whether it's innovative, imaginative, or emotionally resonant.
• The value of life experience and understanding human emotion in creating meaningful art.
• The impact of public perception and hype on the reception of artistic works.

Character Interactions

• Players engage in online discussions, critiquing Void Bean Games' designer's behavior and defending Old Thief's work.
• Old Thief remains silent, while the Void Bean Games designer becomes increasingly provocative, leading to a public challenge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An animated film adaptation of the indie game "To the Moon" is officially filed.
• The film's plot remains faithful to the game, focusing on memory transplantation technology for end-of-life care.
• Ethan Vale, the game's producer, is writing the screenplay and will receive a 35% revenue share.
• Xinghai Film & Television, a renowned studio, is producing the film.
• Ethan Vale discusses a new project, a children's animation to build hype for an upcoming game, with Xu Xinghai, the person in charge of Xinghai Film & Television.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale is shown to be a shrewd businessman, negotiating revenue shares and discussing new projects.
• Xu Xinghai, the daughter of the company's founder, is revealed to be capable and ruthless in business, despite her young age and casual demeanor.

Significant Themes

• The power of storytelling and its impact on society, as seen in the contrast between Void Bean Games' dismissal of "To the Moon" and the animated film's approval.
• The challenges and rewards of adapting games into other media, such as animation.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale and Xu Xinghai's negotiation is marked by friendly banter and mutual respect, despite their differing stances on revenue shares.
• Ethan Vale's mention of a girl named Zhan Ying and a boy named Lili from Baoding hints at his personal connections and experiences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale meets with Xu Xinghai to discuss a Pokémon anime project, but she's skeptical about its market potential.
• Ethan Vale reveals he wants to release the anime all at once, with 20 episodes, indicating a larger market strategy.
• Ethan Vale posts the trailer for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, generating hype and excitement among players.

Character Developments

• Xu Xinghai: Initially skeptical about Ethan Vale's plans, she eventually agrees to the Pokémon anime project after considering the potential market and Ethan Vale's track record.
• Ethan Vale: He remains confident in his plans, showing patience and persistence in convincing Xu Xinghai. He's revealed to be a strategic thinker, focusing on long-term goals.

Significant Themes

• Market potential and business strategy: Ethan Vale's approach to the Pokémon anime and Sekiro's trailer release highlights his understanding of market timing and potential.
• Resurrection and perseverance: The Sekiro trailer showcases the protagonist's ability to resurrect, symbolizing perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Ethan Vale and Xu Xinghai: Their interaction reveals Ethan Vale's persuasive skills and Xu Xinghai's initial skepticism, which evolves into acceptance as she considers Ethan Vale's track record and the potential market.
• The Sekiro trailer: The trailer generates excitement and anticipation among players, showcasing the game's unique features and mechanics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ethan Vale (Old Thief) releases a trailer for his new game, which features a grappling hook, swimming, and other innovative mechanics, sparking excitement among players.
• The game's pre-orders reach ten million within minutes of the trailer's release.
• Sony's head, Hirai Haruki, meets with Xbox's executive, Evan, to request partial licensing rights for some of Old Thief's games on the PlayStation platform.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale (Old Thief) continues to gain popularity and influence in the gaming industry, with his games breaking sales records.
• Hirai Haruki, despite being a competitor, seeks help from Evan to secure a deal with Old Thief, showing his desperation and willingness to lower his pride.
• Evan, as an Xbox executive, understands the importance of competition and is willing to help Sony, seeing it as a way to maintain growth and vigilance.

Significant Themes

• The power of innovation and adaptation in the gaming industry.
• The importance of competition in driving growth and improvement.
• The influence of a single game developer (Old Thief) on the gaming market.

Character Interactions

• Players discuss and react to the new game's trailer, expressing their excitement and approval of the changes.
• Hirai Haruki and Evan meet to discuss Sony's request, with Evan acting as a mediator between Sony and Old Thief.
• Ethan Vale (Old Thief) and Evan have a conversation about the new game and Ethan's financial situation, hinting at a major project or IP creation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sony and Sprout Studio form a strategic partnership, licensing some of Sprout Studio's games for PlayStation consoles.
• Sony declines to license Sekiro, but agrees to forgo profits on the licensed games in exchange for the possibility of obtaining Sekiro's license later.
• EA releases a trailer for their new game, sparking intense player excitement and anticipation.
• The trailer depicts a grim, war-torn landscape and a protagonist fighting in a World War I setting, evoking strong emotional responses from players.
• EA's official website does not list a release date for the game, stating that it is still in development.

Character Developments

• Ethan Vale (Old Thief) is not mentioned directly in this chapter, but his influence is felt through the excitement and anticipation his fans (players) have for the upcoming EA game.
• No significant character developments are shown for any other characters mentioned (Evan, Hirai Haruki).

Significant Themes

• The impact of war and its lasting effects on landscapes and people.
• The power of storytelling and trailer creation to evoke emotions and generate hype for a game.
• The anticipation and excitement of fans awaiting a new game release.

Character Interactions

• No significant character interactions are depicted in this chapter. Most of the text is from the perspective of the players, reacting to the trailer and the lack of a release date.
• Players express their excitement, anticipation, and confusion about the upcoming EA game, creating a sense of community and shared experience among them.