"That's about it. I've already divided the different departments into sub-tabs based on their themes."
Lin Lixin readjusted the classification rules for the various mechanisms before packaging the program and handing it over to Sam. "Our NAND flash memory capacity is still a bit tight right now, so let's just squeeze in nine large chips for now."
He thought for a moment, then quickly jotted down a few titles in his notebook.
Cardboard boxes, velvet boxes, aluminum foil boxes, magic boxes----
Each box corresponds to an entire level and also represents the theme of that level.
"Each major level has 25 sub-levels, making a total of approximately 225 levels. It's not many, but that's all we can do for now."
"Not much----"
Sam gave a slight smirk.
Well, perhaps for GAMENOVA these days, a game with only two hundred or so levels isn't considered a lot.
He grabbed the notebook and glanced at it. Their tacit understanding was unspoken, Sam quickly grasped the meaning of these levels.
"This [cardboard box] has no special features whatsoever; it's basically just a tutorial level, isn't it?"
Lin Lixin particularly enjoys using these kinds of petty tricks.
The tutorial, which should have been abrupt and obvious, is packaged as a subtle and gradual level or a series of small mechanics, subtly instilling the gameplay mechanics in players without their awareness.
Just like in Pokémon, it guides players step by step through detailed map instructions to help them get started quickly.
Today, their players have developed a set of operational habits, making it even easier for them to design these things.
"That's right, but don't be careless; at least keep the players constantly challenged."
"I understand, a progressive tutorial, right?"
Sam nodded.
He'd heard that word so many times he was practically sick of it; Lin Lixin would mention it to them almost every time it came to level design.
The gradual approach, as the name suggests, is a curve of steadily increasing difficulty.
This allows players with low skill levels to be matched with easy challenges, keeping them interested throughout the learning process.
This design effectively avoids the situation where players are overwhelmed by a tutorial that quickly kills their interest.
The skills you learn can be immediately applied in real-world situations.
"Yes, but this time you could try giving players a little more freedom."
7
After thinking for a moment, Lin Lixin simply picked up the editor and quickly created a simple level to show Sam.
How so?
Sam looked at the level on the screen with a puzzled expression.
The design is not complicated; it's basically the kind of puzzle that you can easily solve after understanding it and trying it out for a couple of rounds.
"If it were you, how would you solve it?"
"Let me think—maybe I should cut this part—and then pop the Bubbles here?"
"Hmm, if it were me, I could try to use inertia to fling myself to the target location."
Lin Lixin gestured on the screen to make Sam understand, "Or you could do it this way too, and still get through the game."
"You see, for the same level, we can have many different solutions, instead of just one fixed approach."
Regardless of the process, the ultimate goal is to deliver this "candy" to its destination.
"Open-ended levels and—emergent design."
Sam frowned slightly, pondering as he tried to understand Lin Lixin's meaning.
This isn't the first time they've used this design; in fact, they've repeatedly used this emergent design in Zelda with great success.
But performing this trick in a small, completely level-based miniature garden is quite challenging.
While the term "emergent design" sounds sophisticated, it's actually quite simple in essence.
[Holy crap?! You can do that?!] and [Holy crap?! You can really do that?!]
It's easy to understand, but designing it is a real test of a designer's skills.
However, with Lin Lixin's newly designed drag-and-drop map editor, this process is now much easier.
"Alright, that's about it. You keep working on it, I have something to take care of."
"Do what?"
"Draw."
Besides creating an outstanding game with over 100 million downloads, " Cut the Rope " also created a mascot that ranks among the top in the entire history of gaming.
That is, Om Nom, the little green monster with big, white teeth.
Without its existence, or rather, without the entire fresh and adorable art style that was created around OmNom, this game could not have achieved such an exaggerated level of dominance.
Like the recently released Nova Kart, Cut the Rope is also a family-friendly game suitable for all ages.
Based on age ratings, it is undoubtedly classified as a 4+ level.
OmNom has an inherently strong affinity for children; to them, it's like an adorable furry pet, like their own mischievous kitten or puppy.
For adults, this innocent and adorable little thing is like a baby, easily arousing their protective instincts and paternal instincts.
This was not an unintentional act, but rather a deliberate result of the developer, ZeptoLab.
At noon, Vivian arrived at GAMENOVA headquarters with the latest research report on NAND flash memory.
As soon as she entered the room, she saw Lin Lixin sitting at the table with his chin resting on his hand, deep in thought.
What are you thinking about?
"Hmm... I want a baby."
i
"It's probably a newborn baby, one or two years old is best."
Vivian remained silent for a moment.
If it's about developing new chips or new architectures, she does have a way.
However, Lin Lixin's request is a bit unreasonable.
"I—I tried my best!"
"Um----"
Lin Lixin pondered for a moment, then noticed Vivian standing at the door.
Strictly speaking, I noticed the Contra poster behind Vivian.
"Huh?! Found it!"
Looking across the entire company, it's really not easy to find a child of the right age to help with the research.
Although Will has a wife, his career and life have only been stable for less than two years. He is in the prime of his career and has no interest in that at all.
People like Carmack need no further explanation.
Going to welfare homes or kindergartens to engage in business collaborations now would be a waste of time.
But among the people Lin Lixin knew, there happened to be a muscular man who had recently had a baby.
Governor Arnold.
Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver, the niece of former President Kennedy, just two years ago, and they now have a child of childbearing age.
Katherine Schwarzenegger; Lin Lixin was recently invited to her banquet.
"He's the governor's kid after all. One year old is the perfect age for him to strive and learn. Time to prepare for his debut."