In the original game, there were three large maps.
However, it also has a flaw that can hardly be considered a flaw.
These maps are level-based.
Players can only clear a level and unlock a new map after achieving the target score for the previous map.
There's nothing wrong with this design; it's very much in line with the characteristics of works from this era.
Aside from the slightly lengthy process, it's actually a very standard arcade-style design.
However, given Gamenova's technical capabilities, it's entirely possible to make this thing even more beautiful.
For example... connecting three maps together.
"What if the three maps could be connected by a bridge, like the Golden Gate Bridge between Marin County and San Francisco?"
Just a few days ago, this design would have been completely unworkable.
But it's possible now.
For performance optimization, they adopted a streaming loading method that was originally intended to be perfected in the PS version, or even later. Only the area near the player is loaded, and other areas outside the range are automatically unloaded.
The benefits of doing this are obvious.
Significantly saves memory!
In the world of video games, memory is practically everything.
More memory means more entities can be accommodated in the scene, which in turn means stronger interactivity.
Even in the later DDR5 era, Minecraft remained a major memory consumer.
But it is precisely because of this that it possesses such unparalleled freedom.
Whoever controls memory controls the game!
It's no exaggeration to say that in many cases, RAM is even more important than the graphics card.
Whether it was the golden age of video games or the post-millennium era.
Memory management is always an unavoidable topic.
Even outside the gaming world, memory management has always been of paramount importance at the operating system and application levels. A good optimization strategy can allow players to achieve an excellent experience with minimal memory usage.
However, a poorly optimized memory management system might result in a bizarre situation where all allocated memory is consumed by memory leaks at once.
"You mean... once players progress through the main storyline to a certain point and reach the required reputation level, they can decide for themselves whether to move on to the next city or stay in the current one?"
"Yes, and players can travel back and forth freely."
Lin Lixin nodded and patiently explained to Jones.
Jones is not a technical expert.
Or rather, there are actually very few people in the DMA field who are truly capable of holding technical positions.
Most of them are part-time workers, but their design ideas are always very good.
"As players drive across the bridge to the next city, we have the disc drive begin preloading the next map, even if it's just a small patch of land near the bridge."
Keep in mind that this is a 2D top-down perspective game.
To package this well, they don't even need the complex optimization strategies of Battlefield 1991. They don't need to rely on fog effects to limit visibility.
Because the area that players can see is extremely limited.
"We only started the game from the previous city once the players actually entered the new map."
Although it consumes some extra memory during loading, it provides an incredibly smooth loading experience.
Players no longer need to exit to the title screen to make choices after completing the game; instead, they can be fully immersed in the game once they enter it.
Rather, perhaps this is what the production team actually wanted to do but lacked the ability to achieve.
In the early stages of development, dma-design hadn't even figured out how the tasks would be presented.
They actually designed this game with an arcade mindset.
Players need to accept the quest from the menu interface before the game loads.
After completing a task, you need to return to the title screen to select other tasks.
Fortunately, the production team realized in time just how stupid their decision was.
After a complete overhaul, the quest system has been redesigned. To accept a quest, players need to interact with objects in the world following the instructions.
For example, answering public phone calls to obtain tasks.
This technique was later exploited to its fullest potential by a certain Otto hacker in the fifth generation.
But it actually originated in the very first generation.
Alternatively, getting into a vehicle related to the mission will trigger a certain plot event.
This is also a very common pattern in the fifth generation.
Looking back, it's not hard to see that this series of IPs, which has spanned decades, actually had countless systems with a solid foundation laid as early as the first generation.
By following the ambulance, players will discover that they actually go to the hospital.
Following the police car, you can eventually reach the police station.
This is all part of city simulation.
This is why Lin Lixin was so deeply involved in what appears to be an ordinary 2D work.
The strength of the foundation determines how high it can reach in the future. Go to Bing search for the latest chapter!
During the Vice City era, these seemingly insignificant things will become great foreshadowing.
This transitional title, born just before the fifth generation, will become an essential destination for future gamers to explore.
"Let's get started. I'm going to talk to Maikou about the car radio."
July, Independence Day.
Also included in Gamenova's annual summer sale.
As per tradition, this is the most lively event of the year besides Christmas.
Even President's Day rarely has a chance to rival it.
As for the title guarding the year, it's naturally the newly established Rockstar Games studio and their " Grand Theft Auto ".
Well, at least that's how it is translated literally.
As usual, although it was developed by a subsidiary, the publisher is still Gamenova, not Activision. This can be considered a form of endorsement.
It's practically a blatant message to players: this thing is sure to be fun, come and try it!
Of course, the most crucial element is... the promotional video!
"Laugh--"
The screeching sound of brake pads filled the air as a Chevrolet Camaro riddled with bullet holes veered off the road, tracing a dramatic arc at the intersection before coming to a stop at the alleyway entrance.
Immediately following behind was the piercing sound of police sirens.
"Tsk"
The person in the driver's seat clicked his tongue lightly, lit a cigarette unhurriedly, and then kicked open the half-hanging car door that was about to fall off.
Keanu Reeves' character rushes into the alley, attempting to escape in the same way he always has.
But this time, his plan was clearly going to fail.
The police had already laid a tight net around the streets.
The young car thief, who had been roaming the streets lawlessly for quite some time, was finally brought to justice. The scene shifts.
Keanu, dressed in prison garb, appears to have served his sentence or been bailed out.
He got into a brand new Chevrolet Corvette and started the engine.
The pager on the central island beeped.
Keanu picked it up, glanced at it, and promptly stepped on the gas.
The car's tires screeched against the ground before it shot off like an arrow and disappeared at the end of the street.
"Come on, I'll take you to see Tang."
The butler (played by Sam ) led Keanu into a magnificent mansion.
Under the protection of a group of bodyguards, the Daimon to the room was slowly pushed open, and Tang (played by Lin Lixin ) sat behind the Table.
"Don."
Keanu greeted him respectfully.
Okay, this is a typical parody of " The Godfather ". If Al Pacino weren't middle-aged this year and not quite suitable for the role, Lin Lixin would have really planned to invite Marlon Brando and Pacino to make a promotional video.
"If you do things for me, you can get everything you want."
Camera transition.
Keanu changed his clothes.
Clearly, he has now transformed from a young car thief into a henchman working for the Lin Family.
"Da da da da--"
He held a machine gun and surrounded the target members in the alley with a hail of bullets.
He then jumped into the car and sped away.
After an intense car chase, Keanu drives his car up a hill.
Then...
The car soared high into the air, clearing the railings and obstacles below, including the police car that was supposed to intercept him from below.
Amidst a cacophony of gunfire and crashes, and the constant wailing of sirens, the screen slowly fades to black. [grand]
[theft]
[auto]
Below are the logos of Gamenova and Rockstar Studios, and of course, the ESRB rating card.
[esrb: m(17+)]
You might not realize it, but this is the prime of your life.
"A carefree life, you know?"
The narrator's voice slowly began to play.
Keanu leaned against his luxury convertible.
Japan flash, palm trees stand in rows.
The beach below the road is full of beautiful women in bikinis.
This is Miami, the Vice City. "There's never been a better time."
As the voiceover played, Keanu exhaled a smoke ring, picked up the glass of wine on the hood of the car, and took a sip.
The reflection from his sunglasses revealed the alluring woman standing in front of him.
As the sun sets on the horizon, the sea and the sky are dyed a deep crimson.
The camera slowly pulls back.
The city streets are bustling with traffic.
Airplanes or helicopters occasionally fly by on the horizon.
In the distance, the tower cranes are still working tirelessly.
New skyscrapers are about to rise from the ground.
"You have absolutely no idea what a bunch of messy, shitty things are waiting for you in the future."
Enjoy the present, dude.
"If life could stay like this forever, and continue like this forever..." "That would be perfect..."
Keanu downed the drink in his glass in one gulp.
He flipped over and jumped directly into his convertible.
"Beep"
The pager beeped again with a new message.
The camera gave it a Close-Up.
It seems to be about sending Keanu to a gang's base to kill their leader.
But Keanu didn't even glance at it, suddenly grabbed the pager, threw it away, and then...
Step on the gas pedal.
The car crushed the pager to pieces.
And at this moment, the narrator added the final sentence.
"Trust me..." The music suddenly swelled, with a psychedelic electronic and synthesizer wave as its base, combined with Gamenova's consistent rock style.
[July 4, 1992]
[Available now]