The audience.
At the table with the Microsoft logo, several senior executives who had come for the appointment were seated.
As it was the premier event in the entertainment industry, and the first time Amenva had hosted a banquet of this caliber, Microsoft naturally wouldn't be negligent.
"Hey Gabe, did you see that?"
Mike Harrington, holding a drink mug with "ev-battery" printed on it, nudged his friend next to him.
As senior Microsoft employees, both are highly experienced industry elites, and their perspectives differ from those of the reporters present.
Gabe stared at the security guard walking ahead in the screen, carefully observing his every move, and nodded.
"Yes, of course. They did full skeletal animation and facial expressions; it even actually opens its mouth when it speaks."
With Gabe's skill level, he could immediately tell how this demo differed from his previous games.
It's too performative...
This doesn't look like a transition animation rendered in C++.
Rather, it's some kind of... some kind of live performance effect. This is quite unusual.
Because no one had ever done this before.
After all, the visual effect would be better if it could be solved using C.
Those cutscenes with complete visual effects, coupled with stunning performances, have an effect far exceeding that of actual gameplay.
Especially after the widespread adoption of optical disc technology, storage capacity is no longer as limited as it used to be.
It's perfectly acceptable to include some videos in the program.
But why did Amenva choose this particular time to suddenly release a game that focuses on real-time performances?
"That's not all, Gabe. Listen carefully; I suspect they even did a complete sound field simulation."
Compared to Gabe, who is more product-oriented, Harrington is the real engineering talent.
His focus was slightly different.
"... you are right."
Gabe listened intently, his ears perked up. In the video, the massive security gate slowly opened.
The sounds of the pneumatic lever and some kind of rack and pinion drive were clearly distinguishable.
Even from some distance, you can clearly feel the weight and solidity of the Daimon.
What's even more peculiar is that these sounds are clearly coming from "the front".
Logically speaking, this is nothing.
Because the sound system used for playback was already installed on the stage, right in front of them.
But Gabe could sense that this "before" was relative to all the previous sounds.
Amenva has indeed put a lot of thought into designing the soundstage.
If players are wearing headphones, they will likely be able to easily identify the source of the sound.
Even with the speakers on, the effect is not much different.
"Hey, Mr. Freeman, I have something I want to tell you."
At the base entrance, a security guard at the front desk was checking a surveillance camera and reporting to Freeman. The gist of it was that there was a problem with the system, and someone down below wanted Freeman to quickly put on his disaster relief gear and go help.
"Click"
Before the audience could figure out what was going on, the stage lights suddenly came on.
The image then returned to the original λ symbol.
Lin Lixin slowly walked to the front of the stage, a smile on his face.
"Watching it only through a projector isn't very satisfying, is it?"
Could it be?!
Upon hearing his words, many people in the audience quickly realized what he meant.
There's still one " Lambda Zone " in today's activity area that hasn't been opened yet.
"To ensure everyone has a worthwhile trip, we've prepared emulators for you to try out. As you've probably guessed, those machines are in the Lambda Zone."
"Of course, after you all finish playing and return here, I have another surprise waiting for you."...
Here it comes!
Get a chance to be among the first to try it out!
Regardless of whether it's the media or other manufacturers who come to join the fun.
Today was definitely worth it.
What does it mean to be able to play a demo of a new game a week early?
This means they have plenty of time and opportunities to write articles and capitalize on a huge surge in traffic.
Players all over the world are watching with bated breath.
Everyone is eager to know what great deals are in store for this year's President's Day promotion.
"Thump..."
Gabe and Mike followed the main group, walking through the passageway.
The floor appeared to be supported by some kind of hollow metal structure, held up by beams and metal sheets, perhaps designed to facilitate air circulation. Fluorescent lights, yellowish-green in color, were embedded in the ceiling.
This can be considered the last glimmer of hope before Le began to become widely popular.
The set design here is almost a 1:1 replica of the game.
Rather, it's more accurate to say that the game's layout was based on this location.
That blend of realism and science fiction was instantly created.
The only downside was that there were just too many people today, which lowered the overall atmosphere.
The wall was marked with directional lines in red, blue, and green.
Cement walls, checkerboard tiles, and some purely decorative electrical boxes—it all looks quite professional.
Through a glass curtain wall in the corridor, you can see a separate room.
Of the three cylinder-shaped storage tanks, the two on the left and right have already been removed, leaving only the middle one with contents.
It was an orange outfit.
The iconic λ symbol is also painted on the chest. Perhaps this is the disaster relief suit mentioned in the story.
Or rather, EV protective suits.
The entire venue contains very normal design elements.
But for some reason, walking down this corridor, everyone felt a chill run down their spine.
It must be said that Hideo Kojima is indeed a master.
He handled almost all the venue's layout and lighting design by himself.
Such a great effect can be created with simple lighting techniques.
Not to mention in games.
Things you can't do in real life, you can do in games.
We didn't let everyone go too far; the EM demo area was located in one of the main halls.
The confidentiality agreements were all signed before the exhibition, so this is just a formality. They prepared a generous number of machines, so there was no need for queues; everyone could play immediately.
After all, the number of people who can attend today is limited.
Gabe quickly took two steps and sat down at one of the machine positions under a ventilation vent.
Breathing in the warm air from the central air conditioning made him feel much more comfortable.
[λlf - life]
[Start Game]
On the screen, everything except the start game button has been removed.
Since it's a trial version of EM, it's bound to have some hidden content.
Gabe didn't mind and glanced at the background screen of the main menu.
Just like the projection demonstration, the standard shaders and texture styles clearly show that it was captured from an actual device...
"Ait... Is it possible that this main menu is also a live performance?"
He paused for a moment, but didn't think much of it and quickly selected to start the game. "mrnin, welcome to the Black Mesa Transit System."
[ Black Mesa Research Facility ]
[ Black Mesa Base, New Mexico ]
It was almost identical to the content just shown on the projector.
It really did start on a train.
Based on the plot, the protagonist should be a researcher at the Black Mesa Base.
I am currently traveling from the underground staff dormitory to the laboratory via the rail system.
Yes, everything is going as expected.
Apart from...
"At te..."
Before Gabe could react, gasps of surprise erupted throughout the stadium.
Clearly, they had noticed the unusual thing, just as he had. He was capable of movement.
Gabe tried operating the joystick.
Gordon then began to move freely around the carriage.
You can even turn your head, look up, or look down; no matter what you do, it won't affect you.
Nearby, a security guard was holding a flashlight and repeatedly banging on the door of a maintenance passage.
The train carriages moved slowly forward along the tracks.
He really did hide something!
amenva is so cunning.
In the demonstration just now, they deliberately kept the camera in an extremely smooth tracking motion.
Although the shader looks very much like the actual device, it still has a pre-rendered feel to it.
Now it seems it was completely intentional!
They didn't want to reveal the surprise beforehand. The entire performance was completely live, literally live.
As a member of the "stage," one can move freely without any restrictions.
The most terrifying thing is that the entire moving train carriage was filmed in one continuous shot.
A single, continuous take—isn't that incredibly daring?
Researchers busy in their offices, employees walking on the pier, heavy robots moving supplies...
Everything was unfolding before my eyes.
If you can't see clearly, move to the side and get closer to the window.
This isn't some damn C-animation...
Gabe swallowed hard.
Even though he has absolutely no idea what the game is about.
But as a technician, this one move alone was enough to give him a real shock.
This is pure skill-showing! The entire train journey is a demonstration of technical prowess for the players.
At the same time, the atmosphere and plot worldview are gradually created through scene settings and voice announcements inside the elevator car.
It looks like something big is about to happen again in the disaster-prone New Mexico.
Back in the days of Command & Conquer: Red Alert, the opening sequence featured New Mexico setting up a time machine.
This place holds countless stories throughout the history of video games.
It's not just the Fire-type Pokémon Gym built by Amenva, it's also the place where Atari buried game cartridges back then.
This place almost became a graveyard for video games.
It was the traditional earthen burial method.
In the blink of an eye, video games have swelled into an elephant that cannot be ignored in human society.
This expansion showed no sign of stopping; instead, it floored the gas pedal and accelerated wildly.
Today marks the day when video games embark on their next phase.
The elephant in the room is about to break free of its cage. Gabe watches the carriage move silently, his mind racing with thoughts.
During his time working at Microsoft, he spent a lot of time with computers.
To be honest, he likes games and he likes technology.
Microsoft is the best place in the world to make software.
Gabe has already learned everything he needs to reach the top of the world at Microsoft.
But he was a little tired.
He clearly sensed that he seemed to be hitting a bottleneck.
He has some ideas.
Or rather, it's an idea that's rapidly taking root and sprouting.