Chapter 99: The Wind Rises (Part 2)

November 2nd.

Road Rash failed to win the award.

The Huaxia players were deeply disappointed.

Originally, Universe Technology was the biggest victim and should have received sympathy and comfort.

However, no one expected that under the deliberate manipulation of those with hidden agendas, the company would instead become the center of a storm of public criticism.

At noon on November 3rd.

All Huaxia players discovered that the download page for their beloved Road Rash on the Universe Technology official website had turned grey and white, just like Beat the Grass Mud Horse before it.

It could no longer be downloaded.

Universe Technology’s official website immediately issued a statement, announcing that Road Rash was undergoing rectification¹.

As for when the rectification would be completed…

No one knew, not even some of the employees at Universe Technology.

As for the reason…

Everyone knew the game had been reported².

However, according to leaks from certain sources, the relevant authorities had no intention of forcing the game offline. Players who had already downloaded Road Rash could still play it normally, completely unaffected.

On the internet!

Countless paid trolls were still hurling abuse at Universe Technology, stirring up trouble and turning a company that deserved sympathy into one that faced constant condemnation.

The game Tieba had become a cesspool, and real players no longer had a channel to make their voices heard!

Out of necessity…

Many players took to various social media platforms to speak out against the injustice facing Universe Technology.

They didn’t feel that Universe Technology had done anything wrong. They were disappointed, but not in Universe Technology – they were disappointed in the TCA and the panel of judges.

A player named Shen Lang broke the silence by posting a photo. The photo showed the official founder of the TCA bowing and apologizing to Zhang Yang at the airport.

He further revealed: The most chilling part of Road Rash’s failure was the actions of Huaxia game developers!

Road Rash, which had victory within its grasp, was boycotted by a group of Huaxia game companies who even went as far as voting for its competitors…

This revelation shocked most of the entertainment industry!

Many players couldn’t believe that Huaxia game companies could be so dark and corrupt!

An uproar ensued!

Keep in mind, this happened abroad!

And it was in Japan!

Weren’t they just making themselves a laughingstock for those folks living their comfortable little lives over there?

Back in Huaxia, it was one thing to tear each other’s throats out, but to go abroad and pull the same stunts!

Wasn’t that just pure idiocy?

What was wrong with the Huaxia gaming industry?

Even at a time like this, they were still caught up in internal power struggles, unable to stand seeing their own countrymen succeed?

After Shen Lang’s post went live, it instantly became a trending topic across all major social networks…

Countless people shared it, raising their voices for Universe Technology…

Even Zhou Yang announced his support for Zhang Yang on his personal Weibo!

This world might have darkness, but it also has light…

Besides Zhou Yang, Zhao Yiman also spoke up, announcing that the title track of her new album was written by Zhang Yang. She supported Zhang Yang and took the lead in condemning certain unscrupulous domestic companies…

At the same time…

Liu Ruohan also spoke.

However, Liu Ruohan’s statement was a unilateral apology. Simultaneously, she announced her resignation from Mumaen Technology’s management system and stated she would no longer hold any position within the company.

The polar night might be dark and cold.

But…

Clumps of small flames gradually flickered into starlight amidst the howling wind.

The starlight illuminated the night.

November 5th.

The paid trolls were still rampant and arrogant, but they could no longer control the rhythm of public opinion. In the game Tieba, even more players and fans came flooding in…

On that day, countless troll accounts were banned or reported, and the situation gradually began to clear.

As more and more players poured in to support Universe Technology, the sources of many troll campaigns were uncovered. Some were “suspected” to be certain game companies, but those companies immediately came forward to deny it and condemn the trolls…

November 6th.

As the autumn leaves turned yellow and scattered, and the weather gradually grew colder.

The Tieba finally quieted down. The trolls dispersed, leaving behind a field of metaphorical corpses.

However, Universe Technology remained silent, as if it had vanished from the face of the earth. The silence was frightening.

During this time!

Rumors circulated that large companies were offering high salaries to poach Universe Technology employees, promising all sorts of lavish conditions. Yet, not a single employee chose to leave for a higher salary during Universe Technology’s most difficult hour!

The cohesion of Universe Technology was terrifyingly strong…

“Is Universe Technology doing okay?”

“Why hasn’t there been any news lately?”

“Has President Zhang been suppressed to the point where he’s afraid to show his face?”

“Sigh, anyone would feel terrible in his shoes. He traveled all the way to Japan to go on a campaign, only to be met with such a heavy blow… and then he comes back to Huaxia only to be targeted again. Who could be in a good mood after that?”

“Yeah, I hope President Zhang can pull through!”

“I’ve been to Universe Technology. The employees seem to have gone back to keeping a very low profile.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. But a lot of players have spontaneously gathered at the entrance of Universe Technology, holding up signs that say ‘Keep going!'”

“Wait, for real?”

“It’s true. My friend in Yanjing even sent over photos.”

“…”

On the internet…

Universe Technology’s continued silence on its official website made some players very uneasy.

They began to worry.

The Huaxia domestic gaming scene had just started to rise; surely it wasn’t about to fall again?

However…

After seeing a certain photo, many players living nearby were greatly encouraged. They spontaneously made signs and went to stand at the entrance of Universe Technology.

…

On the road of life…

You will always meet many people.

Some look kind and gentle, but hide schemes and plots deep within their hearts.

Some are honest and simple by nature, yet have been weathered by the elements, once losing their way and feeling so desperate they wanted to leave this world behind…

Some people…

Many people pass you by, but some stop for you.

Zhang Yang looked through the window and saw a crowd gathering at the company entrance…

At first, there were only a few, maybe two or three, but as time went on, the crowd grew larger.

Through the glass, Zhang Yang saw banners and support signs with words of encouragement written on them.

Zhang Yang’s games had once brought them joy, and now, they hoped Zhang Yang wouldn’t give up during his most difficult time.

“On this journey, there are actually many people walking alongside us…”

“…”

Inside the office.

Zhang Yang felt a surge of emotion…

Meanwhile, outside, many colleagues from Universe Technology felt their eyes grow red when they saw the words.

“Please don’t give up on Huaxia games.”

No matter what you do, there will always be failures.

If you fail, as long as you don’t lose heart, you just need to stand back up and keep pushing forward.

It was true that games could be harmful sometimes. Many people became hopelessly addicted, and much negative news originated from gaming…

Spiritual opium, spiritual poison, electronic heroin…

This was undeniable.

However, many people also treated games as a form of faith.

Many hoped that one day, Huaxia’s games could step onto the international stage and stand at the pinnacle of the world.

“We won’t give up!”

“…”

Ge Yumiao opened the window and shouted toward the crowd outside.

He was truly moved by the players.

Following his shout, the players erupted into bursts of cheers.

“Please look forward to our game!”

“Please wait just a few more days!”

“Just a few more days, it’ll be ready once our game testing is finished!”

“…”

Ge Yumiao roared again amidst the cheering!

It seemed…

The gloom of not winning the award had been swept away.

He suddenly realized that whether a game won an award wasn’t important. What mattered was whether the players recognized it…

Games were made for players, not for those judges!

……………………

Ding Ziguang didn’t go to the TCA.

He had heard the rumors…

Naturally, he believed them.

In fact!

When he learned that Road Rash had lost and Liu Lei had returned from Japan, he had run to Liu Lei’s office at Dadi Technology to ask him about it.

He saw Liu Lei shake his head with a complex look in his eyes, full of sighs.

“Even though Zhang Yang is a pretty annoying guy, and sometimes I just want to slap him, he is a junior after all. I wouldn’t go that far…”

“I don’t know how the others voted, but I cast a vote for Road Rash. I had no idea mine would be the only one. It’s quite ironic, honestly.”

“But there’s no point in saying more now. We’ve probably become the villains in Zhang Yang’s eyes. No need to clarify, and no need to say anything else. Let it be.”

“Right! Pass the word down: Dadi Technology is not allowed to poach talent from Universe Technology right now! If any employees from Universe Technology come to us, we cannot accept them…”

“I hope they can make it through this hurdle!”

“…”

He saw sincerity in Liu Lei’s eyes.

It was impossible for President Liu Lei to lie, and there was no need for him to do so.

With a sense of melancholy, Ding Ziguang left the CEO’s office.

Over the next few days.

Ding Ziguang saw many news reports slandering Universe Technology.

He wanted to step forward several times, but Liu Lei stopped him.

He knew what Liu Lei was thinking. Liu Lei was the type of person who would only do things behind the scenes. On the surface, he still maintained a united front with the other companies.

For now, he didn’t want to offend the other firms.

November 8th.

Ding Ziguang logged into his “Shen Lang” account and saw a news post on Tieba.

In the Tieba post, he saw photos of players gathered below the Universe Technology building, as well as a photo of Ge Yumiao, the legendary Ge Shen, waving to the players from a window.

Then…

A post below showed that Plants vs. Zombies had entered its final testing phase and was expected to officially go on sale on November 13th.

Ding Ziguang let out a long sigh of relief.

He felt inexplicably gratified.

Zhang Yang had pulled through.

Universe Technology had pulled through as well.

Many people were terrified that Zhang Yang would steal their players and their market.

However, they never considered that as more and more excellent works emerged, the market would grow even larger, and they would all be better off!

A rising tide lifts all boats!

While competition was a reality.

Competition shouldn’t be malicious. Taking away someone else’s livelihood was, in a sense, destroying your own future.

He suddenly began to feel a sense of anticipation.

…………….

Germany.

Kerry Games.

Racing 2 had won the TCA Grand Prize. Although there was a celebration after returning to their country, there were still many voices of doubt in the market…

They questioned the legitimacy of Racing 2’s win, questioned the possibility of a fix, and questioned everything…

A few young German men looked at the trophy, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Faced with these doubts, they naturally wanted to prove their strength.

The day after the victory banquet, everyone returned to a new working state…

Meeting after meeting, despite the exhaustion, helped them confirm the direction of their new game. At the same time, market reports were placed on their desks.

Duncan, the person in charge, was very excited after reading the market report.

He felt as if he had spotted the next big market trend!

November 12th.

Their company held a meeting for the new game.

“We are going to develop a tower defense style game… I hope we can call it Tower Defense…”

“Yes, this is a brand-new game mechanic that has never existed on the market!”

“In this game, you can collect energy, and that energy can be used to defend against opponents…”

“At the same time, there will be many levels, and many levels will have corresponding characters and items…”

“For this game, I want to focus on a zombie-themed shooting style!”

“The details…”

“…”

He was holding a meeting with burning passion!

His mind was filled with visions of the future…

He imagined tomorrow, returning to the TCA stage once more, and then, in front of the entire global gaming industry, announcing that he was back!

He was a winner in every sense of the word!

He was a king.

By the time the meeting concluded, it was already 5:00 PM on November 12th.

Huaxia time was seven hours ahead of Germany…

Just as he ended the meeting…

His assistant’s expression suddenly shifted drastically as he rushed into the conference room.

“Kyle, what is it?”

“Huaxia’s Plants vs. Zombies is out!”

“So it’s out. Why are you in such a panic?”

“I downloaded a copy. Go take a look!”

“Fine!”

Duncan opened Plants vs. Zombies.

At first, his expression was calm.

However, as the game actually began to run, his eyes suddenly went wide…

“FUCK!”

“This is impossible. This is impossible…”

“Our game is still just a concept; we haven’t even built it yet. How did he finish it!”

“Impossible! Impossible!”

“Ah…”

“How are the ideas in this game exactly the same as what we just discussed in our meeting… In fact, it’s even more polished than what we envisioned!”

“Why do I feel like I’ve been plagiarized!”

“Ah! It’s impossible! It’s just not possible!”

“…”

A butterfly flapped its wings, and a hurricane swept all the way to Germany.

And then…

A great wind rises, and the clouds fly aloft!

………………….

America.

Thomson, carrying a copy of Plants vs. Zombies, knocked on the door of an American gaming company.

He looked at the owner’s shocked expression.

He suppressed his excitement!

“Mr. Rocky…”

“Represent this game!”

“Next year, I will nominate this game for TCA. I swear, I swear to God, no judge will be able to strip it of its rights!”

“…”

(End of Chapter)

Translator’s Notes