Super Spender

Chapter 198 - 198: 193: What is a Movie-Level Image? (Part Two)

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why we’ve chosen to hold this press conference in an IMAX theatre. Perhaps some of you have made a guess or two. Well, you’ve guessed correctly! Our reason for hosting the press conference in such an unconventional setting, is precisely to allow all members of the media, as well as the players, to experience what true cinematic imagery truly feels like!” Yuri Johnson, standing at the podium, declared with unabashed ambition.

Observing Yuri Johnson’s command of the stage, Finn Lewis felt somewhat dejected. ‘Damn, this perfect chance to make a positive impression has been stolen by this guy,’ he thought. But he didn’t retort. After all, courting a woman like Kay Lee required utmost concentration, and one mustn’t slack off until the last minute. ‘There will be other opportunities for me to shine; let him have this one,’ he thought.

As for ‘keeping a low profile’? ‘Nah, who needs that?’ he shrugged. ‘I didn’t scrape and slog for all this money to fade into the background. If not to steal the spotlight, what am I doing all this for?’

And, as expected, upon Yuri’s proclamation, the crowd of journalists stirred. It’s not something one could idly declare. Insisting on making such a big deal out of it, but ending up with poor quality visuals is nothing short of a self-inflicted slap in the face.

This had happened before in the gaming industry. False promises, overhyped advertising… proclaiming that a game’s release had to be delayed for the sake of better graphics, only to present a terrible end result. The hype might be there, but all it earns are curses and scorn. So, if one wishes to make a splash, they better have the means to do so.

Otherwise, you’d simply be teaching yourself the lesson of lifting a rock only to drop it on your own foot.

“I believe that today marks an epoch in the gaming world. A new era of unparalleled graphics that will make players question whether they are playing a game or stepping into a vivid, lifelike realm. IMAX has a slogan: ‘Are you watching a movie, or are you entering one?’ And today, we will pose a similar question to all our players out there, ‘Are you playing a game, or are entering a real gaming universe?’ On behalf of myself, Ms. Kay Lee and all the members of the development team, I’d like to assure all journalists and live-stream viewers that what you will see next are authentic in-game engine renders. Not a single post-production enhancement has been made! If we have to admit to one addition, it’s that we have transferred these renders onto IMAX film and converted them into 3D images. That’s all!”

Having said that, Yuri Johnson along with every team member present offered a bow to the seated journalists, before heading to join them in the audience.

The IMAX theatre at the Tech Museum had been chosen for its ample space and therefore, the comfortable seating arrangement it allowed. It was unlike many commercial IMAX halls, where the first two rows were positioned unfavorably for movie-viewing. Given the spacious interior of this hall, Yuri Johnson, amongst others, were seated in the fourth row, which was arguably the best seating location.

Once Yuri Johnson and his team had settled down, the lights in the theatre began to dim. In fact, even Yuri Johnson had yet to see the promotional video. His only experience with the ‘New World’ game had been a brief interaction with its user interface. The uncanny realism of the in-game graphics had overwhelmed him then, and he was naturally thrilled to see how the promotional video would turn out.

As the screening began, the first image that appeared was a pitch-black night sky, followed immediately by an echoing roar of a dragon. Subsequently, a massive shadow of a dragon leapt out from the side of the screen. Upon seeing this, every journalist in the room gasped in pure astonishment.

The image on the screen was indeed a Dragons of the Flame Nation; incredibly lifelike, similar to the Transformers. From the moment the dragon entered the screen till it exited, it commanded everyone’s attention. As its massive, winding body flew past floating space rocks, a sense of awe swept over everybody in the audience.

Again, the knowledge of how magnanimous the budget must have been to pull off such graphic detailing was not lost on each of the reporters in the audience, many of whom were entertainment journalists.

However, soon enough, the viewer’s perspective changed as a player’s user interface appeared on the screen. This was a typical player interface view. Even the reporters who didn’t play games regularly could tell, as there was a skill bar at the bottom, an auxiliary skill bar on the right, and a miniature map, among other features.

However, the in-game character at the center of the interface bore a striking resemblance to a photographic image. Its realistic attire only added to this effect. All the reporters present were taken back, feeling the graphic interface was out of place. The entire image gave the impression of a real-life event inside a game frame.

Next, the on-screen character, clad in an extremely luxurious mage robe, began to walk towards a nearby city. Upon entering the city, the powerful depiction of ancient architecture and the complete absence of CG effects caused everyone present to gasp in amazement.

“How…how is this possible?!” A reporter finally couldn’t help but exclaim. As the mage player had lowered his viewpoint, they were seeing, as if they were in a movie where a person ventured into a fantastical town. The vendors yelling around and the stalls, everything was incredibly realistic.

This image was indescribable! This preface of course was to let everyone know that this picture hadn’t undergone any embellishments, so soon the main point was revealed. A team of twenty had formed! When these twenty individuals combined, their dazzling gear made everyone gasp in awe.

There were many splendid items in the game, but at first glance, they looked extremely fake, merely dazzling to the eye. However, when this splendid equipment becomes incredibly tangible, exactly resembling real-life gear, it gives off a strong impression, letting them sense the powerful force encapsulated within these items!

When these twenty people all mounted their white horses – basic accessories from the system, but these white horses exuded an exceptional allure!

Especially up close, the muscular lines full of power on the horse’s body, along with the explosive force within, it always drove people who saw this scene to a spontaneous surge of exhilaration.

“I’m done for! Damn it, is this really gameplay graphics? This horse looks bloody magnificent! It completely devastates the ordinary horses given away in other games!” Players watching the live stream online had gone wild. What they were currently watching was not transmitted directly from a camera recording the scene on site. After all the on-site event was 3D, while a camera could only capture it in 2D.

What online viewers were seeing was Olivia Thatcher’s synchronized ultra-high-definition version, albeit in 2D. When the twenty horses started to gallop, the rhythmic quivering of the horse’s muscles due to running gave everyone a sense of the immense power it harnessed!

These twenty people and their neat formation gave off the vibe of a legion of soldiers! Only when these twenty people arrived at the mouth of a terrifying valley did the players realize, this should be a game instance.

The game characters on the screen had voice overs provided by Olivia. At the moment, everyone was getting to know the game instance, and the story of this instance from these voice overs.

“Warriors! My power can only allow twenty warriors to enter the true depth of the illusion, where you’ll face enemies at 100% difficulty, are you prepared?” With these words from the grey-robed elder, the heavily clad young man leading them spoke with a grave face, “We are ready.”

With the rise of a grand magic array, everyone was instantly transported inside a massive canyon. High mountains on both sides, continuously blowing gusts of wind and fluttering sand, all attested to the meticulous detail of the graphics!

Entering the canyon, the twenty individuals finally confronted the enemy, a squad armed to the teeth. At this moment, the players finally discovered that the viewpoint seemed to have been locked, no longer displaying the entire screen as in god mode like before. Moreover, earlier they could see their own characters, now they could only see the other characters.

“Charge!” With the young man clad in heavy armor leading them, belting out a roar, he powered up his body in a flash. A faint golden dragon’s shadow burst out from within him. Countless golden patterns began to rapidly expand around him as the center, forming a wide and terrifying spell array under his feet.

Players watching now could see, golden aura kept flowing in from the vast pattern formation under his feet into the bodies of characters within this spell array’s boundaries. Their skin seemed to begin shining with a faint golden light. Players experienced with Top Three could immediately recognize, “Damn, isn’t this the Dragon Flying Formation? Jesus, I’m floored. Look at this Dragon Flying Formation and then the game I’m playing now. This is like comparing a chicken to a phoenix. Shit!”

With another roar from the young man in the lead, an enormous golden barrier appeared around him, enclosing him within. Then, he abruptly brandished his shield with his left hand and pulled his frightening-looking broadsword with his right, issuing a low roar. He swiftly turned into a flurry of light, launching a counter charge at the cavalry rushing in!

With a “crash”, four, five incoming cavalry rammed into the man’s shield, as if they had run smack into a terrifying wall, flying off in all directions. This intense rendering effect made these Imights fly off in the exact way real-life impacts would have them flown off.

“Damn it! This is how a real MT should be! No more words, I have got to play this game just for these effects!” The players watching the screen were starting to get excited!