A real cheat was blocked, and the game industry was rectified with a backhand

Freeman was puzzled for a moment.

Are you crazy? Or is the industry crazy?

In the WGA back then, Jeff and he were the loudest and second-most vocal people in the organizing committee.

Both of them have the same vision, and the best games of the year over the years are the games that both of them think are the best.

Until a few years ago, Naughty Cat came into being.

Jeff admired this young and unconventional company, but Freeman always held a prejudice.

Because many of Naughty Cat's games are incomprehensible to him.

Now, this feeling is even stronger.

When Dark Souls came out, he thought it was a crappy game.

Like Digging Up, it is an inexplicably popular game that relies on torturing players to get out of the game. It is a game that became popular due to gimmicks.

But after the results came out, he was given a big slap in the face.

This game actually started a sect and named a category of games with the word "soul"!

I finally accepted this setting and successfully brainwashed myself. This is a classic game type.

We believe that this framework cannot be broken, and it is a special success story that cannot be replicated.

All innovative designs are self-destructive.

Therefore, he highly admires Electronic Arts' latest soul-based game "Darkborn".

The result was absolutely unexpected.

"Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" came out.

A game that has nothing to do with "soul" except for a few settings.

Both of them played the game before it was released and came to the conclusion that this game did not deserve the best of the year.

As a result, after the game was officially released, it was completely unexpected.

Not only did it become popular, but the fire was so intense that it quickly spread out within a few days.

Such as "death", such as "hesitation will lead to defeat".

Freeman's back molars were almost broken.

But facing the young man in the studio, he still suppressed his anger and asked, pretending that nothing happened: "Aren't you soul players disgusted with those insignificant changes?"

The young man’s name is Jenkins, a well-known writer in gaming media.

He was also the person who most stood by Naughty Cat when Dark Souls selected the best of the year.

After hearing this, Jenkins nodded and said, "Yes, that's right."

"Then why do you still think Sekiro deserves Game of the Year?"

Hearing this question, Jenkins was stunned for a long time, and then said in confusion: "However, this is the WGA's annual best selection. What is selected is the best game of the year, not the game with the most authentic soul."

Freeman:

Grass.

I felt even more depressed and a little autistic.

As a former game industry practitioner and now the head of WGA.

For the first time, I felt a little at a loss.

I feel like I don’t understand this industry anymore.

Then he looked at the other people and asked, "What about you? Although it's not the final day of voting, you can say what's best in your heart."

"I think it's Dark Descent."

Hearing this, Freeman nodded with satisfaction.

After Jeff was squeezed out, there were many more of his "own people" in the organizing committee.

This one is one of them.

"I think it's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice."

They were also divided into two factions.

But

There are obviously more Sekiro factions.

Freeman looked calm on the surface, but he began to curse in his heart.

Did you miss the mark again? !

What's going on in this industry?

This year the situation is different.

Electronic Arts has spent so much effort to boost investor confidence with an annual award.

If this was the best of the year, it would still go to Naughty Cat

He may be the one who is eliminated next year.

After another discussion, Freeman excused himself and left.

He sat back in his car and made a phone call.

"Mr. Arnold, the situation seems to be not good. I need to listen to your opinions and suggestions."

Then, he talked about Sekiro’s recent reputation.

After finishing speaking, I waited anxiously for a while, but there was no reply.

After a long time, Freeman asked: "Sir?"

"What do you want to express when you tell me this? Are you asking me if I can give Lin Mo the best award of the year?"

Freeman frowned, these words were very sinister and made him feel a little uncomfortable.

"I still say the same thing, if "Dark Ones" scores 75 points and "Sekiro" scores 90 points, the best film of the year will be Dark One's."

After a pause, he added: "But now, "Sekiro" is not 90 points, but 120 points! If the best of the year is given to "Dark Descendants", a WGA that has ruined its reputation will be able to boost investor confidence. Is it useful?"

As soon as these words came out, the phone was quiet for a long time.

Although Arnold was displeased, he also knew that what Freeman said was true.

The production level of "Dark Descendants" is not bad, but it has won the best trophy of the year in previous years.

But there is no choice, there is the company Naughty Cat, and there is the weirdo Lin Mo.

It has raised the gold content of the year's best by more than one level.

There was even a situation.

Players have already assumed that the best game of the year belongs to Naughty Cat, and they all feel that the current best action-adventure award is better than the best game in previous years.

Because there is a comparison, and the comparison is with Naughty Cat’s many classic and incomparable games.

It seems that the current annual Best Action Adventure Award has a much higher gold content.

If it wasn't a track, it would be easier to say something.

But the problem now is that the two games are on the same track!

Complete competition for the same position, whoever is worse will be embarrassed.

Thinking of this, Arnold became less angry.

Arnold was silent for a long time and suddenly said: "Dark Ones does not have to win this year's Game of the Year award. However, this year's Best Game of the Year award cannot be awarded to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice."

Freeman was silent for a long time, knowing that the other party was taking a step back.

If this requirement can no longer be met, it would indeed be unreasonable.

"Then, how to do it? There are some good works this year, but is it too difficult to focus on "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice"?"

Arnold asked back: "What games do Naughty Cats have this year?"

Freeman frowned.

"Dead by Daylight at the beginning of the year, preparing for the middle of the year... Genshin Impact at the end of the year, Sekiro."

Counting them one by one, even Freeman himself frowned.

This year’s Naughty Cat game lineup is still very productive and of high quality.

But except for Sekiro, none of the other games can win the best theme or type of the year.

Thinking of this, Freeman asked again: "Do you want to stagger the selection cycle? From December 12 last year to the end of October this year? Include Sekiro in next year's selection?"