Becoming the Strongest as a Game Dev Ch 21

Sam's fingers flew across the keyboard as he finalized the contract with Gail. After weeks of intense development, the moment of truth had arrived. With a few final keystrokes, the deal was sealed.

Sam leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "It's done," he announced, meeting Gail's gaze.

Gail returned the smile, extending her hand. "Excellent work, Sam. I look forward to seeing Arkham Asylum released to the other cities next week."

Sam and Gail shook hands, sealing the deal. "I'll be in touch with the details," Gail said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Welcome to the SimQuest team, Sam."

With a final nod, Sam exited the cozy café, his mind racing with the possibilities that lay ahead. As he made his way back to his apartment, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and anticipation.

Once home, Sam settled into his chair and opened the review section for his Arkham Asylum simulation. A mix of emotions washed over him as he scanned the comments. The majority were overwhelmingly positive, with players praising the attention to detail and immersive experience.

However, Sam's brow furrowed as he came across some negative reviews. Certain players had expressed frustration with the challenge level, particularly the restriction on killing. They described harrowing experiences where attempting to kill the villains resulted in them becoming infected by the Joker's venom, transforming Batman into the monstrous Batman Who Laughs.

Sam added the ending of Batman becoming The Batman Who Laughs to show players what will happen if they break Batman's no-killing policy. He couldn't really force them to not kill, but there are consequences if they do. Sam still did not want to add a killing option, because it would tarnish Batman's image.

People also complain of the lack of weapons since Batman is mostly hand-to-hand combat. Hunters use weapons the majority of the time, so they were not able to increase their proficiency in weapon mastery.

Sam took note of these complaints. He couldn't really incorporate weapons into the Batman simulation, but he would take note of it when creating future simulations. Sam would create an easy mode and hardcore mode for the players, to address the difficulty.

With a thoughtful nod, Sam opened the system interface and began tinkering with the settings. He knew that balancing the challenge level was crucial to ensure the simulation remained engaging for a wide range of players. Some would relish the unforgiving nature of Batman's no-kill policy, while others would appreciate a more accessible experience.

Toggling between the two modes, Sam carefully adjusted the enemy AI, damage thresholds, and availability of gadgets. In the easy mode, he made the villains slightly less aggressive, allowing players to subdue them without risking transformation. The hardcore setting, on the other hand, would push the players to their limits, forcing them to master Batman's combat skills and detective work.

As Sam fine-tuned the simulation, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. He was eager to see how the players would respond to the new options, and whether they would embrace the full depth of the Arkham Asylum experience.

…

Ruby sits quietly in the back of the armored truck, her fingers tapping against her knee as the vehicle rumbles along the dusty road. The four other Hunters in the group are chatting amongst themselves, their voices a dull murmur, but Ruby keeps her focus on the mission ahead.

The group's leader, a grizzled D-Rank Hunter with a scar across his face, turns to address them. "Listen up," he says, his voice gruff. "This mission is to destroy a Goblin settlement. The report says there could be anywhere from 50 to 100 of the bastards holed up there."

Ruby nods, her expression serious. She's been on E-Rank missions before, but she knows better than to underestimate the threat. Goblins, while not the most formidable creatures, can be dangerous in large numbers.

"Stay alert and stick to the plan," the leader continues. "I don't want any heroics, understood? We get in, we take care of business, and we get out. This is a straightforward mission, so let's make it a quick one."

The other Hunters nod in agreement, their faces set with determination. Ruby takes a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the battle ahead. She knows she has the skills to handle this, but the uncertainty of the situation still sends a tingle of anticipation down her spine.

As the truck rumbles to a stop, the leader turns to them one last time. "Alright, let's move out. Remember, watch each other's backs out there."

Ruby checks the equipment on her body, ensuring her helmet, body armor, boots, and gloves are secure. She grips her assault rifle, feeling the familiar weight in her hands. The pistol at her side and the knife strapped to her thigh provide additional reassurance.

Ruby grips her assault rifle tightly, her recent practice with Batman's marksmanship techniques fresh in her mind. During her training, she was able to hit the targets with uncanny accuracy, landing shots dead center 90% of the time.

Feeling a surge of confidence, Ruby takes a deep breath and steadies her stance. The plan is to get in, eliminate the goblins, and get out quickly. She knows she has the skills to handle this mission, but the uncertainty of the situation still sends a tingle of anticipation down her spine.

As the truck comes to a stop, Ruby follows the other Hunters, her finger poised on the trigger, ready to put her training to the test.

Ruby sticks close to her fellow Hunters as they cautiously make their way towards the Goblin Settlement. Her eyes scan the area, alert for any signs of movement or danger. The crunching of gravel and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot put her on edge, her grip tightening around her assault rifle.

The group moves with practiced precision, each Hunter covering the others as they advance. Ruby matches their pace, her body tense and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. She can feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, fueling her determination to succeed in this mission.

Glancing briefly at her teammates, Ruby takes comfort in their presence. United, they will face whatever challenges lie ahead.