This Is Not a Bug but a Game Feature-Chapter 77: Immortal Aura on the Path to Immortality
Regarding the rise of "Star Emperor" in the web novel author circle, Chen Ba initially wasn’t aware.
This is quite normal, after all, the circle is too small.
To be honest, the web novel author circle might even have fewer people than the graphics card forum! "Star Emperor" as the designated test software for the graphics card forum isn’t lacking in popularity.
Until after the Mid-Autumn Festival, when he was routinely maintaining the server, he unexpectedly discovered a new batch of players on Path to Immortality, all registered for less than a month, with nicknames full of nerdy flair. That’s when he realized what was happening.
"Wow!"
Lu couldn’t help but laugh and said, "I’ve been wondering where all these players are coming from, why their names are nerdier one after the other; turns out they’re from the web novel crowd."
"Those writing fantasy and xianxia novels!"
Yang Dong added, then said, "But you know what, now the Path to Immortality is really starting to have some immortal aura."
Previously, the players on the leaderboard would pick random names, like "Love Driving the Cullinan" and "Grandpa’s Pride", without any special consideration.
But now it’s different.
Open the current Path to Immortality leaderboard, and the top-ranked Immortal Emperors and Immortal Kings are all "big names".
Names like Immortal Emperor Ni Yang, Flame Emperor Martial Ancestor, Galaxy Lord, Fighting Saint Emperor, Immortal King of Endlessness, Dugu Baitian...
Those who know it’s the game leaderboard, those who don’t might think it’s a meeting of a bunch of fantasy xianxia protagonists!
Who came up with these names?
A small part brought by web novel authors, most influenced by web novels, thought these names were cool and changed theirs accordingly.
Certainly!
Aside from emulating novel protagonist names, some chose to create original, extremely nerdy titles, displayed on the Path to Immortality leaderboard for all to admire.
Thanks to this batch of web novel authors, the Path to Immortality now has a bit of "immortal aura".
Although these nicknames are cringey, so cringey you wouldn’t want to admit it’s your web name, if everyone plays along, then it’s not cringey.
"It’s fine, let them be."
Chen Ba didn’t see any issue with it, cringey is cringey, people choosing nicknames isn’t illegal, right? You can’t stop them from picking these names, can you?
However, while he can ignore players using nerdy nicknames, he couldn’t ignore the vendors openly advertising on Path to Immortality.
Just look at these lousy names!
On the Immortal Emperor leaderboard, among the names of fantasy xianxia protagonists, there are two players nicknamed "Daren Shuo 4090 Raptor" and "Desolate Rainbow 4090 Water God".
Seriously?
The nicknames don’t fit, but using Path to Immortality to advertise their products? Do they honestly think these game-loving players can afford a 4090?
"They actually can!"
Lu coughed, speaking with little confidence, "I can’t speak for other games, but advertising on Path to Immortality in Star Emperor might be quite effective."
Daren Shuo’s official flagship store even included a screenshot of the "Path to Immortality ranking" on their 4090 graphics card product page, bragging about it.
Players are really into it!
Given similar prices, which brand’s 4090 graphics card seems more reliable?
Although Star Emperor’s sales aren’t high, its reputation certainly is! 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
It’s similar to how 99% of people haven’t used 3DMark, but have heard of its fame.
With the scoreboard and ranking displayed, can it be false? Either way, you’re buying a graphics card, so why not get one that’s been "battle-tested" with the Immortal Emperor Card?
"Ba, isn’t there nothing we can do about this?"
Lu noticed Ba’s displeased expression and said in a low voice, "No matter what nicknames players choose, that’s their freedom..."
"Yes, you’re right!"
Chen Ba nodded, then said, "Naming is their freedom, but targeted game optimization is ours. Don’t you think?"
Basic optimization can’t be touched.
But this doesn’t mean Tianba Studio can’t further optimize specific graphics cards on top of basic optimization.
However, it’s a waste of time and doesn’t improve much, so Chen Ba is lazy to do it.
If someone sponsors, like a graphics card vendor funding, then specifically optimizing a particular model or brand isn’t impossible.
Don’t forget, retrieving hardware information for an online game, especially one like Star Emperor that recommends quality based on configuration, is no problem.
No payment, then basic optimization stays the same, no changes.
Payment received, then based on cash, Tianba Studio can work overtime to develop a 2.0 advanced version of optimization, making your 3080 comparable to a rival’s 3090.
"Is that possible?"
"Of course it is! Although the improvement isn’t too obvious, usual optimization general suffices."
Chen Ba wasn’t lying.
Regular optimization suffices, and is more than enough, but it guarantees the "lower limit". If time is well spent on optimization, the upper limit can also be improved slightly.
Of course, only slightly.
The improvement might not even reach 5%, affecting game frame rates only marginally, like from 60 frames to about 65 frames.
And such optimization is graphics card specific, too low-end, too small VRAM cards won’t benefit no matter how much effort is put into optimization.
"Xianyu Digital’s business is good, in the future whichever brand gives us the biggest discount, we’ll specialize in optimizing it."
With a smile on his face, Chen Ba said, "Path to Immortality isn’t just about fighting, there’s human interactions too!"
Lu: "..."
Ba is definitely Ba!
Coming up with such a cunning plan, why not think of ways to get players to spend more? Why always target graphics card vendors for profit?
Not wanting to think about whether Ba will be ambushed while walking at night, Lu noted this down before turning to another topic.
So far Tianba Studio has released three games, all on "multi-platform", focusing on wide distribution.
But upon learning of the new game "Divine Grace Continent", console manufacturers and a certain company approached hoping for exclusive launch rights.
"Console exclusivity?"
Chen Ba was puzzled. Although Tianba Studio also releases console versions of its games, they primarily focus on PC platform.
How did the new game attract the attention of console platforms? Could it be due to Old Huang’s demo video last time?
As for the company...
It’s expected, considering the company has been trying to develop the wegame platform, attracted many domestic single-game developers, wanting exclusive launches makes sense.
However, Chen Ba definitely won’t agree to the company, unless it’s a financially irresistible offer, otherwise it’s not negotiable.
But console platform exclusivity makes Chen Ba a bit hesitant...
