Chi Cheng's questioning echoed the sentiments of all the players.
Everyone was genuinely baffled.
Why abandon a super IP with skyrocketing popularity and limitless potential, only to start a new, niche fishing game that seemed like a retirement hobby in the gaming world?
Isn't this just a brain hemorrhage move?
The discussions on the forums grew increasingly heated.
Many even began to analyze the commercial logic behind Zhaoxi Games' actions with reasoned arguments.
"I think the development team has run out of ideas. The concept of 'Imperial Jade Seal' was too big, and they have no clue how to continue with the urban map, so they just decided to play dead and not do it."
"Makes sense. Fishing games are simple, just make a pond, some fish graphics, and a few mouse clicks. It's clearly an attempt to ride the current wave of popularity and casually release another game to cash in!"
"This is so disappointing. I thought a domestic indie game finally had something interesting, but it turns out to be a scumbag who starts things but doesn't finish them."
"Forget it, even dogs wouldn't play a fishing game."
The initial confusion among the public quickly turned into dissatisfaction and criticism.
In the eyes of many players, Zhaoxi Games' actions were undoubtedly exploiting their trust in "I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!"
However.
Despite claiming they wouldn't play or buy it, the players' actions were surprisingly honest.
Maybe... let's just pay attention for now!
After all, while they might complain, not everyone was completely uninterested.
After all, "I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!" left a deep impression on players back then.
"Brothers, don't be impulsive, this is clearly a new trap!"
"Can a fishing game really be interesting? I don't believe it."
"I'm not being impulsive, I'm just pre-registering to watch the streamers play later."
...
Soon, at 2:55 PM the next day.
Five minutes before "Great Angler" officially launched.
The heat in Chi Cheng's livestream room had already risen significantly.
Many fans were waiting right on time.
This was actually quite normal.
For many players, playing games alone can be quite boring.
Starting a game alone, going through the tutorial alone, exploring the gameplay alone, getting killed by monsters alone, and then staring silently at the screen alone.
Sometimes, it's not that they don't want to play.
It's just that playing alone isn't that fun.
Especially with a seemingly casual new game like this, buying it to play alone might just be a pure waste of time if it turns out to be uninteresting.
But watching a streamer play is different.
The streamer gets frustrated, the audience mocks.
The streamer gets excited, the audience mocks.
The streamer makes a mistake, the audience mocks.
Isn't that simply more entertaining?
"Ahem, brothers. Let me say it again, I'm not here to play a game today."
"I'm just here as a representative of our Great E Empire, to investigate for everyone. Let's see what kind of thing Zhaoxi Games has come up with."
"A fishing game, right? Great Angler, right? Today, I'm going in with a critical eye to expose them! I want to see what kind of tricks they can pull off!"
The chat was full of agreement.
"Yes! Criticize it! We must resist this kind of unprofessional behavior!"
"We're infiltrating the enemy! It's definitely not out of curiosity!"
"One minute countdown! Chi Bro, refresh quickly!"
Three o'clock sharp.
The Deep Blue Platform refreshed its interface.
A new game quietly went online, featuring a black silhouette wearing a straw hat sitting by the water.
"Great Angler."
The players' discussions began.
"Hey, you have to admit, this page is pretty clean."
"Weren't you the one who said you wouldn't look?"
"I'm just checking out the enemy."
"How's the enemy?"
"Priced at ten bucks."
"..."
"Damn, ten bucks again?"
The mention of ten bucks left many silent.
It was all too familiar.
"I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!" was also ten bucks.
Ten bucks, not expensive.
Can't go wrong, can't be deceived.
Zhaoxi really nailed the psychology here!
Chi Cheng looked at the price on the screen, his mouth twitching slightly.
"Seriously, is this the only trick Zhaoxi Games knows?"
"This price is too sneaky."
"But, cheap as it is, it doesn't excuse them from neglecting the Great E Empire to make a fishing game!"
Chi Cheng maintained his righteous persona while scrolling down to check the game's details.
As he scrolled down a bit, the most prominent spot on the details page boldly displayed a promotional slogan.
"Can't catch fish? It must be the fish's fault!"
Seeing this, Chi Cheng was stunned.
"Alright, alright!"
"My dad has the same excuse when he can't catch fish!"
The chat erupted in laughter.
"Who wrote this slogan? It's genius!"
"Perfectly captures the mindset of anglers who come back empty-handed!" This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
"Got it, this is Zhaoxi Games' disclaimer. If you can't catch fish in this game, don't blame the developers!"
"For this line alone, I'm paying the ten bucks!"
"Bro, don't get carried away, remember our mission!"
Chi Cheng couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Brothers, Zhaoxi Games' thought process is truly unique! Other fishing games boast about how many types of fish they have, how many rods, how beautiful the scenery is. But they start by preparing you mentally!"
"Alright! Since they've put it out there, today I'm determined to see if it's the fish or my skills that are the problem!"
Chi Cheng clicked on "Purchase."
"Today, I'm going to find out if it's the fish in this game that have issues or if it's my technique!"
The game wasn't large, less than two gigabytes, and with Chi Cheng's high-end computer and gigabit internet speed, downloading and installing it was just a matter of taking a sip of water.
"Installation complete."
Chi Cheng took a deep breath, sat up straight, and his expression turned serious.
"Alright, brothers, the adventure begins. Let's judge this 'Great Angler' together!"
He double-clicked the icon to start the game.
Soon, a very simple logo appeared.
A few seconds later, the screen gradually brightened.
It transitioned directly into an in-game cutscene.
What came into view was a somewhat desolate, weed-covered village riverbank.
The sun was slightly setting, casting a yellowish glow on the murky water, and on the screen, the water rippled with incredibly fine detail.
Chi Cheng watched, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Hey, brothers."
"This opening scene looks pretty decent."
"It really captures that village river vibe."
The chat also became more serious.
"Indeed, better than expected."
"There are dewdrops on the grass, nice details."
"Zhaoxi Games has something here, the environmental depiction looks quite thoughtful!"
"I'm a professional game developer, and I can tell this game was made with care! Ten bucks is definitely worth it!"
Chi Cheng swallowed, and the urge to criticize had unknowingly dissipated by more than half.
"Brothers... can I take back what I said earlier?"
Chi Cheng gripped the mouse and rotated the view on the screen.
As the view shifted, the water's reflections and the distant tree shadows changed with incredibly natural physics, without any stuttering or clipping.
"This game... doesn't seem as half-hearted as we thought."
"Honestly, just look at this water engine, these lighting effects. I even think that ten bucks just to enjoy the scenery and listen to the white noise is already worth it."
"Zhaoxi Games has indeed invested heavily in creating the environmental atmosphere. It's clear they approached this game with a serious attitude, definitely not just a quick cash grab."
"On this point, I have to give an objective evaluation!"