After Xu Chen posted the announcement, he didn't pay any attention.
He went out to the nearby vegetable market to buy groceries.
Recently, Xu Tian Tian has been working quite hard on her daily livestreams.
Xu Chen decided to buy some good ingredients and cook something delicious for Xu Tian Tian to replenish her energy.
Xu Chen strolled out the door.
Meanwhile, the announcement Xu Chen posted had already created a stir online.
Previously, Xu Chen was incredibly secretive online.
Apart from appearing once on Xu Tian Tian's livestream, he had almost no public appearances or statements.
This was Xu Chen's first time taking the initiative to post an announcement on the S platform.
Moreover, the announcement was packed with information.
First, the most anticipated thing was the sequel to Black Myth: Wukong - Fire Illuminates the Dark Clouds.
This was the second installment in the Black Myth series.
It was nearly ready to be released!
It's worth noting that this world also has many large-scale games, all part of series.
Once an IP takes off, it's common to see five, six, or even more installments.
However, to maximize profits, game companies usually require their games to go through a complete sales cycle before releasing sequels.
This cycle typically takes at least two to three years.
Simultaneously, the development of large-scale games also requires time.
Sometimes, even when the sales cycle is complete, the game isn't finished yet.
Delays are almost a standard practice for game companies.
But Black Myth: Wukong, even though many players hadn't finished Fire Illuminates the Dark Clouds, had already completed its sequel.
It was even ready for launch soon!
This feeling was incredibly rare and thrilling.
Even after completing a good game, players often feel a sense of unfinished business.
That's why so many players play through the game twice, three times, or even more.
They grind through the game again and again, striving to unlock hidden endings.
They explore unknown areas within the game, collecting various Easter eggs.
But over time, player enthusiasm inevitably fades.
Black Myth: Wukong is different.
The release of the sequel, upholding the style of the initial launch, is characterized by its suddenness. It’s released without any dragging or delay.
The title for the second installment has already been determined:
Wind Rises at Dusk.
This suggests that the game is essentially finished.
Besides the completion of the sequel to Black Myth: Wukong, the announcement also reveals a clearance rating system.
It's divided into the traditional tiers: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, Huang, and three ranks, Upper, Middle, and Lower.
The fact that there are so many tiers indicates that achieving a perfect clearance rating in Black Myth: Wukong is incredibly difficult.
Simply completing the main storyline will likely earn a low rating.
Defeating hidden bosses, completing many side quests, and collecting numerous special items are necessary to achieve a perfect rating.
Of course, according to Xu Chen, the progress ranking of the clearance is also a crucial factor.
The first batch of players to clear the game will receive high ratings.
Soon, players flooded the Black Myth: Wukong discussion board with frantic discussions.
"This news is explosive. I wonder when Wind Rises at Dusk will be released?"
"Definitely within a month. Many players have already cleared White-Clad Swordsman and are more than halfway through."
"What? You all cleared White-Clad Swordsman? Am I the only one still playing with the Bighead Baby?"
"What are the conditions to get a Heaven-level rating?"
"I can't hope for a fast clear; I'll have to grind for completion."
"This game definitely has a lot of hidden missions. I found a spot that might be a hidden mission."
"Really? There are hidden missions?"
"Boss, can you elaborate on the details of this hidden mission?"
Undeniably, the players of Black Myth: Wukong have high enthusiasm.
Furthermore, they haven't kept any special information under wraps.
They are all exchanging information on the discussion board.
Soon, some bosses have analyzed several crucial hidden bosses and plot elements.
The first is the frog monster, Waves Amidst the Waves.
This boss is easy to miss if you aren't careful.
However, since many streamers have already fought this boss, players are generally aware of it.
The second is the Three Bells.
The three bells appeared in the earlier storyline.
Ringing all three bells will undoubtedly be linked to the subsequent plot.
However, no one has encountered them yet.
Moreover, the location of the three bells isn't obvious.
It will take some effort to ring all three.
Additionally, there's the "Flying Dragon Scale" obtained by killing a monster in a specific location.
Many players haven't acquired this item.
Various other achievements and hidden materials have also been summarized by the players.
At this time, on various streaming platforms, almost all streamers are like they've been injected with steroids.
Many streamers who usually don't stream during the day have already posted previews, preparing to battle it out for a whole day.
All streamers understand one thing: obtaining the Heaven-level clearance achievement in Black Myth: Wukong is crucial.
It not only attracts a massive audience, but more importantly, you must obtain the trial access for Wind Rises at Dusk.
Otherwise, if other streamers get trial access to Wind Rises at Dusk, they'll start streaming the new game, while you're stuck grinding White-Clad Swordsman.
Your livestream viewership would be pitifully low.
Apart from some abstract streamers, no one dares to play that way.
For a time, various platforms, even during daytime working hours, saw a wave of streamer openings.
Big and small streamers alike were starting their broadcasts.
Many viewers who were supposed to be at work or school couldn't help but start slacking off and watching streams.
Xu Chen, who had set off this wave of excitement, was completely oblivious.
After returning from the vegetable market, he immediately entered the kitchen to prepare the ingredients.
At that moment, a sound came from Xu Tian Tian's room.
"Strange, why is Xu Tian Tian being so diligent today?"
"She's already started streaming before noon?"
"She usually sleeps in late for beauty rest."
"Alright, alright, kids are just playful."
After finishing his words, Xu Chen continued cooking.
At that moment, Xu Tian Tian had already donned her VR gear and stepped onto the holographic treadmill.
Her livestream had begun.