"???"
—Wait, are you sure you didn't say something wrong?
—The last person to receive the award said, "9.5 points is the best result we expected," and you're on stage saying, "We are all dissatisfied"? Is this really the same awards ceremony? Is this really the same game world?
The scriptwriter was so genuine; anyone could tell he was sincere.
I am truly heartbroken and deeply regretful, and I am reflecting on my own actions!
He secretly wiped away his tears with his fingers and continued speaking.
"So actually, before we even started, we were already working on the follow-up development of 'Xia Ke Xing'. I hope that through this new round of efforts, we can turn around the current rating situation and deliver a better result to the players."
Then, he bowed deeply once again.
"I'm so sorry, boss! I'm so sorry, fellow players! Please let us make amends!"
Everyone: "..."
The head of the drama team accepted this year's "Best of the Year" award, and under the dazzling pure gold light, his tears of regret seemed even more moving.
Many people in the audience, however, maintained a dazed expression, as if they didn't know where they were, and mechanically applauded him.
Wait until the team leader returns to his seat.
Mingyan turned to the side and patted his shoulder, whispering words of comfort: "It's okay, we can do better next time."
The entire Blue Star team nodded silently.
The production team of the neighboring game "War Armor Warriors" fell into deep thought.
The chief designer, who had been happily basking in the glory while holding the trophy, quietly tucked it into his backpack.
Two people whispered to each other:
"Wow, Earth has such high standards for itself!"
"No wonder. Look at the works that Chief Craftsman Ming has created; they are all masterpieces. Perhaps his standards are just different from those of us mere mortals..."
"The environment there must be really good for developing people. If I could get an 8.5 rating in the top league after joining a new project, I'd be laughing in my sleep."
Finally, they concluded with an exclamation:
"The powerhouses of Earth are truly terrifying!"
As the applause finally subsided, everyone assumed the awards ceremony was over.
However, to everyone's surprise, the background music started playing again.
To everyone's astonishment, the opening cinematic of "The Mortal Soul" appeared on the big screen!
"Just last year, a game revolutionized our understanding of the difficulty and fun of games."
The host smiled slowly.
“One of our reviewers initially wanted to give it the lowest score because he couldn’t pass the tutorial level. But after he passed it, he gave it a 5. Later, he passed the second level and decided to change it to a 9… Of course, in the end, everyone knows the final score for this game.”
Good-natured laughter erupted from the audience.
The host said, "Bluestar Games has once again given us a solid lesson with their unique understanding of games. Mortal Souls can be considered the progenitor of Souls-like games, opening a whole new world for the gaming industry."
"...Well, some people call it 'the Devil's Gate'."
The audience laughed again.
Amidst the cheers and laughter, the host announced, "Please welcome the chief designer of Blue Star Studio from the Sixth Star Province to the stage! Congratulations to him for winning last year's Best Game Award for 'Mortal Souls'—you may miss the ceremony, but you'll never miss the honor!"
The award ceremony music played for the third time, and this time Mingyan had to go on stage in person.
He never expected that the awards ceremony he missed last year due to an accident would be made up for this year.
As expected of the top players in the Jia Lian group, their methods are truly unconventional...
But it makes people like you a lot!
Mingyan, who received yet another pleasant surprise, was somewhat at a loss after going on stage.
He looked at the guests below the stage and said, "Well... I've completely forgotten the thank-you speech I memorized last year, and someone beat me to it this year. My mind is completely blank now."
"Let's start by thanking the League One. I never thought that I, who am a year late, would be able to have a complete awards ceremony."
"Next, I would like to thank everyone in the studio for their support and trust. It is my greatest fortune to be able to gather with everyone in Blue Star Studio."
"We would also like to thank all the players who have supported and understood us. We have experienced many ups and downs this year, but in the end we have been able to work together and overcome them together."
"Finally, I want to thank my handsome boyfriend. I always forgot to mention that I shaped Russell with his steadfastness and reliability, the Undead with his tenacity and courage, and the White Swordsman with his most dashing side."
After he finished speaking, he winked at Xia Cheng in the audience.
The light immediately found Xia Cheng, who was grinning like a cat that had stolen cream, and it took him a while to calm his smile back.
Mingyan's gaze went further, as if he could see something much more distant through this golden hall.
He said, "Thank you to the beautiful blue planet for nurturing such a brilliant civilization, allowing us to glimpse its mysterious face thousands of years later. Thank you for all the wonderful, romantic, exciting, or gentle encounters in the world that bring us joy. Thank you."
After he finished speaking, he laughed.
Amid applause, Mingyan playfully picked up the trophy, quickly stepped off the stage, and placed it in Xia Cheng's arms.