"I've worked in this field for so many years... This is the first time I've encountered something ."
"If you want to erase HIM, the only way is to shut the servers down."
Brother Jiang's words were frank. Even he, a seasoned veteran in the industry, had never imagined a game could generate an autonomous consciousness entirely unrelated to data.
To put it plainly, there was now a sentient being inside the game.
This wasn't something mere code could fix.
HIM had no associated data or information. The only way to make him disappear was to stop the game servers. Without the game, he wouldn't exist.
But Zero Point Corporation would never consider such an option.
They'd spent ten years developing this game. How could they shut it down so easily?
When the executives heard this, they were stunned.
"What? Shut the servers down?!"
"Brother Jiang, don't joke around. You know how much effort we've put into this game."
"Isn't there any other way…?"
Brother Jiang could only shake his head with a bitter smile.
"Even if you brought in the best hackers in the world, the result would be the same. This isn't a data issue at all."
"If shutting down the servers isn't an option, there are still alternative approaches to handle the problem."
Brother Jiang might not have a way to eliminate HIM, but resolving the current situation? That was within his expertise.
He'd reviewed plenty of complaints from players.
And the truth was, players weren't demanding the removal of HIM. What they really wanted was an official explanation.
At its core, the frustration stemmed from the players feeling underpowered compared to HIM's overwhelming strength.
Moreover, despite the buzz, very few players had actually encountered HIM. The player retention rates were still relatively stable.
So, HIM himself wasn't the issue.
The problem was the lack of communication and the players' desire for clarity.
Additionally, some players complained about their lack of skill.
Addressing these issues didn't require targeting HIM directly.
A better approach would be to consider what the players wanted: improve the gameplay experience, shift their focus, and reassure the affected ones.
As for HIM, Zero Point Corporation didn't need to treat him like a plague.
On the contrary, they should leverage HIM as a unique selling point.
After all, how many games out there could claim to have a sentient anomaly like HIM?
Marketed properly, the concern wouldn't be about player retention but whether the servers could handle the influx of new players.
The executives, still puzzled by Brother Jiang's words, waited for further clarification. Sighing at their confusion, he continued.
"First, soothe Yonghui Group's nerves—they're just looking for someone to take responsibility."
"Find someone to take the blame. Once they have an explanation and a graceful way out, they won't pursue this further."
"Then, shut the servers down for a day and roll out an update."
"Release an official guide, detailing the monsters and other relevant information."
"Implement that free combat mode you've been working on and add a decent mod to enhance player skills. Redirect their focus to mastering the game itself."
"Make them channel their energy into exploring the game mechanics."
"And finally, issue an announcement stating HIM has been removed."
"That should resolve most of the problems."
You had to admit, Brother Jiang's experience and insight were unparalleled.
As a close friend of Minecraft creator Notch, his advice was invaluable.
Initially, the company had considered reaching out to Notch himself, but he'd been on vacation for ages, completely uninvolved in corporate affairs.
And since this issue hadn't impacted the company's profits—yet—the executives were reluctant to disturb him.
Hence, they invited Brother Jiang, a top-tier programmer and expert in game operations, to provide a solution.
In truth, how many players had really encountered HIM?
Other than the guild master, vice guild master, and a few higher-ups from Eternal Guild who quit in frustration, the average player was unaffected.
For most players, HIM was a non-issue.
Many complaints were simply bandwagoning. People submitted them expecting the company to take notice and potentially offer some perks as compensation.
As for Eternal Guild? Brother Jiang had looked into it. They had brought this on themselves by provoking HIM.
Not wanting to take the blame, they turned to the company to save face.
So the solution was simple:
Appease the average player, find a scapegoat for Yonghui, and market HIM's mysterious nature.
After hearing Brother Jiang's plan, the executives mulled it over.
"Should we really add free combat mode? Notch advised against it for the early stages, preferring to introduce it later for variety."
"After all, what set our game apart was its lack of free combat, which attracted players in the first place."
(Note: Free combat mode here is akin to sandbox-style gameplay.)
In this era of fully immersive games, most titles featured high levels of combat freedom.
What made Minecraft stand out was its novel approach, eschewing this trend.
Understandably, the executives hesitated to introduce free combat too early, fearing it might undermine the game's uniqueness.
Brother Jiang, hearing this, chuckled in disbelief.
"It seems you don't really understand Notch."
"Hasn't he ever told you why he created this game?"
The executives exchanged puzzled glances.
"Minecraft was never about restricting player freedom as a unique selling point."
"The essence of the game lies in its name. It's the players' world. They can do whatever they want. No main quests, no missions, not even official guides."
"He never wanted players to chase achievements or compete for rankings. He wanted them to find their comfort zone—a refuge from the chaos of real life."
"That's all there is to it." The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NovᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet
Brother Jiang paused, letting his words sink in.
"Notch initially opposed free combat mode because he wanted players to explore the world and their own desires first."
"But now that HIM has appeared, players' goals have shifted. Their needs are different. We can't label this change as good or bad. All we can do is adapt to it."
"Adding free combat mode won't change the game's core. It'll simply make battles more fluid and adventurous for certain players while leaving others—builders, farmers, fishers—unaffected."
The executives felt as though a fog had lifted.
"We get it now! Brother Jiang, we owe you so much…"
"Seriously, we wouldn't have survived this without you…"
As the executives showered him with praise, Brother Jiang waved them off and stood to leave.
But before he could step out, someone stopped him.
Awkwardly fidgeting, they hesitated before blurting out their question.
"Um… why do we need to announce that HIM has been removed?"
Hearing this, Brother Jiang mentally facepalmed.
'Notch… no wonder you needed a break.'
"There isn't a single competent soul in this company…"
Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification.
[Breaking News! AI Gains Sentience? Zero Point's Minecraft Features a Living Entity!]
Seeing the headline, Brother Jiang let out a sigh of relief.
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