After the press conference, numerous media outlets, including Game Starry Sky, released their reports as quickly as possible. Overall, the articles were measured and restrained. Media present at the scene deliberately avoided sensationalism or taking words out of context, mindful of the potential for misunderstandings. After all, PixelPioneers Games was hardly a minor player in the industry.
More importantly, at several levels, PixelPioneers Games also served as a significant revenue source for these outlets. Beyond paid promotional ads, the traffic generated by events like this press conference alone was a highly valuable asset. If relationships were managed carefully, private connections could even be leveraged to secure exclusive reviews of upcoming titles like Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear.
In contrast, third-rate media outlets that weren't invited felt freer to publish whatever they pleased. They covered topics that could attract traffic, dismissing fears of blacklisting or lost collaborations; they had never cooperated in the first place.
Of course, there was a line not to be crossed. Stirring the pot mildly was acceptable; ignoring it afterward was fine. But those who pushed too hard risked facing harsh repercussions.
"Metal Gear Core Gameplay Secret Revealed!"
"John Claims Gemtechs' Three Major Concerns Are Nothing to Worry About, Next Step: Developing a New VR Card Game!"
"The True Background of Metal Gear Turns Out to Be…"
Apart from official outlets like Game Starry Sky, which published relatively restrained and standard news, the rest of the headlines were dominated by third-rate sites and self-media channels.
At first glance, it seemed like an explosion of information, but upon closer inspection, there was hardly any substantive content. For most players, however, there was really only one question that mattered: just how far along was Metal Gear's development? During the live broadcast, the situation had been genuinely confusing.
If someone claimed the game was already in its advanced stages, Metal Gear itself remained shrouded in mystery; not a single gameplay trailer or original character artwork had been revealed. Conversely, if the game hadn't even begun proper development, especially for its core gameplay, John's presentation at the conference sounded surprisingly solid and coherent. It didn't resemble empty hype; instead, it felt like genuine confidence. The calm assurance John displayed during the broadcast didn't resemble someone selling an unfinished product.
Within game communities, forums, and social media, players continued discussing the latest industry developments.
"PixelPioneers Games really doesn't know when Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear will be ready."
"The new content for Red Alert: World War should come soon, but Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear might take longer. Even if Metal Gear is progressing quickly, is John planning to study professional directing? People don't expect you to wait until you've mastered everything before making Metal Gear Solid."
"I'm more curious about what John mentioned at the press conference. What exactly is this new card game he talked about that might land on VR?"
"Gemtechs is also developing VR titles. I wonder how many exclusive games the new VR platform will have. If it's good enough, I might even buy one."
"No, you're all missing the point. The real issue is that Metal Gear's background is linked to Red Alert: World War. Are they suggesting Red Alert is the precursor to Metal Gear Solid?"
"That can't be right. Red Alert is an RTS. John already said at the conference that Metal Gear is an action-adventure game!"
Countless players discussed the PixelPioneers Games press conference online. Meanwhile, some industry insiders who paid close attention felt a bit uneasy.
In particular, Byrum from Gemtechs Games felt inexplicably hollow the day after the event, having heard certain details through private channels.
How could someone like that exist? Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear's development teams had only just been assembled. Although art outsourcing and motion capture companies had only recently been chosen, they had already held a press conference.
And during that event, they crafted a narrative that made outsiders believe the development was already far along. After consulting with contacts in the industry, Byrum was left speechless. What was there to say? After so many years in the field, he'd never encountered someone quite like this.
Of course, he wouldn't leak the truth publicly. Knowing something was one thing; announcing it was another entirely. Everyone in the industry, regardless of rank, followed this unspoken rule; breaking it was unthinkable.
As for the online rumors that PixelPioneers was developing a VR card game to compete with Moondustries and Essence, Byrum paid them no mind. A VR card game? That was just a vague idea, an unimplemented concept. Didn't he also have a dozen or twenty unproduced game ideas? Watching the online chatter, he remained unfazed.
Meanwhile, as players debated the PixelPioneers press conference, John and Luna returned to their training courses. In a large multimedia classroom, about eighty students sat attentively. John and Luna took seats in the front row, listening carefully to the lecture and jotting down notes.
Unlike their student days, this refresher course mainly drew those who had left campus and returned for further study, whether to enhance their professional skills, meet job requirements, or simply pursue self-improvement. The room was filled only with the lecturer's voice and the scratching of pens on paper.
During the break, John and Luna exchanged thoughts and organized their notes. Many students approached them, handed over business cards, and introduced themselves.
Even though it was just a refresher class, it also served as a networking opportunity. Many expressed respect for John, even knowing he wasn't directly involved in film or TV. It was his strength that earned their admiration.
John was glad to connect with professionals from the film and television industry. Who knew? Maybe there would be opportunities for future collaborations, adapting game IPs into movies or casting actors for game characters.