Take Sunflower, for instance, he'd only planted three.
Every time he accumulated enough sun, new zombies would appear. In his panic, he'd hastily plant Peashooters.
This led to an increasingly severe sun shortage later on.
As more and more zombies appeared, a lawnmower was triggered.
Then more zombies came wave after wave. His sun production couldn't keep up with expenses, and eventually zombies broke through his defenses.
A strange cry rang out;
"MUAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"The zombies ate your brains!"
The gentle art style suddenly hitting him with this startled Rowan.
However, he quickly adjusted his mood.
Because he'd already figured out the solution. His failure was caused by his unfamiliarity with the plants. One more try and he'd definitely clear this level. He replayed the strategy in his mind, then clicked restart.
This "so close" mentality was exactly what made Plants vs Zombies most attractive, challenging, yet not completely hopeless.
This excellent level design was fundamental to why this game had swept the globe.
Outside, he didn't know that as he played, crowds had surrounded him.
Thanks to Alto projecting the display...
People at the venue could see the game content.
This novel gameplay was being presented to another world for the first time.
Soon, people were drawn over by curiosity.
First one, then another, quickly.
The experience pods filled up.
People behind also began watching with interest, wanting to learn more about this work.
Due to Plants vs Zombies' lengthy playtime...
Alto had to limit each person's experience to no more than 15 minutes, or people in line wouldn't get a chance all day.
This ultra-long level progression was vastly different from other dream works.
So players today were destined not to experience the complete version.
But this was enough.
Whetting their appetite would create sufficient attraction.
"Hey man, your time's up."
"Hurry up and let me play!"
People waiting in line were already itching with anticipation, watching the time and hastily urging Rowan.
Rowan reluctantly exited the dream world.
No hesitation, direct vote.
Then he quickly got up, ran to the very back, and lined up again.
Hehe, while there still weren't too many people, in a bit he could play again.
People have a herd mentality, psychologically called the bandwagon effect.
As the crowd watching Booth 69 grew larger and larger...
Others, seeing this strange scene, couldn't resist their curiosity either, wanting to come see what was going on.
Just like that, more and more people fell.
"This plant actually spits peas! So funny!"
"That Cherry Bomb's damage is insane; one explosion wipes out a whole group. The power's equivalent to a Tier 3 spell, right?"
"That Wall-nut looks so pitiful after being bitten, so cute!" This was a girl.
"Tch, cheap gimmicks. What's so fun about this kind of shortcut work?"
"If you don't like it, don't watch! You're standing there blocking people, move, move!"
"Is this your family's venue? I'll stand here if I want, you gonna do something about it?"
Nearby:
Helena watched the crowd at the neighboring booth grow larger while her own received a lukewarm response. Her heart grew anxious.
She was very curious. How could someone who was clearly just a rookie designer have such massive appeal?
At Booth 1, a young man in luxurious clothing stared coldly toward Booth 69.
'Damn it.'
He'd spent enormous resources pulling strings to secure this number one booth position.
All for greater exposure and votes.
Everything had been going smoothly.
His booth was in the most prominent position, and the number itself was misleading.
After all, Booth 1, just hearing it, you'd assume it meant top quality.
His booth also had plenty of people, and he'd already secured quite a few votes.
He just hadn't expected a dark horse to suddenly appear.
This person might become his most threatening competitor. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if scheming something sinister.
On Alto's side, as more and more people experienced the game...
He had to apply an increase experience pods again.
For particularly excellent works, temporarily adding experience positions was permitted.
From ten pods increased to thirty.
Only then did the crowded queue ease up a bit.
Helena stared longingly at Booth 69.
'This is infuriating! What magic does that man possess?' She really couldn't figure it out.
Watching him stand radiant at the front, basking in everyone's attention...
In her fantasies, she should be the one enjoying all this!
Under intense curiosity, she directly left her booth and walked to Alto's booth.
She wanted to investigate personally.
Alto cheerfully watched the spectacle before him.
A chubby figure sat down in front of him again.
'This is his third time experiencing it, right?'
Unexpected! Looks like this guy has been completely won over by Plants vs Zombies' charm.
The moment Rowan sat down, he hurriedly entered the game, not wanting to waste a single second.
Expertly clicking through the interface, entering the game.
Since dream worlds could recognize each person's IP, he continued from his previous progress.
He'd now reached Stage 2-1.
Officially entering Night Mode.
At the end of the previous level, he'd obtained a zero-cost mushroom card.
After playing for quite a while, he'd now basically figured out the mechanics.
Seeing the game enter Night Mode, he observed quietly. He'd now unlocked a lot of plants.
But with only six slots, he could only choose some key plants.
Since his progress was the fastest...
His position had the most spectators right now.
Seeing the game enter a new environment, the surrounding people marveled.
Some had even started voicing their opinions on how to operate and which plants to bring.
"Who knew there'd be a Night Mode too! There were also mini-games earlier, its so much content!"
"Entering Night Mode means the sun probably won't fall from the sky anymore, leaving only Sunflowers to produce sun."
"I think you still need to bring Jalapeño, that thing burns an entire row."
"Repeater's pretty good too, shoots two peas at once."
"Repeater's too expensive. Night reduces sun production, so the cost-effectiveness is way too low."
"There's actually a free Puff-shroom, wouldn't that make this level super easy?"
"It can't be that simple. Don't forget, each plant card has a cooldown."
"Still need to find ways to earn money and expand the plant carrying slots."
Everyone voiced their own opinions.
Sounding quite authoritative.
And Helena at the back had finally reached the front.
Hearing the surrounding discussions, she'd long been extremely curious.
Finally her turn, hehe!
Alto looked at the red-haired girl before him, blinking.
Why does this girl look somewhat familiar?
"Hehe, hello! My name's Helena!"