Not long after Yu Mian personally visited Taoyuan Studios, Taoyuan finally launched the game adaptation of “Bei Xing’s Necklace” under the eager anticipation of the public.
This game maintained Taoyuan’s signature style of being small yet exquisite. While its production cost was not as exorbitant as those of AAA titles, the final result was very fresh and unique.
Especially since “Bei Xing’s Necklace” had invited the original animation series’ art team, the game’s overall aesthetic retained a highly consistent dreamy and ethereal style.
As a result, many interstellar readers who were still feeling empty and lonely after the grand finale of “Bei Xing’s Necklace” were immediately drawn in with great enthusiasm.
The game’s overwhelming popularity on its first day made many major gaming companies envious yet helpless.
After all, without the original novel’s copyright and the advantage of the author’s involvement, other companies simply had no way to compete.
Who else but Taoyuan could invite the original author of “Bei Xing’s Necklace” as the scriptwriter and the original animation artists for the visuals?
This was simply too extravagant, and practically cheating!
“Forget it, maybe we should adjust our mindset. After all, while Taoyuan’s games are very popular, their pricing is incredibly cheap, and they never force players to spend money. To be honest, their profit margins are just so-so.”
In the end, many major gaming companies could only resort to consoling themselves.
“Exactly. “Taoyuan Restaurant” followed a low-profit, high-volume strategy. If they hadn’t set the price so low back then, it definitely wouldn’t have sold as explosively.”
“And now “Bei Xing’s Necklace” is priced at just 10 star coins! Is Taoyuan willingly sacrificing profits for popularity? Maybe they aren’t thinking like a professional company and just want to promote Teacher Fish Soup Noodles’ original novel instead.”
This perspective not only became mainstream within gaming companies but was also widely believed by many players.
In the live broadcast community, numerous anchors voluntarily started promoting “Bei Xing’s Necklace”, including the game anchor Chili, who had previously live broadcast “Taoyuan Restaurant”.
“Does Taoyuan even know how to make money? This time, they priced it at only 10 star coins, it’s even cheaper than “Taoyuan Restaurant”!?”
Ever since Chili’s popularity skyrocketed due to live broadcasting “Taoyuan Restaurant”, he had become one of the most well-known game anchors, and also the first lifestyle anchor who didn’t rely on broadcasting large-scale competitive games.
Now that “Bei Xing’s Necklace” had been released, Chili naturally took the initiative to promote it through his live broadcast room.
[The price is so low that I’m starting to suspect Teacher Fish Soup Noodles is using his royalties to fund Taoyuan. With a game of this scale and such a cheap price, can they even make a profit?]
Many viewers in the barrage shared the same bizarre feeling, it was like they were getting something for free.
No matter how much Fish Soup Noodles earned in royalties, he shouldn’t be doing charity like this.
“It’s fine. We can try to find some spending incentives. Maybe it’s because Taoyuan is still a new company, so they didn’t dare to set the price too high?”
Anchor Chili also tried to comfort everyone in the barrage.
Compared to other game companies that aggressively pushed in-game purchases, Taoyuan stood out as something completely different.
However, as soon as the game started, Taoyuan’s signature opening animation firmly captured everyone’s attention.
[The opening scene hit me like an emotional bomb. It feels like going back to the days when I waited for new episodes every day. During the time after the finale, I still subconsciously opened my light screen at that hour, only to remember it had already ended. TWT]
[So I wasn’t the only one. Every time I mindlessly switched channels, I just wanted to cry. Now, the story continues in the game, and there are so many new outfits! The quality is amazing, and it’s only 10 star coins? This is way too cheap!]
With the crisp chime of spring wind bells, the twenty-four gemstone necklace shone in succession. In the next second, Bei Xing, now a magical girl, appeared on screen in a prayerful pose.
Her hair floated in the air while her outfit changed continuously to the rhythm of the music. Domi, Rulia, Zuo Yue, and other companions made their appearances one after another, dazzling the audience.
After all, every frame was exquisitely detailed, and before their eyes could take in all the details, the next scene had already begun.
Compared to the mere 10-star-coin price, this level of quality was practically a steal.
[This familiar feeling is really back. I still remember how the theme song of Teacher Fish Soup Noodles’ “Bei Xing’s Necklace” first shook me!]
In fact, the unique opening animation of Bei Xing’s Necklace had become a textbook example in the animation industry ever since the animation went viral.
Many newly released animations no longer prioritized grand, overwhelming visuals but instead adopted more diverse artistic styles.
As soon as the short opening animation ended, the game’s main menu appeared.
Among the twenty-four gemstones, the first one, Lichun, was emitting a soft glow.
“It looks like you have to unlock them one by one? And what’s this test version that’s still locked? Let’s try the official version first.”
Curious, Chili clicked in and found himself stepping into a dress-up adventure from Bei Xing’s perspective.
“The map of Ancient Blue Star is stunning. My god, this is such a huge pie in the sky!”
Just by moving around the holographic map that displayed the distribution of outfits, Chili felt a rush of excitement at the sight of so many yet-to-be-unlocked fashion kingdoms.
[But a pure dress-up scoring game doesn’t seem like it would make big money. As long as I resist spending, I can just wait for my stamina to recover every day.]
[Well, “Bei Xing’s Necklace” is, after all, a youth animation. Making the game simple and warmhearted for younger players makes sense. Thinking about it, we’re basically freeloading. qwq]
Some adult players were rather self-aware. Originally, “Bei Xing’s Necklace” was just a childrens’ animation. It was only after the adult audience grew that Lightyear started producing merchandise for them.
The game was naturally no exception, so they just thought of it like coming to see a daughter.
Then, as everyone’s beloved fluffy white dumpling, Domi, appeared, he gave Bei Xing her first beginner task: putting together a suitable outfit for the start of the spring semester, marking the beginning of the Solar Term Outfit Collector experience.
The hope was that on Bei Xing’s first day of school, she would gain new friendships and enjoy the joys of spring.
“This… feels a little childish. It’s definitely perfect for young audiences.”
Even as Chili said this, his hands had already opened the store and claimed the newbie gift pack, clumsily dressing his “daughter” for her first day of school.
[Try the second one! The second one! That little dress is so cute!]
[I love the ribbon on the left! It’s a bit expensive, but it looks so good.]
[Is it appropriate to wear traditional attire for school? I feel like that little dress suits my daughter best!]
The barrage inexplicably got immersed in the game, happily guiding Chili through the outfit selections.
Each round of outfit matching instantly received a fashion score. Some players confidently tried their own combinations, only to be met with an F rating. Bei Xing would then show a teary-eyed chibi expression, making the “parents” watching feel both strangely resentful and guilty.
[Damn it, Chili, what are you doing? You made my daughter cry!]
[We’re seriously going to call the authorities. How did you even fail the first level? What kind of garbage fashion sense is this… (pointing fingers)]
“Uhh… My daughter doesn’t like the outfit I picked? Damn it, I was so close!”
Chili was deeply saddened by his first attempt ending in failure.
Who would have thought that a game designed for children could stump a grown adult?
This was ridiculous.
His gaze naturally drifted toward the in-game store.
A devilish thought slowly emerged…
‘Damn it, if I just spent a little more, would my daughter stop crying?!’
[Whoa, Chili, seriously? You’re spending money already? It’s only the first level!]
Soon, players noticed Chili opening the clothing store.
“No, no, I’m just making a small investment in my daughter’s future. How can spending money on raising a daughter be called in-game purchases?!”
After hesitating for only a few seconds, Chili convinced himself with perfect justification, thus beginning his journey of spending money to raise his daughter.
The game’s world map also featured special challenge stages guarded by the twenty-four solar term spirits. If players could impress them with a particularly high-scoring combination, they would receive the blessing of the power of clothing from the solar term spirit, unlocking even more exquisite outfits!
With Bei Xing’s Necklace’s stunning art style, the sight of an increasingly beautiful and lavish wardrobe filling up, each new entry lighting up one after another in the collection…
The dopamine levels in Chili’s brain skyrocketed, bringing an overwhelming sense of happiness from this cyber parenting experience.
“Oh my god, how did I never realize that changing outfits could be this fun?”
Chili played the first round until he completely ran out of stamina. Then he snapped out of his trance and realized he had been live broadcasting for an entire evening. He had even forgotten to order dinner!
[I’m dying of laughter, Chili, look at your recharge bar! Weren’t you the one saying you’d probably have to try hard to find recharge points??]
[I can now confirm that dad and mom fans have terrifying fighting power. Over on the other side, God Nuo wiped out the entire store at the start, maxed out the recharge bar, and the hype is about to explode.]
Hearing this, Chili opened his panel and his eyes widened.
It was only the first day of the game’s release, yet his recharge bar had already hit five figures…and that was with relatively few monetization points available.
“I’ve realized something. Taoyuan really doesn’t need to force players to spend. They make you willingly throw money at them like crazy… Wait!”
“But it lets me take holographic photos with my daughter, holy crap!?”
Chili, who had just been grumbling to himself, suddenly noticed that upon reaching level 10, he had automatically unlocked the photo feature. He could now dress up in matching outfits and take pictures with Bei Xing in the game.
So countless fans in the barrage watched as Chili gleefully indulged in a massive fatherly love fest.
“My daughter is just too cute! Look at her, she loves me so much!”
Seeing how interactive his in-game daughter was, the old father couldn’t help but feel so happy that bubbles appeared in his eyes.
[It’s so funny. Chili, the famous advocate of bachelorhood, has actually turned into a complete daughter slave?]
[Chili, are you sure you haven’t been kidnapped? If we didn’t already know Taoyuan never pays influencers for promotions, we’d almost suspect you were paid off.]
Meanwhile, as countless fans in the live broadcast room laughed and teased Chili, they couldn’t help but follow suit and download “Bei Xing’s Necklace”. Before long, they began to understand Chili, and eventually became Chili.
After all, the joy of raising a daughter was simply too immense.
What could be more delightful than watching your daughter spin in circles, showing off her beautiful new outfits?
To be honest, in the current Federation, where birth rates were alarmingly low, a game that could make so many young people willingly become dad and mom fans, flooding social platforms with photos of their in-game daughters, quickly drew the attention of the authorities.
How did Taoyuan manage to pull this off?
“In fact, this dress-up challenge game is just our initial concept. Player feedback has given me a lot of new ideas, and we might develop a full-fledged nurturing game in the future.”
In an interview with “Star Times”, the elf Derqin spoke about the game with unusual focus, completely shedding his usual social anxiety as he eagerly presented his plans.
Ever since the hashtag #CloudParentingDaughter# went viral, Derqin had immediately reached out to Yu Mian to discuss his new ideas.
Initially, “Bei Xing’s Necklace” was merely meant to be a small Easter egg attached to the TV show, providing fans with a tiny sense of solace after the finale left them feeling empty and melancholic.
But with such a phenomenal first-day release and the sheer purchasing power and dedication displayed by the dad and mom fans, Derqin began to see new opportunities waiting to be explored.
“For example, what if we added some nurturing elements? We make the game where you could truly raise a character?”
Yu Mian thought it was a great idea. More importantly, the technological advancements of the interstellar era meant they could realize many bold concepts and designs.
Just like the haunted house that Huanyu was preparing recently. From the effects and mechanical designs Yu Mian had seen in test videos, even just watching them online was exciting, he could only imagine how intense it would be for players experiencing it in person.
“A nurturing game would definitely be fun. Why not try both? Besides, we’re not as strapped for budget as before.”
Yu Mian supported Derqin’s proposal with great enthusiasm.
“For example, depending on different stats and the collection progress of the solar term outfits, players could unlock different growth endings and CG scenes. That’s a classic and really fun feature.”
With Yu Mian’s encouragement, Derqin launched a new round of design and development.
Thus, when “Star Times” Entertainment Section published a special report on this, the news immediately sparked heated discussions among players.
[A real nurturing game? So it’s not just dress-up anymore? Taoyuan, why are you making us more and more excited!?]
[Hurry up! No matter what, just give it to me! My wallet is ready! Who can resist raising a daughter? I even want to keep my light brain running at work just to accumulate stamina points!]
[The last time I was this addicted was back when we used to steal crops. I never thought Taoyuan would be the one to hook me again.]
“With the game adaptation of Teacher Fish Soup Noodles’ animation doing so well, our novel-related collaborations can’t fall behind either.”
At the editorial department of Huanyu, while everyone was happy to see the rising popularity of Taoyuan, the company personally invested in by Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, they also felt an inexplicable sense of urgency that they couldn’t lag behind!
“Tsk, my haunted house project won’t lose either. Piedmont Amusement Park said if this offline haunted house pop-up event goes well, they might consider setting up a permanent themed section for it.”
The deputy chief editor mysteriously revealed this information, making everyone even more curious.
“Piedmont Amusement Park?”
After all, Piedmont Amusement Park was the most famous large-scale amusement park in the interstellar system. Were they really planning to introduce a “Fish Soup Noodles”-themed haunted house?
“Actually, the theme park’s technical director, who served as a consultant last time, reported back after testing our haunted house game project. As a result, Piedmont Amusement Park’s research team just scheduled a visit to experience it firsthand. The deputy chief was in charge of receiving them.”
Shaxs grinned as he explained.
“That’s right. Federation representative Ms. Kyra personally tested the ‘Haunted House’ beta version and found it extremely fun, though it nearly cost me and the deputy chief editor half our lives.”
Recalling the experience of hosting that day, the deputy chief editor couldn’t help but wipe his sweat.
That Mrs. Kyra was definitely not to be underestimated.
While he was nearly scared to death, she was having the time of her life. She even said she wanted to read the original novel, “I Picked Up a Traveling Light Brain” and was planning to visit Huanyu in person to meet Fish Soup Noodles.
