Started as a comics editor

Chapter 334 Is that your boss?
The arguing inside the door stopped abruptly.

Li Xiang took a deep breath and pushed open the conference room door with the nameplate "Jianzhu" hanging on it.

Inside, Kang Ming sat upright, a slightly stiff but professional smile on his face, as if the tech geek who had been jumping up and down behind the door complaining about his young baldness and tongue-tied speech was a completely different person.

Standing next to him, Shi Wanglin had a look of relief on his face. He quickly nodded to Zhang Da and slipped away.

"Reporter Zhang, thank you for waiting. Please come in."

Kang Ming stood up, his voice steady, showing no trace of the frantic rant he had just given a few seconds earlier.

Zhang Da suppressed his surprise and a hint of amusement, and put on a professional smile: "Hello, Professor Kang Ming, I'm sorry to bother you. I'm Zhang Da from 'Game Frontier'. Thank you very much for taking the time to be interviewed."

"Not at all, it's my pleasure." Kang Ming gestured for Zhang Da to sit down opposite him, his movements slightly reserved.

Li Xiang brought over two glasses of water at the opportune moment, then quietly withdrew and closed the door behind him.

Only the two of them remained in the meeting room.

Zhang Da began to prepare, and the air became quiet for a moment.

The awkward silence between the two continued until Zhang Da sat back down in front of Kang Ming.

The two looked at each other.

Zhang Da looked at Kang Ming, who was even younger than him, hesitated for a moment, and then did not immediately ask about the bombshell he had just heard... even though he was really, really curious.

What do you mean by saying that Avalon's games have nothing to do with Tang Yao?

What does "beautiful girl" mean? Are you serious?

However, he was also quite experienced and knew that bringing up the mysterious boss rashly might make the already nervous Kang Ming even more wary.

Although Kang Ming, this working-class guy, seems quite different from me...

But to ask him to rise up in rebellion and confront him about his boss is going too far.

So Zhang Da chose a safe and professional topic to start with: "Mr. Kang Ming, thank you for accepting the interview. After the release of the concept trailer for 'Rogue,' the players responded very enthusiastically, especially for its unique style that blends the beauty of Eastern aesthetics with sharp action. Could you please talk about the core concept and source of inspiration for this game?"

really.

When the game itself was mentioned, Kang Ming immediately became less reserved, and his eyes lit up instantly. The focus and enthusiasm of a technical staff member replaced his previous awkwardness.

Although he seemed a little unaccustomed to being addressed as "teacher," he still leaned forward slightly and spoke more fluently: "The core concept is Eastern aesthetics and open-world adventure. The artistic style blends traditional aesthetics with the spirit of the samurai, showcasing the beauty of nature and humanistic spirit through open-world scenes and plot design. The inspiration comes from a wide range of sources, mainly classic sword and spear films, and of course, our team's in-depth research on the rhythm and spatial sense of cold weapon combat..."

He began to talk at length about game-related matters, such as the design difficulties of the combat system, how to translate the power generation logic of realistic swordsmanship into game operation, how to create visual impact in combat through camera language, and how to design enemy AI to make the combat both challenging and consistent with the world setting...

Zhang Da listened intently, his pen flying across his notebook as he jotted down notes.

Kang Ming's explanations were both insightful and easy to understand, providing both solid technical support and a profound understanding of the artistic expression of games.

The design details he presented, such as various stances, environmental interaction and combat, and even physical feedback, all made Zhang Da feel the solid skills and innovative ambition behind "Rogue".

"Therefore, we hope to bring a sense of immersion, like flow."

Kang Ming concluded with a gleam in his eyes.

"I understand, that was brilliant."

Zhang Da sincerely praised: "This dual pursuit of combat depth and artistic expression sounds very unique, and it really makes people look forward to the final product of the game... Next, there is a question I have always wanted to ask, Professor Kang Ming: From the casual strategy of Plants vs. Zombies to the emotional narrative of To the Moon, and then to the action aesthetics of Vagabond, Avalon seems to always be trying different tracks and delivering high scores in each one."

How does this diverse creative ability develop and remain within the company?

This question made Kang Ming pause. He seemed to want to look in a certain direction subconsciously, but he held back.

He organized his thoughts, then said sincerely, "I think... the core lies in two points, one is the ultimate pursuit of what is interesting itself. Tang... cough, the company's decision-makers encourage everyone to explore ideas that truly move them, rather than chasing market trends."

Secondly, there's the accumulation and reuse of technology. For example, the physics engine and motion system of "Rogue" are based on technologies that have been continuously iterated and improved in previous projects. Our internal best solutions are preserved and become the cornerstone of new projects. This accumulation gives us the confidence to try different styles.

Zhang Da keenly caught the subtle pause and change of tone, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he continued to delve deeper into the technical topic: "Speaking of technical accumulation, I noticed that you mentioned the engine team earlier, as well as the difficulties of making an action game for the first time. Could you elaborate on what the biggest challenge was in the technical implementation of 'Rogue'?"

Hear this.

Kang Ming found his most comfortable safe zone again and immediately started talking: "The biggest challenge is the balance between 'realism' and 'expressiveness.' Realism means that physical collisions, cloth simulations, and skeletal animations all need to be more refined, which puts a huge strain on performance and optimization."

"And as for expressiveness, for example, when we wanted to guide the viewer through scenery, we needed to process the wind on the map. How to achieve the visual effects we wanted while ensuring the smoothness of the host platform? The engine team and I really worked ourselves to the bone..."

The interview that followed went exceptionally smoothly.

Zhang Da posed a series of questions about game design, development anecdotes, teamwork, and future prospects.

Kang Ming also provided detailed, professional, and humorous answers.

Zhang Da was completely immersed in the world of game creation, his notebook filled with dense notes.

He saw the rigor, passion, and almost obsessive pursuit of game quality from a producer with a technical background.

Kang Ming's narration made Avalon's unique, creatively passionate atmosphere even more vivid.

Time passes unconsciously.

"...Therefore, we believe that 'Vagabond' will definitely bring players a unique action game experience full of oriental charm."

Kang Ming gave the final summary.

Zhang Da closed his notebook and let out a satisfied sigh: "Thank you so much, Professor Kang Ming. This interview was incredibly rewarding! Every detail of 'Vagabond' fills me with anticipation... Avalon truly is a place full of miracles."

"You flatter us. We are just trying to turn our ideas into reality."

Kang Ming smiled modestly, stood up, and shook hands with Zhang Da.

Then the two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Everyone was very happy.

Kang Ming was no longer nervous; on the contrary, he felt that he had performed quite well.

Zhang Da was completely immersed in the world of "Rogue" and the unique atmosphere of Avalon, and the thought of the mysterious and beautiful female boss had long been forgotten.

After such a long conversation, he, as a game editor, was completely overwhelmed by all the news about the new game.

He put the notebook away contentedly.

“Reporter Zhang, just listening to me might not be enough to make it clear.”

Kang Ming seemed to be enjoying the conversation. After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative to suggest, "How about we go to our project team and take a look? And try out the latest internal demo? Although there's no internal testing at the moment, I can make the decision. I believe you'll have a deeper understanding of what I just said after playing it."

Zhang Da's eyes widened immediately, and he readily agreed, "That's wonderful! I couldn't be happier!"

"Then please follow me."

Kang Ming led Zhang Da out of the conference room, through the vibrant office area once again, and towards the area where the "Wanderer" project team was located.

As Zhang Da walked and observed, he was even more impressed by the unconventional and creatively passionate environment within Avalon, thanks to the interview he had just conducted.

At the same time, he had already begun to plan the framework of the report.

Because the material is already rich enough, from technical details to team culture.

As for that mysterious boss...

Zhang Da finally remembered the conversation he had overheard at the conference room door. He looked around and smiled slightly.

At this moment, in his mind, she had already been categorized as an interesting embellishment among Avalon's many legends—perhaps it was a core artist who said that almost every game was related to her, and that she must be quite good-looking.

But that doesn't matter anymore.

Ultimately, he had already gained enough from this trip.

Although Avalon's mysterious owner can get his top talent to complain about pretty girls behind the door and say that every game is related to her, he must be quite capable.

But what's even more impressive about the other party is probably their ability to operate the company.

She's most likely a strong, independent woman.

Someone with such great artistic skills and a strong management company is definitely someone I'd like to talk to.

But Zhang Da is essentially an editor who loves games, so gameplay and such things really appeal to him.

As for other aspects.

Let's talk about it another time!

As Zhang Da pondered this, he continued to follow Kang Ming forward.

soon.

The two arrived at the "Vagabond" project team, but before they even entered, they heard a clear and pleasant voice.

"...The significance of game collectibles is not only to provide players with in-game resources. Material rewards are certainly important, but art is also a part of the rewards. Moreover, collectibles also bear the important responsibility of enhancing the game experience and building the world view."

"Hmm? Art can certainly be a reward. If you don't believe me, climb that mountain."

"Look, isn't it beautiful?"

"..."

Zhang Da was stunned.

Is art also part of collecting rewards?

That's an interesting way of putting it.

He muttered something to himself, then followed Kang Ming into the room, subconsciously looking in the direction from which the pleasant voice came, and then he was completely stunned.

The location near the entrance.

A girl who looked incredibly young was standing behind a staff member watching him play a game. She had an absolutely stunning face, with skin as white as snow and features as delicate as a meticulously crafted work of art. Her smooth black hair was casually draped over her shoulders. Just standing there, she was exceptionally eye-catching.

What is even more striking is her exceptionally well-proportioned figure. Simple clothing accentuates her symmetrical and vibrant lines, and she exudes a youthful radiance that contrasts sharply with the surrounding technological development environment, almost incongruous with it.

The main reason is that the entire "Vagabond" project team is made up of rough men... Her appearance is like a crane standing among chickens, bringing a very impactful sense of vitality, which really makes people unable to look away.

wrong.

Zhang Da immediately shook his head. Even if this girl wasn't inside the game company, she would be the most eye-catching person on the street!
He'd met many employees at game companies—artists, designers, programmers—many of whom were either exceptionally charismatic or good-looking. But this person before him… such a level of appearance and demeanor appearing in the core project team of a game development company was simply too incongruous. Could it be… a newly recruited celebrity spokesperson visiting ahead of schedule? Or a staff member from the operations department? Or a student?
Just as Zhang Da was lost in thought and making wild guesses...

"Tang Yao? What brings you here?"

Kang Ming was also somewhat surprised to see Tang Yao and greeted her.

"I'm sending you some information."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yao turned around, handed the documents to Kang Ming, and glanced curiously at Zhang Da behind him.

...I don't think I've ever seen it before.

Although Tang Yao couldn't possibly know everyone in the company, she knew almost everyone in the game development department who worked closely with the project leaders.

So she glanced at it a couple more times.

These two glances only confused Zhang Da further.

Kang Ming reached out and took the documents, temporarily putting Zhang Da out of his mind, because Tang Yao had already told him about taking a break.

He knew what the document was, and his expression was somewhat subtle: "Do you really want to rest?"

"Hmm... don't worry."

Tang Yao withdrew her gaze and nodded gently: "It's not like I won't come back later, and I can always come back if there's an emergency."

"Fine……"

"..."

the other side.

Tang Yao?

Upon hearing the name, Zhang Da looked Tang Yao up and down again, feeling that the name sounded familiar... but he couldn't quite place who it was.

It's not that he has Alzheimer's disease.

Rather, it was simply that he couldn't think of it that way at first.

Tang Yao's appearance enhancement is really outrageous, she really doesn't look like the character at all, and she's completely out of place in the game.

"You're the last one. Take a good look. This is my last ripple before I take a break."

Tang Yao noticed Zhang Da's gaze, but she was used to it and casually replied, "If there's anything you don't understand, you can discuss it with others first and then email me."

"Okay, I will do my best to get that experimental project done."

"That's not the case. It probably won't be possible in the short term. Even if I come back, you might not be able to handle it. Don't put so much pressure on yourself."

"Haha...what if?"

"Don't harbor such wishful thinking, and don't try to fool the players."

"I know."

"Um……"

Tang Yao thought for a moment, then looked at Zhang Da, who seemed to be pondering, and asked, "By the way, I was just about to ask, who is that person behind you?"

"Which one?"

Kang Ming subconsciously turned his head and saw Zhang Da staring blankly at Tang Yao, and was suddenly stunned.

He immediately turned to look at Tang Yao, his expression awkward, and whispered a reminder: "Interview."

"Interview?"

Tang Yao paused for a moment, then her body stiffened slightly. Without hesitation, she turned around, her long, flowing hair swaying gently as she turned and left, saying, "Why didn't you say so earlier... Goodbye!"

She forgot.

Today is the day GameFront comes to interview us.

Kang Ming held the stack of documents, still warm from the printer, and looked in the direction Tang Yao had disappeared. He opened his mouth helplessly, but could only give an awkward smile to the air.

The other staff members looked at him with amusement.

Tang Yao holds grudges quite a bit.

Kang Ming glared at his staff, then, feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward, he looked down at the documents in his arms and subconsciously flipped to the top page, trying to distract himself.

However, after only a few glances, the embarrassment on his face vanished instantly, and he became completely absorbed in the moment.

I forgot about Zhang Da again.

Because the document he had was the longest and most detailed document Tang Yao had ever written, after all, it was the legacy left behind by her escape.

It includes not only the skeleton and flesh of the entire experimental project.

There's also a lot about the game itself, about the open world, and about the development philosophy.

It can be said.

The future blueprint for Avalon... is right there!
Don't say anything else.

Just the descriptions of what an open-world map should look like, and Tang Yao's unique open-world design philosophy, were enough to make Kang Ming forget everything else!

Kang Ming's eyes widened, his breath seemingly held, his fingers unconsciously tracing the pages as he muttered to himself, "Hiss... this line of thinking... holy crap... you can do that...?"

the other side.

Zhang Da watched Tang Yao leave completely, then turned to look at Kang Ming. Just as he was about to ask who that person was, he found Kang Ming standing in the aisle, completely absorbed in the documents in his hands.

"?"

Zhang Da slowly typed a question mark.

The information that girl just gave me?

What is it written?

So engrossed?

And wasn't it supposed to be a trial version?

Zhang Da was left standing there, feeling rather awkward.

He straightened his clothes a little, intending to wait a while, but after a long time... Kang Ming still hadn't come to his senses.

"Cough cough."

Zhang Da stood awkwardly in the aisle, watching Kang Ming, who seemed to be frozen in place, completely absorbed in the documents in his hands, utterly oblivious to everything else.

He waited a few seconds, then a few more, but Kang Ming still didn't react. There was only the occasional rustling sound of his fingers brushing across the pages and his surprised mutterings to himself.

Zhang Da couldn't stand it any longer; he couldn't just stand there like that forever.

He coughed lightly, then carefully took a step forward, reaching out to gently touch Kang Ming's shoulder to remind him.

Just as his fingers were about to touch Kang Ming's clothes, his gaze unconsciously followed Kang Ming's focused eyes and fell on the open document.

Sense of distance, density, time, gravity, the triangular design principle...

These words, like leaping sprites, instantly caught Zhang Da's eye.

Moreover, these concepts are not isolated; the materials use clear descriptions, annotations, and illustrations to show how they intertwine and influence each other, forming a vast and sophisticated open-world map design framework.

The depth and systematic nature of its design far surpasses what any open-world game's creators have described.

Anyway, Zhang Dazhen never expected anyone else to have written this thing.

This theory! He had never heard of it before!

Zhang Da's pupils dilated in shock; he was completely stunned!
This thing! Judging from the conversation, was it written by that girl from earlier?
what?
Who is that?

and many more……

and many more! !
Suddenly, Zhang Da remembered something, his eyes widened instantly, and his brain felt as if it had been struck by lightning! All the fragments of information frantically reassembled and collided at that moment!
Kang Ming's resentful complaint in the conference room—"Leaving aside the facts, right? Which Avalon game isn't related to Tang Yao!"

And the girl's name was Tang Yao!
Kang Ming's natural way of addressing and treating her when he saw her!

The way she handed over the documents—so casual yet so weighty!
Kang Ming was instantly flustered and engrossed after receiving the documents!

And then there's this thing right in front of him... something that's enough to overturn his understanding of the world.

All the clues pointed to a conclusion that sent chills down his spine and made his blood run cold!
Have you heard? Avalon's owner is super young, and I heard she's a beautiful young woman named Tang Yao.

Haha, how could that be?

At last.

The memory of Zhang Da's conversation with his colleague some time ago came back to him.

"What the hell?!"

Zhang Da gasped sharply, letting out a nearly inaudible gasp. He abruptly raised his head, looking at Kang Ming in disbelief, as if trying to see through the wall to the direction where Tang Yao had disappeared.

His worldview was completely reshaped at that moment.

Almost at the same moment Zhang Da exclaimed in surprise, perhaps stimulated by the sound, or perhaps because he had just finished reading a key passage, Kang Ming also suddenly broke free from the wonderful world constructed by that document.

He blinked, then realized he was still standing in the project team's aisle, with the reporter who had been interviewing him standing next to him.

Kang Ming was a little embarrassed and quickly closed the document, saying, "Sorry, Reporter Zhang, please come with me. We've been delayed for a while. Let's continue with the trial..."

just.

He hasn't finished speaking yet.

Zhang Da stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the closed document in Kang Ming's hand. Then he suddenly looked up, his gaze intense as he stared at Kang Ming's face, his eyes wide and his voice trembling slightly with excitement. He exclaimed incredulously, "Professor Kang Ming!! That's the boss of Avalon?!"

(End of this chapter)