In the vast universe of today’s electronic games, Mingchao Xiakong, a new five-star resonator, is undoubtedly a love-hate existence for players. The complexity of her cultivation materials is like the red tape in ancient officialdom, which is so complicated that it makes people crazy, but it is unbearable. The progressive progression of low-frequency tidal eclipse sail cores, mid-frequency, high-frequency and even full-frequency not only reflects the ingenuity of the game production team, but also exposes the designer’s strict requirements on players’ time and patience. Reading it is like flipping through a thick and detailed ancient book, which makes people tired but can’t help turning pages.
Look at the astonishing numbers: 29 low-frequency tidal eclipse sail cores, 40 mid-frequency, 52 high-frequency, 61 full-frequency, increasing layer by layer, just like what Mencius said, “A family that accumulates good will surely have a surplus of happiness”, but this surplus of happiness in the game turns into a long night that exhausts the players’ energy. Why is it so? This is nothing more than a tug-of-war between designers and players. The former regards “patience” as currency, while the latter often torture themselves in the continuous collection of materials. How sad!
What is even more amusing is the various names of materials, such as “Burning Phosphorus Bone” and “Golden Fleece”. The names are incredible, full of fantasy poetry and a certain cruel reality. Only by defeating the Sighing Ancient Dragon can you obtain the Burning Phosphorus Bone, just like the “high wall is difficult to cross” in life. Only by struggling and fighting can you win the crown; and the Golden Fleece is a rare material obtained from the Lina Xi Tower or the pharmacy store with limited purchases, just like the meager but unattainable beauty in life.
Turning our attention to the materials of Xia Kong’s exclusive weapons, called “shackles”, the levels range from simple shackles, basic shackles to modified and special shackles, one ring after another, like the ancient fetters, which reminds people of the saying “shackles do not solve people’s confusion”, and the irony is overwhelming. Upgrading a special weapon seems to be a kind of power gain, but the name actually implies “shackles”, which undoubtedly reveals the other side of the game’s growth path – restraint and control.
The various crystallized phlogists that frequently appear in the game, from impurities, crude extraction to distillation, high purity, are advanced one by one, which is not only a test for players, but also a design ingenuity of the in-game economy. Players seem to be in an alchemy laboratory, gradually purifying, but they can’t help but feel irritated – in the face of endless accumulation of materials, who can keep their original intentions?
Furthermore, the day when the iris blooms is a key material, which must be obtained by defeating the weekly challenge of “Wheel of Fate”. Its setting is like the extremely rare flower of opportunity in life, which is fleeting and can be missed if you are not careful. This reflects the dual requirements of contemporary game design for players to “invest time” and “control opportunities”, which is actually a touchstone for players’ endurance.
The recharge system and discount code promotion are undoubtedly proof of capital logic. Players are lured to keep paying out of their pockets in exchange for growth and glory in the virtual world. The “shell money” in reality is transformed into “strength” in the game. It is a pity that the world is going downhill, and the game has become a microcosm of the “modern capital game”. Players put coins in the virtual world to take things, just like the peddlers in the ancient market, laboring in exchange for things, which is quite ironic.
It is worth mentioning that “stuffed meat tofu”, this seemingly simple prop, carries the secret of the rhythm and efficiency of the game. Using it can increase the material drop efficiency by 50% within 30 minutes, just like the “quick success method” in life, which brings a little comfort to anxious players, but also intensifies the rhythm of the game, making “slow life” a luxury.
In short, the material design of Mingchao Xiakong is not only the crystallization of game industry technology and commercial interests, but also a huge test of players’ time and endurance. It reminds people of the “siege” mentality described by Qian Zhongshu: players are eager to grow and become powerful, but are firmly bound by layers of complex systems, and are in a dilemma.
Therefore, the growth path of Mingchao Xiakong is a microcosm of modern game design – it not only gives players the freedom of fantasy, but also limits players’ freedom with tedious tasks and materials. Players run around in the game world, just like scholars in classical literature, hesitating between ideals and reality. If you can treat this complexity with a humorous and calm attitude, you may be able to truly experience the fun brought by the game, instead of being drowned by the torrent of numbers.