studiobondurri Chapter 214 Penguin's Ambition: A Top-Tier Collaboration Directed by Himself!
Chapter 214 Penguin's Ambition: A Top-Tier Collaboration Directed by Himself!
(This chapter is meant to criticize a certain bizarre collaboration, but it doesn't allude to reality.)
All 51 episodes of "Ultraman Dyna" have been broadcast.
Although the red, blue, and silver light in the starry sea disappeared into the depths of the screen, in the real world, this tokusatsu storm had just reached its most intense peak.
The online buzz didn't cool down after the series ended; instead, it exploded because of the incredibly dramatic, romantic, and imaginative open ending.
From the bond of light brought by "Ultraman Tiga" to the courage to fly towards the unknown brought by "Dyna," Light Chaser Animation has left an indelible mark on the cultural and entertainment history of China with two masterpieces.
The threshold for Light Chaser Animation has been almost broken down by major manufacturers in the past few days.
Requests for authorization to create peripheral toys, co-branded apparel, and offline physical stores have been pouring in like snowflakes. Even cultural and tourism bureaus in many places have sent letters hoping to build real-life Ultraman theme parks in their areas.
Among the stacks of cooperation documents, a letter of intent from Shenzhen stands out, and it's the one that Gu Nan finds most troublesome.
Penguin Inc.
The leading internet giant in Xia Kingdom, a true behemoth.
They proactively approached us, proposing an unprecedented deep collaboration between their most popular MOBA game, "King of Glory Elite," which boasts tens of millions of daily active players and has consistently topped the national mobile game charts, and the Ultraman IP.
Gu Nan sat in the large boss's chair in the office, looking at the contract that was full of sincerity and had a price that was high enough to make any small film and television company go public on the spot, but his brows furrowed slightly.
At first, his instinct was to refuse.
Because in his past life memories, the counterpart of this game had also done a crossover with Ultraman.
As for the quality of that collaboration, Gu Nan, as a semi-Oscar fan, could only describe it in four words: disastrous.
Gu Nan mentally ranted about that "dark history" from his previous life.
That's nothing short of industrial garbage—purely exploiting nostalgia and making easy money.
Don't mention that the skins were cheap this time, so the production precision wasn't that high.
However, cheap skin is no excuse for perfunctory production!
It's obvious that the developers want to capitalize on nostalgia, but they're too lazy to do any research. Gu Nan's first impression upon seeing this skin was that it probably came from 4399!
Not only are the patterns on the poster drawn incorrectly, but the facial model is also crooked.
The out-of-game modeling feels cheap, like it's a decade behind, no, it's even worse than it was ten years ago!
Even the Ultraman Online game from ten years ago wasn't this bad.
Not to mention, the material has no realistic texture whatsoever; it's just the most ordinary 3D model material without any rendering, and you can even see clipping marks.
Ultraman Tiga's originally full chest muscles were rendered as unremarkable, and the proportions of his modeled body were extremely bizarre, with his short legs that were almost unbearable to look at.
What Gu Nan found most unbearable were the extremely perfunctory action designs that showed absolutely no respect for the characters.
The opening animation poorly executed the classic transformation scene, and the starting pose for the transformation timeline was completely wrong.
The original instructions were to make fists with both hands below the chest, then cross them and extend them forward before opening them. However, the game omitted this step, and the player simply turned around and stretched their hands out in front of them haphazardly.
The animation for firing the classic beam is also wrong. The correct way is to bend the right hand directly and use the elbow to touch the left palm. However, the animation in the game is awkward and clumsy, like someone who doesn't understand tokusatsu is making an embarrassing performance.
Even the most basic walking motion is done in the Superman flying posture with one hand clenched into a fist forward!
Throughout the entire flight, Tiga's hands are placed flat forward, which is purely a result of the production team haphazardly following the stereotypes of American comic book superheroes, directly crossing over from Japan to America.
As for the ultimate move's launch timer flashing, the inexplicable opening of his arms and trembling movements, and the Victory Swallow flying beside him stealing the show, Tiga lacked any sense of power whatsoever.
The core issue is that the previous skin completely failed to capture the essence of Ultraman.
The skin looked like an AI-generated product from an assembly line, completely losing the unique temperament of Tiga—calm, reserved, and imbued with a touch of divinity and compassion.
"They want to use my IP to pull off those money-grabbing scams and ruin the reputation I've worked so hard to build? No way!"
Gu Nan's eyes gradually turned cold.
However, reason reminded him that Tencent, as the largest internet giant in China, possesses extremely formidable channel promotion capabilities and influence in lower-tier markets.
If Ultraman can leverage the massive platform of "King of Glory" with tens of millions of daily active users, his popularity will experience another qualitative leap, and he may even be able to directly penetrate the young player base who don't usually watch tokusatsu dramas.
A direct refusal would not only offend people but also miss a golden opportunity to break into new markets.
In this parallel world where capital is deeply entrenched, it is definitely not a wise move to antagonize Tencent.
After weighing the pros and cons, Gu Nan signed the contract.
However, he also added an extremely harsh and non-negotiable clause:
For this collaboration, Light Chaser Animation must have veto power over all skin models, entrance animations, in-game actions, skill effects, and even sound effects and dialogue!
Gu Nan will have the core team move directly into Tencent's development studio for close supervision throughout the entire process.
If the final product fails to meet Gu Nan's requirements, Light Chaser Animation has the right to unilaterally terminate the collaboration.
To secure this collaboration that would generate massive traffic, Tencent's top management held an emergency meeting overnight and ultimately gritted their teeth and agreed to this humiliating and overbearing clause.
For the next two weeks, Gu Nan turned down all social engagements and transformed into the most terrifying "devil supervisor" in the Penguin project team.
"Stop! The texture of the chest armor in this model is wrong! I don't want that reflective, cheap plastic; the matte, realistic material of the suit isn't there. Scramble it and redo it!"
"Who told you to make Tiga's stance with his legs spread so wide? That's Dyna's stance! Tiga stands more upright during battle, with his legs only slightly apart, shoulders level, and his demeanor must be calm and composed! Re-adjust all the skeletal animations!"
"Change the flight animation immediately! Tiga isn't raising a fist when he speeds up; that's Superman from the other movie! It has to be both hands flat in front of him! Anyone who tries to fool me with this generic model is fired!"
"What's with the ultimate skill's sound effects? Why are they using hit effects? Are you trying to make players use their ultimate skill while getting hit? Change it to a normal battle cry! It has to be imposing! I want that aura of annihilating everything!"
"Don't mix and match other heroes' animation templates for Ultraman Tiga! Every skill's starting animation must be meticulously copied frame by frame from the original footage in the series!"
Under Gu Nan's almost obsessive and demanding leadership, the penguin's modelers, special effects artists, and animators, though working themselves to the bone and teetering on the brink of collapse every day, also unleashed unprecedented potential and delivered the highest level of technical skill of their careers.
half a month later.
The epic collaboration version of "King of Glory" and "Ultraman", themed "Inheritance of Light", has officially launched.
……
8 PM.
In the live stream room of "Jiesang," a well-known technical and entertainment streamer of the game "King of Glory," on the Shark live streaming platform.
Jiesang is a regular in high-level games and is known for his humorous commentary style and sharp gameplay.
At this moment, he was rubbing his hands together excitedly, looking at the very conspicuous "Light of Legacy" collaboration event entrance in the game lobby.
"Fun fact, guys!"
Jiesang shouted into the microphone, "Penguin finally got a new skin today! Our national-level IP, the Ultraman collaboration skin, is officially launched! This is a big deal!"
The live stream chat exploded with comments.
[I've been waiting for this for ages! I wonder if Tencent will make another huge one this time.]
Don't you guys know what kind of company Penguin is? They'll just use a generic skeleton, add some effects, and sell it for a few hundred dollars.
Oh, my Tiga and Dyna, please don't let them be destroyed.
Don't get your hopes up too high; just treat it as entertainment.
Seeing the worried comments in the live chat, Jiesang chuckled, "Don't jump to conclusions, everyone. Let's make a wish first! 250 points for 10 draws, right? Come on, let's see if I can get it on my first try today!"
Jiesang promptly recharged his account and immediately clicked on the ten-pull option.
An animation of a gashapon machine appeared on the screen. After spinning a few times, a bunch of useless trial cards and fragments fell out.
"Oh my god! Ugh, what bad luck!"
Jiesang let out an exaggerated scream, "This Ultraman isn't giving me any face! Dude, are you crazy? I'm a top-ranked player in the national server!"
[Hahaha, you don't know how low the drop rate for penguins is?]
Prepare at least 2,000 yuan as a safety net!
[The streamer is being humorous: You think you can sell your goods for this little money?]
"What are you shivering about? It's just that we can't fill the rice container!"
Jiesang, refusing to believe it, recharged his account again. "Come on! Another ten-pull! Take it or leave it!"
A dazzling animation flashed by.
"Oh? Holy crap!"
Jiesang's eyes widened suddenly, and he pointed at the screen, exclaiming, "A flash of golden light!!!"
In the center of the screen, red, blue, and silver lights intertwined, and two rare legendary skin cards radiating extremely dazzling light effects appeared—[Ultraman Tiga]!
"Claim it! Claim it! Claim it now!"
Jesang slammed his fist on the table excitedly. "Brothers, did you see that? This is the power of light! Come on, let's go outside and see what the skin's model looks like!"
Jesang eagerly opened the hero skin interface and selected Ultraman Tiga.
The moment the entrance animation started playing, Jessan's previously somewhat mocking expression instantly turned to shock.
The special effects lighting and shadows on the screen are actually in a realistic style!
What comes into view is an extremely deep and magnificent sea.
Then, amidst a dazzling golden light, Ultraman Tiga appeared!
The first move was to fire a timer flash at the view directly in front of the screen!
Followed by.
The oppressive dark clouds in the sky were rapidly dissipating in a stunning visual effect, with golden sunlight piercing through the clouds like sharp swords and spilling onto the azure sea.
In the center of the sea, accompanied by a crisp and pleasant transformation sound effect, the enormous giant of light, with its red, blue, and silver colors, rose up amidst dazzling light!
Then, Tiga turned around very smoothly and assumed the most classic, steady fighting stance with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"This...this scene...I've become Gatanothor?"
Jesang gasped and pressed himself against the screen.
"Brothers, am I seeing things? This scene... isn't this the iconic moment from the final episode of Ultraman Tiga, where all the light in the world converges to form Tiga, and after the final battle where Gatanothor is defeated, the world is bathed in a clear blue sky and sea?!"
After a brief period of silence, the comments section exploded!
Wait, why was that timer flash pointing at me?!
[666, am I, as Gatanothor, not worthy of appearing on screen?!]
[I can't hold back anymore! Our light has been stolen by Tiga, so we've become Gatanothor, right?!]
[Typical Penguin did a really good job this time?!]
[Not just the scenery, look at Ultraman Tiga's model! The materials and lighting are great too!]
Jesang dragged his finger, rotating the Tiga model with extreme care to observe it from every angle.
"Brothers, no exaggeration, no bias!"
Jasang's tone became extremely serious and shocked, "I was worried that the penguins would create a modeling effect that looked ten years backward."
"But look at that body proportion! It perfectly replicates the perfect inverted triangle shape from the original drama—slim when dressed, muscular when undressed! Ahhh! That tiny waist! *slurp*"
[This is outrageous! The animation and skeletal structure have been completely redesigned; it didn't use any previous hero templates!]
[Tiga's divinity has actually been created!]
I originally just wanted to have some fun watching the penguins, but now I just feel bad for my wallet.
"Watching from the sidelines isn't enough, guys, let's have a 1v1 match and see how it feels in real gameplay!"
Jassan immediately created a 1v1 room and locked in a hero equipped with the Tiga skin.
Once the game finished loading, Jessan controlled Ultraman Tiga to walk out.
As soon as he pressed the movement key, Jiesang exclaimed, "Wow!! That walking style!"
On the screen, Tiga leaned forward, his arms outstretched smoothly, flying close to the ground above the canyon in a posture that was extremely aerodynamic and 100% faithful to the series!
"I'll turn the volume up a little so everyone can hear it!"
Jesang turned up the game's sound effects.
As Ultraman Tiga flew, a rhythmic and epic background music flowed slowly through the live stream.
"Holy crap, there's also that... instrumental version of 'Miracle Again'! A new storm has begun! I can hear that feeling in it, guys!"
Jesang rubbed his hands together excitedly.
Once online, facing the computer AI, Jiesang immediately began to operate.
"Look at the feel of this basic attack!"
Every punch Tiga threw was accompanied by an extremely deep and powerful melee sound effect, and his movements were swift and decisive.
"Brothers, watch my enhanced basic attack... Eh!!"
After pressing the skill buttons several times in a row, Jiesang suddenly shouted excitedly, "Look! His fourth basic attack, or after using his second skill, changes color!"
On the screen, after a burst of red light, Tiga switched directly to his Power Type, which was entirely crimson!
"He's turned into a red Ultraman! This is Daigo's happy type!"
Jessan, controlling Power Type Tiga, delivered a powerful electric punch to his opponent's face. "The feel is unbeatable! And this starting stance wasn't even simplified!"
Then, Jasang looked at the characters in the game and exclaimed in surprise.
"Wow! Holy crap! It can change forms too!?"
As he explored, he also figured out the pattern.
This character's passive ability allows them to stack shields using skills. When they don't have a shield, they are a composite type; one or two shields are an aerial type; and three shields, which is when the passive shield is fully stacked, make the character model a powerful type!
The special effects of the second skill are different in each form!
Wow! This second skill even has different special effects!
[Holy crap! Instantaneous Zeperion Ray, Lampard Light Bullet, Diracium Light Stream!]
[Kids! Even the humorous mechanical characters can create light pollution within the game!]
[How did they manage to withstand three ultimate attacks?!]
【Come on! Jesang, get me 30 perfect shots in the top-tier matches, and I'll buy you a sports car!】
Meanwhile, Jesang, who was fighting in the canyon, didn't have time to read the comments.
Just as Jessan was fiercely fighting the opponent, Tiga's health dropped to less than one-third.
Suddenly, "Ding-dong—Ding-dong—Ding-dong—"
The extremely crisp, rapid flashing of the red light on the color timer rang out clearly.
Not only that, the circular timer on the chest of Ultraman Tiga's in-game model also began to flash a dazzling red light in an extremely realistic way.
"Wow! That feeling of running out of energy! They even captured the red light!" Sanjay was completely impressed by the detail. "This skin isn't even a Legendary skin, is it? There are so many special effects details?!"
Seeing the enemy's health was almost gone, Jiesang shouted, "Come on! Let's show you our ultimate moves, guys! Fire!"
Jiesang's fingers slid incredibly smoothly across the screen. "A delayed flashbang in the back!"
On the screen, Tiga suddenly clenched his fists in front of his chest, then spread his arms out to the sides with great ease, and then brought his hands together in front of his chest.
Timer flashing!
The surroundings were instantly sealed off by a golden domain!
"Wow! The special effects are amazing!"
However, this hero doesn't rely on his ultimate for damage output, so this effect won't offer many opportunities for him to deal damage in the foreseeable future; it will be more about limiting the opponent.
Accompanied by the classic battle cry from the original series finale, the enemy hero with low health was vaporized by the light.
"This is the number one Ultraman in the Chinese server?! What do you mean by this? Tencent, tell me what you mean by this? When did you develop this kind of aesthetic sense and skill?!"
Jesang was so excited that he became incoherent.
Just then, the opposing turret killed the low-health Jassan.
"Wait a minute, guys, I'm sending this out on purpose. Let's see Ultraman's death effects!"
Unlike ordinary heroes who simply turn into a pile of corpses and lie on the ground, Tiga, who fell to the ground, instantly transformed his entire body into countless extremely pure and dazzling golden light particles.
These rays of light circled once in mid-air before dispersing into the depths of the sky.
"Holy crap! He turned into light and flew away right after he died! He really became Ultraman!" Jessan sat in his chair, holding his head in his hands, unable to calm down for a long time.
"Have those Tencent planners and art directors, who are always criticized for just using shells to make money, all been possessed today? How did they suddenly become so knowledgeable and passionate?!"
The viewers in the live stream were all in a state of extreme shock.
[With this quality, I'd be perfectly happy to sell it for a few hundred dollars!]
[I was originally going to start criticizing, but now all I want to say is: Tencent, you're a fucking genius!]
[Hilarious! If Tencent doesn't seize this opportunity with such a nationally recognized IP, it'll be overwhelmed!]
[Oh no, my wallet is doomed! Not only am I going to buy Ultraman Tiga, but I'm also going to get that new Sky Screen!]