Chapter 20 – 20

Sam sat at his desk, eyes glued to the Expo’s website as he scanned the hundreds of simulation submissions. A sense of anticipation and nervousness bubbled within him. This was his chance to make a name for himself, to show the world what he was capable of.

As he scrolled through the previews, Sam was surprised to see that many of the simulations featured robust story elements. This was a significant shift from the previous Expos, where the focus had been solely on showcasing combat skills and hunter proficiency.

Sam couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. Had his Batman: Arkham Asylum simulation influenced the other developers’ approach? The simulations before his had been purely mechanical, without any narrative depth. Now, it seemed the other participants had recognized the value in blending gameplay and storytelling.

“Was it a bit narcissistic of me to think that?” Sam mused, chewing on the end of his pen. He couldn’t deny the satisfaction he felt, knowing that his work had potentially inspired others to raise the bar. But he also knew that he couldn’t afford to get complacent.

Sam’s gaze settled on the top ten submissions, the ones that would be invited to the live event at the end of the month. He scanned the descriptions, taking note of the diverse range of genres and themes. There were fantasy epics, sci-fi thrillers, and even a horror-themed simulation that piqued his curiosity.

Clicking on the link to his own Devil May Cry simulation, Sam double-checked the details, ensuring that every aspect was polished and ready for the judges’ scrutiny. The adrenaline coursed through him as he imagined standing on the stage, presenting his creation to the Hunters and the crowd.

A sudden knock at the door startled Sam, and he quickly minimized the browser window. Gail’s smiling face greeted him as he opened the door, and he ushered her inside, eager to discuss the Expo.

“So, how’s the preparation going?” Gail asked, settling into the chair across from Sam’s desk.

Sam took a deep breath, trying to contain his excitement. “It’s going well, I think. I’ve fine-tuned the simulation and I’m ready to give it my best shot.”

Gail nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Good, good. The competition is going to be fierce this year, but I have a good feeling about your chances.”

Sam couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pride at Gail’s words. He knew that he had put in countless hours of work, pouring his heart and soul into the Devil May Cry simulation. And with the added boost of his Batman: Arkham Asylum success, he felt more confident than ever.

As Gail continued to discuss the logistics of the Expo, Sam listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities. This could be the moment that truly launched his career as a game developer. The stakes were high, but Sam was determined to give it his all.

Sam glanced at the streaming sites, spotting Ruby’s familiar face. A grin tugged at his lips – she was the streamer who had played through his Batman: Arkham Asylum simulation. Intrigued, he decided to tune in and see what she was up to now.

“I wonder what’s Ruby streaming today?” he mumbled, clicking on her channel. The stream loaded, and there she was, chatting animatedly with her viewers. Sam settled back in his chair, eager to see if she had any thoughts on the upcoming Expo.

…

Ruby greeted her friends in the chat, her voice brimming with excitement. “Good morning, everyone! I can’t believe the World Developer Expo is finally here!” She practically bounced in her seat, eager to dive into the countless simulations awaiting her.

[ShadowBlade]: “Good morning, Scarlet! I can’t wait to see what amazing simulations you discover at the Expo!”

[GamerGirl42]: “Same here! I bet there will be some real hidden gems this year.”

[TechnoGeek]: “Just don’t forget to take breaks, okay? We want you to have fun, not burn out!”

Ruby nods, smiling at her supportive chat. “You got it, guys. I’m ready to dive in and find the best of the best. Who knows, maybe I’ll even discover the next big hit!”

Ruby scanned the list of Expo simulations, her eyes lighting up as she spotted one labeled “Devil May Cry.” Intrigued, she glanced over at the chat.

“Hey, guys, what do you think about trying out the Devil May Cry simulation? It was made by the same developer as the Batman simulation.”

[ShadowBlade]: “Devil May Cry? Heck yeah, let’s do it! That series is all about stylish combat and crazy demons. I bet it’ll be a wild ride.”

[GamerGirl42]: “Ooh, I’m down! If it’s anything like the Batman game, I’m sure it’ll be super polished and engaging.”

[TechnoGeek]: “Sounds good to me, Scarlet.”

Ruby grinned, her fingers already moving to select the simulation. “Alright, chat, let’s see what Genesis has cooked up this time.” She took a deep breath, eager to dive into the world of Devil May Cry.

Ruby entered the Devil May Cry simulation, her eyes scanning the difficulty options. Easy, Normal, Hard, and Very Hard – each presented a unique challenge.

“Alright, chat, what do you guys think? Which difficulty should I tackle?” Ruby asked, her gaze shifting to the chat.

[ShadowBlade]: “Very Hard! We wanna see you get trolled, Scarlet!”

[GamerGirl42]: “Yeah, go for the hardest setting! That’ll make it more exciting to watch.”

Ruby frowned, shaking her head. “Nuh-uh, no way. I’m not falling for that trap, you guys. I want a challenge, but not one that’s going to make me rage-quit.”

[TechnoGeek]: “Hmm, good point. Why don’t we start on Normal and see how it goes? We can always crank it up later if it’s too easy.”

Ruby nodded, considering the suggestion. “Alright, Normal it is. Time to see what this Devil May Cry simulation has in store for us!”

Ruby pressed the Normal difficulty button, and the simulation for Devil May Cry began.

///

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