However, this thriving game company declined due to a bug that appeared in a game update, and the reasons behind its decline were, of course, also related to in-game meals.

In the later stages of the game, it was commonplace for groups of players to eat together, travel together, and fight monsters to level up together, adventuring in the fantasy game world. But with the final major update, a seemingly insignificant piece of code completely destroyed the future of this company.

At that time, every player was accustomed to consuming something in the game, like fries or crispy rice crusts, which were relatively cheap. However, with the new code, all foods suddenly acquired an unspeakable flavor, a flavor one could only associate with a toilet.

With that version update, the game sparked massive player dissatisfaction. Initially, players didn't notice and thought it was their senses deceiving them, but as the number of people discussing it in world chats grew, a storm erupted worldwide, and eventually, the entire player base learned they had been consuming a piece of...

To many high-level players, death and bloodshed are acceptable, but losing their dignity is not. Yet the game unexpectedly forced players to consume such a thing publicly.

Many players didn't play the game for its own sake; it was for class reunions, friends drinking together, or distant companions who couldn't meet in person and could only interact in the game. The update directly drove away more than half the players.

At this stage, another online game company released a game with a culinary theme. The in-game spending was relatively reasonable, advocating a free-to-play format. Players didn't need to spend real money before reaching level 30, and by level 25, they could earn money through cooking. In other words, from levels 25 to 30, the in-game currency earned was sufficient to buy game tokens.

Gradually, all players who loved food transitioned to this new game. As the number of online players in the first game dwindled, the company had to reduce server size to cut operational costs, leading to fewer players on each server and creating a vicious cycle. Walking down the streets, you'd hardly see anyone. Over time, players left one by one, and the company faded into obscurity, becoming a third-rate entity in the public's memory.

Therefore, a major game update is crucial for a game company.

According to Hans' standards, game bugs can exist but must be limited to a very small scope. Problems as large as the previous company, like infinite duplication of high-end equipment, are not allowed.

While you can ban accounts, those typically banned are ones benefiting from illegal third-party means. However, once someone duplicates a mecha and trades with others, converting the transaction money into cash, things become complicated.

Rollback has always been a massive taboo for game developers. In less technologically advanced times, developers could enforce a rollback to fix bugs, issue a statement, and send an insincere apology letter, and most players wouldn't mind.

But times have changed. The netizens of this era are highly educated and proud, and with the Virtual Goods Protection Law, if you dare to ban my account or roll back my data, I would not hesitate to sue you legally.

However, compared to ordinary netizens, top-tier players can also use strong measures like sending legal letters. There have been similar incidents before.

Without exception, if you dare to play this card, grassroots players will revolt. As they say, where there's oppression, there's resistance. When the law fails to protect ordinary people, we can use the internet to spread justice, ensuring the world knows there are no good outcomes for unscrupulous businesses trying to suppress players.

As a result, many companies with strong backing ultimately self-destructed under the overwhelming voice of grassroots netizens. Lacking grassroots player support, middle-tier players find survival difficult. If they can't sell acquired gear, earn by guiding others, or showcase their prowess through virtual platforms, the middle-tier player base will shrink.

In the end, only a batch of high-level players remains, and these players, having invested heavily in the game, find it hard to quit easily.

It can be said that the core purpose of gaming is to find pleasure unattainable in reality, especially for advanced players who invest significantly in the game and naturally dominate PvP. But as lower and middle-tier players leave, only high-level players and merchants remain.

The main goal for merchants is to make money through trading. They aren't concerned with PvP. Thus, the remaining group facing high-level players must also be high-level players.

When both groups are high-level players, it's no longer about equipment superiority because the differences are marginal. It's a test of player skill.

The well-equipped bully the poorly equipped, and the skilled prey on the unskilled. Survival of the fittest has always been a human law. In such an environment, low-skill high-end players, unaccustomed to being dominated, gradually leave the game, seeking venues more suitable for their cash-spending talents.

Therefore, game updates determine the fate of a game. Furthermore, with this change, the Revenge Shadow Rider will descend. Even if this update is as bad as dung, the presence of the Revenge Shadow Rider will keep the player population stable.

However, you cannot rely solely on the Revenge Shadow Rider. The only reason it hasn't forgotten Hans is due to Hans' earnest prayer being answered and the mercy of a deity, which must not be wantonly desecrated.

Thus, after receiving news from the apostle that night, Hans became more attentive to game updates, repeatedly emphasizing to employees the importance of this update, encouraging them to work with utmost enthusiasm and efficiency.

Of course, before this, there was a crucial precondition: money. With Hans' promise of bonuses, he believed this version update wouldn't be problematic. Yet, what concerned him most were the bugs; he hoped testers would be diligent. Naturally, Hans was half a tester himself, and his mind constantly pondered game updates, never associating it with divine intervention. But when the apostle, whom he had only seen in dreams, appeared before him, he was sure he wasn't mistaken.

As for the second reason.

At that time, Hans didn't show much concern on the surface, but inside, he was incredibly shaken. Yet, as a leader, especially standing on stage, he had to exhibit the aura of leadership. He absentmindedly and hastily said a few words, then dismissed the employees. He returned to where Feng Yi had just stood, looking around repeatedly.

Ultimately, Hans went back to the monitoring room, attempting to confirm through the surveillance footage whether what he saw was real.

Regardless of whether the divine messenger appeared in the footage, Hans chose to believe his eyes. Even if it wasn't visible, it was surely the work of divine power. To his delight, a few minutes later, Hans did see the divine messenger, a cloaked figure from behind, in the surveillance video.

Even though it was only a brief few seconds and just a back view, Hans believed that it was indeed the divine messenger he had seen in his dreams.

He never expected the divine messenger to also be watching him. At that moment, Hans was overwhelmed with emotions... He quietly deleted the video, believing that the messenger should not be desecrated or casually shown to employees. He thought the reason he alone saw it was entirely intentional on their part, making him believe deleting the footage was the right choice.

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