Developing Games: To scare players all around the world! Chapter 111: Black Ops Team

TL.N - A few chapters are being managed and soon, I'll be able to consistently release 3-4 chapters per week. This is still some time away. The story's pacing will also be adjusted, as the next approximately 20 chapters involve Sekiro reactions, which I don't believe people want, nor do I.

"Then... how long will you be gone this time?" Natalie inquired softly, her eyes clouded with concern.

"I'm not certain," Tony responded after a moment of contemplation. "Developing new software isn't an instantaneous process. It might require a considerable amount of time."

"Huh? That long?" Natalie's expression drooped. "Should I accompany you, then?"

"For what purpose?" Tony shot her a questioning look. "It's a military base, not a holiday destination. What activities would you even engage in there?"

"I could assist you in relaxing and... enhancing your work efficiency?" she ventured, her voice faltering as she recognized the feebleness of her suggestion.

Tony let out a sigh and waved her away dismissively. "Please. The only thing you'll 'improve' is my stress levels. Just remain at home. It's not a place you can simply wander into like a park."

"But I'll be by myself here..." she murmured, her gaze sweeping over the vast, deserted villa. "It becomes frightening when it's this quiet."

"What is there to fear? You have Cortana with you," Tony stated, then called out, "Cortana, initiate startup."

"Startup sequence complete," replied the gentle, synthesized voice without delay.

"I will be away for a period," Tony continued. "Please look after the house and Natalie."

"Affirmative," Cortana responded. "I will ensure that all individuals and the premises remain secure."

"See? The problem is resolved." Tony flashed a grin.

"But... Cortana isn't human," Natalie whispered nervously.

"Is that so?" Tony raised an eyebrow. "That's hardly polite to someone you converse with daily."

"Oh! My apologies, Cortana!" she exclaimed quickly.

"It is quite alright," the AI replied calmly.

Tony chuckled, observing her flustered apology. "Relax, sis. If you're still feeling apprehensive, simply invite some friends over. Or perhaps reach out to our parents."

"Never mind that; they are still traveling somewhere. Let them enjoy their journey," Natalie said, her lips forming a slight pout.

"Then go with friends," Tony suggested, before turning his attention back to Cortana. "Furthermore, Cortana, should any visitors arrive at the villa, maintain silence. Do not respond."

He was not inclined to risk revealing Cortana's existence at this juncture.

"Understood."

The following morning, Tony entered Mustang's vehicle and proceeded towards the airport. His ultimate destination was a city situated in the western region, home to one of the nation's most extensive military installations.

After an extensive journey, he finally arrived, stepping into an environment that most civilians only encountered in tales.

Rather than commencing his work immediately, Mustang guided him through a tour of the base. They paused before a formidable line of towering missile launchers, colossal steel structures that radiated under the sun's glare.

"This unit is the M142 HIMARS," Mustang declared, a discernible note of pride in his voice. "It's all-weather capable, self-sufficient, and possesses precision strike abilities. Is it not magnificent?"

"It is... sizeable," Tony admitted frankly. He had never envisioned witnessing such a marvel firsthand in his lifetime.

Naturally, prior to his arrival, he had committed to a comprehensive non-disclosure agreement; it was a prerequisite for his access.

"You are fortunate," Mustang added with a grin. "There is a live artillery exercise scheduled for today. Would you care to observe?"

"Certainly," Tony replied without hesitation.

A few minutes later, both individuals stood shoulder-to-shoulder, donning sunglasses and earmuffs, as they surveyed dozens of long-range artillery pieces positioned across the field.

The ground trembled. The air was rent by noise. A cacophony of explosions thundered across the training range.

"What do you think? Impressive, wouldn't you say?" Mustang shouted over the din. "No matter how many times I witness it, the spectacle never loses its impact. Now, that is what one might call masculine beauty!"

"Indeed," Tony stated simply, still captivated by the sheer display of power. "Impressive."

Mustang chuckled. "Though I suppose it's nothing extraordinary for you, is it? After all, you are the individual who orchestrated players battling colossal beasts spanning a thousand meters and causing the skies to erupt in Aurora. This must seem rather insignificant in comparison."

Tony offered a slight smile. "Not entirely. My creations exist in the virtual realm. This is the genuine article."

Mustang imparted an approving nod. "Ever humble, as always. Very well, it is time to commence our duties."

He then led Tony into a spacious training hall. Neatly arranged rows of sophisticated VR units were visible, with numerous uniformed soldiers standing at attention beside them.

The moment Tony entered, every gaze in the room shifted to him. Their stares were keen, inquisitive, and imbued with a palpable sense of restrained excitement, akin to encountering a celebrity in real life.

At the heart of the hall stood a senior officer, his hands clasped behind his back. The insignia denoting his rank glinted subtly under the illumination.

A warm smile graced the man's face as he extended a hand. "Welcome, young man. Your studio, New World, has quite the reputation. Every soldier here is a devoted fan and has played every one of your titles."

Tony returned the handshake with a humble smile. "You are too kind, sir. I merely create games for my own enjoyment."

"Hah! If that's 'just for fun,' then the rest of us have truly been wasting our time," the general chuckled heartily. "I'm certain Mustang has informed you of our purpose here. We wish for you to refine Sekiro, transforming it into a genuine training simulator for our troops."

"I understand," Tony affirmed, nodding. "What specific enhancements are you envisioning?"

The general's gaze flickered towards the assembled soldiers, who immediately began voicing their opinions.

"Firstly, the game is far too simple," one stated with utmost seriousness. "The enemy AI is predictable. One can simply die a few times, learn their attack patterns, and achieve victory."

"Indeed," another soldier concurred. "Their attack speed is also too sluggish. We require quicker reflexes and greater unpredictability."

"Yes," a third soldier chimed in, a grin spreading across his face, "and the physical exertion involved is woefully insufficient. It doesn't even come close to our daily training regimen."

Tony couldn't help but release a helpless laugh. In the entirety of the world, it was unlikely another group existed who would deem Sekiro "too easy" and simultaneously lament its "lack of physical activity."

"Please, continue," he encouraged, gesturing for them to proceed.

"Furthermore," one soldier added gravely, "you must disable all somatosensory assistance. It is unnecessary for us. Everything should feel precisely as it does in reality."

Somatosensory assistance was a feature designed to simplify player movements, lessening physical strain while still enabling impressive visual maneuvers. These men, however, were not concerned with style points. Soldiers prioritize effectiveness in real-world combat over flashy aesthetics.

"In addition," another soldier interjected, "a pain system needs to be implemented. Basic tactile feedback is inadequate for us to accurately gauge genuine danger."

"...A pain system?" Tony queried, a hint of disbelief in his voice, unsure if he had heard correctly.

The seasoned general offered a slight smile. "Precisely. Our military-grade VR units possess capabilities far exceeding civilian models. They can accurately simulate pressure, impact, and even pain. It is far better to experience such sensations here than on an actual battlefield. Bleeding during training is preferable to bleeding in combat."

Tony slowly nodded. He had not anticipated such potent functionality within the military's VR technology. These individuals were truly in a league of their own.

As the soldiers continued to present their requests, the old general finally turned his attention back to Tony. "So, young man, do you believe you can meet these stringent demands?"

"I shall certainly endeavor to," Tony replied. "I will meticulously document all your feedback, formulate a comprehensive development plan, and proceed with system adjustments, one by one."

While tuning parameters was a straightforward task, the creation of a fully integrated pain system and the design of a complete framework for both physical and mental training represented a significant undertaking. Such complex modifications could not be implemented with a simple patch.

"Excellent," the old man approved with a nod. "We also have our own VR development team onsite. While their expertise may not match yours, they are available to provide any necessary assistance. Should you require anything, please liaise with Colonel Mustang. He will serve as your primary point of contact throughout your stay."

"Understood," Tony acknowledged. He couldn't help but feel a touch of pride at the evident respect in their demeanor.

"Very good. I shall leave you young innovators to your work, then," the old man stated, a warm smile on his face as he turned to depart.

The instant he was out of sight, the atmosphere in the room underwent a palpable transformation.

Every soldier's gaze intently fixed upon Tony, their eyes now gleaming with an unmistakable spark of playful mischief.

Then, in a unified surge, they advanced.

"Haha! I can hardly believe we're actually meeting him in person!"

"Yeah! You're much younger than we imagined! We envisioned someone in their thirties!"

"We've endured so much suffering because of you! The sheer torment in Sekiro! The endless nightmares in Silent Hill! Did you have any idea how miserable we were when our commander ordered us to complete your games?!"

A boisterous throng of large, muscular men surrounded him, their voices a mixture of shouts and laughter. Tony immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Hey, don't blame me!" he quickly protested, raising his hands defensively. "I didn't force you to play!"

"Haha, that's true, but it hardly matters!"

"Yeah, let's just put him in a VR pod and make him clear Silent Hill PT! No shortcuts allowed!"

"Brilliant idea!"

"You lot!" Mustang's voice sliced through the boisterous chaos like a sharp command. "The general has barely departed, and you're already causing a ruckus? Are you attempting to disgrace me?"

The room instantly fell silent. The soldiers who had been playfully tossing Tony in the air promptly set him down and snapped to attention as if the preceding commotion had never occurred.

"My apologies, Mr. Willis," Mustang stated, pressing his hand to his forehead. "They were merely jesting with you. Please don't take their words to heart."

"It's quite alright," Tony replied with a chuckle, dusting himself off. "A bit of lighthearted banter helps to ease the atmosphere."

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that the colonel had almost turned on him as well. Was he a fanboy?

Mustang offered a subtle smile. "While they might appear to be a group of youngsters, when it comes to executing actual missions, I couldn't possibly ask for a more capable team. Each and every one of them is a top-tier special forces operative."

This revelation gave Tony pause. These individuals, these boisterous, game-enthusiast "kids," were actually elite soldiers?

He observed them once more, and suddenly, their piercing gazes and unwavering self-assurance began to make perfect sense. These were seasoned warriors, individuals who had faced mortal danger in conflicts unknown to the general public. Truly, the best of the finest.

Mustang elaborated, "Given that special forces personnel adhere to exceptionally rigorous physical and mental standards, Mr. Willis, you should not restrain yourself in your design. Feel free to be as demanding as your heart desires."

"Hah! Don't you worry about us!" exclaimed one of the soldiers with a wide grin. "A few modifications from the 'bastard' won't faze us. We'll conquer it with ease!"

"Indeed!" the others vociferously agreed in unison, their voices resonating powerfully.

Tony smirked. "Oh? Such confidence so early on? Very well, then I shall ensure that you come to deeply regret those boastful words."

After all, Sekiro was originally conceived for the average player, requiring a delicate balance between challenging gameplay and accessibility. But now? The opportunity had arisen to unleash something truly formidable. Something utterly brutal.

However, a nagging thought remained: he had no clear starting point.

"Speaking of which," he inquired after a brief silence, "how precisely do you conduct your training? If I can gain an understanding of your regimen, I can tailor the system accordingly."

"That is... not easily conveyed through mere words," Mustang confessed. "You would grasp it far better if you were to experience it firsthand."

He let loose a faint, knowing smile. "Perhaps this arrangement would be suitable: I will personally arrange for you to participate in one of our specialized training sessions. Following that, you will possess a much clearer perspective."

Instantly, every soldier's gaze snapped back toward Tony, their smiles now devoid of warmth.

Tony's blood ran cold.

Oh dear. This was shaping up to be a decidedly unfavorable prospect.

TL.N Doing massive edits on next few Chapters to try instead of him making a harder sekiro for the soldiers make it Black ops/Battlefield like.

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