In the chat group, the conversation had long spiraled out of control. What began as a casual discussion had already escalated into wild speculation about PixelPioneers Games going bankrupt. Just as everyone was throwing around exaggerated claims, a usually silent member, one who rarely spoke, suddenly appeared.
"What nonsense are you all spouting? Go check the website of PixelPioneers Games! There's new info about Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear!"
New information about Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear!? The noisy group instantly went quiet. Almost everyone stopped typing and rushed to open the website of PixelPioneers Games. There wasn't a flood of updates, but what little was revealed was enough to ignite excitement among fans.
Resident Evil 2 finally confirmed its release date: it would launch at the end of December. However, for those eagerly waiting for Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain, the update was far less satisfying. Aside from a brief mention, there was no concrete new information, only a note that a THEBOSS-related story DLC would soon arrive in Red Alert. It was clear where the focus of promotion lay. Compared to a DLC expansion tied to Red Alert, Resident Evil 2, led by Martel, was undeniably the more important project, both in scale and significance.
There was no gameplay demo, no cinematic trailer, nothing flashy. The official blog updates felt deliberately restrained, like squeezing toothpaste from a tube, revealing only fragments at a time.
Yet even those fragments were enough. Leon and Ada, having gone through years of change, remained the most beloved characters in the Resident Evil series. Their popularity was unquestionable.
Although later comic storylines gradually unveiled events surrounding Chris, Wesker, Jill, and others, winning over many fans along the way, Leon and Ada still stood firmly at the top. There was no doubt about it. And now, their redesigned appearances sparked fresh excitement.
As soon as the official character artwork for Leon and Ada in Resident Evil 2 was released, discussions erupted across the internet.
"Leon looks way more mature now!"
"But still ridiculously handsome! And Ada is absolutely amazing!"
"I wonder if Chris and Wesker from the comics will show up. Wesker is seriously cool!"
"Wesker? No way, Leon is the coolest! The younger one wins, no arguments!"
The community buzzed with energy. Even a simple character reveal was enough to send fans into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, fans of Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain watched this celebration unfold from the sidelines. They, too, felt the hype, but also a growing sense of frustration. Because in all the announcements, there was barely a single meaningful update for them, just one vague line about THEBOSS's DLC. What genre would it be? When will it be released? What would THEBOSS even look like? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"Damn… being a Metal Gear fan feels like waiting on a promise that never comes!"
"Seriously, didn't Metal Gear come first? Why are we getting nothing?"
"Hey, careful what you say; I've got a blade ready here!"
"Oh, please, I've already played Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain. President John is insane! The level design, the freedom, BIGBOSS, everything is incredible! That Skull Face revenge plot got me completely hooked!"
"Quick! Call an ambulance! Another one's lost it!"
"No need, just buy it immediately! No hospital beds left anyway!"
Countless players, especially those anticipating Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain, could only watch as Resident Evil 2 dominated the spotlight with its steady drip-feed marketing. What was going on here?
At the same time, inside the PixelPioneers Games office, John sat across from Armani, listening carefully. His expression shifted from calm to unmistakable surprise.
"Gemtechs, Moondustries, and Essence… they're willing to let Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain launch on their platforms as well?" John asked, clearly taken aback.
Originally, both titles were planned primarily for release on their own platform and official channels. From a strategic standpoint, exclusivity would maximize user growth. But if the goal was to maximize revenue and exposure, partnering with these massive distribution platforms, each with enormous user bases, was undeniably appealing.
"Ansoft made the first move," Armani explained. "They've triggered a bit of a crisis. According to industry insiders, Ansoft has carried out an equity exchange with UEGame. Several major overseas AAA titles next year will be exclusive to them. They're trying to turn the 'big three' into the big four."
John frowned slightly, listening intently.
"With UEGame backing them, Ansoft secured those titles. At the same time, UEGame's expansion here has been suppressed by the big three, while overseas, those same companies have been under constant pressure from UEGame and other established giants. This partnership is their way of breaking the deadlock."
Armani paused, then continued with a faint smile. "As for the big three, they're feeling the pressure now. Ansoft matched them in capital, background, and strength; the only thing they lacked was opportunity. And now they have it. Their lineup next year is aggressive, and the big three don't have enough internal projects to counter them. So instead, they're turning to third-party developers like us."
John narrowed his eyes slightly. "So what are you suggesting?"
"Simple," Armani replied calmly. "Why not make money where we can? At the same time, we send a clear signal: we're not interested in entering the distribution platform war. Acquiring Social Tap's distribution platform was only to secure our current interests."
John nodded slowly. He had entrusted Armani with handling these negotiations, but that didn't mean he was blind to the implications.
"No problem," he said. "But don't let us become cannon fodder."
"Of course," Armani assured him. "And there's more; Moondustries has shown some goodwill as well. Their project Alien Crisis has been reworked. Promotion has been canceled, and they're essentially reskinning it for a relaunch."
"Recycling a failed product, huh?" John chuckled.
On the surface, Moondustries appeared cooperative, but the reality was obvious. The game's reputation had already collapsed, and its momentum was gone. Otherwise, they would never have abandoned it so easily.
After wrapping up the discussion, John found himself surprisingly open to collaborating with the major platforms. But he also understood one thing clearly. Today's partner could easily become tomorrow's competitor. If PixelPioneers Games ever stepped into the distribution space, those same giants would not hesitate to turn their focus and their firepower toward it.
Still, John wasn't overly concerned. Because at its core, PixelPioneers Games was different.
"After all," he murmured to himself with a faint smile, "in the end… everything still comes down to the games."
Unlike the others, whose primary income came from distribution channels, PixelPioneers Games relied on one thing above all else: its games. And that was their true confidence.