Versatile Superstar: Rise In Hollywood

Aiden loved gaming. 

It was a hobby that he had gotten when he was very young. His Uncle who used to visit from time to time was a major influence for him to like games. He had told him that games have the power to tell stories that movies can’t. 

But rather than that, Aiden had focused more on the fun parts of a game rather than the narrative. 

Back in his adolescence, he finished up a lot of games and at one point, he used to play games all night rather than to study. 

Sadly, with time, the habit had died. 

It was because gaming is expensive. Knowing that he had responsibilities and better things where he could spend money on, gaming had become something that he had started to ignore. 

Especially after he came to New York, he sometimes never even had money to pay rent. 

Then, he got more involved in movies and trying to grind different skills, making him only pick up games from time to time on his breaks. 

That’s why he was excited when he saw the <Call of Honour> showcase. Though, he had never imagined that he would meet the creator of the game here. 

“It’s good to know that someone is exploring my game so much. I’m Cory Daniels, the creator of this game.”

“I have heard so much about you.”

That was Aiden’s first response, staring at the bearded man. His naturally black hair had started to grey out and there were a few wrinkles on his face, telling a tale of his age. 

He was giving a wide, sunny smile. 

“I’m happy to know that players still remember me. It’s been a long time since I last made a game.”

“Yeah but your old ones are classics.”

“Not all of them but yeah.”

Cory Daniels seemed pleased at the praise. He had made a lot of games in his career but lately, he had been sidelined. 

So, he was happy to know that fans still remembered him. 

“Are you going to try more games?”

Cory asked, looking around. A lot of games were at display with people playing their hearts out. 

“I don’t think so. I wanted to explore more. I have gotten a day off after a long time, so I wanted to see what comic con had to offer.”

“Then, do you mind having a coffee with me?”

Cory suddenly asked and at that strange request, Aiden raised an eyebrow. 

“I don’t mind but why?”

“I have been talking to a lot of players these days, asking them questions on video games for a project I am thinking of. It’s just for that. Only if you don’t mind talking to an old man for a while.”

Cory smiled as Aiden wondered what project he was talking about. A new game? Aiden sure hoped so. 

‘Well, it would be interesting to know a pioneer of video game development.’

Aiden thought before making his decision. 

“Okay, let’s go.”

***

Just steps away from the convention centre, there was a coffee shop that Aiden and Cory went to. 

It was pretty full with a lot of people in cosplays taking a break from the convention. They still got a seat and sat down before ordering coffee. 

When it arrived, the conversation finally started. 

“By the way, I still don’t know your name.”

Cory asked and Aiden looked around in the coffee shop, making sure that everyone was busy in some discussion before pulling down his mask. 

He didn’t feel like he needed to hide his identity in front of Cory. 

“Aiden Silvereye. Just call me Aiden.”

Cory gave a surprised expression seeing Aiden. He blinked in his eyes in wonder before calming down. He was a man who knew how to control his emotions. 

“Didn’t expect to meet a celebrity like this.”

“I could say the same for you.” Aiden smiled. 

“Actually, I’m reading your comic <Morpheus>. I read a lot of comics monthly and I get the monthly issue of yours too. It’s a very fascinating story that you have made.”

Cory’s eyes shined when he said that. Aiden hadn’t expected him to be a reader but it was a good feeling. 

For a while, they just talked about the comic book as Cory presented his various thoughts about the book and even talked about his own theories on the story. Aiden listened to them intently and answered appropriately. 

It was only after he had finished his coffee that he realised that a long time had gone by and they had not even started the main discussion. 

Realising that, Aiden quickly asked. 

“Um, what questions did you have for me? And what project were you talking about? Is it your new game?”

“Ah, yeah. Sorry, I got lost in our conversation. Anyway, it’s just basic gaming questions. As you know, gaming changes every generation with new technology and trends. It’s necessary to keep up with the times.” He said then smiled. “And yes, it’s for my next game.”

A Cory Daniels game!

That was a line that would make any gamer excited as every game of Cory had been very good. Some of them have standards in the industry. 

Sadly, he had not made a game for years now. His last game was a space exploration game called <Lost in the Sky> and it had been regarded as a benchmark for exploration with a nonlinear focus and players getting the freedom to go to any planet they want. 

After that, he had just worked here and there in small roles. 

“What type of a game is it going to be?”

Aiden asked, a bit excited. If his uncle was here, he would have acted like a child. 

“An action adventure game but to be really clear, I don’t have anything more than that. There’s no vision yet as I don’t know what kind of story I want to tell but I want it to be epic. That’s why, I’m talking to players, trying to know what they would want to play in the genre.”

“Well, that genre is almost oversaturated. Moreover, there’s not been a lot of epic games lately. It’s more like companies are following a formula. Isn’t Gamescom studios the same?”

Aiden recalled seeing the last two released games from the studio. They were good games but both of them had several similar side quests with a lot of micro transactions. 

Uncle Sam had said that greed had finally seeped into the gaming industry too, making a lot of things mediocre. 

“They are. The company policy has changed as they have expanded. It’s a complicated situation.” Cory admitted. “Anyway, this game doesn’t have anything to do with them.”

“What?”

“I’m leaving the company next month and opening my own. I think it’s the right time. Indie stuff is getting more traction now.”

Cory smiled and Aiden felt like it was certainly big news. A big game creator leaving the company he had worked hard to establish as one of the best. 

He was sure that there would have been differences between Cory and the company, explaining why he hadn’t made any game for a while. 

“It’s a good step. Might make you a millionaire.”

“I’m happy until I present a good enough game. So, tell me, what kind of game would you want to play?”

Aiden didn’t immediately answer that question. 

It was a hard one. 

What type of a game would he like to play? There were various games that he had loved in the past but then, there were only a few who were able to make him a total addict. 

‘First person shooters are very repetitive and common now. Same with a lot of fantasy games. Moreover, no one really loves grinding out levels and stuff every time, especially if you are doing the same thing. Need to bring in the feeling of exploration too…’

Aiden thought about all these things and in the end, his answer was ready. 

“A game that doesn’t follow any formula. I will first of all throw away every formula that game developers use. You simply can’t make an epic game by formulas.”

“Then?”

“Then see what the players actually want. I think most players would like a great narrative game. If you are not even caring for the characters, then do anything really matter. The gameplay is one thing but a game needs a soul and that is a good story.”

Hearing that, Cory nodded his head. Actually, Aiden’s thoughts were on the same wavelength as him. 

A game that feels like a chore wasn’t something he wanted to make. 

“But every story is already done. There are just variations.”

“That’s true, especially if you are talking about fantasy. If you really want to create something original, then you need to go to the place where most fantasy ideas came from.”

Cory made a confused expression hearing that. Was Aiden talking about a dead English author? It was only after a few seconds that he realised what he was saying. 

“Mythology.”

“Yup. There are epic stories there. Anyone could create their own versions of it.”

“A few games in the recent past have done that though.”

Cory muttered, thinking of a few great games. One of them, including a bald guy, was exceptionally great. 

“Yeah but you don’t need to completely set it there. You can just take inspiration from it and use that in your own world. A world you control.”

Aiden said and it was at that moment, he suddenly thought of something. Something that might be a great idea for a video game. 

Looking at Cory, he asked. 

“Do you know how the world will end?”