Games

Max descended from his room to the kitchen, grabbing a couple of water bottles and some snacks from the counter. His mother, Lily, glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "Max, what are you doing?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

Max turned to her and replied, "Mom, I'm making a game. I just came down to grab some snacks so I don't get hungry."

Lily crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "Since when did you start studying during the holidays?" she asked.

Max shrugged and said, "Our exams are coming up, and we have to upload a game for a competition."

Lily's expression softened, and she gave a small nod. "Well, it's good that you're studying. This will ease your father's worries about your future," she said with a faint smile.

Max nodded back, thinking to himself, You wouldn't believe what I'm actually about to create.

Returning to his room, Max placed the bottles and snacks on his desk before sitting down. On the table, a collection of game cores lay scattered. He picked up an F-rank game core, holding it firmly in his hand. Channeling his mana into it, he felt a pull as his consciousness faded. The next moment, he found himself in a vast, white expanse, floating weightlessly.

His mind raced with ideas. He thought of countless games he could create that wouldn't exceed the power limitations of an F-rank core. Titles like CS:GO and Valorant came to mind, their tactical gameplay and skill-based mechanics standing out. But for his first creation, he wanted something simpler yet impactful. Valorant, he knew, was one of the best games for improving tactical thinking and firearm knowledge, a true masterpiece by Riot Games. But his heart wasn't set on it for now.

Instead, his thoughts drifted to his own experiences as a gamer and an aspiring eSports player. He remembered how he had once dreamt of becoming a professional player, not in PC or console games, but in a mobile game: PUBG: New State. Back in his previous world, his country had little enthusiasm for PC gaming. The minority who played on PCs didn't create enough demand for large-scale tournaments. Mobile gaming, on the other hand, was accessible to everyone, and PUBG Mobile had become a phenomenon.

Max smiled bitterly as he recalled the journey of PUBG: New State. Initially launched as an ambitious project with mechanics inspired by PUBG PC and cutting-edge graphics, the game struggled with optimization issues during its beta phase. Players had high hopes, but the rough start drove many back to PUBG Mobile. A loyal few stuck with New State, believing in its potential. Over time, the game improved significantly, but the masses didn't return. Publicly, players blamed the graphics, but Max knew the real reason: the mechanics. Years of playing PUBG Mobile had ingrained a preference for the simplified gameplay—ARs for every range and shotguns for close-quarters combat and Mid why will shotgun kill players in mid-quaters. The realism and complexity of New State simply didn't resonate with those players.

That's why, Max thought, I won't make the same mistakes. For his first game, he wouldn't replicate PUBG: New State entirely. Instead, he'd take its best features—weapon customization, Avenpost , and innovative mechanics like the role-Feature gameplay and outpost captures from PUBG PC. He'd create a unique experience, blending the best elements of both Games into something new and captivating.

Max leaned back in his chair and asked, "System, how much time will it take to make PUBG?"

The system's voice chimed in, calm and matter-of-fact. "As you currently have 500 mana, creating the entire PUBG game will take approximately one year."

Max groaned, running his hand through his hair. "A year? That's way too long! System, I just want to make it with only one map—Erangel. I'll update it later once it becomes popular."

The system replied swiftly. "With the scope reduced to only Erangel, the creation time will be approximately one week."

Max sighed in relief. "A week, huh? Well, today is Sunday, and I have one week of preparation leave. After that, our uploaded games will be tested by the board and the public. I guess I have enough time. System, let's start."

"Understood, Host. Imagine what you want to create."

Max closed his eyes, focusing intently. "First, the spawn island." The moment he said that, the white void around him began to shift. The ground beneath his feet materialized as patches of dirt and grass, forming the small island. A broken airplane slowly appeared in the distance, its metallic body rusted and worn. Large shipping containers stacked haphazardly came into view, adding to the chaotic yet iconic atmosphere of the starting zone.

As he continued shaping the spawn island, Max felt his mana drain steadily. After hours of concentration, the island was complete. Max stumbled back to his desk in exhaustion, gulping down a bottle of water and munching on a snack to recover. He glanced at the system display, noting his mana had dropped by nearly a hundred points.

 With the spawn island finished, Max focused on the mainland of Erangel. He began by imagining the overall terrain—rolling hills, wide-open fields, and dense forests. The process was grueling as he visualized every slope and valley. By evening, he had completed the rough outline of the map. His mind felt like it was on fire, and his mana had dipped dangerously low. The system warned him to rest before continuing, and he grudgingly obeyed.

after waking Feeling refreshed, Max resumed his work. He started with Georgopol, one of the major landmarks of Erangel. He visualized the towering blue cranes, the massive shipping yard filled with containers, and the nearby apartment complexes. Each detail took time and focus, from the rusted look of the cranes to the scattered loot points inside the containers. By the end of the day, Georgopol stood completed, but Max's body felt like it had been through a marathon.

Third day Max turned his attention to the School, another iconic location. He painstakingly designed the building's layout, including the gymnasium, classrooms, and rooftop. He added broken windows, scattered desks, and other small details to give it a lived-in, apocalyptic feel. Each object required precise visualization, and by the evening, his mana reserves were almost entirely depleted. He fell asleep at his desk, drained but satisfied with his progress.

 The next landmark was Pochinki, a central village on the map. Max focused on creating the tightly packed houses, winding streets, and occasional cover points like hay bales and broken vehicles. He made sure to scatter loot in logical locations, imagining how players would strategize during combat. His mana management had improved, but the constant mental strain left him exhausted by the end of the day.

Max shifted to smaller but crucial details—bridges connecting the island to the mainland, the military base, and the network of roads and rivers that crisscrossed the map. These elements were vital for gameplay balance, and Max meticulously placed each one. His body protested with every hour spent in the white void, but he pushed through, driven by his vision.

Sixth day With most of the map complete, Max spent the day polishing. He added trees, rocks, and grass textures to bring Erangel to life. He also fine-tuned the loot spawn rates and ensured that all the buildings were accessible. The system's support in managing calculations and details proved invaluable, allowing Max to focus on creativity.

On the final day, Max reviewed his work, making minor adjustments and fixing any inconsistencies. He tested the spawn island, ensuring players could seamlessly transition from there to the battlefield. By the end of the day, the map was ready.

Max slumped back in his chair, utterly drained but filled with pride. "It's done," he muttered. The system's voice chimed in, congratulating him. "Host has successfully completed the creation of Erangel within the allotted time."