CHAPTER 12 - GLOBAL REACTIONS

As gameplay videos of 'Silent Hill PT' spread like wildfire, people were left stunned.

At the same time, a heated discussion broke out online about the mysterious company behind the game.

Many still couldn't believe it had been developed by a new unknown company.

The buzz wasn't also limited locally. Natalie's gameplay clips went viral overseas as well.

"WTF?! This is a game? That level of realism is insane!"

"It's not just the visuals, the game design and content are amazing too."

"Heard it's a horror game from a new company, called 'Silent Hill PT'."

"From a new company? No way they would have this kind of game development ability."

"This has to be a promo video for a film disguised as a game."

"The streamer who tested it said it's launching on Steam tomorrow. We'll know then if it's real or not."

"Looking forward to it. If it's legit, I'm playing it."

"Keep dreaming. There's no way a new company made something like this."

Many players were caught between shock and awe, while others were largely skeptical. Their comment sections were overflowing with sarcastic, dismissive remarks.

"This demo is obviously fake. Totally staged."

"No way a brand new company pulled this off. All top tier games today come from Netpack, JetWing, or PluckRed."

They had a point, at least based on history. The gaming industry had produced a few hits, but they were either cartoonish, cutesy, or pay-to-win. For years, these titles had been looked down on by gamers.

As of now, no one had ever produced a true AAA masterpiece. Not even one.

So when a game with photorealistic graphics suddenly emerged from a company no one has heard of, most people simply refused to believe it.

But disbelief couldn't stop the momentum.

'Silent Hill PT' had exploded across the entire internet. In just a few hours, the wishlist associated with Tony's steam account skyrocketed, from just a few hundred, to 100,000, then 1 million... finally slowing down around 3 million!

"Once I officially release Silent Hill PT tomorrow, I'm going to get a huge amount of points" Tony thought.

"By then, I should have enough to make my next game."

He smiled to himself, excited. In fact, he already knew what game he'd develop next.

'Subnautica'

It was going to be an open-world underwater exploration game.

Set almost entirely in the ocean depths, players would be able to explore the eerie and silent terror of the deep sea in full first-person VR.

Tony had been blown away by the undersea environments in a similar game he once played.

Now that he had access to top notch immersive VR tools, he felt it would be a waste not to bring that vision to life.

"Alright, that's enough for today, time to rest and prepare for development tomorrow!" he told himself.

But just as he lay down and closed his eyes, he noticed a figure tiptoeing into his room.

He opened his eyes, it was Sister Natalie, dressed in cutesy bear pajamas and hugging a pillow.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" he asked, confused.

Looking awkward and hesitant, Natalie fidgeted for a few seconds before coughing lightly and saying.

"Ahem. I was... worried you might be scared sleeping alone. So I came to keep you company."

"...?"

He looked at her with a baffled expression.

"I'm not a kid anymore. I don't get nightmares, go back to your room and sleep."

"Shut it!" Natalie barked suddenly, puffing out her chest. "I said you're scared, so you're scared!"

Before he could say another word, she marched over to his bed, grabbed one side of the blanket, and yanked it assertively.

Then her expression changed instantly.

"Wait a sec—WHY AREN'T YOU WEARING ANYTHING?!"

"I always sleep naked..." Tony replied, exasperated.

"You know your sister's coming and you still don't wear clothes? Have you no shame?!" she shouted, cheeks flushing bright red.

"How was I supposed to know you'd barge in?!"

"Shut up and put something on!"

"Alright, alright..."

Defeated, Tony scrambled to put on his pajamas.

"You done?" she asked sternly, eyes turned away.

"All dressed..."

Only then did she turn back around, climb into bed without hesitation, and pull the covers over herself.

"Wait, you're actually going to sleep here?" Tony asked in disbelief.

"Don't act like this is my fault!" she snapped. "You made that nightmare of a game! Now I can't stop thinking about that corridor... and that ghost woman..."

Her voice trailed off as she curled up.

"I can't sleep alone now, every time I close my eyes, I feel like that ghost is going to crawl out of the darkness and scare me again..."

In truth, Natalie didn't really want to be in this situation either. They were both adults now, and even though they were siblings, it still felt a little awkward to be sharing a bed.

But she genuinely couldn't help it, the game had actually traumatized her.

She was so shaken that she couldn't sleep alone. Even getting up to use the bathroom required her to flip on every single light in the house.

Hearing that, Tony could only sigh.

"Okay, okay, my fault," he admitted, raising his hands in surrender. "You can sleep here."

What else could he say? After all, he was the one who subjected to the horror.

898 Words.