Speaking of the prosperity and ups and downs of the game world, Xiakong, a newly promoted five-star resonator in Mingchao, is particularly eye-catching. The complexity of the materials required for her development can be regarded as a microcosm of contemporary network culture and consumer society, and it is worth our careful appreciation. This time, we might as well start from the number and type of materials required to glimpse the subtle interaction between the virtual ecology carefully woven by the game designer and the player’s psychology.
The materials required for Xiakong’s growth path are quite complicated, covering four categories from low-frequency to full-frequency tide erosion sail cores, rare materials such as burning phosphorus bones and golden wool, and various levels of crystallized phlogiston, and special weapon shackles are also included. Those materials are nothing less than the “food and grass” of the game, and none of them can be missing, just like the ancient military books said that “food and grass must go first before the troops move”, and their meaning is far greater than the accumulation of numbers.
In this complex system, the most intriguing thing is the name of “tide erosion sail core”. This item not only contains the image of ocean and wind erosion in the physical world, but also metaphorically represents the inevitable hardships and wear and tear in the character’s growth process. As the saying goes, “sail core” implies the core of sailing, while “tidal erosion” implies the ruthless erosion of time and environment. The combination of these two vividly depicts the necessary tempering of Xiakong from immaturity to maturity, just like the experience of people in reality.
Looking at the “burning phosphorus bone”, its name carries the meaning of burning and danger, which is quite classical and tragic. Defeating the sighing ancient dragon to obtain this item is just like the Spartacus-style spirit of resistance, implying the eternal game between players and game challenges. What is even more interesting is the “Golden Fleece”, which has been a symbol of heroic exploration since ancient times. It is given a purchase restriction attribute in the game, which not only stimulates the scarcity desire of players, but also reflects the interweaving of “scarce resources” and “demand elasticity” in capitalist economics.
The development of specialized weapons is like a complex process. The gradual progress from simple shackles to special shackles is just like the analytical process of “from shallow to deep, from the outside to the inside” in literary criticism. The classification of crystallized phlogiston from impurities to high purity can’t help but remind people of the relationship between purity and activity in chemical reactions, and metaphorically the gradual stimulation and purification of character potential. Each level upgrade is accompanied by a large consumption of shells, reflecting the mutual influence of virtual and real currency systems.
The design of the resonance circuit is particularly eye-catching. The material requirements of different levels, combined with rare props such as “Iris Blooming Day”, not only increase the strategic depth of the game, but also create a sense of urgency in time. This design strategy is quite similar to the artistic conception of “time does not wait for me” in ancient Chinese poetry, urging players to plan resources and time reasonably and avoid blind consumption.
Although the small prop “Stuffed Meat Tofu” is insignificant, it has the function of increasing the drop rate of materials, which can be called a “icing on the cake” in the game. Its existence is like the “finishing touch” in literary works. Although it is inconspicuous, it can stimulate the enthusiasm and desire of players to explore and add fun to the game.
The introduction of Treabar recharge platform and discount code reflects the capital operation model in the modern digital economy. The setting of “extra 3% discount” in its marketing strategy is like the “price discrimination” phenomenon in the market, which not only satisfies the players’ thrifty psychology, but also promotes the consumption cycle. This is a model of the combination of game economics and behavioral economics, which fully demonstrates the capital power and marketing wisdom of the modern game industry.
In summary, the material system of the character Xia Kong is not a simple digital game, but a manifestation of multi-layered cultural connotations. It reflects the consumption psychology, time management and even social relations of contemporary players. Through the sophisticated material configuration and acquisition mechanism, the game designer has created a silhouette of the contemporary virtual society, which not only has insights into human desires, but also metaphors for the modern capitalist system.
This design not only brings endless challenges and satisfaction to players, but also subtly influences players’ behavior patterns and values. As Mr. Qian Zhongshu said, “Words are living things, and so is good game design.” The material world of Mingchao Xiakong is undoubtedly a living cultural text that deserves careful interpretation by players and scholars alike.