God's Imitator

Lu Bingjun paused slightly before continuing, "Based on the ’framework rules’ clearly provided by this game, as well as our speculations afterward, we can roughly determine the characteristics of ’role-playing games.’

"This time, the game’s quality is very high, and future role-playing games will likely use it as a template.

"Below are some of my personal thoughts, which may not be entirely accurate. If anyone has any opinions, feel free to correct and supplement.

"The core of role-playing games is ’acting,’ meaning players must strictly follow the content of the setting book to portray a specific image.

"It’s important to note that the specific settings in the ’setting book’ are actually very broad, and different role-playing games may have vastly different ’setting books.’

"In this game, the ’setting book’ exists purely as a misleading element.

"But don’t develop path dependence because of this, assuming that future role-playing games will also reach objectives by ’freely deducing the plot.’

"Because once such a trick is reviewed, it loses its ’initial kill’ effect.

"Subsequent imitators may very well use this misconception to genuinely write specific character designs and plot information in the setting book.

"But regardless, the setting book is likely a crucial window directly associated with the game rules and must be taken seriously.

"In the process of acting out roles, players must always strike the right balance.

"Complete absence of performance will disrupt the audience’s immersion, allowing them to cast opposition votes during ’curtain call voting,’ which equates to not achieving the basic goal of the game.

"But you also can’t be completely immersed; you must always clearly know you’re just acting and step out of the plot framework to think about game strategies from a higher perspective. Otherwise, you may die inexplicably like Feng Yuguang.

"Additionally, these role-playing games are likely to be directly linked to players’ real-world professions and knowledge backgrounds, similar to judgment games but not as strict.

"Therefore, players with broader knowledge bases who understand more information from various professions will have an advantage in the game.

"And this conclusion is likely to hold true in other ’role-playing games’ as well.

"Our community’s occupational structure is relatively reasonable, so in that regard, we could have some advantage.

"Also, the danger level of ’audience’ in this game isn’t much different from judgment games; there are basically no life-threatening situations—the worst is having all visa time taken away.

"If strong players from the community enter the game, weaker players entering as audience members can also be a good choice. Like allocation games, it can serve to ’help the weak’ and ’mentor newcomers.’

"Of course, if faced with a situation like Tang Qing’s, there’s nothing to be done."

Everyone nodded; such analysis roughly aligned with other players’ thoughts.

"Does anyone have other ideas regarding this new game type?" Lu Bingjun asked.

Shen Bowen frowned; she hadn’t frequently voiced opinions during the review process, but listened carefully throughout.

"I have an idea, not sure if it’s correct.

"Role-playing games seem to address the pain point of judgment games not being able to repeatedly judge players."

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Huang Shengjie couldn’t help but rub his forehead, "What you said makes so much sense, it’s virtually irrefutable..."

Lu Bingjun’s expression turned somewhat serious, "That’s really the case."

Lu Qi was somewhat confused, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Shen Bowen explained, "In previous games, ’judgment games’ and ’elimination games’ were the most dangerous, carrying the nature of judging sinners based on their real-world crimes.

"However, once players successfully pass judgment games, it often means they’re largely safe.

"I’ve never seen a player undergo ’Second Trial.’

"It makes sense; except for a very few extremely wicked people, most only commit one type of crime, making it unlikely to face repeated judgments on multiple charges.

"Post-judgment means the sinner has been punished, whether lightly or heavily, marking a closure.

"So, if an imitator uses judgment games against a player intending to kill them, but the player survives, it’s almost impossible to target them again afterward.

"Because no suitable game type remains.

"Selection games can target a certain type of player, but can’t specifically target an individual—the scope remains too broad.

"Now, the emergence of ’role-playing games’ means we can specifically select players with unique professional backgrounds.

"If the profession is rare, the chosen probability is high.

"Afterward, imitators can use the rules of ’role-playing games’ to force players to reveal their character flaws or professional crimes. Unintentionally acting crimes out may lead to death via ’curtain call voting.’

"Overall, while role-playing games are less targeted and lethal than judgment games, they can be repeatedly used.

"For instance, if an imitator has a vendetta against me, they could design a ’mechanical engineer’ role and force me into the game.

"Failing to kill me this time doesn’t matter; if encountering another role-playing game, they can switch scripts and continue with a different ’mechanical engineer’ role to scheme against me.

"It’s akin to continually experiencing a weakened version of judgment games, never finding peace.

"Of course, based on current information, such behavior will have limitations—different game types rotate, two judgment games might be spaced a month or two apart; and imitators can’t guarantee their setups will be consistently selected.

"Yet for stronger imitators, the emergence of this new type still provides extra benefits.

"Isn’t that correct?"

Lu Bingjun nodded seriously with a somewhat somber expression, "Yes, that’s correct, you make a very good point.

"From this perspective, the Walkway has become more dangerous."

Lin Sizhi disagreed with this perspective, "It’s not quite accurate to say it’s become more dangerous.

"Because the interval for starting games is fairly fixed, always once a week. So if games of moderate safety appear, they’d dilute the risk of death.

"Originally, there are four game types: allocation, selection, judgment, and elimination. We can roughly estimate the average mortality rate across these four types and compare it with the mortality rate of role-playing games.

"If the mortality rate of role-playing games is lower than the average, it would mean the Walkway has become safer.

"Or more precisely, the emergence of this new type represents:

"The imitators’ game authority and freedom have expanded further;

"Players targeted by imitators have become more dangerous;

"But those not targeted by imitators have become safer."

Qin Cheng nodded in agreement, "Indeed, that’s the case."

Lu Bingjun finally glanced around at everyone, "So, lastly, the main event, concerning the issue of S-Class games."