God's Imitator

One week later.

The players gathered in the community hall, silently waiting.

Lin Sizhi sat by the window, drinking coffee and quietly observing the expressions and reactions of other players.

He was missing Wei Yinzhang a bit at this moment.

If there were a known Imitator in the community, at least they could periodically share information with other players, revealing the latest moves of the Walkway invitation, which would make many things much simpler.

Take this situation for instance: if Wei Yinzhang were here, she would probably share information related to ’role-playing games’ with other players.

After receiving the game type invitation, Lin Sizhi submitted the basic framework and format for the ’role-playing game’, and it was accepted by the Walkway a day later.

Afterwards, the Walkway sent out a game design invitation to all Imitators, using ’role-playing game’ as the format for design.

However, since Lin Sizhi was the designer of this game type, according to the rules, he did not receive a game invitation and could not simultaneously serve as both referee and participant.

This role-playing game could only be designed by other Imitators, but subsequent role-playing games will not have this restriction.

Lin Sizhi was not sure what kind of designs other Imitators would come up with, nor whether these Imitators could understand the true intent of this game type and create gameplay that fits his expectations.

But in any case, Lin Sizhi was quite looking forward to seeing what kind of answer other Imitators would provide.

Soon, a broadcast notification about the game’s start appeared on the large screen.

[Good morning, players!]

[The Walkway will open in 15 minutes.]

[This game’s name is ’Jury Game’, and its game type is ’role-playing’.]

[This game will select 48 players from 8 communities to participate, and they may be assigned one of the following three identities:]

[1. Actor (4 people)]

[Players from different communities with backgrounds similar to ’wealthy merchant, doctor, lawyer, detective’ will be selected to compulsorily participate (one from each community).]

[2. Audience Representative (4 people)]

[One player from each of the other 4 communities without ’Actors’ will be compulsorily selected (one from each community).]

[3. General Audience (40 people)]

[Other players volunteer to participate, with 5 people from each community.]

[The Actor player from this community is: Lin Sizhi.]

[Please confirm the selection of 5 audience members before the game officially starts. If more than 5 people register, selection will be random.]

[Please make your preparations.]

The countdown of 15 minutes appeared on the large screen.

15:59...

15:58...

This game invitation information clearly left everyone stunned.

"Role-playing game? What is this game type? It hasn’t appeared before, has it?" Ye Lin frowned, looking at Lin Sizhi, Shen Bowen, and Zhang Yan, receiving negative responses from the three.

Clearly, this was a new type that had never appeared before and players from different regions hadn’t encountered it in the first phase.

"Role-playing? Role-playing what?

"Acting?

"And this selection rule is rare too. It’s directly based on professional background, with compulsory participation.

"Since the identity is Actor, does it mean having to portray these professions in the game? Or adopt another identity?"

Ye Lin frowned, instinctively considering possible strategies for this game.

Huang Shengjie was also a bit confused; he looked at Lin Sizhi and asked, "Brother Lin, you usually don’t show much expression, can you act?"

Qin Cheng looked at him, feeling the question was a bit silly: "This time it’s chosen from players with specific professional backgrounds, so Lawyer Lin should still play a lawyer after entering the game.

"It’s likely a situation of performing as oneself.

"Just need to act out the usual state from work and it should be fine.

"What I’m more concerned about is what the specific mechanics of the game will be like.

"If it’s role-playing, will there be a corresponding script? If not, then it’s entirely improvised? That doesn’t seem to qualify as acting.

"But if there’s a script, how will the strategical aspect of the game be reflected?

"I feel that’s the point to focus on."

Lu Bingjun clapped his hands: "Alright, everyone quiet down for a moment.

"This time, the preparation time is 15 minutes, which isn’t too long or short. Let’s first confirm the selection of the audience members.

"Since you can enter the game, maybe you can play some specific roles.

"Even as an audience, perhaps there will be a voting or suggestion-giving segment.

"Are there any who strongly wish to participate? Lawyer Lin, what’s your thought?"

Lin Sizhi responded indifferently: "Anyone can go.

"If anyone feels they still lack visa time, they can try their luck, as being an audience shouldn’t carry too much risk."

Ye Lin thought for a moment: "I’ll go.

"Although Lawyer Lin should be able to handle this game, since his identity is ’Actor’, he might not be able to communicate directly with the audience due to the mechanism.

"The five audience members might be together, or they might be separate.

"If they’re together, having someone slightly guide the thought process might be helpful."

Qin Cheng looked at Huang Shengjie: "Let’s both go; I’m very interested in this new game type.

"Although there will be a review session afterwards, I think directly observing the details in the game might be more helpful."

Huang Shengjie’s mouth twitched slightly: "Ah? Again?"

Since arriving in the New World, he’s participated in two games in three rounds, and neither was smooth, filled with hurdles.

So, Huang Shengjie was instinctively somewhat resistant and wanted a break.

But seeing Qin Cheng’s expression, he didn’t feel comfortable turning him down.

Zhang Yan also volunteered: "I’ll register too. As a new player, I haven’t contributed much to the community; I should go and take a look."

Qin Cheng then looked at Lu Qi: "You should come too."

Lu Qi was a bit stunned: "Ah? Me?"

Qin Cheng nodded: "Yes, as new players who arrived in the second stage, we inherently have less visa time. Currently, the community needs to constantly adjust the amount of visa time carried to spread the pain; if there’s too little visa time on hand, it becomes very inconvenient to adjust.

"As new players, we should be more proactive.

"Also, this time it’s led by two core players from the community, and the Immunity Coupon is still there, ensuring safety and offering the opportunity for experience. These chances should be seized."

Ye Lin quickly agreed: "Qin Cheng is right, come on."

Lu Qi hesitated but eventually nodded reluctantly: "Alright..."

Other players apparently wanted to register as well, but upon seeing the current list, weren’t comfortable with the idea of competing, so chose to give up.

Lu Bingjun looked around at everyone: "Alright, so the five volunteer spots are decided: Ye Lin, Qin Cheng, Huang Shengjie, Zhang Yan, Lu Qi.

"You are all powerful players in the community and will assuredly return victorious from the game.

"Good luck!"

The five raised their hands to register, and soon the countdown on the large screen ended.

Six players disappeared from the hall.