Nebula Games is known for being the most efficient company in the gaming industry.
While "Payday" wasn't a huge project, it was a multiplayer PvE game focused on cooperation, with levels designed similarly to Rainbow Six, which primarily used single, large maps.
Despite the smaller scope, quite a few people were involved. However, unlike previous projects, Lucas wasn't directly involved this time.
He had other, more important matters to attend to, such as using his influence to approach domestic and international game companies like FOW and Atari.
Furthermore, there wasn't much for Lucas to do for "Payday" in its early stages. Most of it was conceptual.
This wasn't a typical first-person shooter; you could even say it was an RPG disguised as an FPS.
In the game, as players earned money and experience, they could choose different character classes, leading to various playstyles with abilities like dodging, temporary invincibility, life-steal, and more. It was a game that didn't take itself too seriously.
However, Lucas also stated that on the surface, the game shouldn't appear silly. Instead, it should possess a hardcore feel.
During this period, overseas branches of Nebula Games conducted on-site research and visited various locations, uploading their findings to a database.
The countries they visited were somewhat peculiar.
With their security team ensuring everyone's safety, they traveled to Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, and Chile, as well as states like Michigan and Michigan, known for frequent smash-and-grab incidents. They met with local police forces, discussing past large and small-scale robberies, gaining in-depth insights into the criminals' methods and the police's responses.
Most local law enforcement was quite cooperative. Part of it was Nebula Games' reputation, but it wasn't entirely altruistic. They offered quite a few subtle gifts, such as police cars and heating radiators, which certainly helped secure such cooperation.
The results of these efforts were very encouraging. By studying this gathered information, core development team members at Nebula Games, such as Hector, Anna, and Rachel, saw their theoretical knowledge skyrocket.
.........
Nebula Games' overseas department's actions quickly caught the attention of relevant media outlets.
After all, Nebula Games was still closely watched by many in the industry, and this was a significant undertaking.
As soon as the news broke, it sparked speculation within the gaming community.
'What's going on with Nebula Games? Is their boss, Lucas, just on a vacation spree?'
'You don't need to think hard about it; it's definitely preparation for a new game! Lucas has done this kind of thing before.'
'But it's been less than two months since Elden Ring was released!'
'Big deal! Boss Lucas is a quick worker!'
'So, are we finally getting Assassin's Creed? Or maybe something like Uncharted?'
'Hey, you upstairs, don't get ahead of yourself. Are you even reading the news? Boss Lucas isn't even involved this time; it's an initiative by Nebula Games' overseas branches!'
'Exactly! And look at where they're going. Does that sound like Assassin's Creed or Uncharted? Brazil, Mexico, and even Michigan – these are all places with high crime rates.'
'Holy cow! Does Boss Lucas think making games isn't profitable enough, so he wants to do something big?'
'Can we please not discuss such dangerous topics? Also, I officially state that I have no connection to the person above and am unaware of any statements they may have made!'
'Speaking of which, does anyone else feel like this mode is familiar?'
'I think so. Like Rainbow Six: Siege?'
'It's not impossible, is it? Is a new Rainbow Six game coming?'
Players were buzzing online, with all sorts of theories.
However, among the player base, only three directions held considerable credibility.
First, Nebula Games was definitely planning something new, but it was unclear if Lucas himself would be leading it.
Second, the game would likely be primarily an FPS.
Finally, the most probable guess was that this unknown game would be a counter-terrorism title, similar to Rainbow Six or Call of Duty.
Admittedly, these speculations were quite well-founded. After all, in the current state of Rainbow Six, apart from a few hardcore veteran players, there wasn't much new blood. For any game, this was a normal situation.
While players debated whether this new game would be like Call of Duty or Rainbow Six, Nebula Games finally posted their first video on their official Weibo account.
However, its content left countless players utterly confused.
Because it was completely different from what they had imagined.
.........
In a dark room, a person whose face couldn't be seen was typing on a keyboard. In front of them, several monitors displayed data and surveillance footage.
'My contractors call me Bain. I'm the operator of an underground organization called crime.net. I find top-tier thieves, thugs, and schemers and provide them with contracts, preparing everything for their heists.'
'They think they're doing it for themselves, but in reality, they can't see the bigger picture.'
'While this is just a simple bank robbery, that's only on the surface. The Pladay gang has done many other things, passing my test.'
'They might not know it, but I was training them to carry out unprecedented heists in the world.'
The next second, the scene shifted to a highway in Washington D.C. A jeep was driving along, and a group of people inside were laughing and chatting.
'That wig looks good, Wolf! Why are you wearing it?'
'Because I have a cool, but very recognizable, bald head.'
'Chains, you take the lead; Wolf, stay alert at all times; Dallas will handle the cameras for us, understand?'
'Of course.'
'Alright, let's get this done! Wooo!'
'Step on it, we need to be quick.'
From the dialogue alone, you couldn't tell what they were planning, but the visuals shocked countless players.
As they spoke, all three of them were checking their firearms.
Good heavens, this was a group of professional robbers!
Why do we say they were professional robbers?
Because they were all wearing gloves that wouldn't leave fingerprints, and even their body hair and such were meticulously checked. They wore special clothing to ensure nothing was left behind.
Judging solely by their outward preparations, they were no petty thieves.
As the car arrived at the First National Bank of Washington, although security was at its peak for the day, the key was that the bank would be confirming its cash reserves that day. They were waiting for the moment the vault doors would open, having already gathered information through an inside informant.
As the surveillance cameras suddenly lost control, the vehicle parked in front of the First National Bank. The robbers, already prepared in the car, stormed into the bank. With their meticulous planning and knowledge of security positions from the surveillance feed, they controlled the bank almost instantly, including the cash couriers.
These couriers were well aware that their money was insured, but their lives were not.
'Get down! Everyone get down, damn it!'
'Don't dawdle, hurry up!'
'Don't make any sudden moves! Ladies and gentlemen, we're just robbing the bank, not you. So, calm down. Cooperate, and you'll live. Resist, and you'll meet God!'
Meanwhile, the SWAT team, having already received the alarm, was en route to the First National Bank.
The robbers only had three minutes.
The criminals, armed with automatic weapons and having control of the bank, had clearly defined roles.
Some guarded the hostages outside, ensuring they didn't act rashly, and used words to comfort the remaining individuals.
'Think about your families. We're only robbing the bank's property, not yours.'
'Calm down, don't make me repeat myself. Don't even think about playing the hero.'
The remaining robbers led the bank employees to the vault.
'Use zip ties to restrain them.'
Once they confirmed the vault door was open, the robbers used a cutting torch to slice through the safe.
Simultaneously, they pulled various equipment from their backpacks and quickly examined the stacks of ten-thousand-dollar cash bricks.
'No dye packs, but there are trackers.'
'Understood. Separate them.'
'Hurry up, we're running out of time.'
'We're already as fast as we can be!'
'Forget the rest; it's time to leave.' Looking at the remaining piles of cash, as high as a mountain, the leader of the criminals decisively gave the order to withdraw.
However, the police officers and SWAT teams who had received the alarm first had already arrived at the scene and were infiltrating from the roof.
With just one floor turning, the robbers and the SWAT team were about to encounter each other.
And at this very moment, something happened that stunned countless players.
The progress bar didn't hold up!
The end... was missing!
(End of this chapter)