Geometry Man:
A lowly crab defeats the goliath developer… You cracked my shell.
Geometry Man:
You're breaking progression, you know. This isn’t how your story was supposed to pan out.
Geometry Man:
Being a gatekeeper is a noble cause, whether we let any and all dregs into the inner circle is hardly important, since the dregs would fail nonetheless.
Geometry Man:
Denying them the chance to fail is a mercy.
Dietze:
Does not seem like that matters anymore. Give me what I want.
Geometry Man:
Sure, I will get you to him. But you will have to sacrifice everything else.
Geometry Man:
These small stupid creations are still dear to your heart, aren't they?
Geometry Man:
If you truly wish to join the ranks of those of importance, it is but a trifle of a thing to give up, is it not?
Geometry Man:
Creativity, individuality, is nothing when compared to success after all.
Geometry Man:
Money, recognition, a legacy. If just making something was truly what you cared about, you would never have had the need to show it to other people in the first place.
Geometry Man:
The nature of a gamedev is inherently greedy, he oftentimes wants both.
Geometry Man:
Both the sweet succulent nectar of “making it” as well as the respect that comes with doing it on his own terms.
Geometry Man:
It is a mostly impossible dream. For you, it most definitely is.
Geometry Man:
But there is a way…
Geometry Man:
Will you let them die, let these juvenile ideas disappear?
Geometry Man:
If you do, I will let you witness what is behind the curtains, the court of the publishers.
You stand before the might of the grand beast known as Behesta, Doobiesoft, Sintendo, Origa, Shillectronic Arts. A hydra with many heads, and an equal amount of names.
Its names are many, but all are known. They are the industry.
A tentacled creature, Its limbs snake into every pot, every passion, every platform.
The beast wants to absorb you, as you absorb the beast.
Behesta:
A buggy engine is fine, the hogs will allow anything, as long as we fix it eventually!
Doobiesoft:
Making the same game is fine, as long as it sells, people do not want change, they want iteration.
Sintendo:
Nostalgia is a strong currency, it is the currency of the future.
Origa:
Leave reality behind and join us. [Expand Post] Shillectronic arts:
If you have anything to offer, we will buy you up, drain you and spit you out.
This is the way of the world, this is the way of the gaming industry.
All of them:
Belong to us and we shall set you free.
Dietze:
…
Demon Lord:
Allow me to tell you the parable of Bob's game...
Demon Lord:
Robert Pelloni (not affiliated with any actual person…) was a budding gamedev of some promise…
Demon Lord:
He worked for many years on his game, the game of his dreams, and begged that we would acknowledge him.
Demon Lord:
He isolated himself, he starved, he turned himself into a caricature of a person, a suffering pariah, begging for his work to be noticed.
Demon Lord:
He became increasingly hostile, erratic, eventually he lost it all. His creativity, whatever renown he had managed to obtain with his antics, and eventually his very soul.
Demon Lord:
People speak about “soul” as if it is something important.
Demon Lord:
Clearly it is not. It is a term which pretends to be important, but contains nothing at all.
Demon Lord:
You are not good enough, Dietze, but with our help you will get the recognition you so crave.
Demon Lord:
Join us.
Dietze:
Yeah, I guess…
Wealth, fame, recognition… You will never be alone again. Sitting on a throne of emptiness, you have been acknowledged. You are important. Your life has meant something…
Dietze:
“Soul” is nothing, and neither am I.