I sat down for a demo of Chinese action game Phantom Blade Zero with [[link]] two main curiosities. First was how its combat compares to last year's Black Myth: Wukong, and it turns out: pretty different. Second was the backstory of S-Game studio founder "Soulframe" Liang, who started his career with an RPG Maker game while studying architecture in college. Where did I go wrong in my life that I didn't end up adopting a pseudonym like Soulframe?
"Well, [[link]] it was in high school—it was just some random idea," Liang told me in an interview after I'd played Phantom Blade Zero. "I just figured out something cool and not-so-usual, something fantasy and something solid coming together. Because my actual Chinese name is a little hard to pronounce in English."
Liang had an internship at an architecture studio in the Netherlands, and when he finished grad school he got an offer to work at a firm in New York. It seemed like he was all set… but his game Rainblood: Town of Death had proven popular, and he opted for the far less certain option of moving back to China to start a small game studio. S-Game currently employs about 100 developers working on Phantom Blade Zero.
"There is a game [called Soulframe] now," Liang said with a laugh, bringing up the Warframe sequel I was about to ask him about. "In China, this nickname—I actually registered as a trademark in China. So they were talking with me through Tencent, trying to buy the trademark, but I said 'this is a name we've been using for 15 years, so...'
Did Soulframe Liang really tell Digital Extremes, the makers of Warframe, and Tencent, the biggest Chinese game company, that they couldn't use his 2000s internet message board nickname for their next game?
"No, I'm not selling," he said, laughing again. "But they have figured it out. They have another Chinese name in China."
I did a little digging in a Chinese trademark database to try to confirm what, exactly, Soulframe (the game) is called in China, since the official website still shows the same name written in English. Best as I can tell, Digital Extreme's attempted trademarks were rejected, appealed, and rejected again, while the trademarks attributed to S-Game were approved without issue—truly a victory for '00s message board nerds everywhere.
SlotMaster2440
I really enjoy playing the slot games here. The variety is amazing, from classic reels to modern video slots with interactive bonus rounds. Every spin feels like an adventure, and the graphics and sound effects are top-notch, making the experience immersive and exciting. The variety of games is excellent, including table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, in addition to slots. This keeps the platform interesting and allows me to switch games depending on my mood. The payout process is generally smooth and reliable, though occasionally it takes longer than expected. Overall, I feel confident that my winnings are safe and will be credited properly.
HighRoller3611
Customer support has been outstanding whenever I had any issues. They respond quickly and professionally, ensuring that any concerns with deposits, withdrawals, or gameplay are addressed immediately, which makes me trust the platform more. The mobile interface is smooth and intuitive. I can play all my favorite slots on the go without experiencing any lag or glitches. The design is responsive and user-friendly, which makes gaming on my phone just as enjoyable as on my computer.
SlotWizard8753
The payout process is generally smooth and reliable, though occasionally it takes longer than expected. Overall, I feel confident that my winnings are safe and will be credited properly. The mobile interface is smooth and intuitive. I can play all my favorite slots on the go without experiencing any lag or glitches. The design is responsive and user-friendly, which makes gaming on my phone just as enjoyable as on my computer.