After acquiring Wind and Snow Studio, several major island-nation companies, and securing controlling stakes in Xunteng and Ali, Antarctica Group finally slowed its footsteps.
Xu Dan alone now held 30% of Xunteng and a terrifying 51% of Ali Summit—a level of influence bordering on legendary. Even for the world's largest game developer, such rapid expansion demanded a temporary buffer.
Antarctic Games was the heart of the empire; it could not be allowed to falter.
Earlier, Xu Dan promised Pony a brand-new agency title. The time had finally come to deliver.
As a Chinese game distributor, Xunteng served an audience rich with cultural memory. Unlike Western markets—whose players chased explosions, cool effects, and little else—Chinese players carried a deep cultural soul. Even Xu Dan himself, in his youth, had a dream of the martial world.
Oddly, despite years of game development, Antarctica had never created a true ancient-style martial arts MMO. Not because it was difficult—but because such games traditionally had a limited audience.
But now?Antarctica was not merely a company. It was a brand, a symbol, a phenomenon.
Players no longer chased games. They chased Antarctica.
Which meant Xu Dan finally had the freedom to do what he once dreamed.
This game was "Sky Saber."
He handed global agency rights for Huaxia to Pony with complete confidence.
Xu Dan understood the strengths and flaws of the original "Sky Saber." Beautiful art. Fluid combat. Gorgeous wuxia atmosphere.
But the gameplay?"Trash," to put it kindly.
Most players abandoned the game after completing the story. Others just logged in to admire scenery and female characters. Few truly played.
It even earned the mocking nickname:
Tianya Money Knife — a game that cut wallets faster than enemies.
The fatal flaw of martial arts MMOs:They became "money pits" trying to survive.
Xu Dan had no intention of repeating history.
The Reform
He started with the gameplay.
If "Sky Saber" lacked depth, then he would borrow the best mechanics from the countless martial arts games Huaxia produced over the years. Take the essence, remove the trash.
Then the big problem:Monetization.
A game that gouged money would die.A game that earned no money would be a failure.Balance was everything.
No more "fashion shop hell."No more "pay-to-win set bonuses."
Players deserved a world worth exploring.
So Xu Dan created one.
A sandbox martial world where everything could be earned through play. Where dedication, effort, and exploration mattered more than cash. If players were willing to grind ("liver"), then Antarctica was more than happy to let them.
Combat power? Earn it.Fashion? Earn it.Mounts, weapons, reputation, companions? Earn them.
Money helped—but effort mattered more.
Even Freedom Was Transformed
"Sky Saber" was no longer a linear MMO.
Players no longer needed to follow the main story.
They could live however they wished.
Robber. Wanderer. Scholar. Flower picker. Noble son.Even a humble shepherd boy had his own path and unique gameplay.
Three Months Later — Global Launch
As winter faded, "Sky Saber" launched worldwide.
The fiercest reaction came from Huaxia.
Generations of cultural heritage surged in the players' blood. Martial arts was more than a genre; it was an emotion carved into bone.
And Antarctica had delivered it perfectly.
Within ten hours, 70% of domestic Warcraft players shifted to Sky Saber.They didn't quit Warcraft—they simply could not resist the dream of martial arts.
Even people who had never touched online games tried it eagerly.
Some uncles of an older era walked into Internet cafés bare-chested, declaring:
"It's Antarctica's game! How can we not play!?"
Antarctica's reputation had become faith.Even those who didn't understand games heard daily praises of Xu Dan's integrity and brilliance.
Over time, an unconscious belief formed:
Antarctica is not just a company. Antarctica is righteous. Antarctica is trustworthy.
Chen Jianguo — A Fifty-Year-Old Man of the Red Era
Chen Jianguo entered the Internet café and found several familiar faces.Uncles from the community were already there.
He happily slapped Lao Wang on the shoulder.
"You're playing too!? Which server? I'm Phoenix! My son taught me last night!"
"Phoenix! Log in now!"
Chen Jianguo entered the game—
And froze.
He had been learning under his son's guidance, but playing firsthand was a different world entirely.
This… was the martial world he dreamed of as a boy.
Flying over rooftops.Punishing evil and upholding justice.A three-foot sword flashing with cold light.Flowing robes, elegant movement, ancient charm.
His character's inky black hair swayed realistically—each strand visible, vivid, alive. The uncle instinctively touched his bald head in disbelief.
He moved forward, following the mission marker.Willow leaves swayed with the wind.A breathtaking beauty stood beneath the tree.
His heart pounded loudly.
So beautiful. Too beautiful. Unrealistically beautiful.
And this was only the primary special effects setting.If Xu Dan enabled the advanced version, male players might forget real women existed.
A dialogue popped up.
"Young man…"
—
That night, Huaxia burned with excitement.
Sky Saber captured not only visual beauty but the spirit of martial arts—elegance, righteousness, heroism, romance.Easter eggs filled the world with wisdom only Huaxia players could understand.
On its first night, the game earned a 100% positive rating across the entire Chinese Internet.
Keyboard warriors, trolls, paid commenters—every one of them praised it sincerely.
The government even invited Xu Dan to give cultural promotion lectures.
He gladly accepted.He was a Huaxia native and understood exactly how to resonate with Huaxia's cultural identity.
A developer endorsed by authorities?That alone shattered old prejudices.People flocked to Antarctica with even greater trust.
"Heavenly Saber" became the gateway for countless new players.
Huaxia's online rate soared to the highest percentage in the world.
And with it—Xu Dan's system points exploded.
This only strengthened his resolve:
A game should not merely entertain.It should teach. Inspire. Preserve culture.A game with depth stays alive forever.
Antarctica would not simply make games.Antarctica would create worlds.
-----------------------
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