Today marks the fourth day since the release of *The Golden Age: Mei Niang* (hereinafter referred to as *The Golden Age*).
On the day of its launch, the bundle featuring *Prosperous World* and *Invisible Guardian* shot straight to eighth place on Steam’s China Top Sellers chart, while also earning impressive ratings of 9.5 on Bilibili, 8.7 on Taptap, 8.8 on Haoyou Kuabao, and “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam.
(On September 11, two titles from New One Studio “met” on the charts, claiming the No. 1 spot on paid charts in multiple regions.)
Four days have passed—how is *Prosperous Realm* holding up?
Today’s social media feed provided the answer: several friends whom I didn’t think were gamers were all spontaneously raving about *Shengshi Tianxia*.
In fact, the buzz surrounding *The Golden Age* in the few days since its launch clearly demonstrates its enduring popularity. On the day of its release, it immediately topped more than a dozen trending lists on Weibo; as of yesterday, related trending topics were still dominating social media platforms.
In addition to the buzz on social media, celebrities and streamers such as Xiao Yao San Ren, Huang Zihongfan, Zhang Da Xian, and Tao Heihei have all joined this harem survival challenge. As these “notoriously straight men of the internet” keep coming up with hilarious jokes in their videos and live streams, *Shengshi Tianxia* has further broken into new audiences, sparking a nationwide craze for the “survival challenge.”
At a night banquet, while the concubines were performing, the emperor remarked, “That truly opened my dragon’s eye.” Tao Heihei immediately shot back, “Well, I opened a longan.” (A parody video based on the “dragon’s eye” meme has already garnered over 500,000 likes.)
Zhang Da Xian, who claimed to be a "veteran of the imperial court," quickly ate his words; after being forced to drink three bowls of osmanthus pudding, he could only resort to the excuse that he was "allergic to osmanthus pudding" to save face and beg for mercy.
Yet Huang Zihongfan, who had always seemed to be blessed by Lady Luck, found his good fortune seemingly deserted him within the imperial court of the Sheng Dynasty. He suffered defeat after defeat yet kept fighting on, creating a striking contrast. While his struggles within the palace went unnoticed, a single phrase—“loofah soup”—made him an instant sensation, and he skillfully wove this viral internet meme into his livestream.
The buzz didn’t fade once the livestream ended. The hashtag #Sanren’s Golden Age: Harem Survival Challenge topped Bilibili’s trending list. Clicking on the topic reveals that over 10,000 users are currently watching Sanren’s survival challenge videos in real time, while the live stream highlights posted by Tao Heihei have attracted a peak viewership of over 29,000…
Meanwhile, on Douyin’s trending topic #TheGoldenAgeOfTheImperialHarem, a user commented, “I drank eight bowls of that osmanthus pudding alone.”
Unlike many other products, which typically reach their peak popularity and new user acquisition on launch day, *Prosperous Realm* has demonstrated a unique trajectory. On its first day, it dominated the trending charts; on the second, numerous streamers entered the game to take on the challenge; and later, viral memes spread across the platform, with friends recommending it to one another.This interactive video game set in a royal court setting capitalized on the universal appeal of the genre—particularly its core “survival challenge” mechanic—to break down social barriers layer by layer through high-quality user-generated content, continuously drawing in new users.
“Have you had the osmanthus pudding yet?”
“We’re Pinduoduo—anyone can haggle with us.”
Teahouse believes that, as time goes on, the "survival experience" of *Prosperous World* will gradually and imperceptibly become a part of every ordinary user’s daily life.
01
Not just a "doormat"
Developed by New One Studio, *The Golden Age* follows the team’s previous interactive film, *The Invisible Guardian*, which sold over a million copies and stands as an indispensable milestone in the history of China’s interactive film industry. While *The Invisible Guardian* sparked a nationwide craze with its immersive portrayal of patriotic sentiment, the appeal of *The Golden Age* lies in its meticulously crafted ensemble cast.
On my first playthrough of *Prosperous Realm*, aside from the thrill of its high mortality rate, what struck me most was the ensemble cast it portrays: in this game, you’ll rarely find “disposable” characters—every single one has their own arc.
In *The Golden Age*, the game presents a multifaceted "I" through its diverse choices. This diversity is reflected in the plot options, which ultimately results in a storyline that defies clichés.Take the classic scene of changing clothes, for example. Following the traditional formula of palace dramas, I initially chose a simple, elegant outfit; it wasn’t until I discovered that the red outfit also advanced the plot that it dawned on me: in this story, whether “I” am bright and outgoing or simple and reserved, I am accepted.
There are many other options that don’t determine whether you live or die, such as choices related to your emotional state—whether you select “nervous,” “excited,” or “indifferent,” it won’t affect the outcome.
Interestingly, however, every interaction by a player generates a personalized personality assessment report, with the analytical logic behind the report designed in collaboration with a team from a top-tier university.
Apart from “me,” nearly every character who crosses my path has her moment in the spotlight.This was destined from the moment the palace gates opened. Each person entering the palace wore a different expression: some were curious, some were sorrowful, some were ambitious, and some were haughty… The concubines who entered the palace alongside the protagonist were also all unique in their own ways: the beautiful and talented Lady Jiang, the pitiful and vulnerable Liu Xi, and the gentle and virtuous Xu Hui.
These differing personalities also shaped the characters’ contrasting fates later on: Jiang Cairen became a victim of court intrigue, while Liu Xi, the “best friend” driven by a family vendetta, constantly opposed “me.”
As the story unfolds, we also catch glimpses of the hardships faced by everyone within the imperial palace: even the Crown Prince has a confidant he cannot fully protect; the most beloved princess cannot find the love she desires; and those used as “pawns” in the struggle for the throne struggle between hatred and loyalty…
There isn’t a single “filler character” in *The Golden Age*. As producer Demi once said at a media briefing, “Even the pet the Imperial Consort is holding has a story behind it.”
The multi-threaded narratives and fatal endings in interactive films also lend greater depth to the ensemble cast. Zhi Zhu, the director of *The Golden Age*, once gave me an example: in one of the storylines, Liu Xi—who had frequently bullied “me”—finally succeeded in carrying out an assassination. Yet after killing the person she hated, she didn’t feel triumphant for having avenged her grievance; instead, she burst into tears.
The moment I felt the most affection for the male lead, Li Zhi, also came from a “death ending.” In the performance options, out of curiosity, I chose “The Unpleasant Sound of the Pipa.” While everyone else at the banquet was mocking it, he was the only one in the corner, listening with obvious appreciation. His feelings for the protagonist were brought to life even more vividly through this subtle detail.
In *Prosperous Realm*, there are no mere "tools" and no rushed endings. Thanks to its rich and well-developed storyline, players will find themselves eager to revisit the game time and again after completing the main story, unlocking different endings and experiencing the love, hate, and drama unfolding across various side quests.
02
Creating Ensemble Casts in "Interactive Film and Television"
In a game centered around the protagonist—"I"—it is no easy task to create an immersive experience for players while also developing well-rounded supporting characters.
New One Studio, however, has handled this tension with great finesse. On the one hand, even though the “bad ending” storyline is rich enough to entice players to explore it, *Prosperous Realm* still features an achievement collection system on its home page. Completing an achievement rewards players with flowers and copper coins—vital resources for climbing the leaderboards with their favorite characters—and even the “death ending” unlocks achievements.
On the other hand, outside of the main storyline, the stories of characters other than the protagonist in *The Golden Age* are presented as “bonus storylines” in each chapter or featured in the “Notable Figures” section, allowing interested players to unlock them. This approach ensures that the main storyline remains undisturbed while allowing players to explore other characters’ stories from multiple perspectives.
In fact, *The Golden Age* not only meticulously crafts its ensemble cast through its script and "gameplay," but also uses its costumes, makeup, set design, and cinematography to bring the characters to life.
Even before its release, the costumes, makeup, and set design of *The Golden Age* were praised for being “easy on the eyes.” Yet these meticulous details are not merely for show; they serve to bring the characters to life with greater depth. The Tang-style floral decorations on Consort Wei’s face exude a seductive and domineering aura, while on Xu Hui’s face, they appear gentle and refreshing.Though both are imperial princes, the outwardly gentle and obedient Li Zhi wears simple, elegant white silk; upon closer inspection, however, one can discern subtle embroidered patterns that signify his status. In contrast, the more flamboyant Li Tai is clad in blue robes adorned with embroidered auspicious clouds.
Released in 2019, *The Invisible Guardian* featured static images, whereas in *Prosperous Realm*, New One Studio not only upgraded the visuals to dynamic video but also supports up to 4K HD resolution, allowing for a clearer depiction of the characters’ emotions.
To this end, the team approached Zhi Zhu to direct the production of *The Golden Age*. Before entering the film and television industry, Zhi Zhu became a period-style photographer out of her passion for Hanfu, frequently sharing self-produced period-style short videos online. Since becoming a director, both her short series *The Eldest Princess Reigns* and her mid-length series *An Ancient Love Song* have garnered impressive viewership and critical acclaim.
In *The Golden Age*, scenes imbued with an ancient charm are everywhere to be found. Take, for example, the moment when the Crown Prince first meets Chengxin: as the sound of the zither finds a kindred spirit, the Crown Prince walks through the swaying red curtains toward Chengxin. The instant he lifts her veil, he also lays bare their mutual vulnerabilities. While the scene is visually stunning, it also foreshadows the characters’ tragedy.
The depth of character development often goes hand in hand with the richness of the setting, and the team at New One Studio understands this well. To capture the finer details of Tang-dynasty court life, they drew upon ancient texts, documentaries, and murals to create key props featuring elements such as traditional board games, cuisine, and sports. For example, they based their version of the game of backgammon on authentic historical artifacts and consulted experts to recreate the rules of play.
All of these efforts are aimed at bringing the gripping ensemble drama to life. Producer Demi once mentioned that, in order to find actors who were a good fit for their roles, they interviewed over 2,000 people.
Director Zhizhu once told *Teahouse* that such success would not have been possible without the team’s shared vision. Both she and screenwriter Rourou agree that “the core of any story lies in portraying people, human nature, and human emotions.” They hope that every character has their own convictions and aspirations; they refuse to artificially craft perfect characters, nor do they adorn them with halos to highlight truth, goodness, and beauty. Instead, they aim to vividly portray love and hatred throughout the plot.
The vision of the screenwriter and director is perfectly realized in the final product. As a longtime fan of period dramas, it has been a long time since I’ve encountered a TV series with such well-rounded characters and such a tightly woven plot; and the interactive nature unique to interactive TV makes the emotional investment in the story all the more profound.Often, even after repeatedly reloading and trying again, one is still met with an irreversible tragedy—which is strikingly similar to the sense of helplessness we frequently face in real life.
It is precisely the production team’s commitment to portraying human nature that allows every player who enters *The Golden Age* to not only be moved but also to see themselves reflected in the story: our cowardice and imperfections, as well as our courage and perseverance, all find their echoes within the narrative, offering an immersive emotional experience.
As one highly upvoted review on Steam poignantly notes: “Life was truly hard for everyone in that environment… Whether they were high-ranking figures like imperial consorts and crown princes, or palace maids and eunuchs, they all lived in constant fear.”
03
A New Beginning for Interactive Video Content
In 2019, *The Invisible Guardian* became a massive hit upon its release, propelling the "interactive film and television" genre from a niche market into the mainstream. However, few of the subsequent hit shows have been ensemble dramas.
Some have questioned *The Golden Age*: Why, in other works, do beautiful women and handsome men revolve around “me,” yet here everyone wants to “kill” me? Can it really attract an audience for interactive cinema?
Once the game launched, the answer became clear: the "everyone is a villain" premise thrilled countless players. And precisely because survival in the court is fraught with danger, genuine emotions become all the more precious.
As the production team behind *The Invisible Guardian*, New One Studio has taken several years to release its second project. While their pace may seem slow, hasn’t the performance of *The Golden Age* since its launch proven that “good things come to those who wait”?With support for up to 4K resolution, meticulous costumes, makeup, and props, and intricate set design, *The Golden Age* presented an even greater challenge than *The Invisible Guardian*: while the script for *The Invisible Guardian* was approximately 110,000 words, *The Golden Age* required the filming of a 300,000-word script in a short period of time.During filming, producer Demi essentially made the set her home, saving commuting time to devote herself fully to the production; the production manager, meanwhile, led her team in intensive post-production work, even spending the Spring Festival braving the cold winds of Hengdian.
These efforts paid off, as players responded with a strong sense of connection to the ensemble cast and praised the production design, costumes, and set decoration following the game’s launch. It’s safe to say that, after several years, New One Studio has once again delivered an outstanding performance with *Prosperous Realm*. With its strong word-of-mouth and high level of public discussion, *Prosperous Realm* has injected new vitality into the interactive film and television genre, marking yet another new beginning.
Looking back, the buzz surrounding *The Golden Age* sweeping through our social media feeds was both unexpected and, in a way, inevitable. As one individual who had previously invested in interactive film and television projects told me: Beyond mere sensationalism, what the market has always lacked are works that convey a genuine message and strike an emotional chord.
原创文章，作者：游茶妹儿，禁止转载：https://youxichaguan.com/en/archives/194560
