Thank you for your love and support for Road to Empress! We're thrilled to share incredible BitSummit moments with you!
The first live-action interactive drama inspired by Wu Zetian captivated audiences at the expo with its breathtaking Tang Dynasty aesthetic and deeply immersive gameplay.
Here's a brief look back at the key moments:
Suspense Trailer: Unveil the Dark Secrets of the Royal Court!
We've unveiled an electrifying teaser trailer, showcasing the protagonist's legendary transformation from a humble palace newcomer to a female emperor. Hidden within are pivotal plot twists and branching paths—royal secrets, specter of the cold palace, and crucial power struggles. Every choice you make will reshape the course of history.
On-site Demo Experience: Challenge Your Palace Survival Wisdom
During the exhibition, we launched an exclusive limited-time Demo, allowing players to dive headfirst into the cutthroat survival challenges of imperial court life. Through dialogue choices and QTE (Quick Time Event) mechanics, players from around the world were immersed in unraveling dramatic plot twists and hidden secrets. Many couldn't help but laugh, saying, "This is way more gripping than any palace drama!"
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Genuine Feedback from Players and Media
Over 100 media professionals, industry insiders, and players experienced our product firsthand at the event. They unanimously praised its stunning visuals, captivating story, immersive interactions, and innovative theme. We're also incredibly grateful for the wealth of valuable feedback and encouragement we received!
[Media Reviews]
"It does about as much as you can do with a game of this genre and, coupled with the stunning 4K video – it’s made to the same production standards as Chinese TV dramas – it’s one FMV game fans should definitely look out for." ——UK media Video Games Chronicle
"At the booth, kids and players who steer clear of hardcore games were having a blast, watching the game unfold like a live-action drama. Thanks to top-notch acting and captivating plots, every bad ending still feels like a win!" ——Japanese media Dengeki Online
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[Player Feedback]
"All these choices keep me hooked on discovering every possible ending, super fun!" ——Newbie FMV player
"Top-tier in its genre. Stunning 4K high-definition visuals, stellar acting, mind-blowing plot twists, and a gripping, rollercoaster storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat." ——Veteran FMV player
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"Highly recommend this to all ADV (visual novel/text adventure) enthusiasts! The stunning visuals transport you straight into the heart of Chinese history, it's truly amazing! Exploring the story through branching paths is incredibly addictive!" ——Veteran text adventure game players
"I feel like I've stepped straight into the shoes of a character from my favorite Chinese drama, I'm totally lost in the story! So thrilled!" ——Chinese TV drama enthusiasts
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"I didn't know much about Wu Zetian before, but after playing this game, I became very interested. It's just like watching a TV drama with family, I want to play this game as soon as possible." ——Chinese history and culture enthusiasts
Regarding the things everyone's wondering about, we've provided answers live at the event (here's a snippet):
Q1: Why choose the theme of Wu Zetian?
A: Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor, radiates mesmerizing charisma. Her astonishing journey from humble concubine to supreme ruler reads like a thrilling underdog-to-empress saga, shattering millennia of feudal constraints. Through her story, one can experience the enchantment of Eastern culture and the splendor of the Tang Dynasty's golden age.
Q2: Why make a "live-action drama" type product?
A: Interactive live-action drama is a groundbreaking genre, delivering a thrilling new experience to both traditional gamers and film enthusiasts. Real performances bring unmatched depth and nuance, while empowering players to shape the story's path and outcome. In this exciting frontier, Chinese interactive drama teams have the opportunity to lead the way and drive the industry's growth. That's why our team is dedicated to crafting interactive live-action dramas, leveraging this innovative medium to showcase Eastern culture to a global audience and share our creative vision with the world.
Q3: How long is the overall shooting cycle and preparation time for the product?
A: The script clocks in at over 300,000 words, with both parts packed with hundreds of interactions. We filmed on-location for 100+ days and spent over a year in preparation.
Q4: How long is the total playtime?
The entire work is divided into "Part 1" and "Part 2," with a total runtime of approximately 1,200 minutes. Part 1 is about 500 minutes.
Coming this fall—stay tuned for an epic debut!
Our experience at BitSummit has further strengthened our resolve to continue crafting top-tier interactive cinematic experiences! Currently, Road to Empress is in the final stages of optimization, and we're thrilled to unveil it to you this fall!
Thank you once again to every player who has tried, followed, and supported us. Your incredible passion is the fire that fuels our drive to keep moving forward!
—— Road to Empress Development Team
About Road to Empress
Expected to launch in Fall 2025 on Steam, App Store, and Google Play. You may register your interest on all platforms.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3478050?utm_campaign=officialnews&utm_content=0728news