The Lord Is a Game Developer

[A feel-good wish-fulfillment story about farming, infrastructure, food, business, and crafting]

After an unexpected death, Su Yuan wakes up as the lord of a barren planet in another world.

But 99% of the planet is covered in fog, leaving very little arable land. The new lord is forced to squat by the roadside with her people, gnawing on steamed corn buns until they're dizzy with hunger.

Then one day, a ding sounds in her mind.

[Congratulations! You have bound the Game Creation System!]

[Territory unlocked.]

The fog lifts, revealing vast stretches of land just waiting to be cultivated.

Su Yuan: ?!

*

The most popular games on the Star Network are all combat-focused. Their production quality keeps improving, but players are gradually losing interest.

Just as everyone debates whether the gaming industry is entering a slump, a tiny game studio quietly launches its first title.

No zombies or insectoid aliens, no epic wars, and no attacking NPCs. Players can only farm, raise a few chickens, pick fruit from the trees, water the flowers by the door, mine in the hills, fish by the sea, and run a cafe, bakery, clothing shop, blacksmith, and more...

Star Network players hearing the ad: ? What's fun about that? Only the lower classes need to work. I'm not wasting my time on that!

Players later, still going at two in the morning and barely conscious: Let go of me! I'm working willingly!! I want to farm! I want to feed the pigs!!

The barren planet is gradually developed, and the territory flourishes.

The locals stare in terror at golden rice fields stretching across the mountains, the endless supply of wool, milk, and eggs, and row upon row of new homes and shops. They're utterly, utterly stunned.

Where on earth does the lord get all these talented people? Do they not need to sleep?

*

For ten thousand years, interstellar archaeologists have tried to reconstruct the fallen civilization of the ancient Blue Star.

Technology overwhelmed nature, trapping humanity in jungles of steel. Their beautiful lost home has become a deep ache in everyone's heart.

People strain to imagine every blade of grass and tree on Blue Star from ancient books. They drool over reconstructed images of food, and nutrient drinks in flavors like fried chicken and strawberry cake sell like hotcakes.

Then one day, they accidentally click on a game livestream channel.

A tranquil mountain village fills the screen. Lush trees and grass, fragrant flowers, wheat swaying in the breeze, a babbling, crystal-clear stream, and a windmill creaking as it turns. Fresh sea bass sizzles on the grill, its golden skin glistening with oil.

Everyone: ???

Archaeologists: ???

That day, the entire interstellar world went wild.

The game becomes a smash hit, and players who snag a limited slot become the envy of everyone overnight, grinning from ear to ear.

Their only complaint is...

#Why is the lord an unromanceable NPC? I'm throwing a fit!!#

Theme: Work is the greatest honor.