'Hundred meme night' COS contest: Killers of the Three Kingdoms takes center stage in Shenzhen
On December 16th, a COS contest featuring memes from the Killers of the Three Kingdoms game took place at COCO PARK in Futian, Shenzhen. Participants brought to life iconic game memes from the 15-year-old game, captivating both onlookers and players alike. From the whimsical "阳光开朗大男孩" (Sunny and Cheerful Young Man) Xu Sheng to the earnest Gongsun Zan searching for his horse, and the legendary "五连抽神" (Lucky God of Five Consecutive Draws) Guo Jia embodied in a game box, even the swaying "元宝树" (Gold Ingot Tree) made an appearance, adding to the festive atmosphere.
In a creative display of cosplay, Mr. Zhang, an experienced player who has worked in a Shenzhen-based internet company for many years, delighted fellow gamers by donning a hat made from a clean noodle bowl, a cloak fashioned from green fabric, and a character mask to complete the look of "徐盛" (Xu Sheng). Having been part of the Killers of the Three Kingdoms tabletop game community since its early days in 2009, Mr. Zhang eagerly prepared this distinctive attire upon learning about the COS contest in Shenzhen. Explaining his choice, he shared, "I believe what everyone needs the most in today's society and workplace is the cheerful demeanor of Xu Sheng. That's why I specifically chose to portray this 'Sunny and Cheerful Young Man' to spread joy and happiness among everyone." As he made his entrance, the crowd erupted in cheers, appreciating both the creativity and positive energy brought to life through his portrayal of the character.
During the event, a father made a heartwarming appearance, bringing his fifth-grade son to the venue. Reflecting on his own journey with the game, he shared, "I started playing in 2009 when I was in college, and later discovered that my child also loves it - quite amazing." The father expressed delight in his son's appreciation for the game, noting that despite the limited coverage of Guo Jia, his son has a good understanding, even knowing about the story in which Guo Jia left behind a strategy for Cao Cao and dissuaded him from attacking Liaodong, showcasing the game's educational value beyond textbooks.
The term "meme" has become a pivotal element in recent years' internet slang. Generation Z actively engages in creating and using memes, employing imaginative and creative thinking to distill humorous phrases or short sentences that express their opinions. The essence of playing with memes is not just about amusement; it's about communication. "Meme" can be considered the modern-day "allusion" of the internet era, akin to how ancient poets used literary references to convey emotions. Contemporary youth express themselves through memes, showcasing a lighthearted and optimistic approach to life in the digital age.
The event organizers emphasized the enduring influence of historical memes originating from the Killers of the Three Kingdoms game. By materializing these memes in a tangible form, participants contributed to a culture of inclusivity, fostering the creation and dissemination of the Three Kingdoms culture and establishing a new cultural legacy rooted in historical and contemporary connections.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
以梗破圈，三国杀“百梗夜行”COS大赛在深圳举办
“阳光开朗大男孩”徐盛、捧着寻马启事的公孙瓒、“五连抽神郭嘉”的三国杀盒子、摇摇晃晃的“元宝树”……12月16日，一场以三国杀游戏梗为主题的COS大赛在深圳福田COCO PARK举行，这些源自三国杀15年游戏历史中的名“梗”被玩家们外化为COS形象搬到线下，引得路人驻足、玩家捧腹。
一个洗干净的泡面碗当帽子，一块绿布当披风，再加上一个角色面具，“徐盛”的出场引来玩家们的欢呼。扮演者张先生在深圳某互联网企业工作多年，他是2009年第一批接触三国杀桌游的老玩家，一见游戏将在深圳举办COS大赛便准备起了相关的装扮。“我觉得现在社会上、工作中大家最需要拥有的就是徐盛这样开朗的笑容，所以这次特意扮演这位‘阳光开朗大男孩’，让大家开心开心。”
活动中，一位父亲还带着今年上五年级的儿子来到现场。“我是2009年上大学的时候就开始玩，后来发现孩子也很喜欢，这个感觉有点奇妙。”这位父亲说，“他现在最喜欢的三国人物郭嘉，课本上很少提，他还能知道遗计定辽东，挺好的。”
“梗”一词是近年网络流行语中重要的一环。Z世代爱创造“梗”，更爱用“梗”，他们用天马行空的思维与创意，凝练出诙谐幽默的词语或短句来表达自己的态度。玩“梗”之意不在闹，在乎表达也，“梗”可谓是互联网时代的“典故”，古人吟诗用典抒情，当代青年以“梗”表态，彰显他们诙谐乐观的生活态度。
“时间越久的‘梗’，传播范围与影响力也是越大的。追根溯源起来，大家熟知的不少历史梗，都来源于三国杀这个游戏IP。”游卡工作人员表示，此次把“梗”实体化，让玩家们能在包容的氛围中更好地创造与传播三国文化，再谱历史文化新传承。
文丨记者 刘克洪
图丨部分由主办方提供
翻译丨刘佳慧