Chapter 76: C76: Two Entries
[Continued from where we left...]
I looked at the dumbfounded staff and smiled without offering any explanation. There was a reason that ties into one of the two games Neon will develop next.
After confirming some basic matters with the staff, I decided to grab a bite in the canteen area beside the exhibition. As I was about to leave, I heard a familiar voice from behind: "Chen Xu, so your Neon Game is participating in this gameplay exhibition!"
I turned around and saw Meng Zuo... yes it was him ( ༎ຶ Ŏ ༎ຶ ) who I had met during the sci-fi Competition last year~ the indie legend. Also back then, when NetDragon wanted to acquire Neon Games, he was the one to contact me.
"Yes, I was invited to participate," I replied with a smile and a nod. You always feel good when you meet a die-hard fan of yours.
"The performance of Overcooked is great, especially the update with the modification feature. It's a masterstroke," Meng Zuo said with a bright smile, complimenting me.
Although, we are rival companies in the industry. This guy has always been enthusiastic. Subconsciously, I wanted to praise him too. After all, if someone do you, it's only polite to do him, right?
But then it became a little awkward—I hadn't paid any attention to what games Meng Zuo had been to since the sci-fi expedition. So, after pausing for two or three seconds, I smiled and said, "Well... Meng, your Galaxy of Heroes sold well!"
[Shifting to Meng's POV]
Meng Zuo was stunned for a second, his smile turning silly as if recalling something. Then it hit him—!!! Wasn't that exactly what he said back at the venue?
Half a year. Half a year had passed, and yet his impression of me hadn't changed! I was eager for our next meetup and this...
Little did he know, in the months after I lost to To The Moon during the sci-fi competition, I had been craving a rematch—like a revival arc in a shōnen series.
Even the acquisition department at Net Dragon had approached me, hoping I could reach out to Chen Xu at Neon Games to discuss a possible acquisition. That left me speechless. The department head thinks I have a good relationship with Chen Xu, and that it'll be easy to convince him. Where did this misunderstanding even come from… Oh, the misery…
( ´థ _ థ｀)
But I had already earned a place in a major project at Net Dragon, thanks to my qualifications and the little prestige I had. But was this what I wanted? No, since that day, I have wanted to win the Yearly competition more than ever, spit on this Chen Xu face and whatnot.
In case, Neon Games were acquired, would that mean we'd become colleagues?
What bothered me even more was that once Neon Games became a subsidiary of Net Dragon, they would likely have more freedom than I did, both in terms of status and resources.
But fortunately, in the end, we couldn't reach acquisition, and it fell through.
In my mind, I had played out countless meetings.
How I would speak. How I would raise a topic. And What tone of voice to use. It all fell through...
But the most uncomfortable thing is that while I regarded him as my enemy, the other person didn't care. Still...
Today, you don't care about me, but tomorrow I'll amaze you! I screamed in the space.
I silently encouraged myself as I looked at the exhibition area.
"This is your area, Mr. Chen, right? This is the largest independent game area, correct?" I said, feigning a surprised expression. I was already stimulating countless ways of toppling it.
"Yeah, It's okay." Chen Xu nodded politely with a smile.
"By the way, Mr. Chen, will you bring any new projects for the exhibition?" I inquired.
"According to the progress, we'll have two entries for players to try during the exhibition." These weren't any secrets, especially with the event just two months away. The details will be made public soon. So Chen Xu didn't mind sharing.
"That's great! Then I'll be able to experience your new game firsthand, Mr. Chen," I smiled, feigning my anticipation.
[ ke ke ke, then I will write a critique column ravishing your game online.]
"Welcome! Does Meng also have a new project to showcase this time?" Chen Xu asked.
I kept a calm expression, smiling as I responded, "Yes, I've been leading a major project under Net Dragon, and this exhibition will mainly feature that work."
After a long chat, we conversed for about ten minutes before parting ways.
Meanwhile, back in the exhibition hall, I found myself reflecting.
"Hey, as much as I want a head-to-head with you, Chen Xu, this isn't a fair one, He He. The highlight of this exhibition is undoubtedly our Net Dragon project."
"Two new games? It might be challenging. I wish you a crappy project," I snickered.
For months, I wanted to see Chen Xu again, finding a way to wash away the regret of losing the first prize at the Science Competition.
But now, I feel sympathy for him.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side. His small boat will be ramming into Net Dragon who is eyeing this exhibition, forcing Tenghua to make a big move.
The battle between these giants will lead to some mice being crushed.
[It seems time and fate are intertwined this time! Zehahahaha Zehahahaha Zehahahaha... Out of script...]
[Shifting to Chen Xu...]
After leaving the exhibition, I grabbed a quick meal for the afternoon.
Later, I drove back to Neon Games and continued working on the concept drafts for the next two games.
The two games we will be planning to develop are a strategy cardboard game with a Three Kingdoms background and a variety show game.
The first is Three Kingdoms, and the second is JellyMan.
From a development perspective, Three Kingdoms is the simpler of the two.
Its core lies in the gameplay and mechanics, and I don't need the memory capsule to fine-tune the balance for this one.
As for JellyMan, though some players referred to it as a battle royale in my previous life, it has little to do with that genre, aside from the fact that only one player wins in the end.
If we consider every game with one winner a battle royale, far too many games would fit that description.
Technically speaking, it's more of a variety show game that appeals to all ages.
In this parallel world, many local satellite TV stations air similar shows. This will naturally give JellyMan some advantages.
This is a calculated step when choosing these two games.
To stabilize the user base of the Neon Games platform after the success of Overcooked, launching more multiplayer games is the most direct and effective strategy.
Both Three Kingdoms and JellyMan align perfectly with this approach.
Three Kingdoms, born from online board games 13 years ago in my previous life, continues to have a strong presence in the market. Despite its ups and downs, its resilience is evident, as it sometimes even topped the app store sales charts in that world.
As for JellyMan, much like Overcooked, the continuous operation of the fresh version can't always be sustained.
However, this is fast food —a quick burst of fun and excitement.
But calling it fast food isn't a criticism. Not every game can achieve that level of appeal.
At the same time, this game is perfectly suited for the current Neon Games platform.
In terms of commercial performance, this game is remarkable. In my previous life, it sold over 10 million copies on the Steam platform in its first month alone. Of course, the times create heroes.
The variety show itself has an outdoor aspect, and the fact that the world was caught in an epidemic at that time certainly had some impact. But the fundamental reason for its success lies in the game's distinct characteristics—there were no similar competing products on the market, making it stand out and thrive.
Beyond choosing this game, I had another important reason. I felt the need to improve my image in the minds of players.
Escape and Overcooked were both hits, but they've taken a toll on my reputation. Relying solely on resentment to harvest emotional points from players isn't sustainable. I can't completely exploit the players' goodwill.
Now is the time to introduce a game that brings genuine joy.
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