Capítulo 31: CA's Console Launch Disaster: WeGame and "The Collection of Cute Pets" Backlash
"Mr. Alex! There are 100,000 more refund applications! We've received nearly 250,000 refund requests!"
"The number of refund applications is still increasing, and WeGame's reputation seems to have collapsed!"
In the high-level meeting at CA, the head of the marketing department was frantically reporting the real-time situation. Due to the massive uproar driven by V-Blog, WG's reputation on the internet had utterly plummeted, leading to a surge in players requesting refunds. The after-sales service team was struggling to manage the influx.
"What should we do now? We can't seriously refund all these returns!"
CA's management was in chaos. They had absolute confidence in WG and never anticipated a large-scale return crisis.
"What else can we do? We have to handle as many refund applications as we get!" Alex's face was grim. The contract terms were clear. Even if CA wanted to, they couldn't breach the agreement.
"Mr. Alex, the PC version of 'The Collection of Cute Pets' is also being criticized all over the internet!"
As the saying goes, bad news comes in pairs. Just when the CA's WG console and the console version of "The Collection of Cute Pets" were causing turmoil, the PC version of "The Collection of Cute Pets" also became a hot topic again. The controversy was fueled by the console version, which had identical gameplay and functions but was significantly cheaper due to lower picture quality. This discrepancy led players to accuse CA of price gouging.
"I strongly urge CA to explain why two identical games have such a price difference just because of picture quality improvements!" one player demanded online.
"Isn't it absurd to use quality improvement as an excuse to raise prices?" another commented.
"CA is too greedy. Look at GC; they're the real deal!" another chimed in.
Many players who were already unhappy with "The Collection of Cute Pets" felt they were being treated like fools compared to the "Pokemon" series. CA had previously managed to stabilize these players with various promotional activities, but the release of the console version reignited their anger.
The next morning, the offline peripheral experience store for "The Collection of Cute Pets" was supposed to open for business. However, it couldn't open as planned. Why? Because a crowd of furious players had gathered at the store, blocking the entrance and holding up banners:
[CA Black Heart Company, you robbed my hard-earned money!]
[CA, refund us!]
[CA, eat dirt!]
["The Collection of Cute Pets" is so bad, even a dog wouldn't play it!]
[GC is the best! Pokemon forever!]
The store was located opposite a "Pokemon" offline peripheral store. As angry players blocked the entrance to the CA store, they also went to the "Pokemon" store to buy products, boosting its sales. The "Pokemon" store saw record sales without any additional promotion from Indra.
"Mr. Alex, the situation at our offline stores is dire!" Ray, the general manager of the "The Collection of Cute Pets" project, reported in a panic. "More players are gathering outside our stores, holding banners with insulting messages!"
Players' herd mentality had taken over. Initially, some players were willing to give CA a chance, but the growing crowd of dissatisfied customers quickly swayed them to join the protest.
CA was forced to bow to the pressure. They announced unconditional returns and refunds for the console version of "The Collection of Cute Pets" and the first batch of physical WeGame units. Additionally, they offered new server launches for the PC version of the game, with new players getting a 30% discount and old players receiving in-game coupons worth 70% of the original game's price.
This drastic move finally allowed CA's offline stores to open normally. However, unlike the "Pokemon" peripheral stores where a Pikachu figure cost only $9, the merchandise for "The Collection of Cute Pets" was priced exorbitantly. Many fans, seeing the high prices, walked out without buying anything, often spitting at the door in disgust.
"Mr. Alex, our losses have exceeded $100 million!" the head of the operations department reported urgently. "The 'The Collection of Cute Pets' project is on the verge of collapse!"
CA's attempt to dominate the console market had turned into a catastrophic failure. The backlash from players and the massive financial losses marked a significant blow to the company's ambitions.
A/N. Here is where Indra's web novel stops his free posting of this fic. I will be concentrating on my fic and refining the chapters as he posts them.
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