Capítulo 32: loss of 100 million
"Mr. Alex! We've received 100,000 more refund applications, bringing our total to nearly 250,000!"
"The number of refund requests is still climbing, and WeGame's reputation has plummeted!"
In the CA headquarters, a high-level meeting was in full swing. The head of the marketing department was relentlessly reporting the grim real-time data.
Driven by a massive backlash on the V blog, WG's reputation on the internet had utterly collapsed. The surge in refund requests from players was overwhelming Penguin's after-sales service.
"What are we supposed to do now? We can't afford to refund all these returns!"
CA's management was in disarray. They had always had absolute confidence in WG, never contemplating a scenario where they would face a large-scale return storm.
"What choice do we have? We have to handle every refund application," Alex said, his face grim. "We must abide by our contract terms, even if CA wishes it could ignore its consumers."
"Mr. Alex, the PC version of 'The Collection of Cute Pets' is also being trashed across the internet!"
As the saying goes, misfortunes never come singly. Just when CA's WG and the console version of "The Collection of Cute Pets" were supposed to be thriving, over half of the players were demanding refunds. On the V blog hot search list, the PC version of "The Collection of Cute Pets" was being lambasted, dragged into the spotlight once again.
The console version, notorious for its flaws, shared almost identical gameplay and functions with the PC version. The only difference? Enhanced graphics, yet the PC version was far more expensive.
"Why is the same game with just better graphics so much more expensive?"
"Isn't it absurd to raise prices just for improved graphics? Should video websites charge extra for higher quality too?"
"CA is ripping us off! Look at GC, they never raise prices for new games!"
"GC maintains quality without price hikes, but CA charges more? What's the difference?!"
"CA, give us our money back!"
The internet was ablaze with outrage. Players who had begrudgingly accepted "The Collection of Cute Pets" before were now furious. CA's previous welfare activities had barely stabilized the situation, but the release of the console version reignited their anger. Stabilized players couldn't hold back anymore. It was as if CA considered them gullible.
Angry players weren't just venting online. The next morning, they took their protests offline.
The offline experience store of "The Collection of Cute Pets" was supposed to officially open for business, but chaos reigned. Outside the store, players gathered, some wielding banners:
"CA, refund!"
"CA, your greed is shameful!"
"'The Big Collection of Cute Pets' is unplayable trash!"
"GC is the best! Pokemon rules!"
The gates of the store were blocked by irate players. Across the street, the "Pokemon" store enjoyed an influx of these same players. While protesting outside CA's store, they made purchases at the Pokemon store, boosting its sales without any extra promotion.
"Mr. Alex, our offline stores are in trouble!" Ray, the general manager of the "Celebrity Collection" project, reported in a panic. "More players are gathering, and their banners are damaging our image!"
Players' herd mentality was in full swing. Even those who were initially neutral joined the protest, amplifying the impact.
CA had no choice but to bow to the players' demands. The console version of "The Collection of Cute Pets" was unconditionally refunded, as were the first batch of physical goods from WeGame. The PC version launched a new server, offering a 30% discount for new players and compensating old players with in-game coupons worth 70% of the game's original price.
After this drastic damage control, CA's offline store finally reopened. However, unlike the "Pokemon" stores, where a Pikachu figure was just $9, the cute pet figures in CA's store were priced exorbitantly. Die-hard fans balked at the prices and left, often spitting in disgust on their way out.
"Mr. Alex, our losses have exceeded 100 million!" an operations manager reported, rushing into Alex's office. "The 'Collection of Cute Pets' project is on the verge of collapse!"
Alex sat back, feeling the weight of their catastrophic failure. The company's future, once so secure, now hung by a thread.
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