บท 60: C60: Misinterpretation!

The buzz around Escape continues to spread across the Internet and streaming media.

How long this hype will last largely depends on how long it stays hot on the streaming platforms.

Given the horror quality in the game itself, it's unrealistic to expect Escape to maintain the trend for too long.

Meanwhile, I've seen rumors online about some game developers trying to ride the wave of horror fever brought on by Escape. Why does it always seem like there is always a new wave with my new game? Who knows!

They plan to jump on the bandwagon with escape-style gameplay, mostly without combat systems.

It's not that concerning.

Developing Escape wasn't even part of my plan originally. If not for the fear convertor. I wouldn't have considered making this game at all.

As I look at the calendar, I realize, "I have rushed in making games a lot." I calculate in my head.

It's not about creating big VR games—those require more capital and accumulation of resources.

Plus, with New Year coming up, even a medium-sized game wouldn't launch until the holidays.

During this period, I'm also planning to recruit talent through headhunters, mostly for people who can handle tasks other than game development.

And then there's the Neon game platform.

From a functionality perspective, Neon Game Store already has essential features like shop, inventory, community, friends, and reviews. It even has a workshop feature, similar to Steam.

Of course, UI features, like recommendations, are not done yet. But then again, I only have three games on the platform: Escape, To the Moon, and Undertale.

The platform itself is ready. The real issue is that there aren't enough games and features to attract numerous players...

At present, the sales figure is around 15,000. The daily active user count is less than 500.

Although the situation looks bleak, I have high hopes for the platform.

'There is no shortage of funds for the time being. It is time to focus on growing the platform, even if further losses ensue.'

To accumulate platform users as quickly as possible, an exclusive strategy is the most effective. Major game manufacturers, both domestically and internationally, as well as some channels, already use similar exclusive tactics.

However, this method doesn't suit Neon Game right now. We have some funds, but the gap between us and the major game manufacturers is sizable.

If I were to rely on an exclusive strategy, the game would have to be incredibly attractive. The key issue is that launching such a game now would only benefit other game manufacturers. After all, gameplay can't be patented. Many of the massive multiplayer online games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Rail from experiences are major assets.

If I use them now, it wouldn't hurt the competition—it would hurt Neon Game's future.

So, I have to sort out a different approach: multichannel distribution, a buyout system, discounted pricing, a bundled pass, and multiplayer online.

Sitting at the computer, I pondered for a long time and then jotted down a few keywords on my tablet. This will define the new game I'm planning to develop.

Multichannel distribution is necessary, as Neon Games isn't ready to play the exclusivity card yet.

The buyout system, paired with price discounts, will better attract players to the platform.

As for the bundled pass, it means that players who buy the game on other platforms must register for a Neon Games account for authentication.

This may indeed alienate some players who find it inconvenient, and some channels may even prohibit this kind of account linking. But in the early stages of Neon Games, it's crucial for building a user base. Even if they don't make a purchase right away or download the game, at the very least, players would be registering for an account.

Lastly, ensuring online multiplayer connectivity across platforms is vital. This is to keep players engaged.

I moved and sat in front of my computer. I started planning the next major development. Furthermore, I needed to choose a new project, something not too large, given that it would be going to be an exploratory game. Plus, this year's Spring Festival is relatively late, with New Year's Eve falling on March twenty in the lunar calendar. With less than a month ahead, there's enough time to develop a low-cost game.

After some work, I stepped out of the office for some air and to clear my mind, all while considering which game to pick next. There were still many options, and I wanted to make the right choice.

It was almost time to leave for the day, and some employees who stayed through lunch greeted me as they passed by. I nodded back at them. As I glanced around the office space, I began to wonder if it was time to expand. With more people joining the R&D team and other departments, things are starting to feel cramped. Each workstation was separated by partition boards, and it was becoming more noticeable now.

Just as I began mulling over that thought, I was interrupted by Yang Xin and Ruan Ningxue approaching me.

"Chen, you've been turned into an emoji!" Ruan Ningxue said, laughing.

"No, actually, what you've said has been turned into one," Yang Xin added, holding up her phone.

I glanced at her phone, feeling both speechless and amused. On the screen, there was a screenshot of a moment from Escape, where the protagonist was in the midst of the infamous scene with the doctor's scissors. A line of text next to it read: I am a warrior of love!

Yang Xin swiped her finger, revealing another meme: a screenshot of the fat uncle picking his head, with a pixelated mosaic over the face and the words, I am also a warrior of love!

"This meme is still going around." I chuckled.

"Of course! If any of the Escape players don't know about this meme, they'd be ashamed of their experience of being scared!" Ruan Ningxue responded with a grin.

"Exactly!" Yang Xin chimed in.

"Who could forget that it was your original explanation, Chen, that made it so iconic?" Ruan Ningxue pulled up the official blog post I had made earlier, showing the post now with over 250,000 likes and more than 40,000 comments.

"Players always misinterpret me!" I said, but with a smile on my face. An idea started forming in my mind.

"Alright, I've decided! I need to live up to this Warrior of love label. So for the next game, I'm going to make something much friendlier," I announced with a smile.

Ruan Ningxue looked at me in surprise. "A new project already? What kind of game will it be?"

"A friendly game?" Yang Xin raised an eyebrow.

"You're not pulling another stunt like you did with Escape?"

"Don't worry," I reassured them.

"I'll think about it for a few days and then reveal the details. The game won't be too big in scale, and since Spring Festival and Valentine's Day will be close together this year, I think it'll be the perfect time to present a game that's fitting for the occasion."

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New year is also called spring festival in China.

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