Chương 99: Chapter 99: Want to Learn? I'll Teach You
Alex Parker returned to the experience store.
Amy Johnson said, "Boss, you're back."
Alex nodded, "Yeah, I went to an internet cafe to do some research, looking for inspiration for the new game."
Amy exclaimed, "Wow, are you starting to develop a new game already? Boss, you're as prolific as ever."
Alex replied, "...What kind of comparison is that? Can't you use a better one?"
Alex grabbed a drink from the side, "Goldfish, have you been keeping an eye on the mobile game market recently?"
Amy said, "Oh, 'Lifeline' has been selling quite well lately."
Alex was speechless, "Who asked you about that? You're always just focused on our own games. I'm asking about other games."
Amy replied, "Uh, other games? Well, there are more and more games copying 'I Am MT'... And many card games are starting to copy 'Thunder Poker' as well..."
Daniel Cooper, who had been silent, added, "In short, half the mobile game market is copying you."
Alex said, "Oh, that's good."
Amy was baffled, "Huh? So many people copying you, and that's good?"
Alex explained, "You don't understand. If they're all copying me, it means they've lost their ability to think independently and won't be developing games that surpass mine."
Amy remarked, "Wow, Boss, you really think highly of yourself... 'Magic Slayer' is already nearing the profitability of 'I Am MT.'"
Alex said, "Nearing but not surpassing, right? What's the rush? By the way, how much do you know about real-time strategy games?"
Amy said, "Uh... not much. I'm just an intern."
Daniel added, "I'm just a writer."
Alex was exasperated, "Wow, you guys have such low expectations of yourselves. You're all going to be lead designers someday, okay? You have three days to familiarize yourselves with all the real-time strategy games on the market and write me a research report."
Amy was shocked, "What? Boss, I can't play those kinds of games..."
Alex said, "I'm not asking you to become a professional player. It's okay if you're not good at them. Just get familiar with them. I want to see the research reports in three days, and they better be different. I don't want to see two identical reports."
With that, Alex went upstairs.
Amy held her head, "Oh no, what's a research report? I've never written one before!"
...
Back upstairs, Alex started thinking about the new game.
If the next game was going to be a PC game, it was doable but he was short-staffed.
With Daniel handling the story, Alex could save a lot of effort. Amy could manage some functions and concept art design, but numbers and levels were going to be a hassle.
Alex had been looking for someone skilled in those areas but hadn't found anyone yet.
"Numbers, levels... Right, let's check the forums."
Alex opened the "I Am MT" forum, hoping to find some experts who had analyzed the game's numerical system.
The numerical system of domestic card games was quite complex. If someone could analyze and reconstruct the numerical structure of "I Am MT," they would likely have basic numerical abilities.
Alex browsed through several top posts.
"Lousy game, give me back my hard-earned money!"
"The occult analysis of ten draws."
"Tips for timing to get purple cards."
"Perfect lineup to dominate the arena!"
"How to recharge most efficiently? Tips from a VIP 12."
...
Alex read a few posts and then silently pressed CTRL+W.
They were unbearable!
Posts like "occult analysis of ten draws" and "tips for timing to get purple cards" were pseudoscience but still got featured, making Alex feel that popularizing probability science was a long way to go.
Unfazed, Alex opened the "Thunder Poker" forum.
In Texas Hold'em, there was also a lot of numerical knowledge involved. If someone could calculate the win rates of various hands in poker, that person would have numerical talent.
Alex browsed a few posts.
"Join the offline Thunder Poker club, group XXXXX."
"Join the offline Thunder Poker club, group XXXXX."
"Join the offline Thunder Poker club, group XXXXX."
...
Alex silently clicked the report button, then pressed CTRL+W.
What a scam!
Alex was almost in despair. These players were too casual. Was there no one who could scientifically analyze the internal mechanics of the games?
Well, it seemed that games where "spending money makes you stronger" were more suitable for everyone.
Alex opened the "Plants vs. Zombies" forum, and this time, to his surprise, the top post was an introduction to a mod!
"Introducing my custom mod: Enhanced attributes for plants and zombies, adding 8 new plants and 5 new zombies."
The title was lengthy, but the post was very popular. It was published two weeks ago and had already reached over 100 pages of replies.
Curious, Alex opened "Plants vs. Zombies" and found that the current most popular mod was indeed the one developed by this player.
Alex tried it out and found that this mod mainly added 8 new plants and 5 new zombies, but unlike other mods, this author had rebalanced the plants and zombies, keeping the difficulty at an appropriate level.
This mod might not have the wildest ideas but was the most polished and balanced, which was why it was so well-received by players.
"Hmm, this creator is good. Let's see if I can bring them in."
Through the Thunder Games pass, Alex found the creator's phone number.
"Hello?" came a male voice.
Hmm, why say "another" male voice?
Alex said, "Hello, I'm Alex Parker, the creator of 'Plants vs. Zombies.'"
The other person replied, "Oh, hello."
Alex said, "Uh, you're not at all suspicious of my identity? Aren't you afraid I'm an imposter?"
The other person chuckled, "Who's brave enough to impersonate you now? They'd get torn apart by angry players in no time."
Alex said, "..."
The other person continued, "Just kidding, don't take it seriously. I'm Phoenix, by the way."
Alex said, "Oh, Phoenix, like the mythological bird from Greek myth?"
Phoenix said, "Yes, and...ahem, actually, I really admire you."
Alex was delighted, "Oh? Really?"
Phoenix said, "Yes, before you made 'I Am MT.'"
Alex said, "..."
Phoenix continued, "But after you made 'I Am MT,' I admired you even more. I think it's amazing how you made a game so profitable through numerical manipulation!"
Alex was speechless. This kid had a way with words.
"Want to learn?" Alex asked.
Phoenix said, "Of course!"
Alex said, "Come to the capital. I'll teach you."
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