"Boss, we're recording an apology video for the players, not doing stand-up comedy. Could you at least try to look a bit sad?"
"Even if the company goes under, at your age, you could easily find a job as a security guard. You're in your prime!"
"No, don't laugh, boss!"
In Xingcheng, at Zhaoxi Games Company.
In the office, HR representative Sheng Tinglan stared bewilderedly at her boss through her phone.
She really couldn't understand.
A gaming company on the brink of collapse.
And yet, the boss was sitting in front of the camera, recording the final apology video for the players as if he were making dumplings.
Especially when Boss Jiang Bo said, "Thank you all for your long-term support and encouragement of Zhaoxi Games."
Encouragement?
Is that what you call encouragement?
The players are practically digging up your ancestors' graves!
Get a grip!
"Ahem, sorry, I just remembered something happy."
Jiang Bo cleared his throat, forcibly straightening the grin that was about to reach his ears, and put on a sorrowful expression.
Sadness?
Sadness, my ass!
Three days ago.
Back then, Jiang Bo was still on Blue Star, a game producer who lived frugally, surviving on novels.
Writing plans by day, revising requirements by night.
Then, one night after working late, he collided with a dump truck while cycling, and when he opened his eyes again, he was in this Parallel World.
The good news was, he had transmigrated.
The bad news was, he had taken over a nearly bankrupt game company.
The even worse news was, although the company was called Zhaoxi Games, it was barely surviving.
However, the gaming industry in this world was very advanced.
Various game development tools and software were mature, independent gaming platforms were well-established, the player market was huge, and the gaming consumption atmosphere was better than Blue Star.
There were even advanced virtual gaming pods!
It sounded like an entrepreneur's paradise.
But the problem was, paradise didn't welcome paupers.
Jiang Bo had seriously considered just taking on outsourcing projects for the company, not making games anymore, living day by day.
But just now, Mother Blue Star finally remembered her child who was still wandering outside!
[Ding!]
[Residual anticipation emotion detected.]
[Anticipation Points System successfully bound!]
[As long as the host generates emotions like frenzy, shock, or desire in others, it can be continuously converted into Anticipation Points.]
[The stronger the anticipation, the higher the reward!]
After thoroughly studying the system rules, Jiang Bo quickly realized a problem.
Normally, making games requires meticulous craftsmanship and a complete release.
But now... complete it?
Once it's complete, what anticipation would the players have?
If a game is too complete, players finish it, feel satisfied, exit, uninstall, and continue with their lives, entering a dull sage mode, limiting anticipation points.
But if...
The game stops at the most critical, most thrilling, most adrenaline-pumping moment!
Leaving players with a strong anticipation for the sequel...
The resentment and anticipation from the players would be astronomical!
When Jiang Bo first understood this rule, he was silent for a long time.
This approach was somewhat unscrupulous.
But then he thought.
Who in game development is completely scrupulous?
If he's going to make games, he'll only make half!
Let the players curse all they want, as long as they want to know what happens next, it means the game is already half successful.
As for the other half?
Next time, for sure!
In the office, Sheng Tinglan saw him zoning out again and couldn't help but remind him.
"Boss!"
Jiang Bo snapped back to reality, coughed, and tried to adjust his expression.
"The company is in this state, and it pains me too."
"So... after careful consideration, Zhaoxi can't fall!"
A quick look at will leave you more fulfilled.
"Zhaoxi Zhaoxi, seize the day! I have a feeling this will be the last major entrepreneurial project of my life."
"You might not know, but there are a few times in life when you feel you're just one step away from success. I've waited twenty-five years, and just now, I feel like I've really touched it!"
"So, no more apology videos. I'm going to create original games and start new projects!"
????
No.
Boss.
Isn't your emotional transition a bit too smooth?
One moment you're recording an apology video, the next you're ready to start a new venture?
This isn't just bouncing back; it's like the coffin lid was halfway closed, and you suddenly sat up saying you could fight again!
"President Jiang, are you sure you haven't been too shocked?"
Sheng Tinglan cautiously put down her phone, her eyes filled with concern for Jiang Bo's mental state.
Having worked in the gaming industry for several years, Sheng Tinglan considered herself experienced.
She had seen bosses who, to catch a trend, would overnight change a martial arts project into a cultivation gacha.
She had seen planners who, to ride a wave, forcibly turned an apocalypse survival game into a cute pet farm.
She had even seen companies, to save costs, stitch together art resources from three different projects into one big mess, then market it as a multiverse fusion gameplay.
Anyway, it was martial arts to cultivation, cultivation to cards, cards to gacha, gacha to power, power to rankings, rankings to gift packs...
By the time the players started playing, their wallets were already in battle mode.
But she had never seen anything like this.
The company's accounts were nearly empty.
The boss wasn't seeking funding, wasn't looking for a publisher, wasn't rushing to take on outsourcing to recoup costs, and at this point, still wanted to start a new project?
Sheng Tinglan gathered her courage, trying to make her explanation sound professional.
"President Jiang, I know the current environment is tough, and you're unwilling to give up, wanting to achieve something."
"But you should also be aware of our current situation."
"The cash on hand is running low."
"The original project has been completely stalled due to poor performance."
"The remaining staff in the company, at most, are just a few..."
At this point, Sheng Tinglan felt a bit heartbroken herself.
Other companies might be small but complete.
Their company was small, but missing two vital organs.
With this kind of management, how could they talk about originality?
Jiang Bo waved his hand, directly interrupting her spell.
"Little Lan, I understand your concerns."
"But with the company's current situation, apologizing or not, it's meaningless!"
"Do the players really need another 'sorry' from us?"
Sheng Tinglan: "..."
For a moment, she didn't know whether to advise the boss to calm down or to book a psychiatric appointment first.
Apologizing is meaningless?
Then what is meaningful?
Jiang Bo continued:
"We have no money, no people, no resources, and no market trust."
"Doing a large project means death! Doing a reskinned mobile game, we can't compete! Making a casual mini-game, even if it goes live, it's hard to break out."
"So, we must find the most suitable direction for a small team."
Sheng Tinglan frowned; this statement was correct.
But knowing the problem doesn't mean you can solve it!
You've said so much, but where's the breakthrough direction? Where's the hope for a comeback?
Just as she was puzzled, Jiang Bo had already turned to his desk, typed out a document on the keyboard, and then turned the monitor screen towards Sheng Tinglan.
"Look, I've already thought of the game concept."
Sheng Tinglan was taken aback.
"So fast?"
"Inspiration is unstoppable when it comes."
"Take a look at the name first."
Sheng Tinglan glanced at it, her pupils immediately dilated.
On the screen was a line of bold text.
Project Name: I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!