Jiang Bo spoke very clearly.
From the moment the player picks up the Imperial Jade Seal, they are no longer content to be an ordinary wage slave.
In the modern city, they will start from a rented room and step by step establish their own power.
Early goal: Survive.
Mid-term goal: Build a team.
Late-stage goal: Have the entire region acknowledge their influence.
Upon hearing this, Ma Shangfei's initial doubts were instantly swept away by an inexplicable excitement.
As a veteran programmer, he understood the core driving force of games all too well.
A city backdrop, identity growth, power management—players start as small-time characters, gradually climbing up by networking, managing resources, and resolving events.
The grander the goal, paired with the more dire reality, the more exhilarating the contrast!
Power management in everyday urban life.
Identity growth of a small-time character.
Adolescent delusions wrapped in real-world struggles.
And then perfectly transplanting the ancient emperor's system of promotions and military recruitment into the modern city.
[Establish the Court], [Imperial Examinations], [Fill the Treasury], [Expand the Territory]...
This setup... it does sound quite thrilling!
[Ding! Anticipation Points +10!]
[Ding! Anticipation Points +5!]
[Ding! Anticipation Points +5!]
Zhou Guangqi, who was writing the script, was clearly getting carried away.
"President Jiang, this framework is brilliant! Using the evolution of historical dynasties to parallel the development of modern powers?"
"Exactly!"
"Some tasks are quite ordinary in reality, but once framed in an imperial narrative, they become instantly different!"
On the side.
Ma Shangfei studied it seriously for a while and felt that this setup was entirely feasible. However, after deep thought, reason once again took the high ground, and he showed a troubled expression.
"The setup is a good setup."
"But... President Jiang... the content of this game is just too vast."
"The interactions with various social NPCs, territory calculations, massive plot branches... with just a few of us, even if we worked for a year, we couldn't finish it!"
"And there's also the monetization model."
"Our company's current financial chain, if we want to quickly recoup costs, going the pay-to-win mobile game route is undoubtedly the safest."
At these words, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over everyone, instantly sobering them up.
Right, no matter how big the ideas, without money and without life, it's all for nothing.
Moreover, they still had to consider the monetization model!
How would this game make money?
Fortunately, Jiang Bo was well-prepared.
"No way!"
"If we make a pay-to-win mobile game, and everyone shouts that they are mandated by heaven, would it still be called a mandate?"
"There can only be one mandate!"
"Also, we can't make it a pay-to-win numbers game."
"Players finally immerse themselves in the identity of the chosen one, and you suddenly pop up a window asking them to buy a monthly card or a first-time purchase. Isn't that just disgusting?"
The meeting room fell silent for a moment.
Zhou Guangqi's mouth twitched.
He could already picture the scene in his mind.
[Congratulations on your successful ascension!]
[Would you like to purchase the 6-yuan first-time purchase package to receive the exclusive dragon robe skin?]
Well then.
Just mandated by heaven a moment ago.
The next second, bound by the wallet.
That indeed was a bit of a letdown.
Jiang Bo looked at everyone's expressions, his own face more composed.
"I've already thought about this!"
"Since we want to give players an imperial experience, we must offer the purest enjoyment!"
"So, our game concept is more suited for... a single-player buyout game!"
"Because its core is not about players comparing with each other, but about the player binding with their own identity."
"Players need to immerse themselves in this identity and slowly complete a growth experience."
"Moreover, with a single-player game, we can better control the pace, task feedback, plot twists, and stage goals, all arranged by us."
Ma Shangfei nodded.
Single-player indeed seemed more suitable.
But the problem remained.
"President Jiang, single-player is indeed more suitable, but the full version cycle is too long."
"According to your framework, if we were to complete all the settings you mentioned, plus the subsequent expansion of city influence, the development time would be at least half a year."
"We can't hold out that long."
Jiang Bo nodded.
"You're right, but..."
"Who told you we have to complete the entire game in one go?"
Everyone was taken aback.
"President Jiang, what do you mean?"
"It's simple, we don't have money, we don't have people, and we don't have enough time."
"Mandated by heaven, bound by money!"
"Then let's concentrate all company resources to first create a high-quality initial trial version."
Everyone was taken aback.
A trial version?
The group immediately reacted.
"Right! Why didn't I think of that!"
"Why do we have to stubbornly insist on a full version?"
"In today's single-player market, even the best products can go unnoticed if they're not marketed well. Many independent game teams work behind closed doors for years, only to launch without making a splash, going bankrupt instantly!"
"But if we only make a trial version, we won't have these problems!"
"President Jiang! Your strategy to break the impasse is simply brilliant!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Ma Shangfei himself got a bit excited.
Their thinking had been trapped by the full version, always feeling that if they were to make "I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!", they had to complete the whole thing.
It's like having only two bucks in your pocket and worrying about how to build an aircraft carrier—of course, you'd feel overwhelmed!
But if it's a trial version?
That's completely different.
Costs are controllable, time is controllable, and risks are controllable.
They just need to highlight the most interesting framework and make the most captivating parts!
If the effect is good.
Then they can naturally use the results to seek investment, discuss distribution, and secure partnerships.
Wouldn't that revitalize everything?
The more Ma Shangfei thought about it, the more energized he became.
"Even if we take a step back..."
If players don't accept it, the loss is just this round of trial and error costs.
It's much better than stubbornly working for half a year and ending up deeply in debt.
"Advance if possible, retreat if necessary!"
The boss really has ideas!
If you can't serve a full banquet, can't you at least start with a plate of peanuts? Just enjoy it first!
In the meeting room, Jiang Bo looked at everyone's expressions, feeling overjoyed inside.
Great!
He didn't expect his idea to be accepted by everyone so quickly!
Then there's nothing more to say!
Strike while the iron is hot!
"Since everyone is on the same page, I won't waste any more words."
"I announce that 'I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!' is officially approved!"
"From today, from this very second, the company is in full open mode! All company resources will be directed towards this project."
"We're ALL IN!"
"I also kept it from you all, the company currently has forty thousand in cash!"
"This money is all we can invest in this game right now!"
Hiss...!
Hearing the number forty thousand, the entire meeting room gasped.
Forty thousand is called All in?
Forty thousand, if placed in a top-tier game company like Xinhuo Games or Qingyun Games, might not even cover the dynamic illustration and promotional CG of an SSR character.
But in Zhaoxi Games, a team on the brink of bankruptcy.
This forty thousand is the boss's heartfelt savings!
For a moment, the few people looked at Jiang Bo with complex expressions.
This time, you've even brought out your savings, haven't you?
However, despite the emotions, Ma Shangfei, as a programmer, still had to return to the practical technical issues.
"President Jiang! Investing the entire forty thousand, for a trial version, the funds are indeed sufficient!"
"But for a city-themed game, the most costly and time-consuming parts are the art resources and modeling."
"Streets, unfinished buildings, various NPC face types, clothing... if we create everything from scratch, this money will be gone in the blink of an eye!"
Jiang Bo had anticipated this problem and directly provided a solution.
"Who said we have to stubbornly stick to realistic models?"
"Speed! Is our first principle!"
"The ultimate martial art is speed!"
"Our trial version's core selling points are the exhilarating contrast and game mechanics."
"Not those flashy technical metrics like ray tracing or hair rendering!"
"Those things can wait until we have money."
"Right now, they're not important!"
Hearing this, Pei Qianqian, in charge of art, immediately sat up straight.
She hadn't spoken much earlier because the pressure on the art side was indeed significant.
But if it's just a trial version, there would be a huge space for compromise.
"Qianqian, you handle the art style!"
"We can't be greedy now."
"You can go for a slightly cartoonish, lightweight style. The characters don't need to be too complex, and the scenes should be simplified as much as possible, just memorable!"
Hearing this, Pei Qianqian herself felt her thoughts clearing up.
A bit cartoonish, a bit simpler.
Use existing models where possible.
"Buy assets if you can, outsource if you need to! Use the best materials where they matter most!"
"Got it, boss!"
Pei Qianqian immediately nodded.
Soon, in the following period, Zhaoxi Games Studio plunged into a frenzy of development.
With the major direction set, all content proceeded step by step.
Under Jiang Bo's precise framework guidance, all unnecessary side details were ruthlessly cut, and all efforts were concentrated on the core exhilarating experience.
Half a month later, in the afternoon.
In the Zhaoxi Games office, on the computer screen, the final version of "I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!" was finally completed.
"President Jiang... the final package testing is complete, with no major bugs, and the process is perfectly closed!"
"In other words, our game is finally finished!"
"Good!"
Jiang Bo didn't waste any words, directly sitting in front of the computer and opening the backend of the largest domestic gaming platform: Deep Blue.
On the screen, the game listing information had already been filled out.
[Game Name: I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal!]
[Type: Urban Management/Identity Growth/Single-player Simulation]
[Developer: Zhaoxi Games]
[Price: 10 yuan]
[Description: What's it like to buy the Imperial Jade Seal for 10 yuan at a street stall? Don't ask, just know that I'm preparing to ascend the throne!]
Jiang Bo confirmed the listing information.
There were no issues.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, he moved the mouse and clicked the submit button.
Soon.
[Submission Successful!]
[I Picked Up the Imperial Jade Seal! has entered the new game review queue.]