How can one plus one be greater than two?
While some game companies are beloved by players and netizens, others are constantly criticized for their poor game design.
Today is another gathering of gamers.
When people gather in small groups, they inevitably start talking about recent hot topics, and naturally, the topic of Zhixing Games comes up again.
Actually, there's no one I want to talk about, but I just can't escape it.
"I was wondering how they could create a game like 'The Way of the Corporate Slave'. Even I, as a boss, would want to work for them after seeing their company environment."
"Yeah, who says being a boss is easy these days? Don't small company owners still have to lead by example? Do you really think that just sitting in the office all day slacking off and making empty promises to employees will make the company a fortune?"
Zhang Xia, the owner of "The Town Mayor," was speechless: "Who says otherwise?"
"Do you think it might be a feng shui issue? I feel like the layout of their company building, the floors they chose, it all seems to have a lot of fire in it," a teacher from a coastal city suddenly said. "I even did some research on it."
"Born with fire in one's destiny, what does that mean?" These four words certainly piqued the interest of those around them.
"Look, this game became popular, and then the company became popular. I wonder how they'll become popular next. Before the game was even released, it became popular because of the competition."
The teacher from the coastal city was right; his three sentences made everyone think deeply.
Business people, more or less, believe in feng shui and metaphysics.
Not only are they born with a fiery destiny, they don't even need much marketing.
"I'm really fed up. Every time I transfer funding to a new project, 30% of it goes to GG (government-funded enterprises)," someone said sourly.
"Speaking of which, why did you two come on so aggressively and then suddenly fall silent?" This question was directed at Liu Jun, the producer of "Double Happiness 2," and Zhang Xia, the producer of "The Town Mayor."
No one really knows the details of these events. All that is known is that these two initially promoted themselves with great fanfare, but for some reason, their promotional resources suddenly plummeted.
After that, there was absolutely no news at all.
Many people are curious: why did it start strong but end weakly?
Speaking of this, Zhang Xia couldn't hold back any longer: "I'm telling you guys, you should also try that feeling where the more you market yourselves, the more popular your competitors become."
"Moreover, they do not do any marketing at all. They only give you some exposure through GDR. Outside of GDR, they just bleed you dry."
"Putting everything else aside, it's really painful."
Liu Jun added quietly, "Don't think that games of different themes are immune to disaster... because they will always steal your attention in an unexpected and bizarre way."
Everyone looked at each other in silence, wondering what these two had gone through to become like this.
Nan Linqing happened to come over and joined the conversation: "What are you guys talking about?"
"Zhixing Games, there's nothing else worth talking about lately."
Speaking of Zhixing Games, it is indeed quite unique. From the very beginning, it seems to have been disliked by its peers, perhaps because it was too big to be ignored from the start.
Look at the new masterpieces of the year, and then look at "The Way of the Corporate Slave" and so on, not to mention the comparisons and disparagements made by players, whether intentional or unintentional.
Even if Zhixing Games is truly innocent, possessing a treasure is a crime.
"It sounds like you guys don't really like Zhixing Games?"
"There's no such thing as liking or disliking; it's just a business matter. It's just a bit awkward and uncomfortable," Liu Jun replied.
Indeed, there are some people who dislike Zhixing.
"Why do I never see the owner of Zhixing Games?"
Someone brought it up, probably because they couldn't stand his aloof attitude. Their tone wasn't very pleasant, and they even asked Nan Linqing, "Didn't you collaborate on that project a while ago, Professor Nan? Did you get to see him in person?"
This person meant to be sarcastic.
As a result, Nan Linqing sincerely shrugged: "I didn't see him. But I don't think you need to feel bad about such a small thing. Maybe the boss is just socially awkward. Aren't geniuses all a little quirky?"
The more astute ones seized the opportunity to start the conversation.
Forget about talking about bosses; who's really interested in the boss of Zhixing Games? Zhixing Games is the key.
"Professor Nan, how was your collaboration?"
Nan Linqing said nonchalantly, "It's great, everything is great, I don't have to worry about it, the game became popular on its own."
That's a bit infuriating.
"I don't think everyone needs to be too hostile towards Zhixing. You two aren't even on the same track. Zhixing Games makes indie games, so it's naturally a lone wolf. Maybe it's even your mentor."
"Don't you see how 'Out-of-Body Simulator' made a fortune, a win-win situation for all parties involved? The game, the technology, the art, the players—who didn't benefit?"
"Maybe if we cooperate for a while, the result will be 1+1>2." Nan Linqing smiled, and the smile seemed very sincere, but it just made people feel a little uncomfortable.
You say you're not on the same track, but those who are destined to be defeated are still defeated.
There are two living victims standing here.
But Nan Linqing didn't say much, just smiled and left, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.
Only a few people remained, looking deep in thought.
Nanlinqing isn't afraid of anyone shaking her friendly relationship with Zhixing Games. First there was the competition with trophies, then the "Out-of-Body Simulator," and now there's a second collaboration coming up soon.
The best partner is undoubtedly Southern Games Studio.
Nan Linqing simply couldn't stand the fact that Zhixing Games was being subtly ostracized within the industry, so she offered to help out, which could also be seen as doing a favor for the boss behind the scenes.
This is, after all, the Central Plains, a society based on personal relationships.
What if Jiangchuan needs it someday?
Zhi Xing Game - Floor 14.
Yu Yue was dealing with a work task, which was the most difficult challenge he had encountered since joining the Zhixing Game.
Play puzzle games.
It's true that different fields are like different worlds, even if it's just a transition from text-based adventure to mystery games. How to put it... Yu Yue might not be naturally suited for this area.
Fortunately, the lead planner isn't good at puzzle games, but there are other talented people in the team who can take over.
However... it's hard to say how good the game will be.
The standard is lacking.
Trying to reverse the original script is just like a murder mystery game character secretly doing bad things.
To be honest, Yu Yue felt that this game was somewhat like an online optimized version of a murder mystery game, unlike overly radical games such as "The Road to Becoming a Corporate Slave" and "Out-of-Body Simulator".
This project clearly has a vast market potential.
President Jiang's requirements have been largely fulfilled.
For example, puzzles should be challenging and have twists, but not every puzzle needs to have a twist.
To prevent players from developing fixed path dependencies.
In terms of content and game background setting, it is necessary to fully absorb the characteristics of the Internet and combine them with reality—this is relatively simple.
In terms of gameplay, Jiang Zong has consistently innovated by adding multiple role-playing elements, which are competitive, and also include countdown timers, making the game more intense.
It should resemble a horror game in form and a mystery game in spirit.
After the entire puzzle-solving process is completed, players also need to complete the side quests. If the side quests are not completed, the mission is considered a failure.
That's quite a challenge.
Even someone like Yu Yue, who isn't actually interested in puzzle games, would be tempted to try them out.
More importantly, when designing the difficulty level of this game, Mr. Jiang directly removed the password decryption and other elements that are usually included in traditional reasoning games, focusing solely on clue deduction.
This lowers the barrier to entry even further.
Everyone knows how to find stories, but not everyone knows how to find graphic or numerical codes.
Yu Yue sighed softly, just as he was about to send a message back to President Jiang, when someone suddenly came up beside him: "Brother Yu, Brother Yu, Brother Yu! There's good news!"
What good news?
Yu Yue turned his head to look.
"Assistant Song said that we've received inquiries from several game developers about potential collaborations, including Mr. Jing and his team." The girl was pleasantly surprised.
Jing Hongxi, the producer of many well-known domestic suspense, mystery, horror and supernatural games, sought cooperation, which was indeed a pleasant surprise.
Yu Yue was somewhat surprised. After all, for Biao Jing Hongxi himself, the Zhixing Game was still too inexperienced. What qualifications did he have? What had suddenly happened? He hurriedly put down his work and went to see Song Zhiming.
As for why Assistant Song moved to the 14th floor to work, that's a long story.
Ever since Jiang Chuan and the Earl hurriedly left Chuangzhi Yunjing, they have never returned.
Working alone on the huge 16th floor, Song Zhiming inexplicably felt isolated from the entire company. So he simply moved to the 14th floor and started commuting with everyone else.
At first, everyone was a little unaccustomed to it, because they had gotten used to not having a boss watching them.
Song Zhiming, the president's special assistant, is like the boss's third eye.
But then I remembered that Assistant Song is usually an NPC who gives everyone benefits, so his friendliness level instantly increased, and we got along very well.
"Assistant Song, what happened? Why are so many people suddenly wanting to cooperate with us?" The desire to cooperate with us should have originated around the time of "Out-of-Body Simulator".
There was a successful case at that time.
At this time of day, with no village or shop in sight, Yu Yue was completely baffled.
"I'm not quite sure either. Maybe President Jiang did something?" Song Zhiming was also a little hesitant, but this was a good thing. He could organize these emails and documents and then give them to President Jiang for a decision.
"Take a look first and see if there are any partners you like. Then I'll adjust the weighting accordingly."
Yu Yue smiled and agreed.
"Also, tell Fang Qixiang and the others." After giving these instructions, Song Zhiming went back to his own business—selecting the best from the thousands on the recruitment software.
During this period, Zhixing Games' recruitment email inbox has been overflowing with resumes from all walks of life and all age groups.
If it weren't for the fact that Zhixing Games had an implicit recruitment need, Song Zhiming wouldn't have experienced such a significant increase in workload because of this matter.
It's hard to tell whether it's a good thing or a bad thing.
Moreover… President Jiang’s talent requirements are a bit unusual, which gives Song Zhiming a sense of disorientation, as if he were trying to recruit Tang Yue back then.
Perhaps this is the real-world version of "recruiting talents without being bound by convention"?
This is one of the few times that Song Zhiming has experienced work-related suffering.
But I really have to say, the people that President Jiang recruited were indeed very suitable for Zhixing Games, and I have no idea how he judged them from the bottom up.
All I can say is: "His judgment of people is accurate and insightful."
Thanks to Ms. Nan for pulling Zhixing Games aside; hopefully, President Jiang won't break his elbow.
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