Chapter 567: Fork in the Road
As time goes by
, everything is running in the established direction.
After 4G was officially announced for commercial use, the popularity began to soar.
Although at present, 4G lacks sufficient appeal to consumers, most users are still not interested.
After all, it is useless to have speed alone.
You also need to have a mature application scenario.
Just like Lin Yao's previous life, after the launch of 5G, the speed is fast.
Everyone admits this.
But even if you give me the speed of fiber optics, I will still just play games and watch videos, which is not as good as 4G.
The future is promising?
Let's talk about it when the future comes!
This is what most ordinary consumers think.
However,
consumers are one aspect.
For enterprise manufacturers, it is another statement.
For them, 4G is something that can bring high added value to products, can become a gimmick, and can also fight for the future. It
is directly sought after...
Even if they themselves currently think that 4G is not very useful, it does not prevent them from hyping concepts and fighting for the future.
Especially mobile phone companies.
After all... Whether it is Lin Yao's previous life or the mobile phone industry here, they are all very competitive.
When all parameters of an industry are almost the same, some new selling points are always needed.
There is also the existence of Jiaming Alliance, which makes it difficult for everyone to create a different experience on the system, and they can only pile up the materials.
But this thing also has an end. The design is becoming more and more consistent, and finally the only way to compete is to use price.
But this is not a long-term solution...
So the emergence of 4G is indeed a very good selling point for many mobile phone manufacturers.
As for whether it can be used,
we will talk about it later.
First use the selling point to grab users. A new mobile communication technology itself is a battle for high-value users.
For many mobile phone manufacturers,
the more important thing now is not to sell products, but to fight for the right to speak afterwards.
So.
After the first mobile phone that supports 4G is released.
Then.
The window for the release of intensive new mobile phones came.
Several major domestic mobile phone manufacturers, almost one after another, announced their new mobile phones that support 4G, or have not yet announced them, but have already started to warm up.
The first mobile phone that supports 4G.
It seems to be a signal.
This directly opened up a golden era of many mobile phone manufacturers competing with each other...
In just one week, six companies announced that they would launch new mobile phones.
Consumers were all confused.
At the beginning, it was not so bad. They would go to have a look out of concern.
Later, they got a little annoyed and simply stopped looking...
As for why this happened.
It's very simple.
At present, all manufacturers who have announced that they support 4G mobile phones only support it... just support 4G.
There is no supporting service at all.
The mobile phone is still the previous generation of mobile phones, but the selling point of supporting 4G is added, and then the appearance is changed, and a little more information is added, and then it is announced.
Of course, it is not ruled out that they have more important projects inside.
But at least so far, this is the situation.
It's all like this.
And the mobile phone sold with a new shell has an additional 4G, so ordinary users will be interested in it
. They can afford to change the mobile phone, but they can't afford to use data.
As such cases increase.
Soon, users feel that mobile phone manufacturers are cheating money and making the environment not very good.
Many people even said dissatisfaction and bluntly that they will buy a new mobile phone when 4G is no longer a selling point!
However.
No matter how dissatisfied users are, they cannot stop the wheel of history from rolling forward...
After all, 4G is not just the business of mobile phone manufacturers, there are three giants above it.
So although users are not interested in new mobile phones that support 4G, the concept of 4G has been popularized.
After all, no matter how dissatisfied users are, they will eventually have to face overwhelming publicity...
and be forced to receive news about 4G. There are many fantasies about 4G.
What 4G transmission rate has been greatly improved, which will give rise to more service needs.
What video websites will be happy to download a movie in dozens of seconds.
What the automotive intelligent industry has great potential, and driverless cars will become possible.
What car hotspots have WIFI all the way.
There are also online education, smart homes, mobile games...
In short.
There are fantasies.
But at present, no manufacturer has turned these fantasies, even some of them, into reality.
...
4G is very popular.
But for game players, it doesn't matter much.
The only thing that can be considered relevant is that a mobile phone manufacturer announced in the past few days that it will cooperate with Tianhu to develop a mobile online game for its upcoming 4G mobile phone.
This is quite a big news.
Many players saw this news and
began to look forward to playing MMORPG online games on their mobile phones.
Although there is no sign of the game yet, and the specific launch time has not been announced.
But 4G has been so popular recently, it is impossible to say that players are not tempted at all.
However, the discussion of mobile online games by players was soon poured with a basin of cold water.
[Let's not talk about mobile online games. Let's not talk about network problems, and how such a few-inch screen can display the many contents of online games. Let's just say one thing... Look at the computer case around you, and then compare it with your mobile phone. Is this the same thing? Are you sure that small mobile phone can run the online game on your computer?
So don't think about it. I am more inclined to believe that Tianhu is just riding on the popularity. The game may not have been made yet, and there is not even a sign. Even if it is made, it will definitely be a shoddy work. I am really looking forward to seeing what Linmu Studio will do next. They also acquired a mobile phone manufacturer, didn’t they?】
As soon as this post was published,
it immediately attracted many players to reply.
In addition to thinking that the other party’s words made sense, the players also responded because the poster mentioned something that almost everyone had forgotten.
That is - Linmu Studio acquired a mobile phone factory.
"That's right. I don't think we need to have too high expectations. 4G has just started, and the signal coverage is not wide, let alone playing mobile games on mobile phones. Even if the network is not a problem, the hardware will be a problem."
"Yes, but Linmu Studio can look forward to it. If you didn't say it, I almost forgot that they acquired a mobile phone factory."
"No, I hope Linmu Studio won't join in the fun. Now they are in their heyday and thriving. They have money-making tools such as the Vaporwave game platform, and they have the industry's top production capabilities in online games and stand-alone games. If they continue to cultivate their existing fields, they can make money without doing anything. 4G is really immature now, and the hardware is not mature either. There is no need to make any mobile online games."
"That's not the case. It's precisely because they are now at the top of the pyramid that they need to actively try, otherwise it will be too late! I think Lin Yao acquired the mobile phone factory just to try. I even suspect that they want to make mobile phones."
"Don't be ridiculous. A game company making mobile phones... This is completely a waste of time and a thankless task. Do you think Lin Yao is such a stupid person?"
"Unless she hits her forehead... I prefer to believe that Lin Yao just wants to try a new field - mobile online games, but this has nothing to do with us for the time being. The games announced at the next e-sports festival have not been released yet. Lin Yao seems to be quite sober, so don't worry too much. Wait for them to produce results in a year or two, and then test it."
"..."
Below the post.
Players are generally optimistic about Linmu Studio making mobile online games.
However, most players don't care too much at present.
After all, it's too chaotic now...
All major mobile phone manufacturers have changed the shells to sell mobile phones, making most ordinary people now very disgusted with this kind of concept speculation.
And because this kind of operation has been staged too many times during this period... Most of them related to 4G have been subconsciously labeled as hype.
For example, Tianhu makes mobile online games.
Most domestic players still like Linmu Studio. They don't want Linmu Studio to come out and lie in the muddy water during this period,
and in fact.
Linmu Studio did not disappoint them...
It started work after the Chinese New Year, and did not announce any major events.
During this period, it was just carrying out routine game operations and maintenance work.
It looks like it is making games wholeheartedly.
It's like they don't know about 4G.
No,
the next day,
the new version 1.8 of World of Warcraft was updated.
Although it was a small update with not much content,
the players were still very excited.
Because World of Warcraft had already updated seven small versions!
Each small version will have more story lines.
And these story lines all vaguely point to Outland and the Burning Legion...
Many players have realized that this game may have big moves next.
Everyone is looking forward to it.
So starting from 1.5, after the story gradually became clear, every time a small version was updated, the full-level players would run the quest as soon as possible, and then share with other like-minded people, guessing what will happen in Azeroth next.
This is already an old tradition for World of Warcraft players every time a version is updated.
But this time,
the small version update is a little different.
In addition to the regular BUG fixes, this version update also added several story branches, about Illidan...
But this is not the point.
The point is.
That night,
a player found that the tavern owner started selling new things while visiting the tavern!
It was an item called "Fireside Party Ticket".
This item only required one gold coin.
But it could not restore health or mana, and could not be used.
Its only function was to trigger a conversation.
After the player purchased the ticket, the tavern owner would laugh heartily, and then a line of dialogue would pop up, saying: "It's not easy to get into this party."
Then, the question page appeared.
Players have to start answering questions...
There are a total of fifty questions, and the time limit is ten minutes.
The conditions are extremely harsh.
And the questions are very difficult.
Even with a search engine, you may not be able to find the answers quickly.
This item is limited in time and quantity, but the current player base of "World of Warcraft" is really too large.
So soon, a player found such a thing.
After being confused, he immediately posted it on the forum.
[What the hell! ? What is this? The tavern suddenly refreshed! I bought it, and then I started answering questions inexplicably. You can give up or answer the questions, and then I answered them wrong... and then a conversation like this appeared [Picture]】
"'It seems that you can't join the 'Fireside Party' right away. This is the first time my old friend is organizing an event, and he needs a party star who is familiar with everything! You are not suitable for the time being.'... Party star? What the hell? Easter egg?"
"It's definitely not an Easter egg! Linmu Studio is going to do something big again! [Excited]!"
"Which tavern? Why didn't I find it? OP! Tell me quickly!"
"It must be a big move! It must be! What the hell! Linmu Studio likes to play these tricks! Where is the quiz master? Come quickly!"
"Here are the questions! Hardcore players of "World of Warcraft" and "Warcraft"! Tell me how to buy this ticket first!"
"It seems to be refreshed randomly, and you can get some additional information by repeating the conversation with the tavern owner. This seems to be a large party, and the registration period is limited to these two days! I don't care, I will wait for the refresh these days."
"I'm squatting too! As expected of Linmu Studio, it seems to be preparing for a big move at the beginning of the year! Those colleagues who are staring at 4G every day should learn from it! Make good games for me!" "
..."
Soon.
The mainstream player community.
No longer cares about 4G.
Most players.
Their attention is drawn to the little things that World of Warcraft has recently updated...
...
"Fireside gathering... What the hell is going on."
At the same time.
Tianhu.
Mou Feng looked at the post on the screen and leaned back in his chair again.
Very disappointed.
When he first saw the title of this post, he thought that Linmu Studio had stuffed the mobile game's Easter eggs into the online game.
He was very excited.
But when he opened it excitedly,
he saw this...
Of course he was disappointed.
During this period, he searched for news about Linmu Studio every day.
There was no way.
The pressure from the shareholders was getting greater and greater.
Even if Li Guangsheng stood on his side.
Because the first trial version of the mobile game they developed was released.
Those who had played it... were very dissatisfied.
Because the performance was too poor.
Stuttering, frame drops, and easy to freeze.
The operation is also very awkward.
Although Mou Feng has repeatedly stated that this is just a trial version, without the strong and convincing evidence of "Linmu Studio is also optimistic about it", the complicated Tianhu management obviously does not want Mou Feng to continue to promote this project.
Faced with this situation.
Mou Feng has no choice but to hold on and pray to Lin Yao at the same time...
But unfortunately.
Linmu Studio seems to be really not interested in mobile games.
There is no movement.
"..."
Mou Feng thought of this and sighed again.
Then, just as he sighed.
The mobile phone on the table rang.
Mou Feng took a look.
Yu Tianbo is a godfather in the mobile phone circle.
I met him once when I was negotiating the cooperation of mobile online games.
This thought went around in Mou Feng's mind.
Then, he immediately picked up the phone and answered the call.
"Haha, brother Mou, I heard from Guangsheng that you are in trouble?"
Yu Tianbo asked briskly on the other end of the phone. He
didn't even say hello and got straight to the point.
"I'm sorry to embarrass you."
Mou Feng was slightly startled, then smiled bitterly and replied.
Although he was slightly surprised to hear Li Guangsheng's name, his tone did not change much.
"What's there to laugh at? It's not like I haven't experienced such a period before."
Yu Tianbo on the other end of the phone smiled again, and then said: "I came here this time to tell you a good news."
"Oh?" Mou Feng immediately sat up and became interested.
On the other end of the phone, Yu Tianbo was very satisfied with his reaction and explained a few words.
In short, their Tianyu will announce a joint effort with Tianhu Games, in-depth cooperation, and support Mou Feng to continue to develop "mobile online games" for mobile phones.
However, in exchange, Tianhu's "mobile online games" will only be allowed to log in to their Tianyu mobile phones within two years.
"This..."
After listening to the other party's words, Mou Feng hesitated a little, and after a long time, he asked: "Are you referring to your company's 4G mobile phones?"
"Yes." Yu Tianbo replied immediately.
"This... I won't hide it from you."
Mou Feng pondered for a moment and said truthfully: "We are developing a 'mobile online game', which is developed and tested with the latest 4G mobile phones of your company and Miao's company, and the effect is not very good..."
"I know, so I have another request, which is that you need to simplify your mobile online game as much as possible. I actually tried the game and it feels too complicated... You should make it playable as soon as possible before May, such as making the textures rougher and the gameplay simpler. It doesn't have to be very fun, but the networking function must be retained."
Yu Tianbo interrupted Mou Feng directly and continued: "You know what I mean? It's okay to be playable, but it must be launched in time and made into the first 'large-scale mobile game that supports 'outdoor 4G play', even if it's a fake..."
"Ah?"
Mou Feng was shocked.
Isn't this just fooling people?
"Little brother."
Yu Tianbo heard Mou Feng's voice and immediately knew what he was thinking. He smiled and advised: "It is because Li Guangsheng felt that you might not agree that he asked me to tell you... You, don't think that there will be any real 4G mobile phones in the early stage of 4G commercial use? In other words, you don't think that the first purpose of our hard work in promoting 4G mobile phones is to sell mobile phones?
Then you are too naive. I don't deny that 4G has a promising future. I even guess that it will completely change our lives... The complaints of users now also appeared when the mobile communication technology was replaced a few years ago. There was also a lot of noise, but what happened in the end? Wasn't it accepted by everyone in the end? So don't look at the current user complaints, but 4G will definitely be accepted in the future.
It's just that this future will not come in the short term. Because no It's not just that it takes time to improve the signal coverage of operators, but also because we are still exploring.
I understand this truth, and my colleagues understand it too, but the future will not come so soon. We are still exploring. Are we going to do nothing? This is definitely not the case. The last time mobile communication technology was iterated, the entire mobile phone industry was reshuffled. Those who didn't keep up with the times quickly collapsed and died miserably.
And now a new generation of mobile communication technology is here again. It is foreseeable that there will be another wave of reshuffles. What should we do?
I can't give you a definite answer, but no matter what, it's definitely right to occupy a pit first!
We don't have to run too fast ourselves, but we must not fall behind compared to our peers! For the sake of the right to speak in the future, even if we ourselves think that 4G is just a gimmick, we have to bite the bullet and sell mobile phones with such a gimmick! "
Mu Feng: "..."
"So, do you understand?"
Yu Tianbo continued with a smile: "I might as well tell you the truth. According to our internal estimates, there will not be a mobile phone that can truly take advantage of 4G in the next year! Not even one! No matter how fast the relevant ecosystem is established, according to our estimate, it will take a year! But during this period, including our Tianyu, all peers will release 4G mobile phones.
Even if... users don't need it!
Although I don't understand the game field, the principle must be the same. Since you are optimistic about the field of mobile online games, and mobile games have always been considered the future direction of 4G, you can't fall behind! Do you understand? Now is the time to occupy the pit, and you have already walked very far.
Other game companies will only react now. After the launch of 4G, mobile games seem to have something to do... But you have already made a trial version! Why not speed up the pace! Be the first to log the game on the mobile phone! Quality? Playable? These are insignificant compared to seizing the initiative and quickly occupying the market share."
"..."
Mou Feng was silent.
It has to be said.
Yu Tianbo's words are very convincing.
He is really optimistic about the mobile online game market.
And this market is definitely a blue ocean at present.
Sacrifice quality, seize the initiative, and quickly occupy market share...
"How is it?"
Yu Tianbo paused, and then asked finally.
"Sorry, forget it."
Mou Feng was silent for a long time, and suddenly laughed bitterly.
"...Why?"
Yu Tianbo's tone changed immediately when he heard this, with dissatisfaction and a hint of disbelief.
He also knew that users criticized them for selling mobile phones with a different shell.
Yu Tianbo also wanted to change the status quo.
Mobile online games are a good selling point.
If they can cooperate with Tianhu, the new mobile phone announced in May will be much less controversial, and it can also stand out among many 4G mobile phones.
After all... we also have a mobile online game that can be played outdoors anytime and anywhere!
Once this name is spread out, it will definitely become a gimmick.
This is also the reason why he took the initiative to contact Tianhu.
As for whether he can convince them, Yu Tianbo is still very confident.
Because he thinks that normal people can't refuse.
But now.
Mou Feng refused.
"Are you still pinning your hopes on that Linmu Studio?"
Yu Tianbo also knew about Linmu Studio. He had mentioned it in casual conversation before. Besides, there was really no need to check who was the boss in the current domestic game market...
So after asking why, he immediately changed the subject and said, "You don't really think that they can come up with something by acquiring a mobile phone factory, do you? Do you believe it or not, they may be the same as you are now? Also still in the exploratory stage? Or even doing worse than you!? If
you cooperate with us now, you can seize the initiative! When they catch up, you will have to compete with them! Do you still expect them to be the reason for you to convince other shareholders?"
"I'm not sure what they can come up with by acquiring the mobile phone factory. I don't know their progress. After all, there is no news at all. I really want to use them to convince shareholders..."
Mou Feng took a deep breath and replied softly: "But my rejection of your proposal has nothing to do with these. I understand what you said, but Mr. Yu... there is one thing you seem to have forgotten. Compared with Linmu Studio, our Tianhu is not good, but we are also the second largest game company in China. And compared with the games of Linmu Studio, our games are also not good, with many flaws, but at least, we have never fooled the players...
We are not capable enough, and may only be able to do that. In order to meet the revenue pressure, we have also made a lot of compromises. But at least every game, every game of our Tianhu, is at least a finished product. You asked me to make a semi-finished product and fool the players with gimmicks... I really can't do it.
And I didn't come back to Tianhu to do this kind of thing.
You should talk to Li Guangsheng. If he agrees, then there is no need to ask me... I should resign!"
After that,
Mou Feng hung up the phone.
Yu Tianbo on the other end of the phone was furious.
However, Mou Feng didn't know about this.
After he put down his phone, he slowly breathed a sigh of relief, looking relaxed.
But at this moment.
The door of his office was pushed open.
Li Guangsheng, who was already a little bald, suddenly walked in and asked:
"Rejected?"
"Have you been listening?"
Seeing Li Guangsheng, Mou Feng probably guessed it.
"Yeah." Li Guangsheng pulled a chair over and sat down, nodding.
"Yes, I refused. If you want to agree, you can contact him again."
Mou Feng smiled and continued, "But if you must agree, I advise you not to agree to their request for exclusivity. There are so many mobile phone brands, and no one knows what 4G will develop into. Exclusivity has no benefit for us, but only for them..."
Li Guangsheng shook his head and interrupted, "Who said I agreed?"
Mou Feng was stunned: "Didn't Yu Tianbo say that you agreed..."
"I just wanted him to ask your opinion, because I'm not sure, but after listening to you, I thought of our biggest competitor."
Li Guangsheng crossed his arms and said in a low voice: "I tried to think about it from their perspective. I think they will definitely not do this, and their rise has never relied on grabbing market share... Then let's forget it. We are now moving faster than our peers, and we don't need to use this method of killing 100 enemies and hurting 1,000 ourselves."
At this point,
Li Guangsheng paused and added:
"And... I didn't ask you to do this when I asked you to come back."
Mou Feng: "..."
On this day.
Someone made a choice at the fork... again.
(End of this chapter)
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