Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

Would creating a horror game greatly increase the chances of incurring loss?

Of course, Pei Qian knew that some horror games became extremely successful and generated a lot of profits. However, on the whole, these formed the minority.

Very few horror games could rise above the others and make an impression in gamers' minds. Most horror games and films either failed without a sound or became the subjects of dissing programs.

The reasons behind this were quite similar to those behind the unpopularity of haunted houses.

On one hand, horror naturally repels more timid gamers or viewers.

On the other hand, if horror is not well done, it could easily turn into a joke.

Take horror films for example.

In order to be really frightening, horror films had to be extremely realistic. That meant the setting, props, costumes, and make-up had to be extremely well done.

In order to ensure that viewers get engrossed in the film, the filming techniques and storyboard had to be exquisite; so that viewers would not be able to guess what would happen next. They had to be kept tense throughout the film, so that there would be no break in the immersive experience.

If the people in charge were not professional enough, the horror film could turn out like the haunted house in Jingzhou—it could fail in both aspects.

Timid tourists would not dare to enter, and bold tourists would find it boring.

The same logic applied to horror games. Thus, very few developers could produce good horror games.

The reason why Pei Qian wanted Shang Yang Games to venture into this arena was precisely that Lin Wan and Shang Yang Games had no experience with horror games at all.

They might come up with an absolutely trashy horror game, which would make it to Teacher Qiao's Trash Games Diss segment. Wouldn't that be beautiful?

Of course, he had to encourage all of them first. At the very least, he had to persuade Lin Wan and Ye Zhizhou to take on a mission that they would most likely fail.

Pei Qian set his teacup down and said seriously, "The local games market has not produced any notable horror game thus far!

"The local standalone game industry is exceptionally weak, and horror games are considered the niche among this niche!

"At the same time, creators have to be highly-skilled in order to create good horror games.

"If you want to prove yourself, you must seek to work on the hardest task! If you can conquer the realm of horror games, you could easily create any other type of game!

"How can employees of Tengda retreat to avoid defeat?"

Lin Wan blinked as she pondered hard. Obviously, Pei Qian's speech had moved her a bit.

Pei Qian celebrated inwardly. Indeed, putting it this way was proving effective!

If it had been someone else, Pei Qian's speech might have backfired and really caused the other party to retreat to avoid defeat.

However, Lin Wan was different. She loved being challenged.

What's more, the mobile version of Bloody Battle Song had achieved great success. One could say that the entire project team was now inflated and infected by blind optimism. Under such circumstances, who would give up the opportunity to create a popular AAA game to prove themselves?

Pei Qian did not think that Shang Yang Games' employees would be able to resist this temptation.

After considering for a moment, Lin Wan said, "Boss Pei, I have to discuss this with Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin."

Pei Qian smiled and nodded subtly. "Of course."

He could tell that Lin Wan was moved.

Since the three of them had not thought of any good ideas, Pei Qian's suggestion would serve as the lamp that led the way!

Lin Wan stood up, intending to call Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin over to discuss how to proceed with the new game.

However, Pei Qian raised his hand to stop her.

"Wait a minute. There's something else."

Lin Wan nodded. "Go ahead, Boss Pei."

Maintaining a solemn expression, Pei Qian said, "Apart from the new game, I have another important task for you.

"Tengda is going to create a new cell phone brand. I hope… to put you in charge of this cell phone brand."

Lin Wan was stunned. She quickly shook her head and said, "No, Boss Pei. I can't handle this.

"I have bought many expensive cell phones, but I actually know nothing about them. I'm not even interested in them. What's more, I'm already responsible for Shang Yang Games. If I take on another role, I will be too busy to cope."

Even though he had just been decisively rejected, Pei Qian did not become anxious. He had expected Lin Wan to react in this manner.

"Don't rush to turn me down.

"Cell phones would be a very important part of Tengda's business plan. In fact, it is even more important than Shang Yang Games.

"After all, Shang Yang Games can only become a game company that is famous in China at best. However, a cell phone business would have the potential to develop into a tech giant worth hundreds of billions of yuan!

"In the future, cell phones would have an even larger and more intimate influence on people's lives. They are portable and can act as the window through which each person can connect with others on the internet.

"Take Shenhua Corporation for example. One cell phone market could easily make a game hot. You witnessed this formidable power for yourself, right?

"If our cell phone business succeeds, Tengda would be like a tiger that has grown wings!"

Pei Qian kept trying to feed these illusions.

Lin Wan hesitated. "Er… Boss Pei, I understand what you're saying. I just think that I would be overwhelmed if I have to handle a game and cell phone business simultaneously."

Pei Qian shook his head. "You belittle yourself.

"This is something that every ordinary leader would have to go through in order to grow and mature into an outstanding leader.

"What's more, you would not have to handle the cell phone business on your own. I'm thinking of getting you an assistant. You can hand all the work to him and just remain in charge of making important decisions.

"Tengda's business is very complicated now, but I'm not doing anything. The business is developing well on its own, right?

"You'll be just like me—an overseer."

Thinking that Pei Qian was joking, Lin Wan immediately laughed. "Boss Pei, how can I compare to you?"

Pei Qian quickly raised his hand. "Don't belittle yourself. You are all much stronger than I am. All in all, this is something you have to go through in order to become an excellent leader.

"What's more, if you take a look around Tengda Corporation, would you be able to find anyone else who is more suited to manage this cell phone business?"

Pei Qian looked 120% sincere.

Lin Wan stared at Boss Pei, stunned. Suddenly, she felt like he was making perfect sense. Boss Pei was known for having big plans. It was no big deal that he was now thinking about venturing into the cell phone industry.

Given Tengda's financial prowess now, it would have no problems starting a cell phone arm.

On top of that, it looked like Boss Pei intended to take the cell phone business slow. He had no intention to bite off more than he could chew.

Frankly, Lin Wan also thought that she was the most suitable person in all of Tengda to be in charge of the cell phone business. Although Lin Wan did not know much about the cell phone industry, the same could be said of everyone else!

Boss Pei could spend a large sum poaching someone from another company, but such people were often unreliable. Trust would become an issue.

Even if they managed to find someone who was loyal enough, it was hard to guarantee that he would embrace the Tengda spirit.

Among all the old employees in Tengda, Lin Wan was indeed the one who had been the most exposed to the cell phone industry. After all, Shenhua Corporation had started off producing cell phones in the telecommunications industry.

As the saying went, someone without knowledge should have common sense. No matter how much understanding Lin Wan lacked in the cell phone industry, she had already been unconsciously influenced by what she saw growing up. Naturally, she was much more suited for this task compared to other employees of Tengda.

Hesitantly, Lin Wan said, "Alright, Boss Pei. I'll consider this properly. However, I hope that you will continue to seek more suitable people in the meantime. It'll be best if you can find a talent who is more suited for the task than I am."

Pei Qian nodded. "Alright."

Lin Wan had obviously loosened her stance. It was only a matter of time before she would accept the role.

Pei Qian thought about randomly hiring someone who had experience in the cell phone industry when the time came, and putting him in charge of doing the actual work. The cell phone business would most likely fail then!

Yet, who should he hire to work under Lin Wan…?

That was something he still had to think through! If he ended up hiring a capable person who would bring Lin Wan to success, he would be in deep trouble.

"Boss Pei, shall I call Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin over so that you can explain to them the general direction for the new horror game?" Lin Wan asked.

Pei Qian quickly shook his head. "No.

"You all can think about it at the initial stage. I don't want to limit your imagination. Once you come up with a general plan, let me know. I will give some suggestions."

Pei Qian did not trust his own thought process anymore.

What if he randomly came up with a plan that became famous out of nowhere again? What would he do?

Still, he could not sit back and do nothing.

Pei Qian thought he would let Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin come up with the initial ideas. He would only offer some 'guidance' after that to maximize the chances of the game failing to generate profits.

"Alright, get back to work. I'll come back again in a while."

Pei Qian got up to leave.