Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

Before players enter the room, they would be given some advice in the voice-over.

Meanwhile, after players made a decision and started walking in the corridors, the voice-over would diss their choice and ridicule them severely.

For example, when players decided between 'high paywalls' and 'low paywalls', they would hear the following voice-over:

…

Great. You have previously chosen 'value-added services' instead of 'buy-to-play' as your main means to earn profits.

You followed my advice.

Yes. I must say that this is a good decision. Selling value-added services is such a good way to earn money. Why will anyone forfeit that opportunity, right?

However, here comes a new problem.

Should you choose 'high paywalls' or 'low paywalls'?

Setting high paywalls means that you will sell a lot of expensive items such as… the 888 yuan Red Kilin.

Meanwhile, setting low paywalls means that you have to limit the prices of your items. For example, the most expensive item in your in-game shop can only cost around ten yuan.

My personal advice is… you should choose to set high paywalls.

There is no other reason for this. This decision is simply more profitable, isn't it?

If you wanted to consider setting low paywalls to protect the game's reputation, why didn't you choose the 'buy-to-play' revenue model from the beginning?

Therefore, you should choose 'high paywalls'. This is definitely the most correct choice.

…

Furthermore, once players made their decision and entered the respective doors, the voice-over would still resonate in the corridors. However, the voice-overs behind the two doors were different.

…

'High paywalls'…

Oh! Oh! Oh! I knew it! You have indeed chosen this option.

You have chosen money over dreams, right?

When you were a player, you would always curse at the unscrupulous producers for being overly money-minded; but when it is your turn to make a game, the only thing you fear is the prices of the in-game items being too low.

Okay. Okay. No need for explanations. This is human nature.

What you did happens every day in the game industry. There is nothing to overreact about.

However, have you ever thought of the possibility of not earning money and landing a bad reputation at the same time?

Hehe. Just kidding.

Are you prepared to be an unscrupulous merchant? Are you prepared to be scolded as you count your money?

…

'Low paywalls'…

Such a stupid decision.

Why don't you listen to me?

That's right. You tried salvaging some reputation. But do you know how much revenue you have lost because of that choice?

Your loss is a dynamic number. The more popular your game is, the larger the figure will be!

Think about it. You have lost millions because of that one stupid decision…

Are you regretting it?

I'm sorry, but you have made your choice. There is no going back.

What? You do not regret it?

Okay. You can continue stubbornly insisting on that. I believe when an actual figure is placed before your very eyes, you will not be so calm.

Nevertheless, I think you have made a terribly stupid decision.

That's alright though. I will still give you the right advice for your next choice.

There is still time to salvage the situation as long as you listen to me obediently.

…

In Pei Qian's design, the voice-overs had two functions.

One, the rigid voice-over made players unable to immerse themselves in the game. It constantly reminded them that they were in a game and tried its best to make the experience less simulating.

Two, it constantly ridiculed players and kindled their anger!

Killing two birds with one stone. Perfect!

Moreover, the voice-over tried to deviate players from the right path. If players followed the hints given by the voice-over, they would reach the worst possible outcome of the game. Then, they would be severely mocked by the voice-over! The voice-over would mock players for having a nose of wax, being indecisive, and losing their conscience as a boss.

Anyways, these were extremely harsh critics!

Had anyone seen a game that ridiculed its players?

There was no way the game wouldn't lose all the capital it had!

Pei Qian combed through the entire design manuscript with Lu Mingliang. He felt that he had eliminated all possible risks.

"Okay. We'll follow what the design manuscript says. I want the best of the best for everything, including art resources, music and sound effects, and voice actors. Make sure you spend enough money on each component. Do you understand?" Pei Qian instructed.

Lu Mingliang nodded his head vigorously and said, "Rest assured, Boss Pei. I will do as you say and perfect every aspect of the game!"

Lu Mingliang walked away. Pei Qian lifted the huge weight off his chest and continued sipping his tea. Before long, knocks sounded at his door.

"Brother Qian, the expert whom I've invited over has arrived. Do you want to meet him?" Ma Yang asked excitedly.

"Oh! Sure! I'll meet him!"

Pei Qian stood up. He placed high importance on the work that Ma Yang was in charge of. Could the helper that Ma Yang found complete the job? Pei Qian had to verify it for himself. If the helper is too smart, he must find a reason to turn him down!

…

Zhang Yuan stood anxiously in front of the entrance of Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.

This whole thing seemed a little bizarre. He was a permanent singer at a bar and worked part-time as a bartender in his everyday life. Because of his passion for building computers, he was relatively active in the GPU Forum and was awarded the title of a forum manager.

Two days ago, a netizen on Tieba suddenly approached him and invited him to take on a managerial position.

Zhang Yuan's first reaction was that the guy was a scammer!

There were numerous silly people online. As a forum manager on Tieba, he had the power to block several stupid people in the forum. It was normal that someone might want to prank him in revenge. Therefore, Zhang Yuan did not take the matter to heart.

However, after a day, that person seemed really anxious. He claimed that he had an urgent task at hand and passionately invited him to Jingzhou City. He said that he would cover his expenses for the trip, including his transport, accommodation, and meal costs. He would also provide a 3000 yuan remuneration fee.

Although Zhang Yuan did not really trust that person, he was attracted by the 3000 yuan remuneration.

He was just a little puzzled as to what kind of computer would make the person willing to pay a 3000 yuan remuneration just to build it. Therefore, he accepted the person's friend request. Never did he imagine that the person would send him a 200 yuan red packet to represent his sincerity.

Zhang Yuan understood then that he had met a real baller.

Why would the person send him a red packet at the very start if he was a scammer?

Afterward, the other party sent Zhang Yuan an address to an office building in Jingzhou City. He had also transferred him the transport fees to and fro the location. Therefore, Zhang Yuan reached Jingzhou City today.

After he arrived, a student-like person received him. His name was Ma Yang. Ma Yang looked naive and simple-minded. Zhang Yuan felt that he appeared slow-witted and a little dim.

Zhang Yuan felt that the 3000 yuan remuneration was definitely not out of his pockets.

As he had expected, the student named Ma Yang led him to a company and instructed him that the boss of the company, Boss Pei, wanted to see him and have a chat with him. Zhang Yuan felt that what he saw was an eye-opener as he stood before the door.

From a glance, he could tell that the company was rich and definitely not short of money!

He looked at the plate on the door: Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.! He searched up Qiandu and knew that it was the company that produced Ghost General and Ocean Stronghold.

Game company. Seemed rich. There was no way this could go wrong!

That made Zhang Yuan slightly uneasy.

Not long after, a lean and beautiful female assistant led him to the door of the guest room. He saw the boss of the company there. Zhang Yuan was even more nervous. Ma Yang did not tell him his real motive.

After all, Pei Qian was the one who called the shots on whether to hire him. If Pei Qian felt that he was the right person for the job, Ma Yang could then continue discussing the details with Zhang Yuan.

Therefore, Zhang Yuan was currently still at a loss.

He did not know what the big boss saw in him and did not know what exactly the big boss wanted him to do. He was merely a permanent singer at a bar and a part-time bartender.

Did he want him to sing for him?

Did he want him to perform some bartending skills?

Did he want him to sing while mixing drinks?

Umm… all of that seemed kind of impossible.

Could it be…?

The big boss wanted me to help to assemble a computer?

Yeah. He was afraid that was the only possible reason. He could not think of any other possibilities.