Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

The official platform's interview team arrived at the incubation base on time in the afternoon.

There were a total of five people in the interview team this time. The editor-in-chief leading the team was Xia Jiang. There was also an intern editor, a photographer, a cameraman and a business partner in the team.

It was not the highest standard interview team but this standard was not bad. It could be seen that the official platform attached more importance to this interview.

Xia Jiang was also a more experienced reporter on the official side. She had previously been in charge of an exclusive interview with Tengda Corporation. The effect was very good.

The 'empty spaces' technique' style of interview revealed Boss Pei's character through interviews with the other core employees of Tengda even though they did not directly interview Boss Pei. It was still key information used by many players to understand Boss Pei.

Xia Jiang had also become famous because of that interview. Her career had been smooth sailing.

"Chief Editor Xia, hello, hello."

Qiu Hong welcomed them warmly.

Xia Jiang was elated as well. "Boss Qiu! Nice to meet you!"

Everyone exchanged some pleasantries and walked towards the incubation base amicably.

Qiu Hong was a little embarrassed as he said, "We should have arranged for a higher standard of reception, but our conditions are limited. Please forgive us for any areas of neglect."

Xia Jiang waved her hand. "Boss Qiu, you're too kind. The Destitution Plan supports domestically-produced games and has benefited many independent game designers. You don't have to worry about such minor details."

Everyone arrived at the incubation base. After drinking some drinks and resting, Qiu Hong led Xia Jiang and the others on a tour.

The independent game designers were busy developing their own games. Qiu Hong introduced the operation mode of the entire incubation base to Xia Jiang and the others, including the daily diet, fitness, and game arrangements of the game designers. They also tried out a few game DEMOs, and the progress was very smooth.

The interview officially began after understanding the incubation base.

Xia Jiang was a professional journalist. Of course, she had done some research on the incubation base and Qiu Hong before coming and had a preliminary understanding.

The one thing that caught Xia Jiang's attention was Qiu Hong's professional experience in the gaming circle.

Qiu Hong had first joined the industry because of the call of many local classic games. He had devoted himself to standalone games. He had polished games for two years and he had even spent two months on it without gaining anything. In the end, the project fell through.

From then on, Qiu Hong started to make games with paywalls. He had made a lot of money but he had never made standalone games again.

It was this game designer who suddenly started working on the 'Destitution Plan' one day. He went to Beijing and Shanghai to set up an independent game incubation studio and started investing money to support the development of independent games!

How did his attitude change?

Where did he get his money from?

What kind of opportunity made him give up games with paywalls and focus all his energy on independent games?

Xia Jiang felt that this would be a perfect angle for the interview and was key to the interview.

The interview began. Xia Jiang first asked some questions about the incubation base.

For example, the daily work schedule of the incubation base, the requirements for independent game designers to join the incubation base, the successful games that the incubation base already had, and so on.

Qiu Hong answered them truthfully. He did not exaggerate or belittle himself.

Xia Jiang quickly made notes. Finally, she felt that the time was right. She changed the topic and entered the main topic of the interview.

"Boss Qiu, I believe our gamers are very curious about something."

"As far as I know, you entered the game industry not too late. However, you spent most of your time creating online games and achieved a certain level of success."

"However, from last year onwards, you suddenly turned your attention to domestically-produced independent games and launched the 'Destitution Plan' to provide financial support to independent game designers."

"May I ask what kind of mentality you had back then? Why did you change so much?"

Qiu Hong smiled in embarrassment. "I feel a little guilty about this."

"I might be the initiator of the 'Destitution Plan' on the surface, but in fact, this is not my own plan, and the funds are not from me. I'm only an agent and executor."

Qiu Hong chose to tell the truth. On one hand, it was because he did not want to be greedy. On the other hand, it was because he could not hide this matter at all.

Qiu Hong did not have that much money himself. Anyone could tell that he would not fork out his own money for the incubation base. Sooner or later, someone would ask about the source of the money.

He might as well admit it openly instead of being secretive so that he would not look like a thief after doing something good.

Xia Jiang nodded slightly. This was within her expectations.

That was because even though Qiu Hong was considered a successful game designer and his income was much higher than ordinary people, it was far from enough to support these two incubation bases.

What's more, anyone with a brain would not use their own money to raise the incubation base.

Thus, Xia Jiang had long suspected that Qiu Hong had other investors behind him to provide him with financial support.

Qiu Hong's answer confirmed this point.

Xia Jiang asked, "Can you reveal who your investor is and which organization he is from?"

Qiu Hong shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't reveal his identity."

Xia Jiang was a little surprised. "This investor doesn't want to take credit for the good deeds he did? But is there a need to hide such things?"

No matter how she looked at it, it was a huge contribution for the 'Destitution Plan' to support an independent game in the country. If someone else were to do such a thing, they would definitely spend money to advertise it. After all, burning money to do good deeds was just for a good reputation, right?

However, this investor had invested money and done a good deed, but he did not want others to know his identity. This was really… different.

Qiu Hong sighed. "I'm not sure why exactly, but I can roughly guess from his words and actions."

"I once asked him, what's the purpose of the Destitution Plan?"

"He asked me, why must I have a purpose for it?"

"In other words, he doesn't want fame or profit. He doesn't want to rely on this to earn money, and he doesn't want others to say that he's fishing for fame. He just wants to do something meaningful for this industry in silence."

"Take the name 'Destitution Plan' for example. It's purely to help independent game design companies and producers who have reached the end of their road and are about to collapse.

Xia Jiang could not help but be moved. "I didn't expect there to be someone who cares so much about domestically-produced games. Such a noble character is really admirable!"

"Of course, Boss Qiu, even though you did not invest directly, you managed the two incubation bases well. You are also this investor's right-hand man. I think he will be very grateful to you."

Qiu Hong smiled. "I'll definitely be more grateful to him."

"Strictly speaking, the 'Destitution Plan' not only saved many domestically-produced independent game designers, but also me."

Xia Jiang's eyes lit up. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Qiu Hong explained, "I'm not afraid of being laughed at. Actually, the reason why I've been creating online games and games with paywalls was mainly because I was angry."

"When I entered the industry, I was filled with a passion for domestically-produced games. However, this passion was completely wiped out in the two years that I worked on the first standalone game. The chaos and poverty in the domestically-produced games industry gave me a reverse psychology of hatred born from love."

"At that time, I was still young. In a fit of anger, I created games with paywalls. All I could think about was how to earn more money.

"After that, I no longer had to worry about food and clothing. That reverse psychology had long disappeared without a trace. However, I did not dare to return to the field of standalone games because online games had already become my comfort zone."

"Life becomes more stressful when one reaches middle age. I don't have the courage to leave this comfort zone and chase that unreal dream of a standalone game."

"However, this investor of mine should be considered a good friend. His words touched me deeply. I should not let the sorrow of the times become my own sorrow."

"The Great Depression of domestically-produced standalone games back then was the result of many factors. My passion might have been let down, but I should not resent anyone."

"I actually already knew this in my heart. I just didn't want to admit it in the comfort zone of the online game."

"The 'Destitution Plan' also gave me a second chance. It allowed me to help independent game designers fulfill their dreams. They were like me when I was young. They were filled with passion, but they had no experience or money. I felt genuinely happy to be able to help them."

"Therefore, I should be the one most thankful to this friend and investor."

Xia Jiang took notes seriously, feeling inexplicably moved.

If it was really as Qiu Hong said, this investor who did good deeds without taking credit was too noble!

Not only did they provide timely assistance to independent game designers who were struggling financially, but they also supported the development of domestically-produced games for free. They also rescued Qiu Hong, the game designer who had lost his way, allowing him to pick up his dreams and set off again.

Yet, such an investor was still unwilling to reveal his name despite doing so many good deeds.

What kind of spirit was this!

Xia Jiang was still unwilling to give up. "Boss Qiu, can you really not reveal the identity of this investor at all? It's good to give us some hints."

Qiu Hong shook his head very firmly. "I really can't."

Xia Jiang felt a little regretful. However, she could not probe further since Qiu Hong was so determined.

There were so many big shots and big companies in the games industry. There were also many investment institutions and funds in the country. It was very difficult to guess the investor behind Qiu Hong without having too many clues.

Xia Jiang was curious but she did not have any good ideas. She could only set it aside for now and complete her job.

After interviewing a few more questions and filming a lot of information about the incubation base, Xia Jiang and the interview team prepared to leave.

The interview team had been to Beijing once before. They had interviewed Wu Zhicheng, the creator of Black Ink and Clouds, and had also filmed a lot of information.

After organizing the information on Beijing and Shanghai, and then integrating Wu Zhicheng and Qiu Hong's interviews, the interview for the incubation base of the 'Destitution Plan' project would be considered complete.

Previously, during the pre-sales of Black Ink and Clouds, the 'Destitution Plan' had already become popular once and attracted the attention of many players. Once the official exclusive interview was released, it would definitely be able to advance and attract more attention!

"Boss Qiu, that's all for our interview. Thank you for your cooperation." Xia Jiang prepared to leave.

"No, no, that's what we should do."

Qiu Hong exchanged a few more pleasantries. He had wanted to ask Xia Jiang and the others to stay for a meal, but they were politely rejected.

Qiu Hong did not insist further. He sent the interview team into the car before returning to the incubation base to continue his work.

Xia Jiang flipped through the content that she had quickly recorded and looked at the photos and videos taken by the photographer in the car.

She frowned slightly as she flipped through, a special feeling lingered in her heart.

"Strange, why do these two incubation bases give me a sense of deja vu?"

"The work desks are very loose and the working environment is excellent. Everyone's passion for work is very high."

"Arrangement for designers to play games regularly to accumulate inspiration. Arrangement for Deposit Fitness to exercise."

"Why is it so similar to Tengda's style?"

"Could it be that… the incubation base of the 'Destitution Plan' is related to Tengda? The friend and investor that Qiu Hong mentioned is actually Boss Pei?"

For some reason, Xia Jiang recalled what she had seen during her interview with Tengda. It matched the situation at the incubation base!

She herself was shocked by this thought. However, once she accepted this setting, she realized that everything seemed to make sense!

The investor that Qiu Hong mentioned seemed a little too noble. It even made people doubt his authenticity and wonder if he really existed.

However, it would not be strange if this person was Boss Pei!