Who would still start a business seriously after being reborn?

Chapter 641 Variables in the Chinese Market

The document is extremely detailed, with time accurate to the hour and tasks broken down into specific modules.

Looking at the charts, Choi Byung-hoon couldn't help but whisper to Kim Byung-guk, "President, Microsoft's way of doing things is frighteningly efficient."

Kim Byung-guk nodded silently, equally shocked.

The coordination work proceeded swiftly.

Both teams immediately entered a high-intensity work mode.

In the following days, the conference room became a place that never sleeps.

The coffee machine was always running, and the table was piled high with lunchboxes and whiteboard markers.

"Dr. Wang, this is our client's core module structure diagram. Regarding the part that integrates with the MSN account system, we suggest..."

"Mr. Park, this is a global distribution map of accelerated IP nodes. For ChinaNet, we recommend adding edge nodes here and here to reduce latency..."

"Ms. Li, this is our database of common cheat behavior characteristics that we have detected, as well as our proactive defense module code. Please share it with your security team."

"Mr. Cui, regarding DirectX call optimization, our Windows kernel team has some suggestions that might improve performance on some integrated graphics cards..."

The discussion was sometimes heated, sometimes smooth.

While language barriers may occasionally exist, the shared pursuit of technology and the expertise of top professionals make communication extremely efficient.

The whiteboard was covered with architecture diagrams, flowcharts, and mathematical formulas, and it was erased again and again.

The technical prowess, resource allocation capabilities, and profound understanding of the Chinese market demonstrated by the Microsoft team deeply impressed the NEXON team.

The NEXON team's familiarity with their own games, solid technical skills, and cooperative attitude earned them the respect of Microsoft.

Waters and James would occasionally come to the conference room and see the engineers from both sides arguing heatedly over a technical detail, only to quickly reach an agreement, which pleased them greatly.

This is a wonderful chemical reaction produced by a powerful alliance. Both sides can learn from each other and are working towards the same goal.

Let KartRider sweep across China in its most perfect form.

After weeks of intensive technical integration, server stress testing, and localization adaptation, the China-exclusive version of KartRider has finally completed all preparations and is perfectly compatible with Microsoft systems and Moc-OS.

Having received word that everything was ready, Waters held a cup of coffee in his hand, a confident smile playing on his lips.

In his view, Momo Group's defenses in the online social and gaming fields are already riddled with holes, and this sharp blade called KartRider is about to cut off Momo Group's left hand.

“Let’s begin,” he said softly to James behind him without turning around.

"Yes, President." James took a deep breath, took out his phone, dialed the operations center's number, and said, "Notify the operations team to start the closed beta test."

Almost simultaneously, all Huaxia users who logged into MSN saw an unavoidable pop-up announcement.

Next to the butterfly icon in MSN, a brand new, brightly colored, and adorable go-kart icon has appeared.

The announcement title, displayed in striking artistic font, read: "[Extreme Speed, Joyful Start: Microsoft and NEXON Present the Grand Opening of the Closed Beta for KartRider in China!]"

The announcement was also very enticing.

Dear MSN users:

Thank you for your continued support and love for MSN. To give back to our users, Microsoft's global strategic debut title, KartRider, has launched a closed beta test in China and is now officially recruiting test players.

You will be among the first to experience:

Experience the pure, top-tier racing fun.

Team up with your MSN friends with a single click and race at breakneck speed.

Exclusive MSN user benefits: limited edition closed beta commemorative license plate, limited edition dazzling stickers, and permanent fashion set.

During the test period, the rewards for game points will be doubled, and an additional 30% bonus will be given for each recharge.

Providing valid bug reports gives you a chance to win physical prizes such as keyboard and mouse sets, MP3 players, and mobile phones.

There are only 1000 closed beta test slots available, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click the link below to fill out the questionnaire and compete for a speedrun ticket.

The announcement stunned all the players who saw it.

MSN is making games? KartRider?

Immediately afterwards, feelings of disbelief, surprise, and ecstasy began to spread within MSN.

"Holy crap, is this for real? Microsoft is making a game?"

"The announcement I saw on MSN is definitely real; the link is even out."

"Limited edition license plates, permanent outfits, dazzling stickers—Microsoft is really generous."

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and fill out the questionnaire. There are only 1000 spots available."

"Why bother fighting over 1000 spots? Let's wait for the open beta."

The players instantly went wild.

The number of clicks on the completed questionnaire link increased exponentially.

The server even experienced a brief period of congestion.

Players frantically filled in their MSN accounts, computer configurations, and gaming experiences, fearing they might fall behind and miss out on this precious closed beta test qualification.

As soon as the announcement of the closed beta test was released, major gaming forums were flooded with posts about "KartRider".

[Seeking a closed beta test qualification, paid, explicit content possible.]

Microsoft is really serious now; these benefits are amazing!

[Much more imposing than a penguin...]

Within just a few hours, keywords such as "KartRider closed beta" and "MSN Games" surged to the top of the trending lists on major search engines and forums. Microsoft, leveraging its powerful distribution channels and the high quality of KartRider itself, successfully created a marketing event that generated widespread public discussion.

Waters smiled with satisfaction as he watched the rapidly increasing number of questionnaire submissions in the backend and the explosive positive response online.

Momo Technology Industrial Park, Jingzhou City.

Ma Huateng practically rushed into Cheng Yi's office without even knocking.

He looked somewhat haggard, with heavy bags under his eyes, and he was clutching a newly printed data report tightly in his hand.

"Mr. Cheng, have you been following the news? Something big has happened!" Ma Huateng's voice was hoarse and urgent, even carrying a hint of desperate tremor: "Microsoft, Microsoft has started targeting the gaming industry!"

Cheng Yi was discussing optimization details for the next version of the Moc-os system with Yu Sen when he saw this and slightly raised his hand, signaling Yu Sen to pause.

Yu Sen tactfully put away his notebook, quickly left the meeting room, and gently closed the door behind him.

"Mr. Ma, calm down and speak slowly." Cheng Yi's tone remained calm. He pointed to the kettle on the table and smiled, "Have some water first."

“I can’t drink this!” Ma Huateng slammed the report in his hand heavily on the table in front of Cheng Yi and said, “Look, this is the data we just monitored. Microsoft is fully promoting the closed beta of KartRider on MSN. In just the last two hours, the related discussions have exploded.”

Cheng Yi picked up the report and quickly glanced through it.

The above are screenshots of MSN announcements, trend charts of discussion popularity on various forums, keyword search index curves, and even several curves showing another significant decline in the number of QQ users online simultaneously.

“This is just the beginning.” Ma Huateng paced back and forth in front of Cheng Yi, excitedly saying, “Microsoft is offering so many tempting closed beta benefits right now, and players simply can’t resist. Once it gains momentum, our QQ Games Hall, our QQ Tang, and our Sweet Home will all be finished.”

He abruptly stopped, placed his hands on the table, stared intently at Cheng Yi, and said, "President Cheng, it's been a hundred days! It's been a full hundred days since we started promoting MSN. Doesn't this mean your initial strategy failed? Our user churn has never stopped, and our market share has already dropped by 90%!"

Ma Huateng took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated emotions, and said, "You said before not to panic and to stabilize core social relationships, but President Cheng, core relationships also need a context to maintain them. If even players go to MSN, then our QQ will really be powerless to save us."

Ma Huateng is indeed very anxious.

These 100 days were undoubtedly a long and painful ordeal for him and Tencent.

Watching one's empire crumble and users leave, yet feeling utterly powerless, is a torment that could break any leader.

Cheng Yi listened quietly to Ma Huateng's outburst and carefully read through the report.

After reading the report, Cheng Yi gently put down the report filled with bad news, revealing a faint, enigmatic smile.

"Mr. Ma," Cheng Yi gestured for him to sit down, "please sit down first, and stop waving around in front of me, it's making me dizzy."

Ma Huateng sat down in the chair opposite Cheng Yi, and heard Cheng Yi say, "Judging from your reports, you are indeed having a tough time, but we are in the same group, so you need to look at the problem from a holistic perspective."

"Have you noticed that, with the rapid growth of our Hasee and Honor computers in the market, the overall market share of the Moc-OS system in China has become roughly equal to that of Windows?"

He paused, letting the number settle in Ma Huateng's mind, before continuing, "Moreover, this trend is continuing to widen. For every additional computer pre-installed with the Moc-OS system sold, Microsoft's foundation weakens a little."

"Why is Waters in such a hurry? Even rushing to launch 'KartRider' before the Spring Festival? It's because he also saw this trend. He can't wait any longer. He has to disrupt our pace in terms of software and ecosystem before we can completely consolidate our hardware advantage."

“But…” Ma Huateng was about to retort when Cheng Yi raised his hand to stop him.

"No buts," Cheng Yi said coldly. "The bombardment you're facing from Microsoft right now will not satisfy you no matter how you look at it, because if it comes down to money, we definitely can't beat Microsoft."

Ma Huateng remained silent.

He understood the implication in Cheng Yi's words: at most, he had come here to vent his frustrations, and the headquarters group couldn't help them.

Is this really the end for QQ?
Thinking about the development process over the past seven or eight years, Ma Huateng couldn't help but sigh.

Cheng Yi observed Ma Huateng's expression and said, "You don't need to be discouraged. Headquarters will definitely do everything they can to protect you, but there are techniques involved in doing so. Besides, no matter how fast they move, they won't affect you for the time being."

"What do you mean?" Ma Huateng was taken aback.

Cheng Yi said, "Have you forgotten what the biggest variable in the Chinese market is? It's the Spring Festival!"

"There are less than twenty days until the Spring Festival. At this time, the effectiveness of any commercial promotion will be greatly reduced. Where are people's minds? They are scrambling for train tickets to go back to their hometowns. Going back home means preparing for the New Year, cleaning, and visiting relatives and friends. No matter how good KartRider is or how attractive the closed beta benefits are, can it bring our army of people returning home back?"

"Microsoft's choice to launch an attack at this time seems swift, but it actually violates a major military taboo. Launching an offensive during the Spring Festival sounds impressive, but its effectiveness is probably minimal."

Hearing this, Ma Huateng's agitation subsided slightly, and he felt that what Cheng Yi said made some sense.

The Spring Festival period is indeed a formidable challenge that no online activity can overcome.

Cheng Yi pressed on, saying, "That's why I told Mr. Ma to calm down and let them make a fuss for a while."

He paused for a moment, then reassured Ma Huateng, saying, "I can guarantee you that by the end of January at the latest, I can not only stop the decline of Tencent, but also bring QQ back to its peak."

"The end of January?" Ma Huateng's eyes widened, somewhat disbelieving Cheng Yi's words.

There are still almost two months until the end of January, and the situation has deteriorated to this extent. How dare Cheng Yi give such a precise timetable and such an arrogant promise?
“That’s right, the end of January.” Cheng Yi repeated, his tone resolute. “Mr. Ma, what you need to do now is not to panic and follow Microsoft’s lead, but to use this Spring Festival period to stabilize the team’s morale, optimize QQ’s core social functions, and prepare to take advantage of the post-Spring Festival user return wave.”

Seeing Cheng Yi's confident and assertive demeanor, the air of complete control in his eyes seemed contagious, finally easing the weight that had been pressing on Ma Huateng's heart for over a hundred days.

Although the road ahead was still shrouded in mist, Cheng Yi's promise gave him a glimmer of hope.

He let out a long sigh of relief, his tense shoulders finally relaxing. Although his face was still tired, the panic in his eyes was gradually being replaced by a renewed fighting spirit.

“Okay, Mr. Cheng, I believe you!” Ma Huateng nodded heavily and said, “I’ll go back right away and do as you say.”

"Oh, right, you guys could also research KartRider, like creating a 'QQ Speed' or something, since you're just killing time anyway," Cheng Yi said with a smile.

“Okay.” Ma Huateng nodded.

He doesn't think there's any point in remaking it. If QQ's traffic doesn't come back, it will be difficult for him to beat the competition if he simply remakes "KartRider".

Because the ultimate method for attracting new users will still be based on welfare subsidies.

After seeing off Ma Huateng, whose emotions had calmed down considerably, Cheng Yi's gaze slowly turned cold.

Microsoft's Alliance of Game Creators, which it had been preparing for half a year, has finally been launched.

This "KartRider" is probably just one of many games, serving as a trial balloon.

"Before we can fight Microsoft Games, we still have to deal with Lianxiang first."

(End of this chapter)