Started as a comics editor

Chapter 211 Profound Meaning

The forces from the heavens are coming with overwhelming force.

Although it was aimed at Avalon, which is currently very popular in the mobile game industry.

However, Avalon was clearly not the only one affected...

the next day.

At the same time Tang Yao received the game list from Li Xue, she also saw the news that Jiuxiao had announced its own mobile game.

Nine Heavens Games' new title, *Starry Sky Poems*, revealed for the first time, generating anticipation with its anime-style card game + RPG gameplay!

Tang Yao looked at the familiar press release format and wanted to roll her eyes, but she held back and just clicked in to take a look.

The article is very formulaic.

The accompanying image is just a gorgeous concept poster, with a style extremely similar to FGO, and even the character designs have a vague sense of déjà vu...

But that's not the most glaring thing.

The most glaring thing is that the press release specifically mentioned that the game was developed by Nine Clouds' flagship studio and took two years of dedicated research and development.

"Two years?"

Upon seeing this, Tang Yao couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Seriously, how can this be earlier than FGO?"

How shameless.

She hadn't even transmigrated here two years ago!

“They’ve always been like this… The channels I mentioned yesterday have all agreed to Jiuxiao’s demands and have already sent people to discuss compensation.”

the other side.

Hearing this, Li Xue gave a wry smile and said, "In addition, this has also caused unexpected consequences... Jiuxiao's high-profile entry into the mobile game industry has caused many small and medium-sized teams to back down. Several game companies that originally wanted to co-operate with FGO have said they want to postpone it because of Jiuxiao."

Because distribution channels are the lifeblood of small and medium-sized teams, we have ANF, but other small and medium-sized teams don't. In addition, Jiuxiao is notorious and its reputation isn't very good. If Jiuxiao cuts off promotional resources in advance, making it impossible for new players to see their game, no one knows how far the game can go or what will happen next if it relies solely on ANF.

So they plan to wait and see.

If this trend continues, Jiuxiao's "high-quality counterfeit products" might actually be able to quickly seize users by leveraging the platform's advantages.

“Besides that, there’s something even worse.”

After a pause.

Li Xue lowered her voice slightly and continued, "They... are poaching our people."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yao paused slightly, then abruptly looked up: "Who?"

“The art team, programmers… all the staff on the FGO project team received headhunting emails from Jiuxiao yesterday, offering high salaries, especially Kang Ming and others.” Li Xue smiled wryly. “Moreover, the contracts include non-compete agreements, meaning that if they switch jobs, they cannot participate in similar projects in the short term.”

The air froze for a few seconds.

Tang Yao asked cautiously, "Did anyone answer?"

"Have."

Li Xue gently shook her head: "But they are all new staff members who joined in the last two months. The group of people who worked with you on FGO, such as Kang Ming, Shi Wanglin, Chu Yuxin and others, none of them agreed. Instead, they took the initiative to tell me about this... However, since they are so familiar with our internal situation, there must be a mole. I will look into it."

Tang Yao breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that the core members hadn't left.

Although... their departure isn't a huge problem.

But Tang Yao still has feelings for those who followed her back then.

"These are very hard to find."

Thinking of this, Tang Yao comforted her, "...Just pay a little attention normally. Instead of wasting energy looking for the mole, it's better to do your own job well. In the end, there are only three reasons why employees want to leave: they feel wronged, they are not paid enough, or they see no hope. Our company does not have this situation yet, and we are not afraid of others knowing about the internal situation of the company."

As for the staff who had only recently arrived choosing to leave... that's perfectly normal.

"Um……"

Li Xue responded, but still gritted her teeth, looking somewhat indignant: "The other party really went too far."

"Yes."

Tang Yao tugged at Li Xue, her voice unusually calm: "Their plan is to copy our gameplay, seize our distribution channels, and poach our teams. They're using a three-pronged approach to directly eliminate us."

"..."

Li Xue did not answer, but silence was the best answer.

to be frank.

Tang Yao was actually somewhat helpless.

What did I do to deserve this?

However, she only grumbled a few words to herself and didn't complain about anything.

Because this doesn't solve the problem.

Moreover, she was well aware that in the process of a blue ocean turning into a red ocean, it was impossible for competitors not to fight tooth and nail.

As for spending money, that's a standard practice; otherwise, where would Tang Yao's previous life's money-burning battles have come from?

only.

Tang Yao never expected that people in the gaming world would do things this way.

Why are you in such a hurry?

No, at least make a game with your own unique features before you start targeting us!
Even if it's just a bluff!

They're targeting Avalon now because they're copying FGO, making it seem like Avalon only exists because of FGO! How despicable!

Thinking of this, Tang Yao couldn't help but smile softly: "Let those ordinary staff leave, we can just hire more. It'll be tough during this period, but things will get better after this... Since they want to get rid of us, let's hurry up and make preparations."

"...Is this alright?"

“It’s alright, Miss Li. You should know that they can copy our gameplay, seize our distribution channels, and even poach our people… but there’s one thing they can never take away.”

Li Xue was slightly taken aback: "What?"

"me!"

Tang Yao straightened her chest: "As long as I'm here, there won't be any major problems. I'll handle these issues, don't worry."

Li Xue: "..."

On the other side, he was being stared at intently.

Tang Yao quickly became embarrassed, her face turning slightly red, after all, it was self-praise...

"Go and do your work."

Tang Yao reached out and smoothed her long, flowing hair, slightly obscuring her face, then said a few words, turned around her chair, and picked up the list on the table.

Li Xue stared blankly at Tang Yao's beautiful profile for a while, then burst out laughing. For some reason, she suddenly felt much more at ease.

She didn't bother Tang Yao any further and quietly turned and left.

Tang Yao glanced back, then composed herself before starting to filter games.

Of the companies that sent game demos this time, some backed out, but quite a few remained.

Tang Yao then played the games one by one, referring to the list.

then.

Two hours later.

Tang Yao leaned back, her face filled with utter despair.

...It seems there was a misunderstanding about Jiuxiao.

Not only did they copy FGO, but other companies did too.

Moreover, many of them are not even much better than "The Dark Revelation".

Such a game would hardly increase the popularity of the ANF game section.

If you don't get criticized, you've already succeeded.

"What's wrong with the game developers in this world?"

Tang Yao muttered a complaint under her breath, and after a moment, she looked at the next game on the list.

"The Essence?"

After seeing the game's name, Tang Yao was stunned... because the name was simply too outstanding.

Curious, she picked up her phone again.

soon.

The ethereal and tranquil sound of a piano, interwoven with electronic sound effects, began to play.

The moment Tang Yao saw the game screen, her beautiful eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Because there are no messy in-app purchase guides... the demo starts right from the level.

That's right.

Level.

This isn't a gacha game at all... The entire game interface, with its clean lines, soft colors, and geometrically symmetrical composition, creates a scene that resembles a work of art.

Like an illustration.

Tang Yao's eyes lit up immediately when she saw this, and she started exploring and playing with it.

The gameplay is not difficult; it's a puzzle game where players need to solve puzzles by rotating and sliding paths and using optical illusions.

The more Tang Yao played, the brighter her eyes became.

Twenty minutes later.

She looked up again and murmured softly, "I take back what I just said... The game developers here are pretty amazing. Isn't this just a simplified version of Monument Valley?"

Yes.

Tang Yao saw the shadow of Monument Valley in this game called Yun.

While this game is less mature in many aspects compared to the renowned Monument Valley, such as its less-than-ideal interaction and puzzles, unreasonable difficulty curve, inconsistent overall art style, and significant differences in music and sound effects…

But these problems are not unsolvable!
If a game like this were to be featured in a live stream and simultaneously appear on ANF's game section... wouldn't it be the perfect choice for a game with a strong reputation?

You should know that mobile games involve more than just gacha mechanics.

Think of this.

Tang Yao's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up. She immediately picked up the list, stood up abruptly, and hurriedly left her workstation: "Ms. Li, I need you to contact a game development team!"

To some extent.

Tang Yao was indeed right.

Nine Heavens can copy gameplay, seize distribution channels, and even poach their staff... but there's one thing they can never take away.

Then it's herself.

(End of this chapter)