Started as a comics editor

Chapter 277 Channels
Ji Zhuo sat in his office chair, completely stunned.

He never expected that Avalon's small pre-launch campaign would have such a huge impact on Blue River Technology.

These anime and manga fans are so easily turning to the dark side! A 42% drop in downloads, a 28% decline in user activity, and almost zero new user acquisition—this is no small feat; it's Avalon wielding a sledgehammer, viciously cleaving at Blue River Technology's lifeline.

It was thought that after this period of development, Blue River Technology had firmly established itself in the app store.

It's so fragile.

and many more……

"Ecological closed loop... ecological closed loop..."

Ji Zhuo suddenly paused, then realized something, unconsciously repeating the word, his fingers tapping the table impatiently, desperately trying to grasp a certain thought.

...Avalon uses live streaming to attract attention and gather traffic, uses the community to accumulate content and deeply bind users, and then uses the game assistant to provide real-time services and tools, locking the player's entire game lifecycle—from discovery, discussion, and information acquisition to downloading, strategy guides, and social interaction—into its own system.

During this process, because Avalon's own games had a first-mover advantage compared to other companies' games, most mobile game users have been exposed to their games to some extent.

Their attention was completely drawn to the FGO pre-launch events... Discussions, expectations, and strategy requests were all resolved within an internal loop at ANF.

The popularity of anime-style games distributed on their own app stores naturally plummeted.

However, if this model is accepted by users and becomes a habit...

brush--

Ji Zhuo suddenly looked up, raised his voice slightly, and asked, "How many users does Avalon Game Assistant have right now?"

The subordinate paused slightly upon hearing this, then replied, "Avalon Game Assistant? They've never announced it..."

"check!"

Ji Zhuo's voice was low and urgent: "Find out the details for me! Avalon Game Assistant's installation volume, daily active user curve, and user dwell time! This is very important! Their distribution channels seem to be really taking off! If this continues, they might be able to completely bypass us and become the preferred distribution channel for game developers!"

this moment.

He finally realized the risks behind Avalon's dazzling maneuvering.

In fact, no matter how popular FGO is or how much impact it has on things right now, it's not enough to cripple Blue River Technology.

Once the hype died down, everything went back to normal.

After all, one or two hit games are just a minor issue for distributors.

Blue Ocean Technology doesn't make games.

However, if Avalon Game Assistant builds an undeniable, massive, and highly engaging ecosystem barrier, and then aggressively attracts untapped users into its ecosystem... it can eventually become a distribution channel.

The foundation of Blue River Technology's app store's gaming business will be completely shaken.

Before their Avalon game assistant was released, they had already partnered with other games for joint operation.

Isn't "Fantasy Journey to the West" just like that?
And it was a huge success!
Think of this.

Ji Zhuo's temples throbbed twice, and he had a premonition... that the thing he was most worried about was going to happen.

He didn't have many options yet. Imitating Avalon's model was by no means easy. Live streaming platforms require huge bandwidth and operating costs, communities need long-term content accumulation and user operation, and game assistants need technical capabilities for deep integration with games and continuous content updates... This requires huge amounts of funding, top-notch technical teams, and strong internal coordination capabilities.

Blue River Technology can certainly do it, but the benefits are not proportional to the effort.

Because mobile app stores are not limited to games.

With the rise of mobile devices, it's the perfect era for distribution channels to reign supreme, even though gaming is the most profitable segment.

But making a big fuss about the game... is really not worth it.

And at the end of the day.

Blue River Technology makes mobile phones! Not games.

Thinking about it.

Ji Zhuo's heart sank to the bottom.

He suddenly looked at his subordinates: "I can't control the PC version, but we at Blue River Technology completely ban the installation of Avalon Game Assistant on our mobile phones!"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the subordinate's eyes widened in disbelief, and he asked, "Boss, are you sure?"

"..."

Ji Zhuo suddenly snapped out of his daze, then his expression turned rather grim. After a long silence, he shook his head and said, "Forget it, let's update the user agreement. When users install third-party tools... such as Avalon Game Assistant, give them a security warning."

"understood."

The subordinate immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

There's not much of a problem with doing that.

But if we were to completely ban the installation of Avalon Game Assistant on phones owned by Blue River Technology... that would be incredibly stupid to go head-to-head with Avalon!

Blue River Technology makes mobile phones!
"Also, notify Lao Liu from the software division and ask him to come over."

Ji Zhuo thought for a moment and continued, "Our app store needs to implement strict security measures to protect users' devices from malware and unauthorized applications! If users try to install software from unofficial channels, the phone should give users a certain risk warning and guide them to download from a safer app store."

We must ensure that the applications downloaded by users are reviewed! We must do everything possible to reduce potential security risks!

"At the same time, I need to contact the heads of Yiyou and Jiuxiao; I want to have a talk with them."

……

Ji Zhuo felt like he was facing a formidable enemy in his office at Blue River Technology, pondering how to use technology to combat the encroachment of the Avalon ecosystem.

However, the atmosphere at Avalon headquarters, thousands of miles away, was completely different.

Make it a little easier.

It's even a bit childish...

"I do not want!"

Inside Tang Yao's office, an elegant and beautiful young woman stood with her back to Tang Yao, clutching files and resolutely walking towards the door: "I'm absolutely not watching you play anymore!"

Behind her, the leader of Avalon, like a spoiled child, wrapped his snow-white arms around Li Xue's slender waist, holding her tightly and pressing his entire weight down on her, trying to stop her from escaping: "It's almost over! It's really almost over!"

"I don't listen."

Li Xue's voice was firmer than ever before. Ignoring Tang Yao's embrace, she even tried to take a step forward, dragging the large humanoid figure behind her with difficulty. At the same time, she replied, "You said the same thing the day before yesterday... and don't forget that you told me the story of 'Escape' when we were traveling. The protagonist only reached the depths of Giant Mountain Hospital at the very end. This isn't even the middle part! I'm not falling for it! It's obviously far from the ending! I'm definitely not watching it!"

"The production team has streamlined the process! This time it's really over!"

"You're definitely lying to me again! I don't believe you!"

"You...you don't need to play this game! You're just standing next to me to keep me company! What are you afraid of!"

"I'm terrified! The whole environment is pitch black! And the sound effects are so creepy! Just looking at the screen makes me feel cold all over! I don't know if this is a game or some kind of torture!"

"Of course it's games! Otherwise, why would I play them!"

"Then go ahead and play! Didn't you previously deny to the Outlast development team that you weren't scared at all?"

"I need your perspective!"

"..."

That's right.

The two were discussing the game "Outlast".

This game has entered the testing phase.

As the person who initiated the entire project and the producer who knows the project best, Tang Yao naturally had to play it herself to confirm the game's performance and overall quality.

But the problem is.

This is a horror game.

of course.

Tang Yao wasn't afraid... absolutely not. Although she had accepted her current identity, she had the heart of a masculine man.

Not to mention she was the producer and had even played the game in her previous life.

Although I still get a jolt occasionally, it's just an instinctive reaction.

It's impossible to be afraid.

The main reason she asked Li Xue to accompany her was that, although she, as the producer, had provided the general framework for the game, the staff were not the same as those in her previous life... Their free rein had given the game "Outlast" many elements that were unfamiliar to her.

She was a little uneasy... no, she needed someone else to help point out any shortcomings.

Li Xue was the most suitable target.

After all... it's embarrassing to be seen by others and get startled.

Tang Yao just didn't expect that.

Li Xue was also afraid of the horror game produced by her own company, and her reaction was even more exaggerated than her own.

After she fooled them a few times...

Li Xue actually didn't fall for it... No! She didn't point out any flaws in the game!

How can this work!
"Then let others test it."

Upon hearing Tang Yao's last words, Li Xue finally stopped and suggested, "I think their tests are the same."

"I have to personally verify the quality of this game, such as whether the newly added chase routes are reasonable, and whether a surprise originally designed by the development team is scary enough..."

"Goodbye then!"

"..."

Li Xue immediately wanted to continue forward.

But just then, she felt the force around her waist tighten again.

At the same time, he noticed Tang Yao burying her face in his back and gently rubbing against him, while whispering, "Xue..."

...Sigh.

Here we go again.

Li Xue suddenly stopped moving, her delicate body tensing up.

She pursed her glossy red lips, and after a while, she slowly recovered. She struggled slightly, turned around, and faced Tang Yao, looking a little aggrieved: "You're cheating..."

"This is my request."

Tang Yao slightly raised her snow-white chin, trying her best to put on a very serious expression, but her eyes clearly said, 'I won't let go until you agree:' 'This project is very important! I need your professional advice as a core executive! It's also part of the job!'

She did need Li Xue to provide some feedback from a bystander's perspective when observing, such as whether a newly added chase route was reasonable, or whether a surprise designed by the production team was scary enough. But more importantly, she needed someone by her side to share some of the suffocating sense of oppression.

She's playing Outlast all by herself? Are you kidding me...?

The details that the staff added on their own were so whimsical that even she, the producer, found them horrifying.

Even without mentioning the newly added features.

The original game is scary too!
Upon hearing Tang Yao's words, Li Xue glanced at the computer screen behind her and could almost picture the game screen, paused in a gloomy corridor, glowing green in night vision mode... A wave of helplessness washed over her.

She sighed deeply, then glared at Tang Yao gently, and said coquettishly, "Let's make this clear first! I'll sit next to you and watch! I can hug you whenever it's crucial... You can't say I'm interfering with your operation."

"Deal!" Tang Yao's eyes lit up.

She immediately released Li Xue's waist, then quickly returned to the computer and sat down, grabbing the controller. She didn't forget to turn back and give Li Xue a charming smile, patting the seat next to her: "Come on..."

Li Xue put down the documents in her arms, then, with an expression of preparing to die a martyr, she gracefully moved to Tang Yao's side.

She smoothed out her skirt and sat down gracefully beside her, then glanced at the screen before looking directly at Tang Yao's fair profile.

“It hasn’t started yet!”

Tang Yao turned her head, and the two fair and beautiful faces were so close that they could even feel each other's warm breath.

She rolled her eyes at Li Xue, who was standing right next to her.

"That's why I don't watch it."

Li Xue's glossy red lips parted slightly, and mimicking Tang Yao's usual manner, she straightened her back and replied confidently.

"..."

Tang Yao glared at Li Xue, and suddenly felt an impulse.

But at the last moment, she held back, turned back, and looked at the screen again: "Okay."

"..."

Li Xue blinked, not disappointed, because she had noticed something.

Of course, the main reason is that the game is about to start.

All complicated feelings will disappear after the game starts.

This is the thought.

Li Xue felt a chill run down her spine when she recalled the twisted figures that suddenly appeared in the darkness, the teeth-grinding metallic scraping sounds, and the eerie green light and shaky perspective of the protagonist's DV night vision mode when she was forced to watch.

Even as an observer, she reacted more strongly than Tang Yao, who was playing the game; she screamed out in fright several times.

This game...

Li Xue glanced at the screen again, then couldn't help but say, "Tang Yao..."

"Ok?"

Why do you insist on playing it yourself?

Li Xue genuinely found it strange.

She could tell that although Tang Yao was desperately denying it, she was also afraid.

She's not the kind of person who likes horror games.

But even so.

It's a bit strange that she wants to play with it herself.

Although she was indeed a responsible person... Li Xue knew very well that the quality of the game could actually be determined by watching others play it.

There's absolutely no need to torture yourself.

"Um……"

Tang Yao didn't rush to answer, but pondered for a moment before asking in return, "How's the pre-release hype for FGO version 1.6?"

"very good."

Li Xue nodded slightly: "With the entire ecosystem working together, the results are even better than you said. As you predicted, Avalon Game Assistant has expanded again, with the number of registered users..."

She briefly explained the situation with Avalon Game Assistant.

"Hmm, but that's not enough... In this era where distribution channels are king, if we really want to become a channel that can compete with app stores, then we must quickly enrich the game lineup of Avalon Game Assistant, and those games must be well-known enough to catch people's eye."

Tang Yao nodded gently and replied with a smile, "For example, Outlast, Left 4 Dead, and even Undertale. These games will become seeds to some extent, evidence of our ecosystem's diversity, and in turn, attract more manufacturers to put their games on our channels."

"...Wouldn't our previous games be okay?"

Li Xue asked softly, her delicate, willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Admittedly, Avalon already has many representative works.

But the seeds Tang Yao mentioned seem to refer to something else entirely.

"Sure, of course."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yao did not immediately operate the controller. Instead, she turned her head to look at Li Xue and raised her fair fingers: "But our previous games, to some extent, were still in our comfort zone. They relied on an existing large fan base or mature gameplay types."

"But these games now."

She looked at the screen and continued, "They don't have the huge, pre-existing fan base of FGO, and they have nothing to do with anime. They represent 'innovation,' 'unique experience,' and 'extreme genre specialization.'"

These examples demonstrate the breadth of inclusivity of our Avalon Game Assistant platform; we can accept, promote, and successfully operate games of any type and style, as long as they are excellent and unique enough.

"If our next game is also successful, think about how the developers will think? If they see that even a niche but extremely immersive horror game like Outlast can get huge exposure, enthusiastic community discussions, and considerable commercial conversions on our platform."

If they see an unconventional indie game like Undertale, they'll find kindred spirits here and create miracles.

Then they will surely realize that Avalon Game Assistant is not just a channel for selling anime-related or mainstream hits, but rather a fertile ground where any excellent seed—no matter how strange, niche, or contrary to mainstream commercial expectations—can be nurtured and cultivated by a mature ecosystem, allowing it to grow into a towering tree, as long as it is interesting and well-made.

"Only in this way can we truly build a channel appeal that can rival app stores!"

(End of this chapter)