Started as a comics editor

Chapter 317 Summer Festival
The morning sunlight streamed gently through the sheer curtains, illuminating the two sisters as they slept in each other's arms, giving them a soft, golden glow.

Tang Yao's long eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she felt was the warm and soft body in her arms.

Her hazy, beautiful eyes blinked, gradually regaining focus, and she looked down.

What came into view was Tang Xun's peaceful sleeping face so close to his. Her cool and delicate features appeared particularly soft in the morning light, her fair skin had a healthy blush, her breathing was even and shallow, and the warm breath brushed against her neck, bringing a slight tickle.

"..."

Tang Yao thought about it for a while in a daze, and her memory returned, so she roughly figured out the cause and effect.

She let go of her sister and then struggled to get up.

But suddenly, she felt something was wrong...

So...where are the pants?!
At this time.

Tang Xun's eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her clear, cold eyes were still somewhat dazed at first, with lingering sleepiness, like a lake covered with a thin layer of mist. When her gaze focused and she saw her sister's flawless face so close to her, she was fully awake.

The two sisters looked at each other.

then.

five minutes later.

Tang Yao reached out and pinched her younger sister's cheek, gently pulling it outwards, seemingly a little ashamed: "Go to sleep if you want to, why did you take off your sister's pants?"

"Are you stupid?"

Tang Xun's face was pinched, making her speech a little unclear. She imitated her and pinched Tang Yao's soft face back: "Who sleeps in tight jeans? Isn't it uncomfortable?"

“I’ll wear it! And you have to consider your sister’s self-esteem; it’s a matter of her dignity.”

"I've never heard of having to consider self-esteem like this! I'm your sister!"

"That seems to be true... but why aren't you wearing any either?"

"What's wrong with me?! I'm wearing hot pants!!!"

"Oh, yes..."

The two sisters pinched each other's soft cheeks, staring at each other with wide eyes.

Tang Yao's cheeks were slightly distorted by her sister's tugging, but it did not diminish her stunning beauty. The sunlight outlined her delicate features, and a few unruly strands of black hair were playfully sticking out beside her cheeks.

Tang Xun's cool and aloof face was also pinched and puffed up by her older sister, her fair skin showing a healthy blush.

The two sisters remained silent for a few seconds, then Tang Yao, seeing her younger sister's unusually angry expression, couldn't help but burst out laughing first...

She released her grip and gently rubbed Tang Xun's cheeks, which were slightly red from her pinching, her eyes softening: "Thank you."

After all.

She was just subconsciously resisting, and at the same time, annoyed that she hadn't even noticed it...

As for minding it... I certainly wouldn't.

Tang Xun also let go of his hand, rubbed her face, and whispered, "...Don't appreciate kindness."

She turned her head away, her long, smooth hair falling loosely over her shoulders, revealing her beautifully shaped neck.

In the morning light, two equally outstanding yet distinctly different faces shone brightly together. One was radiant and charming with the languor of someone just awakened, while the other was cool and refined with a hint of helplessness. The scene was as beautiful as a meticulously composed still from a movie.

"Okay, okay, I was wrong."

Tang Yao smiled, leaned over and gently kissed Tang Xun's forehead, comforting her, "Thank you, that's so thoughtful."

After saying that, she threw off the covers, jumped off the bed with her two shapely, long, and snow-white legs bare, and then stretched vigorously by the bedside, her beautiful curves revealed in the morning light: "But next time, please wake up your sister. I can do it myself."

Tang Xun looked at her sister, who was facing the morning sun, and then turned her head away again.

What an idiot sister.

……

……

I took a shower, washed up, ate breakfast, and tidied up a bit.

Tang Yao then went out.

Although I left home a little later than usual, I still arrived at Avalon just in time.

Perhaps because she slept with Tang Xun yesterday, although some unexpected things happened when she woke up, the good sleep last night directly dispelled the fatigue of the past few days. Tang Yao felt radiant and full of energy!
even.

She feels like she could make three more games!

Just as she was about to do something while she was feeling well... there was a knock on the office door.

Li Xue pushed the door open and came in.

Today she changed back into her previous outfit: a light and soft white blouse on top and a well-made bodycon skirt on the bottom. The hem of the blouse was tucked into the waistband of the skirt, and below the skirt were a pair of long, shapely legs wrapped in black stockings and high heels.

As they moved, their steps were light and steady.

The soft curves of women are vividly displayed.

"Tang Yao..."

As soon as Li Xue came in, she couldn't help but turn around and look behind her, then said, "You really left a very deep impression on those new staff members this time."

"what?"

Tang Yao looked up, somewhat puzzled.

"..."

Li Xue didn't rush to explain, but first handed the documents in her arms to Tang Yao: "The three games, Plants vs. Zombies, Rusty Lake, and To the Moon, are basically in the final stages and can be pre-sold at any time. The feedback from the testing team is very good, especially from those newbies... When they talk about you, I even feel that they are somewhat devout."

"what……?"

Tang Yao was both amused and exasperated: "What piety? It's just making three games... how can it be related to religion?"

She replied casually while glancing at the report in her hand.

"..."

Looking at Tang Yao's fair profile, Li Xue muttered a couple of complaints under her breath.

And the other side.

Tang Yao ignored Li Xue's rambling and, after reading the report, looked up and asked, "So... has the game release order been decided? Which one will be released first?"

Li Xue snapped back to reality, instantly gathering her scattered thoughts, and said seriously, "That's exactly what I wanted to ask you... Do you have any requirements? There's been discussion within the marketing department. Each of the three games has its supporters. Some support 'Rusty Lake' because they think it has a unique style and is easy to generate buzz. Others support 'To the Moon' because they think it has a strong emotional impact and spreads word-of-mouth quickly. As for me personally... I prefer 'Plants vs. Zombies'."

Tang Yao blinked her beautiful eyes, somewhat curious: "Why?"

"I think... firstly, this game has the widest audience."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Xue replied clearly, "It has the lowest barrier to entry, the gameplay is intuitive, and it can be easily picked up by men, women, young and old. It is easier to attract the largest number of players in a short period of time, bringing traffic and activity to the AG platform. Secondly, this game has the most harmless style."

She paused for a moment and explained, "The eeriness of Rusty Lake and the heaviness of To the Moon require a certain level of mental preparation or specific context to experience, while the cartoonish and cheerful style of Plants vs. Zombies can be played anytime, anywhere, without any burden, making it easier to form a daily habit of playing it casually."

Furthermore, I think this game has the strongest potential for wider dissemination among the three, because I can understand it and even find it quite fun... so I think most ordinary people should be able to figure it out. Plus, the plant and zombie characters are quite cute, making it the game that best fits your initial small-scale playstyle and fills in the gaps in your target audience. Its overall polish is also impeccable.

Tang Yao listened to Li Xue's analysis and nodded slightly, then suddenly glared at her: "Miss Li, aren't you quite good at talking? Why didn't you answer when I asked you how you would choose? Why were you overloaded? All you could do was hug me?"

She was referring to the three new games she had initially conceived.

Then she asked Li Xue what to choose, and Li Xue was also overwhelmed, and all she could think about was hugging her...

"..."

Upon hearing this, Li Xue blushed slightly and explained, "Back then... I had no concept of games and couldn't imagine a finished game, but things are different now."

"Really?"

"real."

"..."

Tang Yao thought about it carefully and realized that it was true.

She has a clear concept of the final product of the game, but it is a bit of a stretch to expect another person to imagine what the final game will look like just by describing it.

But... there are three.

I somehow managed to create all three games without even realizing it.

Tang Yao's expression became subtle as she recalled the painful days of working three jobs simultaneously.

Seeing Tang Yao's expression, Li Xue pursed her glossy red lips, walked over somewhat guiltily, and said softly, "You've really worked hard, on all three games. It was my fault back then..."

"...It has nothing to do with you, and it's worth the price. Three games, released in staggered phases, so there won't be a lack of games during the gap period. We should be able to make a perfect transition to a MOBA project or a new game."

Tang Yao turned to look at Li Xue beside her. Li Xue stood gracefully, her long, voluptuous legs, encased in black stockings, gleaming softly in the morning light. "It's not that I regret it, it's just that I'm a little scared... You have to stop me next time, it was so stupid of me, I exhausted myself..."

Li Xue said softly, "Hmm... I will definitely stop you next time."

"As for these three games... let Plants vs. Zombies be released first."

Tang Yao turned her gaze back to the report on the table, having made up her mind.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something and abruptly asked, "Miss Li... summer vacation is coming soon, isn't it?"

Li Xue nodded, then asked in confusion, "Hmm, what's wrong?"

"I was thinking... could we organize a summer sale-like event... how many games does the AG platform currently support?" Tang Yao blinked her beautiful eyes and looked at Li Xue: "Do you think that offering discounts on most of the platform's games, combined with the first-party games we launch during that period, could help the AG platform further expand its brand awareness?"

"Huh?...A discount?"

Li Xue was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Tang Yao's thoughts to suddenly jump in this direction.

Yes! Discount! Summer special!

Tang Yao thought it over and it seemed more and more feasible. She sat up straight, her full breasts tracing a beautiful arc with the movement: "Look, summer vacation is one of the periods with the highest player activity, right? Students have plenty of time. The games that AG platform has now integrated... I can't remember the exact number, but it's definitely quite a lot. Moreover, our own games are all critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and there's also a multiplayer hit like 'Left 4 Dead'..."

She spoke faster, her thoughts clear: "If we could team up with other game developers on the platform to create a large-scale 'AG Summer Game Festival,' with most of the platform's games participating and offering discounts, and even bigger ones! At the same time, we could launch 'Plants vs. Zombies' and two other new games as the 'main new products' of this festival! We could use the platform's overall promotional activities to attract new and old players..."

Tang Yao looked at Li Xue: "What do you think of this combination of strategies?! Using the platform's large-scale activities to boost the exposure and conversion rate of our new game! Plants vs. Zombies itself isn't expensive, and combined with discounts on most games on the platform, it should be very attractive..."

She began to explain.

That's right.

Tang Yao immediately thought of Steam's green discount offensive!
Actually, AG platform is barely managing to do this right now... but it can definitely support one event.

Most importantly, there are indeed many benefits to doing this!

On the one hand, periodic promotions can help players develop the habit of checking them regularly.

Once this habit is formed, users' dependence on the platform will increase significantly, and the platform's traffic and stickiness will also grow accordingly.

On the other hand, as the AG platform's game library gradually becomes more abundant, a large number of non-top-tier titles, especially those from small and medium-sized developers, will gradually be forgotten by users after their initial popularity fades.

Discounts are a way for platforms to help these long-tail games regain exposure, prevent them from sinking completely, and maintain the diversity of platform content.

Of course, the biggest benefit is... making money.

After all, from the perspective of psychology and consumer behavior, discounts can trigger impulsive purchases and the desire to get a bargain.

Especially discounts on virtual products.

Rather, Tang Yao is a living example... In her past life, she also bought a whole bunch of discounted games.

In most cases, such activities are a win-win-win situation. The platform benefits, manufacturers gain traffic, users, and long-term revenue by offering discounts, and users can enjoy more games at a lower cost.

For the AG platform, holding such an event currently offers significant benefits.

Tang Yao could use this event to promote her own first-party game, address the potential lack of initial buzz for Plants vs. Zombies as a small-scale game, greatly enhance the activity and appeal of the AG platform, and even strengthen relationships with other developers on the platform – a win-win situation.

"..."

Li Xue listened attentively to Tang Yao's idea, then parted her red lips slightly and stared blankly at the latter.

to be frank.

Tang Yao's ideas always surprised her.

"How about it?"

Tang Yao asked with some anticipation.

"..."

Li Xue snapped out of her reverie, digesting the blueprint Tang Yao had outlined and the many benefits and challenges it contained. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she fell into deep thought.

After a long time.

She replied, "Using platform-level promotional events as a vehicle for the festive atmosphere can boost the exposure and conversion of new games, especially Plants vs. Zombies, while also revitalizing long-tail games on the platform, increasing user stickiness, and strengthening relationships with developers... It's a win-win situation, theoretically perfect."

"However, I'm not sure if those game developers will agree... There seem to be quite a few difficulties at the implementation level. The most pressing issue is persuading other developers to participate. Although Avalon has influence now and the AG platform provides traffic entry points, discounts mean a direct reduction in their revenue in the short term. This is quite difficult for some developers, especially some small and medium-sized independent game developers, to accept. Their game prices are not high to begin with, so getting them to participate in significant discounts will be very difficult."

"Too……"

"However, perhaps we can offer more attractive terms in exchange... such as more prominent featured placement? Exclusive exposure during the event?"

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yao fell into deep thought. After a dozen seconds, she said, "I understand what you mean. This is indeed a problem, and it's not just about whether other manufacturers agree. The refined operation of the event itself is also a challenge... How can we set up discount tiers to attract users without making manufacturers feel the pinch? How can we design the event page to maximize traffic to new products and long-tail games that need to be revitalized? How can we maintain the continuous popularity during the event? The marketing and operations departments need to come up with very detailed plans and contingency plans for these."

Li Xue nodded slowly: "Yes."

"But my idea is fine, right?"

"The idea is fine."

"Why don't we try to move this forward? I think it's very necessary!"

"I understand."

Li Xue took a deep breath: "Then I'll go find someone to hold a meeting to discuss this now."

Say it.

She was about to turn around and leave.

But Tang Yao suddenly grabbed her hand, stood up, and said with a radiant smile, "I'll go with you this time."

Next.

The Avalon started operating at high speed.

To Tang Yao and Li Xue's surprise, persuading other developers to participate was much easier than they had anticipated.

Because of its previous phenomenal works such as "Left 4 Dead", Avalon has already established a very high reputation and credibility in the industry. In particular, those independent teams that have accessed the AG platform through the "Dawn Project" seem to have a natural sense of trust in Avalon's decisions. They seem to believe that large-scale events led by Avalon can bring far more exposure and potential user growth than usual.

Therefore, often there is no need to persuade them.

On the other hand.

Avalon's own Outlast and Left 4 Dead games announced unprecedented discounts in the event, generating a powerful ripple effect.

This, coupled with other promises made by Avalon...

Anyway.

The number of games confirmed to participate in the event was much larger than expected, encompassing almost all games on the platform.

In this situation, there's not much to say!
The summer festival has been officially confirmed.

Avalon's tech team is going all out! Server expansion, bandwidth upgrades, payment system stress testing...

Meanwhile, the marketing and operations departments racked their brains and began designing event plans.

With the entire Avalon team working together, the event was quickly put on track!
……

It was late May.

Avalon has been quiet for quite some time now.

Finally, some action was taken.

Actions taken against the AG gaming platform.

They suddenly put up a bright green promotional banner with a countdown on the AG gaming platform's homepage...

It says "AG Summer Game Festival" on it...

The event will officially begin in mid-June.

Although the banner does not yet have a redirect link.

However, it still attracted the attention of many players.

AG Summer Gaming Festival! ? What is that?
But soon.

They couldn't care less about that.

Besides promoting the upcoming AG Summer Gaming Festival, the promotional page also mentioned something else: "AG Summer Gaming Festival! Featuring a brand new title! Avalon's all-new game! Plants vs. Zombies is coming soon—Build your garden! Defend against the invasion! Relaxing and casual! Full of strategy!"

Simultaneously.

The game trailer has also been released.

The content is very simple, showcasing the core gameplay and visuals such as sunflowers producing sunlight, planting pea shooters, zombies eating plants, and cherry bombs exploding.

The news caused an uproar in the player community.

"??? Avalon? Am I seeing things? Is this the Avalon I know, the one who made Left 4 Dead and Outlast?"

"Plants vs. Zombies? This name... seriously? It sounds more like a children's puzzle game?"

"Look at the visuals...it's so cartoonish! Is this really made by Avalon? Or is it outsourced or just a nominal production?"

"Peashooter fighting zombies? Sunflowers producing sunlight? Pfft... This concept is so silly and cute! But why do I inexplicably want to play it?"

"What a sudden change in style! From hardcore shooting to... uh, garden defense? Has Avalon been possessed?"

"Although... the way that zombie wearing a roadblock walks in the trailer looks so silly, it makes me want to laugh a little."

"Who cares! Anything from Avalon is guaranteed to be top-notch! Just go for it! I'll play it even if it's silly or cute!"

"The style is too unconventional... Let's wait and see what the reviews are after it's released!"

"..."

Doubts, curiosity, jokes, expectations... all sorts of voices filled the forum.

The Avalon brand brought a lot of attention, but the game's style was so different from its previous works that it confused many core players... and even left them feeling a little disappointed.

(End of this chapter)