You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 364: Paramount Pictures invites Mr. Lu to make a bad movie, and Liu Mengyuan personally volunteers (2 in 1)

"It's not shameful, how can it be shameful!"

Lu Yu said without blushing or beating his heart,
"For players who enjoy card battles, isn't this a perfect sense of ritual?"

Seeing that Mr. Lu was so persistent, everyone had no choice but to stop arguing.

When everyone was preoccupied and preparing to start their work, Lu Yu continued to add:
“In addition, I would also like to talk to you about the distribution method and business model of this TCG card.

Actually, the duel disk just now has two uses.
Players can use the duel disk as a game controller, connect it to a VR game console, and fight against players from all over the network in the virtual cyberspace.

You can also use physical cards offline to play face-to-face with friends, and the duel disk can be used as a referee and scorer."

Meng Yue asked:

"Mr. Lu, are you saying that we're actually focusing on the console version, and the offline cards are actually bonus items?"

After hearing this, the others breathed a sigh of relief and thought to themselves:
So that's how it is... I'm shocked. If they mainly sell game software, it's not unacceptable.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yu suddenly stretched out his finger and shook it:

"No, no, no, I was just about to tell you about this.
In fact, my idea is this: our game software is completely free!
As for the duel disk, we will sell it at cost price, even at a loss. We will give away the initial pre-assembled package with the duel disk. Players can start a game as long as they purchase the duel disk.

If you want to play more games, players need to buy the "expansion pack."

Ma Yanyu slapped his head and said, "The game software is completely free, but the expansion pack needs to be purchased in the game store?"

Lu Yu smiled and shook his head:

“No, we don’t have an in-app purchase store. Players can only purchase expansion packs offline!

Every battle card we produce has a built-in NFC sensor chip. Players can directly place the physical card on the duel board and engage in online VR duels!

As soon as these words were spoken, the conference room was in an uproar!
Everyone was completely shocked!
Does every physical card have a built-in NFC chip?

Even the three giants of card games haven't done anything this big. This... isn't this too fantastical?

Ye Kun: "Mr. Lu, the built-in NFC chip means we can't use the production line of a regular printing factory. We have to open a separate production line. I'm worried that the cost of each card won't be low enough."

Meng Yue: "Cost is only one aspect. Considering that existing card games on the market don't use similar technology, I'm worried that we won't be able to overcome the technical difficulties if we're trying to be the first to do this... Especially when we have to make the cards as thin as possible while also stuffing the chip in, that's even more difficult."

Ding Wenping: "Existing TCGs on the market are all focusing on reducing the workload and being easy to get started. However, our players have to swipe cards on the duel disk, use combat postures and speak in a rather unrelated way. I feel this may increase the complexity of the operation and reduce the user experience."

Lu Yu listened to the employees' explanations with satisfaction.

They are so right!

Originally, he was worried that he might accidentally create a hit product by doing this reckless thing.

Now, after listening to the employees' explanation, he finally felt relieved!

The cost is high, the technology is difficult, and the online krypton gold model has been voluntarily abandoned, throwing away half of the potential profits. Isn't this the potential for a complete flop?

Recently, Taoyuan Township has released a series of hot products, and the employees love rolling more and more.

In this cycle, we can finally interrupt the positive feedback of these little scroll kings, making them completely discouraged by the strength of the three major card giants, hahahaha!
Suppressing the ecstasy in his heart, Lu Yu said seriously:

"This business model is a blue ocean, and no one else has done it. How can you say it's not possible?
The project was decided to move forward. Wan Xiaotong and the planning department were asked to come up with a detailed plan as soon as possible.
The production of the duel disk is left to useless technology.

The production of the cards will be handed over to Xiaohutuxian Company."

Looking at the room full of talented people, Lu Yu was quite satisfied. As long as they performed normally, failure would be a foregone conclusion, right?

It’s safe this time, hahaha!

After Lu Yu left the meeting room, some employees stayed in the meeting room to discuss.

Ma Yanyu: "Mr. Lu has never been involved in project development for a long time. He always takes a hands-off approach and lets us do whatever we want. What's going on this time?"

The others pondered over it but still couldn't figure it out.

Meng Yue said, "I think we should ask Mr. Liu if there's anything. After all, they're a young couple, and sharing a bed doesn't make two people feel the same. Maybe Mr. Liu can interpret it differently?"

Everyone nodded.

……

Lu Yu had just returned to his seat and hadn't even warmed up when he received a strange call from across the ocean:

"Hello, Mr. Lu Yu, I'm sorry to bother you. I'm Stephen, the chief commissioner of the International Cooperation Department of Paramount Pictures.
After reviewing your game "The Last Line", we feel that this game has great potential to be adapted into a commercial film.

I am writing to you in particular, hoping to discuss co-production of a film with you.

Please rest assured that we will provide a very attractive box office sharing contract.
Looking forward to your reply..."

Lu Yu was a little surprised when he saw this email.

Even a veteran Hollywood movie giant like Paramount has noticed their games?

However, considering the extent to which "The Last Stand" has broken the circle on Twitter and YouTube, it is not surprising that it has attracted the attention of these film producers.

In the past, Lu Yu would have decisively rejected these cooperation invitations.

Are you kidding me? If we co-produce a movie, aren't you helping me expand the influence of my IP? This is simply adding fuel to the fire!
But now, Lu Yu decided to change his thinking!

First of all, in the current international film market, the bad film rate of game-adapted movies is extremely high!
Mario, Contra, Tomb Raider, and Pokémon have all been adapted into live-action movies, but the box office and reputation were not very good.

In fact, in order to make the movie "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within", Square Enix almost bankrupted its own company and was finally forced to merge with its old rival in the RPG field, Enix.

Although Taoyuan Township will not go bankrupt with its current financial reserves, if it makes a bad movie, it will definitely backfire on the game IP itself.

In this way, the goal that he failed to achieve in the previous cycle might be miraculously accomplished in this cycle!

Lu Yu quickly replied to the other party's email, expressing his sincerity in cooperation, and asked Li Hongmei to form a special docking team to carry out subsequent communication throughout the process.

Afterwards, Lu Yu called the members of the "End of Line" project team to the conference room and announced to everyone the decision to cooperate with Paramount.

"Great!!!"

The friends in the Leisure Studio group cheered excitedly!

Paramount has left behind many classic works in Hollywood that are well-known in film history, such as "The Godfather", "Forrest Gump" and "The Truman Show".

Who knows, they might even be able to work with famous international directors!
Lu Yu smiled and raised his hand to calm everyone down:
“Although, regarding the filming of the movie, I will form a dedicated film team, but you must provide some IP and technical support.”

Everyone nodded excitedly: "Don't worry, Mr. Lu, we will definitely not embarrass the Chinese film industry!"

Lu Yu continued to give everyone a shot of prevention:
"Everyone just do your best, just do your best! Even if it turns out to be a terrible movie, it doesn't matter at all, hahahaha."

It should be said that he is eager to make a terrible movie!
……

The next day, Lu Yu called headhunting director Xia Shangyu to his office.

Seeing this sister who had backstabbed him twice in a row, Lu Yu rubbed his eyebrows:
"Sister Xia, actually... I still trust you very much now, do you understand?"

When Xia Shangyu heard this, she felt uneasy.

What does Mr. Lu mean by this?
Could it be that he finally realized that he was being lazy and slacking when acquiring Xiaohutuxian Company?

That's right, she had gone to Xingjia City before, mainly for eating, drinking and having fun, and had only spent a little over a day on investigation.

She spent the remaining month visiting various Jiangnan attractions.
She reluctantly returned when she thought it was almost time to play.

The first acquisition didn’t involve any technology, she just relied on random comments from others in her circle of friends to complain.

The second time she acquired Xiaohutuxian, she only inspected it for one day before making the final decision for the group.

Although, judging from the results, she didn't know why both companies were inexplicably successful.

But Mr. Lu must be dissatisfied with his poor work attitude!
She nodded silently: "Mr. Lu, I have actually been seriously reflecting on myself recently. I know where I went wrong in the previous two acquisitions..."

Lu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and said in a gentle tone: "Sister Xia, as long as you understand."

Because of the system warning, Lu Yu could only mutter to himself: Sister Xia, you backstabbed me so hard, I would rather you collect the salary and do nothing, be lazy or even give up, it's totally fine.

Who told you to work so hard? Why do you only choose dark horse companies to acquire?

He decided to remind the other party indirectly:

"Well, this isn't the Liu Group anymore. Our working model is completely different from that of a large corporation. I hope you can adapt to it, Sister Xia."

Lu Yu's subtext is very clear. We in Taoyuan Township don't have a wolf culture and don't have KPIs. What are you trying to achieve by working so hard?

When Xia Shangyu heard what Lu Yu said, her heart began to beat fast.

What did President Lu mean by suddenly mentioning her former employer?
She thought for a moment, and then something suddenly came to her mind!
Mr. Lu must be using my former employer to pressure me!
First of all, why did Mr. Lu say that Taoyuan Township was no match for a large company? He must have meant that although Taoyuan Township's system was a bit lax, it didn't mean that Mr. Lu knew nothing! Mr. Lu had seen Xia Shangyu's previous laziness!
Secondly, Mr. Lu might be thinking that Xia Shangyu and Liu Lan were close friends regardless of age difference, so Liu Lan would turn a blind eye to many things, but Mr. Lu doesn’t have this backdoor!
So, in the final analysis, Mr. Lu’s words were definitely a warning!

Xia Shangyu no longer dared to neglect him and quickly nodded and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Lu, I completely understand what you mean!"

"very good!"

Lu Yu began to issue formal tasks:
"Well, I want to set up a film company called Taoyuanxiang Films right away, mainly to cooperate with domestic and foreign producers to shoot films.

Now, the new company is still an empty shell, and I need a lot of producers, directors, screenwriters, etc.

So, I want to use your connections in the film industry, Sister Xia, to find a group of people to form a team. Especially the head of the company..."

After hearing this, Xia Shangyu had already guessed what Lu Yu wanted to say next.

She was just about to say that with Taoyuan Township's current size and financial strength, it would not be easy to poach a star production team.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yu said:

"It would be best if the company's head had experience making bad movies. The worse the better. The best ones are those on Rotten Tomatoes or the Golden Raspberry Awards..."

"what?"

Xia Shangyu was completely confused.

No, Mr. Lu, you just warned me to work seriously, and now you specifically target the producer of bad movies?
Does this mean I'm going to seriously tank?

Aren’t you making things difficult for Fat Tiger?

Seeing Xia Shangyu's confused face, Lu Yu thought she didn't understand the concept of a bad movie, and said earnestly:

"At worst, you'll have to find a team like 'Fortress at Sea'. If you can find a team like 'Chasing Dreams in the Entertainment Industry', it would be even better!"

"Ah this..."

Lu Yu smiled and said, "It's okay. Just go back and digest what I said slowly."

……

After sending Xia Shangyu away, Li Hongmei came over again:
"Mr. Lu, the cooperation with Paramount has been finalized, and the contract will be signed soon.

Look, should we warm up the public opinion here?"

If we follow the previous thinking, as long as the project has the risk of becoming a hit, Lu Yu will firmly disagree with the publicity.

But this cycle is different. With him personally taking charge of the micro-management, the possibility of each business line becoming a hit is no longer high.

In this case, it would be better to raise the expectations of players and movie fans, and then take advantage of the huge psychological gap to make the movie a complete flop!
The plan goes through!
Lu Yu nodded and said:
"Of course we need to build momentum, massive momentum! Sister Li, please mobilize all the media and PR resources at your disposal to hype up this film!"

In the following days, a piece of news became a hot search on Weibo, Douban, Tieba, and various movie forums:

"Taoyuan Township will be collaborating with Paramount Pictures to film a live-action film adaptation of 'The Last Stand'!"

This piece of news was a bombshell and quickly exploded in the film and gaming circles!
Originally, "The End" has been very popular recently, and it is a collaboration with a veteran Hollywood studio. It is a true Sino-US co-production, and the topic level is off the charts!
Players and movie fans left comments under this message:

"Paramount is pretty good at making zombie movies. Have you seen World War Z with Brad Pitt? It was produced by Paramount."

"His Resident Evil was pretty good, and it's considered one of the more successful movie adaptations of games."

"I'm more concerned about the filming location and the actors. Are we going to film in Japan?"

"Oh oh oh, then I specifically request the young hunk from Squirtle Agency to appear in the show!"

"The female characters are chosen from Nogizaka46!"

"Based on the audiovisual immersion I get from playing games, I'm really looking forward to the movie!"

In the [Game Melon Incident] section of the NGA forum, many employees of game companies began to expose the following:
A Tenghui employee:
"Oh my god, Taoyuan Township suddenly revealed this game movie adaptation plan, which caught us off guard. The bosses in the studio are holding a meeting to discuss whether there are any movies that can be adapted."

Youyi Employees:

"Indeed, the domestic film adaptation market is also a blue ocean for major game manufacturers, and Taoyuan Township is about to take the lead again."

Longteng Employees:

"Not long after Taoyuan Township announced its film adaptation, I passed by President Pei's office and heard the knocking sound from inside again. Haha..."

MiLeYou staff:
"Our 'Small Scrambler 3' project team hasn't been having a good time lately. Taoyuan Township is booming, and the company's new project has been disbanded. Producer Tianwu's eyes are bloodshot every day. Last time, he and his girlfriend were humiliated by President Lu on their birthdays. The story spread throughout the company, and he hasn't gotten back at them yet. Recently, Taoyuan Township has put him under great pressure. Tsk tsk tsk."

……

At this time, in Taoyuan Township Villa.

Liu Mengyuan was browsing various discussions about film adaptation on the Internet, but he was not in such a relaxed mood at the moment!
This is precisely because,

Surprise and excitement filled her heart!

You know! Liu Mengyuan has been a senior movie fan since she was a child. The reason why she decided to let her family teacher teach her art was largely influenced by film art.

Not long ago, she rewatched the Godfather trilogy filmed by Paramount.

Recently, she and Lu Yu also went to the IMAX theater to watch Paramount's "Mission Impossible", "Transformers", "Star Trek", etc., and marveled at the magical special effects of the movies.

Now, the other party is actively seeking cooperation with Taoyuan Township, which means that they recognize Taoyuan Township’s IP production capabilities!
It is also said that Taoyuanxiang is the first domestic game company that a Hollywood film company has approached for cooperation.

If the movie Taoyuanxiang becomes a hit, then Taoyuanxiang’s voice in the film and television industry will become increasingly important in the future!

Of course, that's not the point.

The point is!
Cooperation with Hollywood companies will enable Taoyuan Township to master more commercial blockbuster production processes and industrialized visual effects technology.

In short, this cooperation can be said to have only benefits and no disadvantages!

She glanced at Lu Yu, who was striving for this cooperation, and her heart was filled with sweetness.

Since her man is so capable, how could she, as the company's vice president, be willing to fall behind?!

She asked Lu Yu:
"I heard that the film 'Defense of the End' is already in preparation?"

"Oh, yes."

"Then... I'd like to recommend myself! To be the art director of this film."

Lu Yu was stunned and turned to look at Liu Mengyuan, as if thinking about something.

Seeing Lu Yu deep in thought, she thought he had some concerns, so she quickly said:

"Well, although I don't have experience in the film industry, I can learn, and I also want to contribute to the company..."

Before she could finish her words, Lu Yu raised his hand to interrupt her.

Lu Yu excitedly held the girl's hand:
"Yuanyuan, that's great! You're truly my good wife!"

"Huh?" Now it was Liu Mengyuan's turn to be confused.

Lu Yu continued, "To be honest with you, this movie was prepared just to showcase your talent! Just go ahead and have fun... Oh no, just go ahead and film it. I'll support you no matter the money or the people!"

(End of this chapter)