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

Inside the meeting room of the Taoyuan Township studio, the atmosphere was so heavy that it seemed as if it had solidified into a thick block of ice.

Planning Director Liu Mengyuan stood in front of the conference table, holding a freshly printed market data report in his hand, his face terribly gloomy.

"Everyone, we're in trouble."

As soon as she finished speaking, the entire conference room fell silent, and everyone's eyes turned to her.

Program Director Chu Xiong frowned and pushed his glasses up: "What's going on?"

Liu Mengyuan took a deep breath, threw the data report on the table, and said in a heavy tone: "Our competitors have already started to take action."

Taoyuan Township’s rival is none other than the veteran gaming giant in the industry – Apocalypse Group.

This gaming company has a huge capital chain, a mature R&D team, and profound market influence.

And their helmsman is Han Yufeng, a business genius known for his ruthlessness, decisiveness and strong tactics.

He is not only the CEO of Apocalypse Group, but also the strategic master who is best at "precisely attacking competitors" in the gaming industry.

At this moment, in the headquarters building of Apocalypse Group, a full-scale competitive offensive against "Don't Play This Game" is quietly unfolding.

Han Yufeng sat in the spacious office, his eyes deep and his slender fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"Taoyuan Township's 'Don't Play This Game' has gone viral, and we need to respond quickly."

He glanced at the several executives at the conference table, his tone calm and unquestionable: "I want to divert the entire market's attention away from Taoyuan Township's games. Can you do it?"

Marketing Director Li Hao nodded, a confident smile playing on his face. "It's all arranged. We've prepared a comprehensive marketing strategy. Within three days, our game will dominate the headlines of all major social media platforms."

"How to do it specifically?" Han Yufeng asked calmly.

Li Hao flipped open a planning proposal and began to report in detail: "First, we've contacted several of the world's largest gaming media outlets and purchased their homepage recommendation slots for a full week. No matter which gaming news website players open, they'll see our game promotion."

“Secondly, we launched a high-budget CG promotional film, produced by a top animation team, with the quality comparable to Hollywood blockbusters, and released it directly around the world.”

"Furthermore, we have signed cooperation agreements with several top gaming anchors and KOLs. They will focus on live streaming our games in the next week to drive up the popularity of the topic."

"In addition, we also organized an 'unprecedented player welfare event' on major social platforms - as long as you log in to the game during the event, you can receive game props and gift packs worth thousands of yuan, which directly attracted a large number of players to divert their attention."

This series of measures made all the senior executives in the meeting room nod their heads.

Han Yufeng smiled slightly, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "Very good, this is just the first step."

He paused, glancing at another executive. "What about the PR department? What's your plan?"

Gu Xue, the public relations director of Tianqi Group, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said calmly, "We have arranged a series of 'public opinion warfare' plans."

"First, we will use anonymous channels to create topics on major gaming forums about players expressing dissatisfaction with the game, amplifying existing bugs and issues within the game, and causing players to question Taoyuan Township's operational capabilities."

"Secondly, we will find some professional game reviewers who, under the guise of 'objective analysis,' will point out flaws in 'Don't Play This Game' and create a narrative that 'this game, while popular, isn't as good as advertised.'"

"Then, we will create the illusion of 'player loss' on major social media platforms. For example, we will arrange for a large number of online trolls to post messages claiming that they have abandoned the game and switched to our new game from Tianqi Group."

"Finally, we will put some 'comparison' videos on short video platforms like Bilibili and Douyin, comparing the advantages of our game with the disadvantages of 'Don't Play This Game', in order to subtly influence players' judgment."

After listening to this, Han Yufeng raised the corners of his mouth slightly and clapped lightly.

"Great! In this way, the market popularity of 'Don't Play This Game' should be reduced in a short period of time."

His eyes turned cold, and his tone was unquestionable: "I want to let them know that this industry is not something that a new company like them can easily shake."

In the conference room, everyone answered in unison: "Yes!"

At the same time, in the meeting room of Taoyuan Township Studio, Liu Mengyuan had already placed this information on the table.

Her face was grim and her tone was low: "The Apocalypse Group has begun an all-out offensive. Their goal is to completely squeeze our market share."

Chu Xiong frowned. "These people are too treacherous, aren't they? They're using a war of public opinion, a war of market, a war of public relations. Every move is ruthless. They simply won't leave us any chance of survival!"

Art Director Yang Cheng gritted his teeth, "We've worked so hard to get 'Don't Play This Game' to this point. Are they really going to use this method to suppress us?"

Liu Mengyuan took a deep breath, his eyes determined: "We must fight!"

Her voice echoed in the conference room: "Taoyuan Township will never be intimidated!"

However, just as everyone was preparing for the battle with high morale, Lu Yu, the "soul" of the company, was sitting leisurely on the sofa, holding a cup of lemon tea with a calm expression.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the extremely nervous executives in the conference room. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and his tone was understated: "So, what you mean is that our game has become so popular that the Apocalypse Group can't sit still?"

Liu Mengyuan was stunned: "Uh... yes."

Lu Yu smiled and took a sip of tea: "Then what is there to worry about?"

Everyone: "..."

He put down his teacup, his eyes calm and his tone calm: "Since they are afraid of us, it means that we did the right thing."

Everyone in the conference room was stunned.

Then, Liu Mengyuan raised the corner of his mouth and a hint of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.

"That's right, then let them see what the true king of the open world is!"

As night falls, the International Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai is brightly lit and neon lights flash.

This is a feast for the gaming industry - the Global Game Developers Summit.

In the hall, high-end customized crystal chandeliers cast soft light. Executives from top gaming companies, industry giants, senior producers, investors, and media representatives gathered together, clinking glasses and chatting, their conversations filled with discussions about the game between capital and the market.

Among these people dressed in suits and looking very energetic, a young man in a casual shirt with one hand in his pocket seemed particularly out of place.

He was neither keen on small talk nor took the initiative to join those groups of people who talked big. Instead, he casually held a glass of champagne, leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, and leisurely enjoyed the night view of the Magic City.

He is Lu Yu, the founder of Taoyuanxiang Studio.

However, most of the people present looked at him with disdain, contempt, or suspicion.

In a small social circle not far away, several industry leaders were standing in groups of three or four, talking in low voices.

"Have you heard? Taoyuanxiang Studio's 'Don't Play This Game' will be officially released at the summit tomorrow, and that Lu Yu is here too." "Huh, is he worthy of such an occasion? How can a small, newly established studio be on equal footing with industry giants like us?"

"Like, open world? AI-driven? With their limited funding and team size, what can they produce?"

"I've seen their promotional PV before, and they talk about a 'dynamically evolving virtual world' and 'each player's experience is unique'... It sounds impressive, but can they really achieve this technology?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Even our Apocalypse Group can't do it. How can a small company like them do it? They're either bragging or just dreaming with PowerPoint."

"Haha, young people always like to come up with some gimmicks, but whether they can be implemented in the end is still unclear."

"I've heard that the investment community is also very cautious about them. After all, they don't have any success stories. Who would easily invest money in them?"

"Just wait, if something goes wrong at their press conference tomorrow, they'll definitely become the laughing stock of the entire industry."

"Hahaha, that's really interesting."

They smiled at each other, their tone full of undisguised contempt.

At the same time, in the investor circle on the other side, several representatives of venture capital companies were talking in low voices.

"The project in Taoyuan Township is too risky."

"Yes, there is absolutely no mature business model. If their game is really made according to their promotional methods, the server costs, operating costs, and AI computing costs will be ridiculously high."

"I've spoken with their planning director, and their development concept is indeed very advanced, but in reality... this kind of overly radical innovation may not be accepted by the market."

"What's more, the Apocalypse Group has been targeting them recently. With such fierce market competition, can they really survive?"

"There's a consensus in our venture capital community that it's not the right time to make a bet yet, so let's wait and see."

"Indeed, we will wait until their game is launched and see how it responds to the market. If it really has potential, we will consider investing."

Several investors exchanged a knowing look. Obviously, they were not optimistic about the Taoyuan Township project.

In the media area, several game reporters were also whispering.

"What do you think Taoyuan Township can offer at tomorrow's press conference?"

"Hard stuff? I think it's a joke."

"Honestly, this Lu Yu, who was barely a name in the industry before, suddenly set up a studio and claimed to revolutionize the industry? Isn't this just a fantasy?"

"Their game promotions are too ambitious, with claims like 'AI-driven dynamic worlds' and 'truly immersive experiences'. It sounds impressive, but has any studio actually delivered on this?"

"Do you remember that company from two years ago that claimed to have an 'AI open world'? A few days after it launched, the servers crashed, players started complaining, and it ultimately went bankrupt."

"That's right, history always repeats itself. I bet the outcome for Taoyuan Township won't be much better."

"Just wait, there will definitely be some explosive news at tomorrow's press conference. Anyway, we're just reporting the facts."

Several reporters smiled at each other and began to mentally rehearse tomorrow's negative news headlines.

However, in the face of all these doubts, Lu Yu didn't care.

He still leaned leisurely against the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the dazzling night view of the Magic City, the champagne in his hand swaying gently, reflecting spots of light.

It's not like he wasn't aware of the rumors.

He just... couldn't be bothered.

He had long anticipated the questions from these industry leaders, investors, and media people.

After all, in this industry, "conservatism" is the mainstream, and any innovation that goes beyond conventional cognition will be doubted, ridiculed, and despised.

But isn’t that what the gaming industry is all about?

All breakthroughs start from being "unfavorable".

Lu Yu raised the corners of his mouth slightly, took a sip of champagne, and a meaningful light flashed in his eyes.

"Not optimistic? Then let me show you what a true revolution is."

Under the night sky, the Magic City is still brightly lit and bustling.

Tomorrow, he will make the entire industry redefine the word "game".

On one side were representatives from Taoyuan Township Studio, led by none other than the always unfathomable Lu Yu. He still looked lazy and casual, with his chin supported by one hand and a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

On the other side was the senior management team of the Apocalypse Group, and the person leading them was none other than the group’s vice president, Shen Mubai.

Shen Mubai was wearing a neat suit, with a pair of sharp eagle-like eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses. There was a gentle smile on the corners of his mouth, but everyone who knew him knew that this man's methods should never be underestimated.

Today's meeting was ostensibly about cooperation, but in reality...

This is a competition of capital and a hunting game that is ready to start.

"Mr. Lu, first of all, congratulations to your company. The marketing performance of 'This Is Not a Game' is very impressive."

Shen Mubai took a sip of coffee, his tone steady, with just the right amount of appreciation and affinity.

"However, as an old friend in the industry, I must remind you that your team is limited in size after all. In the face of global market expansion, would you consider deeper cooperation with our Tianqi Group?"

He smiled slightly, his tone sincere and seductive: "The resources and promotion capabilities of the Apocalypse Group in the global game market will definitely take 'This Is Not a Game' to the next level."

In the conference room, the Taoyuan Township team members all frowned, and Liu Mengyuan subconsciously tightened the pen in his hand.

Of course they knew that Apocalypse Group would never simply "help" them.

If they were allowed to intervene, there would be only one result - Taoyuan Township's market share would be eaten away bit by bit, and it would eventually become a vassal of Tianqi.

But just when Liu Mengyuan was about to refuse, Lu Yu suddenly smiled.

"Mr. Shen's words make a lot of sense."

He slowly put down the documents in his hand and leaned lazily back in his chair. His tone was as relaxed as if he was chatting about the weather. "After all, our Taoyuan Township is indeed a small company with limited operating experience, and our publicity capabilities cannot match those of a large group like yours."

Shen Mubai was slightly startled, and then a smile of triumph flashed in his eyes. (End of this chapter)