Restart life

Chapter 290 0287 [Plants vs. Zombies is about to be released]

As the year draws to a close, various annual meetings and lists are due to be released.

Each has its own organization and way of playing, and they also come up with all sorts of gimmicks.

For example, those who sell computer hardware and software and communication equipment hold what are essentially annual IT wealth conferences and CIO conferences. They combine them and publicly declare them as the "Two Sessions of the IT Industry."

For game companies, it's a game industry annual meeting, publicly known as the "Golden Rooster Awards of the game industry."

Bah, bad luck!

Chen Guiliang had to go because this year was extremely unusual. All CEOs of companies involved in the gaming business had to come in person!

The venue was very prestigious, located in the National Association Auditorium.

There was no reason why we chose to hold the meeting here.

You can't arrive too early or too late; you have to time your arrival perfectly to queue for security.

No matter who you are, just line up obediently first.

Chen Guiliang was at the very back of the line, moving slowly forward.

Chen Guiliang didn't know how long he had been queuing when he turned around and found that Little Ma was standing behind him.

"Hello," Little Ma greeted with a smile.

Chen Guiliang nodded in greeting: "Hello. Five-digit QQ numbers are quite useful. I only kept one for myself, and used the rest to reward senior executives."

Little Ma was both amused and exasperated, only then remembering that he had spoken with Chen Guiliang.

Pony Ma said, "Your speech a while ago was great."

Are you trying to mock Robin Li here?
"Thank you," Chen Guiliang then asked, "Is the distribution agreement for 'Dungeon & Fighter' still under negotiation?"

Pony Ma asked, "Does Game Science also want to join the negotiations?"

Chen Guiliang said, "It's possible."

The game that rivals "Future Era" is already working on its third expansion.

Before the Spring Festival, we need to conduct a closed beta test with 1,000 participants, mainly for stress testing.

Little Ma didn't say anything more; he was confident he could take down the other distributors.

Chen Guiliang finally reached the security checkpoint, took off his coat, opened his arms, and accepted a thorough inspection by the security personnel.

There were no reporters taking photos outside the venue; they could only take photos at specific times and locations.

Unlike last year's event in Xiamen, which was a complete mess, they even held a singing competition for game company CEOs and executives. Ding Sanshi sang, and ranked quite high; he sang exceptionally well.

Last year, there were various forums and booths available. The events lasted for several days, giving Chinese and foreign game companies the opportunity to discuss business deals.

There's nothing this year, and the event only lasts half a day.

Moreover, the process is very tight; once everyone has passed the security check, the opening ceremony is about to begin.

No wonder the security checks are so strict.

This situation is unprecedented, indicating that the online gaming industry is receiving tremendous attention.

Faced with such a grand occasion, Chen Guiliang recalled Li Yanhong's statement that the gaming industry is just a small industry in the global internet industry...

Chen Guiliang spotted Tao Chenggang from afar. The two nodded to each other but didn't approach for a chat. Instead, they went to their seats. The others did the same, finding their places and sitting down, at most whispering to those next to them.

Chen Guiliang sat with Wang Zijie from Jiuyou.com on his left and Wu Hongbing from Junwang on his right.

"You're here?" Wang Zijie said in a low voice.

Chen Guiliang said, "Good morning."

Wang Zijie said, "This year's process was very rushed, with all procedures compressed into half a day."

“Indeed,” Chen Guiliang said, making conversation, “Audition Online’s peak concurrent player count has exceeded 80?”

Wang Zijie smiled smugly: "It broke 80 two weeks ago."

Chen Guiliang exclaimed sincerely, "Awesome!"

Wang Zijie said, "Three Kingdoms Kill is also good; it surpassed 50 players half a year ago."

Chen Guiliang said, "That was when the public opinion was very heated. A week later, it dropped to more than 30. But now it has risen again, and the peak over the weekend is basically above 45."

"You're really amazing," Wang Zijie praised. "There are many players in internet cafes for Audition Online, so a peak of 80 concurrent users is nothing special. But the players of Three Kingdoms Kill are mainly users with their own computers, and a peak of 45 on weekends is terrifying."

The two had no competitive relationship and sat together praising each other.

The data for everyone's games is increasing, not only because the game content is excellent, but also because of the rapid development of the Chinese Internet.

The number of Chinese internet users will reach 1.37 million by the end of this year (excluding a large number of internet cafe users). In addition, broadband users will exceed 1 million, and mobile internet users will reach 1700 million.

During this period, while developing ringback tones, Huang Xinyuan also vigorously promoted the mobile WAP site of HaiNei.com and made the ringback tones available for download on the WAP site.

Currently, the number of registered users on HaiNei.com's WAP site has reached 23, and the number of mobile Weibo users has exceeded 10.

Chen Guiliang glanced at Wu Hongbing sitting on the other side.

The other person glanced at him, they nodded to each other, but said nothing.

Wu Hongbing sells game points cards, and the game "The Emperor's Reign" also collaborated with Wu Hongbing.

Suddenly, the entire room fell silent.

The high-ranking official gave the opening speech, which lasted less than five minutes.

Next came speeches from leaders of various ministries, most of which were condensed to within five minutes. Some were even only two or three minutes long.

After the leaders finished speaking, the organizers immediately began their annual work summary.

The event was very tightly scheduled, so fast that it could be described as a race against time.

Upon completion of the work summary, exemplary local governments, outstanding industrial bases, outstanding game media, and outstanding industry self-regulatory units will be immediately commended…

Now comes the main event: the release of the Chinese game ranking system!

This isn't really a game ranking list; it's more like a whitelist system for the gaming industry.

Backed by multiple national ministries and commissions, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, and the State Administration of Taxation, and designed under the leadership of the CGIA (Game Software Association), the program covers four dimensions: game products, corporate qualifications, support services (media and channels), and individual contributions.

For example, games that don't implement anti-addiction measures will be penalized with points. Tax evasion will also result in points being penalized. Inappropriate words or actions by game company executives will also result in points being penalized.

There are many bonus points, such as exporting games overseas and innovating game modes.

Wang Zijie was both amused and exasperated: "What if we get too many points deducted?"

Chen Guiliang thought to himself: This is paving the way for game licenses!

In the future, with the implementation of a license system for online games, companies with low scores will definitely face restrictions.

This whitelist is like a teacher taking attendance, while the game license is like a final exam. If you never show up for attendance, how do you expect to pass the final exam?

At this point in the event, most of the leaders began to leave. The atmosphere in the room instantly became much more relaxed, just like a homeroom teacher leaving a classroom.

The next 70 minutes were dedicated to speeches by CEOs of game companies.

Each person has a time limit of 3 minutes.

Moreover, while the previous speaker is giving their speech, the next speaker has to prepare in advance.

Time is being squeezed really tight.

CEOs who enjoy long-winded, rambling speeches clearly found this arrangement somewhat unsettling. Reading from a prepared script felt very awkward.

Chen Guiliang had also prepared a draft, but he did not present it on the spot.

"To make a long story short, I am Chen Guiliang from Game Science."

Chen Guiliang said, "This year's theme is innovation, creativity, and creation. 'Three Kingdoms Kill' is a secondary innovation based on 'BANG!', and Youpay is also a further innovation based on Payment 1.0. Innovation standing on the shoulders of giants is still innovation, but I hope my colleagues will not simply copy it. While queuing for security check just now, I chatted briefly with Mr. Ma from Tencent. His 'Hero Kill' and 'QQ Farm' are quite good..."

"Hahahaha!"

The whole audience burst into laughter.

Little Ma remained expressionless.

Chen Guiliang added, "If Mr. Ma gives me another 10 five-digit QQ numbers, I'm willing to take back what I just said."

The audience burst into laughter again.

The atmosphere was rather somber today, so it was rare to see someone willing to joke around, and everyone present was very supportive.

This seems to be the first time there has been collective laughter today, and it happened twice in a row.

Little Ma smiled too.

Chen Guiliang stated, "Next, Game Science will be releasing two games. One is *Plants vs. Zombies*, scheduled for release on January 1st. It can be played online or offline. The other is *Future Era*, scheduled for closed beta testing before the Spring Festival, with only 1000 beta accounts available. After the closed beta ends, all data will be wiped. Please look forward to it. Thank you!"

After he finished speaking and left, the next person went up.

However, the game company executives present felt some pressure.

What's with releasing two new games in just a month and a half?

Since launching "Three Kingdoms Kill," Game Science has only made a few small games like "Happy Farm." Why are they suddenly releasing two more?

If someone else said something like that, no one would take it seriously.

However, Tao Chenggang has repeatedly stated publicly that "The Emperor's Reign" incorporated many suggestions from Chen Guiliang. Who would dare underestimate them?

Chen Guiliang returned to his seat, and Wang Zijie immediately asked, "Is 'Future Era' an MMO?"

"I guess you could say that," Chen Guiliang replied ambiguously.

Wu Hongbing, who was standing next to him, asked, "Do you need Junwang to help you sell game cards?"

Chen Guiliang said, "We can cooperate."

Although his Youpay app also allows top-ups, its offline channels are not fully developed, while Junwang has very mature channels in internet cafes, newsstands, and convenience stores.

Wu Hongbing, who hadn't spoken to Chen Guiliang until now, suddenly became enthusiastic upon hearing this, took out his phone and said, "Mr. Chen, let's exchange contact information."

Chen Guiliang also took out his phone.

After saving the contact, Wu Hongbing said, "Let's keep in touch. Our companies are close by, we can easily visit each other on foot. Junwang welcomes Mr. Chen to visit anytime."

"We still need to rely on Mr. Wu's help to sell recharge cards," Chen Guiliang said with a smile.

With shared interests, the two quickly became friends.

After the industry representatives finished their speeches, the awards ceremony began immediately.

The awards ceremony was also rushed.

There were 25 awards, with 10 winners for each award. A total of 250 people went on stage to receive their awards, but the awards had to be given out within half an hour.

Chen Guiliang went on stage several times.

Ding Sanshi was the busiest, winning a total of 10 awards!

Tao Chenggang and Shi Yuzhu were both awarded the 2006 Game Newcomer of the Year award.

Chen Guiliang received the Person of the Year award.

Wu Hongbing, who was selling game cards next to him, was also a Person of the Year.

Chen Guiliang also received a bunch of awards such as Best Green Game of the Year, Best Casual Game, Best Domestic Online Game, Best Art Design...

This year marks the first time a best mobile game has been chosen.

Chen Tianqiao actually won this award because "Legend of Mir" launched a mobile version.

After the awards ceremony, everyone lined up to leave the venue.

It wasn't until they got outside onto the street that Wang Zijie complained, "This is so boring! This is the first time I've ever encountered an event like this."

Chen Guiliang said, "It's okay to feel bored. But compressing three days of activities into half a day inevitably makes people mentally tense."

Tao Chenggang called him: "Let's have dinner together tonight. Make plans with all the CEOs you know and see if they'll come."

"Okay," Chen Guiliang said.

Another night of drinking with a bunch of people; I won't go into the details.

The following day, while major media outlets focused on the whitelist and awards, readers were more interested in Chen Guiliang's two games.

The news was revealed six months ago, and now it's finally going to be released.

Chen Guiliang and "Three Kingdoms Kill" both have die-hard fans. They flocked to the Youke Interactive Game Platform and discovered that "Plants vs. Zombies" had already started pre-sales.

Priced at 5 yuan...

Is it really a single-player game?
And it's so cheap!
Pirated game CDs from roadside stalls cost about this much.

In mainland China, single-player games have always had dismal sales.

Plants vs. Zombies is too cheap; it's definitely not going to break even.

Many users of Youke Interactive Games had already recharged their accounts before. Seeing that they still had a balance in their accounts, they casually pre-ordered a copy.

On the first day of pre-sales, more than 200 units were sold.

More than 300 servings were sold on the second day.

On the third day, more than 500 servings were sold...

They were all waiting to download it on New Year's Day to see what kind of mess Chen Guiliang had come up with.

(End of this chapter)