Game Development: Starting with Recreating the Anime Game Style

Chapter 105 Which company has the skill of making empty promises?

That night.

Chu Chen then received a message from Hai Mao.

Immediately afterwards, he took the message to a Mr. Xiang, who wished to remain anonymous, for confirmation.

Xiang Lixuan could tell that Chu Chen already knew.

Moreover, it wasn't him who leaked it; out of consideration for maintaining the relationship, he immediately revealed the whole story.

In short, Tencent Games will hold a "Midsummer New Product Launch Conference" on July 19th, the day before the release of version 1.1 of "Final Front".

It will be launched directly, including new versions of several games such as League of Legends Auto Chess, and two Final Frontline LIKE sequels will also be released.

It's still news about this "Mr. Xiang".

Tencent's actions were "not intended to sabotage Final Frontline 1.1".

It was because they learned that NetEase planned to announce the open beta date of "Onmyoji" at the International Digital Entertainment Expo (CNJOY) on July 28, and would also open up a trial version of "Onmyoji's" auto chess mode.

Of course, that's what they say, but whether you believe it or not, and how you believe it, is another matter.

That's Chu Chen's own business now.

In short, a lot of news indicates that the auto-chess boom of Final Frontier is fading, and at a faster pace than expected. Version 1.1 will be a major variable.

"What are you going to do?"

Song Yueying's voice pulled Chu Chen back from his thoughts.

As Starry Night Games expands, the canteens within the park and the food street outside the park have become much more lively.

The area was packed with people during mealtimes, but now that the peak hours have passed, it's much quieter.

Chu Chen picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks.

"What do you mean?"

Song Yueying almost choked. This guy, just a moment ago he was complaining to her about how Tencent was coming on strong and making her anxious, but now he's acting like nothing happened.
"Tencent's press conference was clearly an attempt to stir up trouble before our 1.1 version update. Wasn't that obvious?"

"Hey, isn't this normal?"

"Is this normal? At the beginning of the month, when Tencent helped us promote the starry wallpaper, it was all about a win-win cooperation... and it's only been a few days."

"Hey, isn't this just the norm in business?"

Chu Chen slowly took a sip of soup, tapping his chopsticks lightly on the edge of the plate twice.

"Mr. Teng has become more respectable in recent years, but that's because they can make money while being respectable. Since being respectable can make money, there's no need to be so undignified."

“Now, if I don’t let them earn money decently, then naturally they won’t earn it decently either.”

"Didn't we know this would be the outcome when we initially refused to sell our shares?"

Song Yueying sighed, looking at Chu Chen who remained unmoved, and felt admiration for him.

"You're so composed..."

"Did you know that Tencent poached the art outsourcing company we've been working with? I seriously suspect that the project called 'Night Spirit' will plagiarize us..."

"No matter how closely it's imitated, it's not the final battle line."

Chu Chen picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and put it down.

"Besides, I didn't say I wouldn't do anything."

"If Tencent can hold a press conference, why can't we?"

For Chu Chen, mid-July was also a crucial juncture. Firstly, there was the 1.1 version update, and secondly, several simple casual games on Star Tap, such as Jump Jump, Embroidery Needle, and Doll.
It's basically all done.

Therefore, Chu Chen's original plan was to launch Star Tap at CNJOY at the end of July.

Publicity and promotion are like boxing.

Centralized publicity is always more effective than scattered publicity.

In addition, Chu Chen has acquired a lot of copyrights recently, including FATE, Touhou, and Liu Cixin's novels other than The Three-Body Problem.

When Chu Chen heard that Tencent was going to hold a press conference, he was even delighted.

The logic is actually quite simple: if Starry Sky Games holds a separate press conference or makes an announcement at CNJOY in July...

Their influence will be somewhat less. But if in July, Xingchen and Tencent, one an "original creator" and the other a "plagiarist," hold press conferences in the same month, or even on the same day...
What will the effect be?
Will this attract the attention of the media?
"Us? Holding a separate press conference? Is that big enough?"

After listening to Chu Chen's ideas, Song Yueying's first question was about scale.

Over the course of a few months, because she often had to play the role of Chu Chen's secretary, Song Yueying gradually learned some things from being an art director who knew nothing about operations.

The current framework of Starry Sky is also very clear.

Thanks to Chu Chen's nouveau riche-style extravagant spending, Starry Sky Games currently has five game studios.

These are Astral Finale Studio, which is currently working on "Final Battlefront," and Astral Moon Studio, which is currently recruiting and preparing to remake "Fate/Grand Order."

There's also the former Blue Warfare Studio, now Starry Sky A2 Studio, which recently left Tencent and is currently undergoing restructuring.

Xingchen Tap Studio, which was acquired by Xingdong Games, primarily develops casual games.

And A3 Studio, which is currently in the planning stages and preparing to launch the "Holy Grail War" project, but has not yet started working there.

But then again.

Although the studios seem numerous, Starry Night Games is not currently developing many games.

This is why Song Yueying asked whether our size is sufficient.

For game developers, press conferences are naturally a great opportunity for exposure, but it is actually very difficult for a single developer to hold a press conference.

In China, only Tencent and NetEase can do that.

The reason is simple: press conferences are just empty promises.

Before Chu Chen proposed this plan, there were many small and medium-sized manufacturers who got carried away and tried to hold press conferences like the big companies, but the result was often more bark than bite.

The online live stream had only a handful of viewers, sparse interaction, and lacked any exciting content, ultimately ending abruptly.

The investment went down the drain, not only failing to generate any buzz, but potentially even having the opposite effect.

"The only thing we can promote is the new version of Final Frontline, right? Or are you planning to make those mini-games on StarTap the main focus?"

Chu Chen shook his head.

Although the Star Tap team, led by Li Yifeng, had already entered the development stage, these games were Chu Chen's trump cards, the kind that would draw blood as soon as they were used.

Secondly, most of these games are the kind that you have to play them yourself to experience their fun.

For players who attend the press conference, they might find it very fun, but those watching the live stream online will not experience the same feeling at all.

"You can't hold a press conference without releasing a single new game, can you?"

"Who says we don't have new games?"

"Really?"

Song Yueying doesn't remember the company starting any new projects recently.

"You mean, that cat?"

The cat the girl was referring to was the movie "What Mischief Can a Cat Have?", now known as Starry Sky A2 Studio. Song Yueying knew about this project.

And she really liked the project.

Every now and then, he would go to A2 Studio to try out the demo, which shows that he is a "die-hard fan" of cats.

But even so.

Song Yueying didn't think that a press conference could be held just because of a cute cat. Song Yueying understood this principle, and Chu Chen certainly understood it too.

"So what do you want to release?"

Hearing this, Chu Chen smiled.

Do you know the true nature of a press conference?

"What is it?"

"It's just empty promises."

　To ensure that our readers can enjoy the story, we've released all the setup at once—12,000 words in total.
　　I feel completely drained right now, my eyes are lifeless. Tomorrow I finally don't have to write any preambles. Next up is... a showdown with Mr. Teng, a new game, a new version of Final Frontline, a new project, the CNJOY part, and a hard alliance with StarTap.
　　So, dear readers, please continue reading and vote with your monthly tickets! Thank you so much! (ω)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)