Game Development: Starting with Recreating the Anime Game Style

Chapter 318 The advantage is mine
Just like the food delivery wars of the past.

The three companies are running promotions and dissing each other. Although it looks like a cyber war, it is actually the food delivery industry further cultivating its user base.

Therefore, rationally speaking, they should cooperate with Xingchen and continue their publicity campaign.

For example, they might also release a poster featuring some older single-player games that WEGAME had previously stockpiled and that had obtained game licenses. However, doing so would also cause Starry Sky to attract more traffic.

Given the current size of Tencent and StarCraft, Tencent is still losing money overall.

Just like JD.com's food delivery service and Meituan's food delivery service in their previous lives, Meituan was still losing money overall because it had a much larger user base.

This is a bit subtle.

More importantly, this sudden move by Starry Sky Games was completely outside of Tencent's plans.

Originally, Tencent only planned to promote XGAME, but now StarCenter has suddenly started promoting StarCenter Tap, a domestic platform.

If Tencent wants to follow suit, it will obviously have to follow suit in this area as well, which means an increase in marketing and distribution costs.

Furthermore, although Tencent's WEGAME has Monster Hunter in reserve, the games in the reserve are all quite weak if it is about to be launched.

However, after much deliberation, Zhao Ming decided to go ahead with it.

"Don't be afraid, they only have one game, 'Cat Cat,' which is a casual game. What's the use of a half-price discount? The advantage is with me!"

And then Zhao Ming said, "The advantage is on my side."

That same evening, WEGAME also urgently launched a batch of domestically produced single-player games that had been previously agreed upon, attempting to encircle Starcraft in the domestic market.

In a short time, the situation changed dramatically.

What was initially thought to be a one-sided, crushing war quickly escalated into a full-scale war affecting both domestic and international audiences.

The battlefield was also clearly divided into two parts.

The first part is the domestic section, which mainly consists of casual and indie single-player games that have already been approved by both parties.

StarCraft gained an early advantage thanks to its large user base and good reputation accumulated from previous games like "Jump Jump," while Tencent, relying on WEGAME's channels and quantity, came on strong.

The second battleground is "overseas platforms".

This is the real "main battlefield," a head-on collision of the two sides' international platforms. This is Tencent's main battlefield, but StarCraft also operates through StarCraft America.

Some single-player games to enjoy this summer have been released.

Hollow Knight, Inside, Dark Souls III, Total War: Warhammer, Resident Evil 7

Although these games are not Chinese exclusives, they are also available on Steam.

Overall, it's a relatively new game, and the event also offered a coupon for 50 RMB off for every 100 RMB spent. Incidentally, after StarCraft announced these games, Tencent responded by adding a few classic single-player games.

Time flew by amidst the fierce promotional battle between the two major platforms, and the entire first half of August became a carnival for gamers on the internet.

Tencent and Starry Sky are like two boxers who are fighting fiercely, exchanging punches and kicks.

Today, Xingchen released promotional videos for several games, claiming a direct 50% discount with no hidden tricks. Tomorrow, Tencent will release one too, offering more than a 50% discount, with a chance to win a free game by completing tasks.

Tencent just announced a partnership with China's largest internet cafe chain to launch the "WEGAME Privilege Experience Machine," which allows users to try out all the single-player games in the game library for free for two hours.

Following that, StarCraft immediately announced "No need to try it out, the game is free," indicating that when StarCraft's August new product festival version event starts, they will give away the standard edition of "Terraria" for free.

Following this, StarCraft America announced on Twitter that "Floating Dreams" would have a global 48-hour open beta test on August 20.

Like other news from the Starry Sky Games platform, this message was initially released in English, and then reposted by domestic media from "overseas".

In short, the battle has escalated from a simple game promotion into a meme-making movement affecting the entire internet subculture.

The two "big shots" are attacking each other.

A large group of players cheered them on from the sidelines. Various comparison charts and analytical articles emerged one after another.

~~~
August 19, Tencent Building.

Although XGAME has not been officially launched yet, the atmosphere within the XGAME division is very relaxed, with a joyful air of victory everywhere.

This relaxed atmosphere certainly didn't come out of nowhere.

"Mr. Zhao, this is the latest summary of public opinion data."

"Since we officially announced the release date on August 5th, the positive discussion about 'XGAME' and 'Tencent Games' across the internet has increased by 700% compared to the previous period! Although the data from Xingchen is also very good, our core customer base has been completely stabilized!"

Zhao Ming leaned back in his executive chair, slowly flipping through the report, his smile growing wider.

The data in the report is indeed impressive.

Almost every day, both of them appear on the trending topics lists of major social media platforms.

Even though Tencent's reputation led to a slightly lower conversion rate, overall, Tencent has finally secured its place on the table this time.

Yes, although saying this might be a bit of an insult to others, and it's a bit "shameful" for the absolute domestic hegemon to only now be taking the lead, that's the truth.

When TapTap first came out last year, Tencent really couldn't do anything about it. Now, at least they can compete. How can this not be a huge victory?!

As you can see, Weishi next door was utterly crushed by TikTok as soon as it launched. TikTok's daily active users are approaching 100 million, and Tencent's video division still hasn't found a way to counter it.
Compared to this, Zhao Ming felt that he might actually be able to pop the champagne.

Even if he ultimately loses to Xingchen in this battle, just being able to stand on the same field is a victory for him personally.

Judging from the current situation...

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the XGAME platform will definitely be able to capture all the traffic tomorrow.

"Well done."

"President Zhao is truly visionary!"

"Unfortunately, Starry Sky's search volume and reservations are much higher than ours."

There was some noise in the office. Zhao Ming glanced around but couldn't see who was speaking. The person realized they had said something wrong after they finished speaking.

Overall, however, everything is still under control.

Even though Xingchen did lead Tencent around for the past week, and Tencent basically just fought back, he kept fighting back.
However, the publicity that Tencent has put in is still effective. The next step is to wait for tomorrow, August 20th, for a smooth launch.

"The advantage is mine!"

Zhao Ming silently repeated those four words in his mind, feeling completely refreshed, as if he could already see the Starry Night Game looking utterly tarnished two days later.

He had even decided on the location for the victory celebration banquet.

Just then, a young employee responsible for monitoring public opinion walked up to Zhao Ming.

"Mr. Zhao... Mr. Zhao..."

He spoke softly, stammering as he began.

Zhao Ming frowned slightly, somewhat displeased: "What's the big deal? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Starry Sky... Starry Sky Games' official Weibo account has posted a new update."

"Oh? What, another game giveaway?"

"No... not..."

"Players have discovered that 'Floating Dreams' is now available in the game! The Starry Summer Event has begun!!!"

(End of this chapter)