Rebirth 08: Can a mobile game company also build a tech empire?

Chapter 105 Graffiti Jump

After leaving the South Wing, he returned to the West Wing.

We went to Sony's booth first.

That area was arranged like a temple in the dark.

The huge PS3 logo shone with a blue light.

Unlike the futuristic white of the Microsoft booth.

In sharp contrast.

Unlike Microsoft's strategy of emphasizing new technologies, Sony's booth focused on the games themselves.

The longest queue was in front of the demo area for "God of War I".

Many players come here specifically to experience Kratos' epic battle against the Titans.

Nintendo is focusing on their Wii this time.

The site was filled with various devices for trial use.

And all you have to do is try out Wii Sports Resort.

You can also get a frisbee.

This resulted in long queues forming in front of the booth.

Charles Martinet, the voice actor who provided the iconic "It's me! Mario!" for Mario, was also present.

Lu Chen took a photo with him.

Continue browsing to other booths.

Capcom's booth, on the other hand, was filled with a terrifying atmosphere.

The demo area for Resident Evil 5 was set up as an African village.

Dim lighting, dilapidated thatched huts.

There are also zombie actors who appear from time to time.

It caused the participants to scream in surprise.

Lu Chen did not linger at the large factory's booth.

Instead, they became interested in the smaller booths.

In the northwest corner of the West Wing.

He saw a manufacturer that makes racing simulators.

Each of the three simulators, equipped with a steering wheel, pedals, and a seat, had participants sitting in front of them.

The screen displays a realistic track scene.

Lu Chen tried it out for two minutes.

The steering and throttle feedback is quite realistic.

Although the price is not cheap.

But for hardcore racing game players...

This is undoubtedly the equipment of my dreams.

There are also small companies that make color-changing stickers for game consoles.

The booth displayed PS3, Xbo, NDS and Wii in various colors and patterns.

From simple solid colors to intricate game character designs, there's something for everyone.

Lu Chen picked up a PS3 that had been modified to resemble Final Fantasy; the craftsmanship was quite exquisite.

There are also quite a few independent game studios.

It showcases pixel-style creative works.

Although none of the booths were large, they still attracted many interested visitors.

Just as Lu Chen was about to finish browsing the West Wing.

He stopped in front of an inconspicuous booth in the southwest corner.

This booth is even smaller than that of Journey Technology.

It's only about 6 square meters.

The booth backdrop featured a simple logo.

A cute little monster.

They are jumping upwards from the platform.

Below the logo are the words "Doodle Jump" and "LimaSky".

Two young people were sitting in the booth.

They looked to be in their early twenties, dressed like typical programmers.

One of them was slightly taller and wore black-rimmed glasses.

The game is being demonstrated to a visitor.

The other one was shorter and had curly hair.

Organizing promotional materials on the side.

There were three iPhones on the table in front of them.

Several players are trying it out.

From Lu Chen's perspective, he could see a simple yet adorable little monster on the screen.

Jumping between ever-rising platforms.

"Doodle Jump?"

Lu Chen muttered to himself, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He knows this game very well.

On the original timeline.

Doodle Jump was one of the early phenomenal mobile games.

Developed by brothers Igor Posenjac and Marco Posenjac from Croatia.

The game was released on the App Store in March 2009.

Initially, sales were dismal, with only 12 units sold on the first day.

But the brothers discovered a vulnerability in the App Store.

Whenever the game updates.

It will then be added back to the list of recommended new games.

So they started updating the game frequently.

Added new content and fixed minor bugs.

Keep the graffiti jumping in the player's field of vision.

This strategy was a huge success.

Game sales began to surge.

It frequently competes with early popular mobile games such as Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja for the top spot on the App Store sales charts.

Lu Chen approached the booth.

I saw a player controlling a small monster jumping.

The gameplay is very simple.

Control the octopus's left and right movement by tilting your phone.

Make it jump upwards continuously, avoid obstacles, and collect items.

But its simple gameplay has made it addictive for countless people.

Players always want to play it again.

I'm always thinking that I'll jump even higher this time.

"Can I try?"

Lu Chen asked.

One of the young men looked up and nodded in a friendly manner.

"Of course, please."

Lu Chen picked up an iPhone and started playing the game.

No need to touch the screen with your fingers.

You can control the character simply by tilting the device left or right.

It was very simple at first.

But as altitude increases.

Mobile platforms are becoming increasingly numerous.

At the same time, many black holes have also appeared.

You could easily fall in if you're not careful.

More monsters began to appear.

The game's difficulty gradually increases.

Two minutes later, Lu Chen's little octopus collided with an unidentified flying object, and the game ended.

His final score was 3245.

"Excellent results!"

Another young man praised it.

"You can earn over three thousand on your first try."

"A very fun game."

Lu Chen put down his phone and looked at the two of them.

"You guys are the developers?"

"Yes."

The young man who had previously let Lu Chen try it out answered.

"I am Igor Pusenjak, this is my brother Marco, and we are Lima Sky Studios."

"I am Lu Chen from Journey Technology. Our booth is number 5278, and we have Minecraft and Famine."

Lu Chen extended his hand to shake hands with the two of them.

Igor's eyes lit up.

"Zhengtu Technology?"

Is this the company that developed Fruit Swordsman and Plants vs. Zombies?

Lu Chen nodded.

"It seems we are both competitors and peers."

"Wow!

We see your games frequently on the leaderboards!

Marco said excitedly.

"Angry Birds and Doodle Jump are often vying for the top spot."

"I've also been following your game."

Lu Chen smiled.

"Doodle Jump sales were phenomenal, especially after April."

Igor smiled wryly.

"Actually, when we first launched in March, we almost gave up. We only sold 12 units on the first day. You know how that felt."

"But you found a way."

Lu Chen said.

"Frequent updates, keeping it on the list of new games."

The two brothers exchanged a surprised look.

Marco asked.

How did you know?

"I've been paying attention to the App Store's recommendation algorithm."

Lu Chen brushed it off lightly and changed the subject.

"Do you only release on the iOS platform?"

"That's true at the moment."

Igor nodded.

Have you considered the Android platform?

Lu Chen asked.

The two brothers shook their heads.

"The Android market is too fragmented."

"Igor said."

"Moreover, users are less willing to pay than iOS users, so we mainly focus our efforts on the App Store."

"But what if there were a mature Android app store that offered better terms than Apple's?"

Lu Chen asked.

Igor and Mark exchanged a glance.

His eyes revealed both wariness and curiosity.

Lu Chen got a Conquer Online 1 from Susie.

Open the app store in the ZUI system.

"This is the Journey 1 phone we just released. Our goal is to sell at least one million units in the Chinese market. This is the app store we developed for our phone, which runs on the Android-based ZUI system. We are also building our own app store and hope to attract outstanding developers from around the world."

He paused for a moment, observing their reactions, before continuing.

"I would like to invite Doodle Jump to join our app store. The revenue sharing ratio will be 30/70, with you taking 70% and us only receiving 30% as platform fees."

"30%?"

Mark said in surprise.

"But Apple takes 30%, and you take 3%, what's the difference?"