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

Everyone present couldn't understand why there were so few new players in Fruit Swordsman, so Lu Chen had no choice but to put that question aside for now and continue looking at the questionnaire.

The third part consists of two simple questions regarding the game's price and promotion.

I think the game is reasonably priced. 1-5 stars.

Would you recommend this game to a friend? 1-5 stars.

The price of the game is also one of Lu Chen's biggest concerns.

After all, it was only 2008, and a game priced at $5.99 was definitely not cheap.

If players refuse to download the game due to its high price, then Fruit Swordsman can basically be sentenced to death!

Lu Chen, who ultimately decided on the price, must bear the greatest responsibility.

Sure enough, what I feared most came to pass.

The scores for these two questions are 3.6 and 4.3 respectively.

This indicates that the price of the Fruit Swordsman is too high...

Seeing this score, Lu Chen sighed helplessly.

"What?! The price is too high?!"

Jiang Chang was incredulous.

He consistently advocated for higher prices during the pricing phase.

In his world, he has always used the Super Monkey Ball, which costs as much as $9.99, as an anchor.

In comparison, the Fruit Swordsman's price of $5.99 isn't high.

Why can't the players accept this?

However, Lu Chen and Jiang Chang both overlooked one problem.

That is Super Monkey Ball, a game developed by Sega.

Players readily made payments as soon as they saw the Sega logo in the game description.

But Conquer Online Technology doesn't have that kind of magic.

The company has a wildly popular game.

However, its foundation is still shallow, and it has not yet gained widespread recognition among players.

Just like the popular memes among players such as "Blizzard's products are always top-notch" and "CD5, the Polish team, is a conscience of the industry."

This is the reputation of game developers among players.

Ultimately, Journey Tech is still a small company and has not gained widespread recognition from players.

Therefore, players will always hesitate for a moment when faced with a completely unfamiliar game that is also expensive.

If you hesitate even for a moment, you're very likely not to pay.

"Ah, so the price was too high?" Tao Manwen realized now. "Then why don't we just lower the price?"

Lu Chen shook his head upon hearing this.

If simply lowering the price could revive the Fruit Swordsman, he wouldn't be so conflicted now.

"No way! If we lower the price now, wouldn't we offend the players who bought the game at a high price before?"

Wu Zhixuan incisively pointed out the crux of the problem.

Yes, people were willing to pay high prices for your games before.

Less than a month later, you guys lowered the price!

Will you refund the price difference?

What is this if not a betrayal?!

How can players dare to support Journey Tech's games in the future?

Who knows if the price will drop right after I buy the game?

Therefore, directly lowering the price is not advisable, as it would directly damage the reputation of Journey Technology among players.

"Then...what should we do?"

Tao Manwen was clearly startled by Wu Zhixuan's serious tone and panicked for a moment.

"Okay, now we've found the problem, haven't we?"

Don't worry, everyone. What's that old saying?

As long as the mind does not slip, there are more solutions than difficulties.

Don't panic, everyone. I believe we'll find a way!

Lu Chen comforted everyone.

Let's hold off for now.

Susie, open the windows to let some air in.

Susie quickly opened the window.

A gust of wind blew into the room from outside the window, dispelling the dull atmosphere of the office.

Everyone felt a cool sensation, and their minds instantly started working.

Lu Chen stood up and paced around the office.

Let me summarize the problems encountered by the Fruit Swordsman.

First, increase sales volume without lowering prices;

Second, why are there so few new players in Fruit Swordsman?

What are your thoughts on these two questions?

Lu Chen stopped and his eyes swept across the faces of the group.

If someone is seen, they should either immediately lower their head or avoid Lu Chen's gaze.

It's just like a student who's terrified of being called on by the teacher when they're in school.

The office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Again, the employees' initiative is still insufficient.

Lu Chen sighed silently to himself.

He had no choice but to call the roll himself.

"Chu Yu, you usually have a lot of ideas, why don't you tell us?"

"Huh? Me?"

Chu Yu, whose name was called, was startled, then pointed to herself with a bewildered expression.

"Yes, just say whatever comes to mind," Lu Chen encouraged.

Since she couldn't refuse, Chu Yu had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

"Our game itself is of good quality, it's just that nobody knows it."

Then we'll increase our promotional efforts and advertise GG on major platforms.

For example, hiring someone to upload a large number of game videos to YouTube, or posting game-related content like "GG" on Twitter.

"The more people see GG, the more downloads there are."

Chu Yu's solution was accepted by everyone.

Lu Chen nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the game has few new players and insufficient sales.

It's obvious that the game hasn't been promoted enough.

Then let's keep it simple and brutal: just bombard them with a massive barrage of "GG" messages.

As long as there are enough players, someone will inevitably want to download the game.

"Chu Yu's method is excellent!"

Lu Chen first expressed his agreement, then changed the subject.

"But Chu Yu's plan has a problem—Zhengtu Technology doesn't have the money..."

???

Everyone nearly strained their backs from Lu Chen's sudden turn of events.

After thinking about it seriously, everyone realized that ZhengTu Technology really didn't have much money.

This kind of saturated GG deployment requires astronomical sums of money.

Perhaps tens of millions will be invested, but there will be no result.

As for ZhengTu Technology, let alone tens of millions, a few million would be their entire fortune.

The flame of hope that had just been ignited among the crowd slowly died out.

However, once the first person spoke up, the others became much bolder.

Jiang Chang then said:

"Since deploying GG isn't working, let's continue to improve the game's quality."

Create more game content, then update it for free.

Perhaps players of Fruit Swordsman will spontaneously help us promote it.

Lu Chen also believes that this method has a certain degree of feasibility.

However, this kind of tap-water-style promotion is uncontrollable.

Players have absolutely no obligation to help with promotion.

In that case, nobody knows whether sales will increase.

Lu Chen expressed his concerns.

After careful consideration, everyone agreed that Lu Chen's words made sense.

For a moment, the situation reached a stalemate, and everyone lowered their heads again.

Nobody has a better solution.

Just then, Susie, who had been standing to the side as an audience, raised her hand.

"Um... can I say a few words?" Susie asked.

"Yes, no problem, anyone can share their thoughts."

Lu Chen nodded.

"I've noticed a lot of apps have been released on the App Store recently. I wonder if that will have any impact?"

Everyone was puzzled, wondering what Susie's words had to do with the game.

But Lu Chen suddenly realized.

I always felt like I hadn't grasped some key point.

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is!" Lu Chen murmured to himself.

"Everyone, I understand why no new players are playing our game."

At the same time, I also thought of ways to increase sales without lowering the price!

Lu Chen slammed his hand on the table and said firmly.