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

In the days that followed.

Inside the small office space of ZhengTu Technology, it seemed as if a fast-forward button had been pressed.

Everyone got into work mode.

I work from dawn till dusk almost every day.

Originally, there were only three people in the programming team: Wu Zhixuan, Jiang Chang, and He Tao.

Wu Zhixuan worked with Lu Chen to produce Conquer Online Z1.

Jiang Chang was also promoted to team leader and was responsible for managing the entire game team.

Naturally, there isn't much time to write programs yourself.

So now the entire programming team is being held up by He Tao alone.

The modification and adaptation of the game to the Android system requires programmers.

Fortunately, Lu Chen's promise to recruit new employees was quickly fulfilled.

The newcomers, Li Siyuan and Gao Yang, are mainly responsible for taking over the work left behind by Wu Zhixuan and Jiang Chang.

After a period of adjustment.

They have also integrated into the Journey Technology family.

So after a few days of novelty wore off, Jiang Chang...

I had no choice but to devote myself entirely to my work.

at first,

Jiang Chang was busy running between several groups.

They are unable to fully utilize their leadership abilities.

On the contrary, his haphazard command slowed down the project's progress.

Because he was previously a member of the programming team.

All you need to do is complete the tasks assigned by Lu Chen.

When I became the team leader, I never expected that I would become the firefighter.

We should go wherever there is a problem.

They also need to coordinate the work progress between different groups and handle unexpected problems.

For example, Lu Chen always demands continuous revisions until he is satisfied.

However, the art and sound teams already had heavy workloads.

As a result, it required constant rework and revisions.

Everyone has grievances.

As the team leader, Jiang Chang was caught in the middle, which was not a pleasant experience.

On several occasions,

Jiang Chang really wanted to quit.

But then I thought about Lu Chen's trust and my own love for this job.

We can only grit our teeth and persevere.

of course,

Lu Chen did not simply become a hands-off manager.

During Jiang Chang's repeated submissions and rejections.

In addition to explaining the game, the presentation also included teaching Jiang Chang skills for leading a team.

And details regarding Plants vs. Zombies.

Lu Chen personally provided guidance and designed several plants and zombies.

We aim to achieve the same effect as the original game.

Gradually,

Jiang Chang himself grew up while leading the development of Plants vs. Zombies.

I'm becoming more and more proficient at my work.

I have mastered the skills of leading a team.

I gradually came to understand Lu Chen's requirements for Plants vs. Zombies.

I showed the renderings to Lu Chen several times afterward.

It basically met Lu Chen's requirements.

Lu Chen then felt at ease entrusting the management of ZhengTu Technology's foundation to Jiang Chang.

Compared to the game side.

The production process of the Z1 was fraught with difficulties.

In the same batch as the program group,

Lu Chen hired eight people specifically to be responsible for the development of MP4.

The two most important ones.

They recruited people with MP4 development experience through headhunting firms.

They are Zheng Yong, a 35-year-old engineer at BBK Electronics.

In 2008, BBK operated businesses including learning machines, e-readers, feature phones, MP3 players, MP4 players, and more.

BBK was further split into OPPO, vivo, and Xiaotiancai (小天才) phone watches.

And now is the early stage of BBK's transformation.

People came and went, causing unrest among the staff.

So Zheng Yong decided to go all the way and simply gave up his job there, joining ZhengTu Technology through a headhunting company.

Zhao Yongqiang, a 30-year-old engineer at Yuandao Electronics, has a similar experience.

That's right, it's the same Yuandao that's famous in the HiFi world: "If only I had known, I would have chosen Yuandao" and "Tears of Regret".

They are now mainly engaged in the research, development, production and sales of MP3 and MP4 players, as well as the production of various accessories.

Attracted by the high salary promised by the headhunting company, Zhao Yongqiang also came to ZhengTu Technology.

Once everyone had arrived, Lu Chen immediately convened a meeting to discuss the specific development work of the Journey Z1.

"Hello everyone,

I'm sure you've already gotten to know me during the interview process.

I won't go into too much detail here;

Everyone here is a professional.

So let's get straight to the point.

Our goal is to manufacture the first domestically produced capacitive touchscreen MP4 player.

I named it Conquer Online Z1!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yongqiang and Zheng Yong nodded.

Indeed, these engineers prefer to get straight to the point.

If they start by going on and on about random things...

They felt they had come to the wrong place.

As Lu Chen introduced the project, he ordered Susie to turn on the projector.

Our goal with the Z1 is to compete with the iPod touch!

Therefore, the performance metrics I provide are:

The Z1 will use a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen to perform all its functions.

Equipped with a lithium battery, the battery life is at least five hours;

Users can access the internet via Wi-Fi.

In addition, it features a rear camera that the iPod touch lacks;

It uses the recently released Android system.

It allows users to freely install and uninstall programs.

It enables users to watch movies, listen to music, play games, take photos, read e-books, and more.

The projector behind Lu Chen displayed a detailed list of the various parameters that the Journey Z1 was to achieve.

Just looking at this long string of parameters makes me dizzy and lightheaded.

Not to mention actually implementing it.

"Please ask any questions you may have now."

"Well... Mr. Lu, let me ask what our budget is first?"

No wonder he's a seasoned veteran of the workplace.

Zheng Yong directly pointed out the key issue.

Don't be fooled by Lu Chen's flowery words earlier.

Without sufficient funding, nothing else matters.

"We have a budget of around 15 million."

Lu Chen still held back and didn't bet all the money he earned.

"Fifteen million? That's barely enough."

Zheng Yong nodded, which was taken as approval.

"Does our exterior design include a feature?"

Zhao Yongqiang was more concerned with the overall design of the MP4 player.

Lu Chen provided the specific parameters for the MP4 file.

However, appearance is also an important aspect of a product.

Regardless of its internal structure, the first impression a product gives to users is always its appearance and design.

A good product.

It must be something that people can like at first sight.

However, nowadays, whether in domestic or international markets, most electronic products are bulky, ugly, and crude.

It's far from beautiful.

Abroad, Apple's unique design has taken the lead.

In China, only Meizu has managed to uphold the aesthetic design of electronic products.

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen smiled slightly.

Finally, we've reached his area of ​​expertise.

There are so many outstanding designs in the future; any one of them could amaze an entire era.

Lu Chen confidently turned to the next slide of the PPT.

A device with a rounded shape and a high-tech feel was presented to everyone.

The front of the product features a 3.5-inch screen.

Below are three virtual buttons.

The three horizontal lines on the left are the multitasking buttons, the small house in the middle represents the main page, and the arrow that bends back on the right is the back button.

The overall design is harmonious and unified.

The back is made of one piece of molded engineering plastic.

A large "Z" shaped logo in the center, with "Z1" written below to indicate its model number.

Apart from that, there is no other design element.

It's simple and clear at a glance.

For the back, Lu Chen also boldly used bright yellow, turquoise, light blue and other colors.

It gives people a light and lively feeling.

Of course, there are also the two most classic colors, black and white.

Several MP4 players were arranged in a row, forming a "rainbow".