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

Susie seemed to be deep in thought.

"You'd like to set up a game development studio in America?"

"That's right."

Lu Chen nodded.

"Bring Wu Zhixuan along this time."

It means letting him conduct an on-site inspection.

He will be responsible for our overseas gaming business in the future.

He paused, then continued:

"The collaboration with BlockChat,

E3 exhibition,

And the establishment of overseas game subsidiaries,

Let's solve these three things together!

"I see."

Susie quickly got to work.

I'll arrange the itinerary right away.

Apply for a visa.

Book your flights and hotels.

"We need to be quick."

Lu Chen emphasized.

Time waits for no one; the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo will be held in Los Angeles in June.

Setting up a studio and building a team requires advance planning.

He knew very well that

Quora is lurking in the shadows.

The window of opportunity is fleeting.

"Yes, Mr. Lu."

Of course, this is why Lu Chen wanted to establish a subsidiary in America.

This is because some games cannot be produced domestically.

For example, some AAA games that Lu Chen wants to make.

There won't be any problems if America makes it.

The next three days,

ZhengTu Technology has made a series of emergency adjustments.

On the afternoon of May 14, Lu Chen summoned Lin Bing, Hong Feng, and Xu Yi to his office.

"I'll be leaving the company to you while I'm gone."

Lu Chen got straight to the point.

"Lin Bing is in charge of the overall situation, especially the mass production of Conquer Online 1."

Hongfeng continues to optimize the ZUI system.

At the same time, we should closely monitor the latest developments in the Android system.

Our systemic advantages must be maintained.

Xu Yi, Z-Dimension needs to maintain its current growth trend.

Lin Bing pushed up her glasses.

"Go ahead without worry, we've got you covered."

"That's right."

"There are no problems on Z-Dimensional's side either."

Hong Feng and Xu Yi also answered.

The evening of June 5.

Lu Chen, Su Xi, Jiang Chang, and Wu Zhixuan boarded a flight from Shanghai to San Francisco.

Inside the cabin,

Wu Zhixuan looked at the clouds outside the window, his feelings complicated.

From the very beginning, I worked with Lu Chen on "Angry Birds".

He then moved to the hardware department to work on the Z1.

Then he took charge of Conquer Online Z2.

Now we're going back to the gaming world.

This cycle of reincarnation filled him with mixed emotions.

"Old Wu, what are you thinking about?"

Jiang Chang, who was sitting next to him, asked.

Wu Zhixuan withdrew his gaze.

Thinking back on the journey so far

From that small 70-square-meter office in Hangzhou

From now on to America,

It feels like a dream.

"you do not say."

Jiang Chang also sighed.

I remember,

When Boss Lu first demonstrated Angry Birds on the whiteboard,

I simply can't believe we could make a game like that.

Lu Chen, sitting in the front row, turned around and said with a smile:

This is just the beginning.

Once our studio in America is built,

You will see what the real game industry looks like.

Susie was organizing documents when she heard this and looked up.

"Mr. Lu,

You previously said you wanted to make games that couldn't be made in China.

What specific types are included?

"For example, some AAA games."

"AAA games?"

Susie was somewhat unfamiliar with this term.

"This is a term used in the gaming industry."

Before Lu Chen could speak, Jiang Chang excitedly took over the conversation.

"3A" refers to high budget, large scale, and high quality.

simply say,

It's the kind of development that costs tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars.

The development team consists of hundreds of people.

The development cycle takes several years.

A top-tier masterpiece with superb graphics, massive content, and a complex system.

Like that game 4, the Assassin's Creed series, the Fallout series, and so on.

"oh!"

Susie suddenly realized.

She doesn't play these games.

But I've also heard of their great reputation.

They are known to be the pinnacle of the video game industry.

These games are limited by technical issues, content restrictions, and other reasons.

It is indeed very difficult to manufacture domestically.

"These games are more than just entertainment products."

Lu Chen also explained:

"They are artistic expressions,"

It is a vehicle for thought.

It's a technology demonstration.

AAA game development

It will drive cutting-edge research in multiple fields such as graphics technology, artificial intelligence, and physics simulation.

And by making these games,

It also allows you to accumulate top-notch game development experience.

This feedback loop extends to mobile games and the company's overall technology system.

Wu Zhixuan took a deep breath.

"Such a game,

It definitely requires a completely different environment and resources.

"so,"

Lu Chen looked at Wu Zhixuan.

"After the studio is established"

You will be the person in charge there.

You understand technology and management.

more importantly,

You've experienced the process of a company going from zero to one.

Knowing how to achieve results with limited resources.

Wu Zhixuan suddenly felt a heavy burden on his shoulders.

But more than anything, I felt excited.

"I will definitely live up to your trust!"

After more than ten hours of flight.

The plane landed at San Francisco International Airport.

The weather in San Francisco is cool in May.

The sea breeze carries a salty, damp scent.

Stepping out of the terminal,

Lu Chen took a deep breath of the air from the Pacific coast.

Looking around,

This city is known for its hilly terrain.

Nestled between mountains and the sea, the roads undulate, and colorful houses are scattered in a pleasing arrangement.

In the distance, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge is faintly visible in the twilight.

This city is located in Northern California.

It is not only America's financial and cultural center on the west coast.

It is also the heart of global technological innovation.

Silicon Valley, a well-known hub for technology companies, is located just south of the San Francisco Bay Area.

It stretches north from San Jose all the way to the San Francisco Peninsula.

This is where countless world-changing technologies, products, and companies have been born.

On the way from the airport to the city.

Lu Chen saw the familiar names on the GG signs along the way.

Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter.

These are the giants that will dominate the global internet in the next decade.

We are on the eve of a new outbreak.

"This is Silicon Valley."

Wu Zhixuan gazed out the window, his expression complex.

Previously, he was just an ordinary programmer.

They have no understanding of the outside world.

But then he took over the MP4 project.

Only then did I realize how terrifying this place was.

A small journey Z1.

At least 60% of the components inside come from here.

He both revered and longed for this land.

"In the future, we will also have a place here."

Lu Chen said calmly.

The group checked into a hotel near Union Square.

The area boasts convenient transportation and a thriving commercial sector.

After a short rest, Lu Chen immediately had Susie contact Steve Hoffman.

Mr. Hoffmann,

We have arrived in San Francisco.

We can meet tomorrow to discuss the details.

A young voice came from the other end of the phone.

"That's wonderful, Mr. Lu!"

Our team is very much looking forward to meeting you.

"No problem, see you tomorrow."

Susie told Steve the hotel's address.

Steve readily agreed.

The following morning, at a rather modern coffee shop near the hotel.

Lu Chen met the founder of BlockChat.

A tall, thin young man with curly hair and black-rimmed glasses stood up and waved as they entered.

"Mr. Lu? Over here!"

Steve Hoffman was younger than Lu Chen had imagined.

She looks only twenty-three or twenty-four years old.

There was a man and a woman with him.

They were all dressed like typical programmers.

Plaid shirt, jeans, sneakers.

In addition, there's the backpack on her back.