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

"I am Steve,"

This is Anna and Mike.

The three of us are the founders of BlockChat.

Steve gave a warm introduction.

"We are all graduates of San Francisco State University, graduating this year."

Lu Chen shook hands with each of them.

Then he introduced the people from his company.

After ordering the coffee, Steve couldn't wait to begin his presentation.

"BlockChat was originally just a communication website created by a few of us Minecraft players."

We created a simple webpage.

You can upload game screenshots and exchange information with each other.

But later, more and more people started playing it.

People started asking questions on it.

How to build an automated farm?

What are the basic principles of redstone circuits, etc.?

Anna took over the conversation.

She is the only woman in the team.

Responsible for front-end design.

"We found that players not only answered questions,

This will also lead to many interesting discussions.

Someone shared the principles of circuit design.

Someone explained the knowledge of architectural aesthetics.

Some people even started discussing game design and programming.

Even philosophical questions.

"So we decided to make it more formal."

Mike said he is a backend engineer.

We have built a more stable server.

Added user system and follow function.

The website now has over 500,000 registered users.

Daily active users exceed 100,000.

Steve added:

"But we encountered problems that all startup teams face."

No money,

The server cost is over five thousand US dollars per month.

We managed to survive for several months on our own living expenses.

But user growth is too fast.

They're about to collapse.

Steve looked at Lu Chen with sincere eyes.

We know that Journey Technology is the developer of Minecraft.

We believe you understand the value of this community.

We don't want to see it close down due to funding issues.

That's why I thought of contacting you.

Lu Chen listened attentively to their story, then asked:

"Didn't you look for other investment institutions?"

"I've looked, but no one is willing to invest."

Steve smiled wryly:

"Because there are companies closing down everywhere now."

Investment institutions were also terrified.

I don't dare to vote anymore.

"oh."

Lu Chen nodded.

No wonder Steve's seemingly promising project encountered funding problems.

If the timeline remains unchanged.

This financial crisis was not expected to recover slowly until the end of 2009.

This period coincides with a global stock market crash, credit freeze, and a sharp decline in GDP.

Investment institutions are all raising funds.

Naturally, I won't invest casually anymore.

What are your thoughts on the future of BlockChat?

Lu Chen shifted the topic to the website.

The three looked at each other, and Steve spoke on behalf of the group.

"We hope to continue operating."

But financial support is required.

And, to be honest,

We are better at technology.

They know absolutely nothing about business operations.

Lu Chen nodded after hearing this.

"This question-and-answer community model has great potential."

More than just games,

It can be extended to any field of knowledge.

In our plan,

In the future, BlockChat should become a platform where anyone can ask questions.

This is a question that anyone with expertise can answer.

It's like a professional version of Wikipedia.

As Lu Chen spoke, he took the documents Susie handed him.

"To realize the above concept..."

I believe BlockChat needs several key upgrades.

First, change the name to Answer.

This name is simpler and easier to remember.

At the same time, it prepares for entering the Chinese market.

Second, introduce a more stringent user authentication system.

Ensure the professionalism of your answers.

Third, develop mobile applications.

To adapt to the trend of widespread adoption of smartphones,

Fourth, broaden the scope of topics.

From games, it has gradually expanded to various fields such as technology, culture, and daily life.

Steve and the other two exchanged glances.

They were clearly impressed by Lu Chen's grand vision.

"Transforming into a general-purpose knowledge platform? Is that feasible?"

"Steve asked."

"Perfectly feasible."

Lu Chen said confidently.

Users have always had a desire for high-quality content.

What we need to do is...

It is about creating a mechanism.

We encourage more professionals to share their knowledge.

He looked at the three of them.

"BlockChat already has a user base and a basic question-and-answer mechanism."

This is the most valuable asset.

These improvements require a significant investment of both capital and human resources.

Lu Chen closed the folder.

"Zhengtu Technology is willing to provide these resources."

But we don't just want to buy this website.

We would like to invite your entire team to join us.

Continue to lead the development of this project.

"What do you mean?"

Steve asked cautiously.

We are preparing to set up a subsidiary in Los Angeles.

Responsible for managing BlockChat and developing new game projects.

Lu Chen explained.

"If you'd like, you can all join."

Both the position and salary will be better than the market average.

more importantly,

You will have sufficient resources to realize all your visions for this product.

Anna said excitedly:

"This is the opportunity we've been dreaming of!"

Mike nodded repeatedly.

Steve took a deep breath, stood up, and extended his hand to Lu Chen.

"Mr. Lu, we're joining!"

The next two days,

Both parties signed a letter of intent.

Lu Chen instructed Susie to immediately begin the legal procedures for the formal acquisition.

At the same time, preparations for the website migration and upgrade began.

On May 18, they flew together to Los Angeles.

Unlike San Francisco,

The atmosphere in Los Angeles is more diverse.

Hollywood's film industry, Santa Monica's technology companies, and Long Beach's port trade.

Along both sides of the highway,

Huge movie GG signs, celebrity-endorsed brand images, and signs for recording studios and film production sites are everywhere.

This city is like a crossroads of multiple worlds.

The gaming industry also has deep roots here.

Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and others.

These major companies all have important studios here.

This has led to the formation of a complete industrial chain encompassing game development, publishing, promotion, and related support.

"Los Angeles has a complete game industry system."

On the way from the airport to the city, Lu Chen said to Wu Zhixuan:

From art design to software development

From motion capture to sound effects production

This region boasts a mature talent market and industrial base.

The AAA game we're making...

These people and equipment are needed.

They checked into a hotel in the city center.

Early the next morning,

Susie's contacted real estate agent then took them to see the office space.

Just as Lu Chen had predicted.

The effects of the 2008 financial crisis are still ongoing.

Vacancy rates for commercial real estate in Los Angeles are high.

The agent showed them three venues.

In the end, Lu Chen chose a two-story office space in an office building in Santa Monica.

"It's only a few blocks from the beach, and the environment is great."

The agent explained:

"It used to be an office for a game company."

They terminated their lease last year after laying off staff.

The infrastructure is very well-developed.

The network and power supply were configured according to the game company's requirements.

Lu Chen looked at the spacious and bright office area and the private meeting room.

There's even a rest area equipped with various gaming devices.

He nodded in satisfaction.

"This is it."

Susie, the rest is up to you.

In the following days,

Lu Chen led his team to complete the registration procedures for the subsidiary.

The company was named Voyager.

It symbolizes the courage to explore the unknown.