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

"Don't be in a hurry to achieve results."

Lu Chen reminded him.

"Metro 2033 can be started first."

Its design is relatively more traditional.

The technical challenges are also relatively small.

Dark Souls, on the other hand, requires a much longer preparation time.

Especially its level design and combat system,

We need top-tier talent.

"I will proceed in this order."

Wu Zhixuan responded.

"First, we will assemble the core team for Metro 2033."

At the same time, they are looking for candidates for key positions within Dark Souls.

"very good."

Lu Chen nodded in satisfaction.

"in addition,

The Answer website cannot be relaxed either.

It is not just a standalone product.

In the future, it can also become an extension of our journey ecosystem.

Players share strategies, discuss the story, and analyze the world-building here.

"I understand that the two will create a virtuous cycle."

Wu Zhixuan is fully in the zone.

"Boss Lu, you can rest assured to leave Voyager to me."

You will see a completely different company in the future!

(Please remember 1110.com for the fastest chapter updates)

"Alright, go ahead and get busy."

Susie will help you with other miscellaneous tasks.

Your task is to begin hiring as soon as possible.

Wu Zhixuan nodded vigorously and left the conference room.

The two thick plans in his hands.

This moment is the most precious treasure.

Lu Chen stood by the window, watching the traffic below.

Since his rebirth, he has been meticulously planning every step of the way.

From mobile games to hardware, and then to content platforms.

And now,

We're finally about to enter the pinnacle of the gaming world.

This proves that,

Chinese game developers.

Besides making pay-to-win online games

They are also capable of creating works that will shake the world.

……

In the following days,

Lu Chen entrusted Wu Zhixuan with the entire initial setup of Voyager.

He then focused on preparations for E3 with Susie and Jiang Chang.

5 month 28 day,

Lu Chen and his group moved from Santa Monica to a hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

It's closer to the convention center and has convenient transportation.

It was already 3 p.m.

Susie and Jiang Chang were discussing something in the hotel lobby lounge area.

A pile of documents and a laptop were spread out in front of him.

"Boss Lu!"

Jiang Chang looked up and saw Lu Chen, then immediately waved.

"We are studying our participation options for E3."

Lu Chen walked over and sat down on the sofa.

"How's it going? Any new developments?"

Susie turned the computer screen toward him.

"The E3 organizers sent the final booth confirmation letter today."

We are in Section C of the West Wing, room number C-217.

How big is it?

Lu Chen asked.

"9 square meters."

Susie's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

"Standard minimum booth size,

It only has a table, two chairs, a power outlet, and basic network access.

We'll have to arrange the rest ourselves.

"That's enough."

Our main purpose this time is to make an appearance.

Let the industry know the name ZhengTu Technology.

Let's put our Journey 1 on the table.

"Just let the players at the event experience Minecraft and Starvation."

Lu Chen looked at it on his laptop.

He was not surprised by this.

As the world's largest video game exhibition, E3's booths are always extremely valuable.

This is the first time that companies like Journey Technology have participated in the exhibition.

Small foreign companies without any well-known blockbusters to back them up.

Having a 9-square-meter booth is already considered pretty good.

"I have finished debugging the demo for 'Famine'."

Jiang Chang said,

"Although it's an early version,

But the core gameplay is already complete.

Gathering, crafting, survival

At least allow players to experience the complete gameplay.

"What about the poster design?"

Jiang Chang unfolded a poster draft.

On a dark background,

The iconic grass block of Minecraft.

And Wilson in "Famine," wearing a red shirt and holding a torch.

Below, the English name of Journey Technology is written in prominent font.

"good."

Lu Chen nodded.

"Simple and clear, highlighting our representative works."

"I also prepared some small souvenirs."

Jiang Chang took out several keychains with the company logo printed on them from the box.

"It's not expensive, but it makes people remember us."

"Very thoughtful."

Lu Chen praised.

Susie brought up another window.

This is the schedule sent by the organizer.

The pre-show press conference will be held on June 1st.

"But it's not open to the public."

Jiang Chang chimed in, his tone tinged with regret.

"Only registered and certified game media journalists, industry analysts, and retail representatives are eligible."

Only partners of major companies are allowed to participate.

Although we are participating in E3 as an exhibitor

However, the pre-exhibition press conference is by invitation only.

Lu Chen had anticipated this.

E3's pre-show press conferences have always been a stage for industry giants.

The three major console manufacturers: Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.

Each year, they each hold a large-scale press conference.

The most important strategies and products are announced in this segment.

Mobile game companies like Journey to the West.

They didn't even have the right to enter the venue.

"Then let's watch the live stream."

Lu Chen said calmly.

"Watching from a hotel room,"

On the contrary, it allows us to analyze their strategy.

January 1nd, 9:00 AM.

In the living room of the hotel suite, Lu Chen and two others sat around the television.

On the screen, the live stream showed a scene from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

This is the venue for this year's E3 pre-show press conference.

The venue, which can hold nearly a thousand people, was packed to capacity.

Game media, analysts, retail representatives, and industry professionals from around the world gathered together.

"That's huge."

Jiang Chang sighed.

"E3 is, after all, the most important exhibition in the global gaming industry."

Susie spoke as she took notes.

"Every year at this time,

The entire industry's attention will be focused here.

Lu Chen didn't speak, he just stared at the screen quietly.

Microsoft was the first to appear.

On the huge stage,

The Xbox green logo is particularly eye-catching.

A cool trailer was playing on the large screen behind me.

Don Mattrick, head of Xbox operations, took to the stage.

The audience immediately erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Welcome to E3 2009!

Mattrick's opening was full of enthusiasm.

"This year,

This will be a year of transformation for the gaming industry!

Let's see.

What exciting titles are coming to Xbox this year?

The trailer for Halo 3 ignited the crowd.

When the sergeant major's figure appeared on the screen.

Even Jiang Chang, who was in the hotel, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Next up was a gameplay demo of Gears of War 2.

Intense gunfights in the game.

It perfectly showcases the aesthetics of violence.

The scene elicited gasps of surprise from the audience.

Fable III presents a more open and free fantasy world.

"These images."

Jiang Chang stared at the screen.

"It's several levels above the mobile games we're making now."

"That's the charm of console games."

Lu Chen said calmly,

"But it also means tens of millions of dollars in development costs and a team of hundreds of people,"

We still have a long way to go.

The main event of the press conference arrived half an hour later.

Don Mattrick announced in a mysterious tone.

"today,

We are not just showing a game,

It's a completely new way of interacting!

Project Natal!

A concept video appeared on the big screen.

A boy was standing in the living room.

There are no handles, no controllers whatsoever.

There was only a black rectangular box placed in front of him.

He used physical movements.

You can then control the characters on the screen to play soccer and draw.

The camera captured his every move.

It is reflected in the game in real time.