Chapter 20

"How far along is the game right now? Can I play it?" Qiu Hong asked.

Jiang Fan hesitated slightly, but nodded. "Of course."

Then, he opened the half-finished *Handbook for Working-Class Survival* on his computer and handed it over to Qiu Hong.

Jiang Fan was still a little conflicted.

Because *Handbook for Working-Class Survival* was still not very complete at this stage. As a simulation game, playing only a portion of the content would not allow someone to experience the core gameplay and fun.

Even the existing content would be much less enjoyable; after all, the game was a unified whole.

However, since Qiu Hong wanted to play, he couldn't refuse.

Games are actually very abstract to describe, and you have to play them yourself to experience the fun.

A PPT is better than saying nothing, and a demo is better than a PPT.

So, Jiang Fan had to bite the bullet and let Qiu Hong play, sitting beside him and watching. If there were any bugs or unfinished parts, he would verbally explain and compensate.

Qiu Hong began to seriously experience the game.

This was a simulation game from the perspective of an ordinary office worker. The game's art assets were mainly 2D, and it incorporated some interesting little games while developing attributes and progressing the story.

However, there were indeed many bugs, temporary art resources, unfinished plot content and gameplay, etc. in the game, so the game experience was not very good.

Jiang Fan, who was explaining from the side, couldn't help but explain while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

There was no way around it, the person who gave the money was the boss!

Jiang Fan didn't dare to take it lightly. What if something dissatisfied President Qiu and he didn't invest? Wouldn't that be a big problem?

The studio's funds could only last for a little over a month. Judging from the current situation, this amount of time and money was definitely not enough to complete the entire game.

If they couldn't get President Qiu's investment, then the studio might have to live on thin air for a while, and if the game wasn't complete enough, the sales would be poor, which would mean a total loss and all previous efforts would be wasted.

For most game developers, game releases are a one-shot deal.

If the game is a hit upon release, then as long as you don't mess it up and steadily update and optimize it, you will earn more and more;

If the game flops upon release, then even if you optimize and modify it later, players may not buy it.

There are very few who can reverse their reputation through continuous tuning.

After all, no one can say for sure whether the game failed because it wasn't complete enough or because the game itself was not good enough.

Continuing to invest resources in a failed project is too risky, and very few manufacturers dare to gamble like this.

The saying that "a penny can stump a hero" is exactly this situation.

So, in a sense, Qiu Hong's money today could really determine the future fate of *Handbook for Working-Class Survival* and even Cherry Studio.

Qiu Hong experienced the game while thinking seriously.

His previous development experience was mainly with pay-to-win online games, but he still had the ability to appreciate single-player games.

In his opinion, this game had a certain chance of success, but the possibility was not very high.

Because this kind of game mechanism had never really been seen before.

The game itself was a simulation game, but it was different from the simulation games on the market. It mixed in some interesting little games as a spice.

What touched Qiu Hong even more was that the game's description of the "corporate slave" state was just right. On the surface, it seemed to be flippant, but if you tasted it carefully, you could feel a hint of bitterness.

Obviously, Jiang Fan had added his own feelings from his previous work, otherwise the description of the corporate slave state could not have been so empathetic.

This project seemed to perfectly meet President Pei's requirements!

If you say this project is unreliable, the game is quite interesting, very novel, and although the degree of completion is low, the basic framework is already there. The producer, Jiang Fan, himself has had successful indie game experience;

If you say this project is reliable, Jiang Fan is a lawyer who switched careers to make games, and the other three are not from a proper planning background. The innovation in gameplay also comes with great risks, and it may not be able to adapt to the current players' tastes;

Moreover, this project is now short of funds and can be said to be on its last legs.

Isn't this a perfect match for the "Dead End Project" conditions?

Thinking of this, Qiu Hong didn't plan to continue playing and said directly, "Not bad, this project meets the standards of the 'Dead End Project' very well. We've decided to invest!"

"In your opinion, while maintaining the current level, how much more funding would you need to complete this project to 100%?"

Jiang Fan was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding.

They've decided to give money just like that?

That's too generous, isn't it?

From the beginning of the conversation to now, it hasn't even been half an hour!

Other investors come to invest, and they drag on and on, not getting to the point for a long time. When it comes to discussing the contract, they add a lot of additional clauses, bargain, and make people feel tired.

As a result, after President Qiu came, he just chatted for a few words, experienced the game for more than ten minutes, and encountered various crashes and bugs, and then directly decided to invest?

Jiang Fan couldn't help but get excited. After carefully considering it, he said, "President Qiu, based on the current degree of completion, another 400,000 should be about enough!"

Qiu Hong nodded. "Okay, then we'll invest 500,000 to ensure that this game can be made without any flaws!"

"But there are two requirements."

"First, this game must insist on a one-time purchase, and there can be no in-app purchases of any kind."

"Second, after this game is launched and sold, and after it has recouped its costs and started making money, we will share the profits according to the investment ratio. According to the investment ratio... we'll take 30%."

Jiang Fan couldn't help but be stunned. "Just these?"

Qiu Hong nodded. "Just these, or what else?"

Jiang Fan asked doubtfully, "What if the game isn't successful? What if it doesn't even recoup the initial cost of 600,000?"

Qiu Hong said, "We'll only share the money we earn after you've recouped your investment of 600,000. If you don't make money, we won't take a penny."

Jiang Fan was speechless for a moment.

This was too generous, wasn't it? Wasn't this the same as giving money away for free?

The other investment companies before wanted more than just a share of the profits. Many of them required shares in Cherry Studio, and some even wanted Jiang Fan to bear joint liability.

Compared with these companies, President Qiu was simply a benefactor!

Wouldn't this investment of 500,000 mean that Cherry Studio wouldn't lose money no matter what?

If the game didn't recoup its costs, President Qiu wouldn't take a penny, and this 500,000 would be given away for free. If the game made money, President Qiu would only take 30%, and Cherry Studio would definitely earn more.

The conditions were so good that Jiang Fan couldn't even believe it.

Qiu Hong smiled and said, "In short, you should carefully consider these conditions and see if there are any problems."

Jiang Fan quickly nodded. "Of course there are no problems! But President Qiu... your conditions are so good that I can't even believe it..."

"Are you doing charity?"

Qiu Hong smiled. "These aren't my conditions, but my boss's conditions."

"Actually, these rules were all set by him in advance, including what kind of companies should be funded, how the profits should be shared after profitability, and so on."

"I'm just doing things according to his requirements."

"Strictly speaking, he is the initiator of the 'Dead End Project' and the one who really pays the money."

"Your studio just happens to meet the conditions he requires. If you want to thank someone, thank my boss."

For some reason, after hearing Qiu Hong's words, Jiang Fan suddenly had a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze, and his heart felt warm.

This feeling was like a person who had been walking in the snow for a long time suddenly getting a cotton coat.

Making indie games is actually very lonely. With just these few limited people, they are constantly modifying the endless bugs in the game, and the completion of the game is far away. Basically, no help can be given by other peers, game distributors, or investors.

Making indie games is basically a one-way street.

Most indie game studios disband silently while they are making them and will never be known. Only a very small number of people can achieve success, earn money, and realize their dreams.

But now, the "Dead End Project" made Jiang Fan feel that he was not alone.

There were still people reaching out and helping silently!

Jiang Fan was deeply moved and asked, "President Qiu, can I ask who your boss is?"

Qiu Hong smiled slightly. "Sorry, I can't say, it has to be kept secret. But our boss is indeed a very famous person in the game industry, and you've probably heard of him."

Jiang Fan was stunned again.

Doing good deeds without leaving a name? Is his level of thought that high?

Logically speaking, the "Dead End Project" is actually more like supporting than investing, and it will probably lose a lot of money.

Since it's not for money, then it's probably for a good reputation.

But this big shot doesn't want money or fame, and he just simply does good deeds? Supporting the development of domestic indie games?

What noble sentiments and broad mind is this!

There are many big shots in the domestic game industry, so Jiang Fan couldn't be sure who it was, but he had been completely conquered by this big shot.

Qiu Hong stood up. "If there are no problems, I'll go back and prepare the contract. I'll transfer the money immediately after the contract is signed."

The people at Cherry Studio stood up one after another. "Okay, President Qiu, we will definitely make *Handbook for Working-Class Survival* well!"

Qiu Hong nodded with a smile and then left Cherry Studio.

For some reason, he had a very wonderful feeling.

It seemed that what he was doing now was more meaningful than what he had done in the past few years combined.

Seeing these young people at Cherry Studio, Qiu Hong recalled himself many years ago.

Just as full of energy, just as pursuing dreams.

However, these young people were much luckier than him.

If he had also received funding from the Dead End Project back then, would he have continued to persevere in the field of single-player games?

Qiu Hong sighed and went to the next game studio to investigate.