Chapter 148 Interview

In the afternoon, the official platform's interview team arrived at the incubation base on time.

The interview team consisted of five people. The chief editor in charge was Xia Jiang, and the team also included an intern editor, a photographer, a videographer, and a business representative.

Although not the highest-level interview team, this lineup was still quite good, indicating that the officials attached great importance to this interview.

Xia Jiang was also a relatively senior reporter on the official side, having previously been responsible for an exclusive interview with Tengda Group, which had achieved very good results.

The "white space" interview method, while not directly conducting a video interview with President Pei, portrayed President Pei's character through interviews with other key employees of Tengda. To this day, it remains a key resource for many players to understand President Pei.

Xia Jiang herself became famous and her career went smoothly thanks to that interview.

"Editor Xia, hello, hello."

Qiu Hong greeted them downstairs in advance, with a very enthusiastic attitude.

Xia Jiang was also very happy: "President Qiu! Nice to meet you!"

After a few pleasantries, the group walked towards the incubation base in a friendly manner.

Qiu Hong said somewhat apologetically, "We should have arranged a higher standard of reception, but our conditions here are limited, so please forgive us for any shortcomings."

Xia Jiang waved her hand: "President Qiu, you're too polite. The Poor Road Project supports domestic games and benefits so many independent game developers. There's no need to worry about such trivial matters."

The group arrived at the incubation base. After drinking some beverages and resting for a while, Qiu Hong led Xia Jiang and others on a tour.

The independent game developers were busy developing their games. Qiu Hong introduced the entire incubation base's operation model to Xia Jiang and others, including the daily diet, fitness, and game arrangements for the game developers. They also tried out several game demos, and the progress was very smooth.

After understanding the situation of the incubation base, the interview officially began.

Xia Jiang was a professional journalist, so she had naturally done some research on the incubation base and Qiu Hong before coming, and had a preliminary understanding.

What Xia Jiang was particularly concerned about was Qiu Hong's professional experience in the game industry.

Qiu Hong entered the industry early on due to the inspiration of many classic domestic games, and devoted himself to single-player games. He spent two years polishing a game, and even generated electricity with love for two months, but the project ultimately died in the womb.

From then on, Qiu Hong began to make氪金(kè jīn, pay-to-win) games. Although he made a lot of money, he never made single-player games again.

It was such a game developer who suddenly started the "Poor Road Project" one day, establishing independent game incubation studios in the capital and Shanghai, and investing money to support the development of independent games!

How did this mindset change?

Where did his money come from?

What prompted him to abandon氪金(kè jīn, pay-to-win) games and devote all his energy to independent games again?

Xia Jiang felt that this would be a very perfect interview angle, and it was the key to this interview.

The interview began, and Xia Jiang first asked some questions about the incubation base.

For example, the daily work arrangements of the incubation base, the conditions for independent game developers to join the incubation base, and the successful games that the incubation base already had, and so on.

Qiu Hong also answered truthfully one by one, neither exaggerating nor belittling himself.

Xia Jiang quickly took notes. Finally, she felt that the time was almost right, and changed the topic, entering the main topic of the interview.

"President Qiu, there is a question that I believe players are very curious about."

"As far as I know, you entered the game industry not too late, but most of the time you were making online games and achieved some success."

"But since last year, you suddenly turned your attention to domestic independent games and launched the 'Poor Road Project' to provide financial support to these independent game developers."

"May I ask, what was your state of mind at the time? Why did this change happen?"

Qiu Hong smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "This matter is a bit embarrassing to talk about."

"Although I am the nominal initiator of the 'Poor Road Project,' in reality, this is not a plan that I proposed myself, and the funds did not come from me. I am just an agent and executor."

Qiu Hong chose to tell the truth, partly because he didn't want to take credit, and partly because this matter couldn't be concealed at all.

Qiu Hong himself didn't have that much money. Anyone could see that he couldn't possibly pay for the incubation base out of his own pocket. Sooner or later, someone would ask about the source of the money.

Rather than hiding it, it was better to admit it generously, so that he wouldn't feel like a thief for doing something good.

Xia Jiang nodded slightly, which was in her expectation.

Because although Qiu Hong was considered a successful game developer, his income was much higher than that of ordinary people, but it was far from enough to support these two incubation bases.

Moreover, no one with a sound mind would use their own money to support an incubation base.

Therefore, Xia Jiang had long suspected that Qiu Hong had other investors behind him, providing him with financial support.

Now Qiu Hong's answer confirmed this point.

Xia Jiang asked: "Then can you reveal who your investor is, or which institution it is?"

Qiu Hong shook his head: "I'm sorry, I can't reveal his identity."

Xia Jiang was a little surprised: "This investor is doing good deeds without leaving a name? But is there any need to be secretive about this kind of thing?"

The "Poor Road Project" supports domestic independent games, and no matter how you look at it, it's a great thing. If someone else were doing this kind of thing, they would definitely spend money to advertise and publicize it everywhere. After all, isn't the point of burning money to do good deeds to get a good reputation?

But this investor invested money and did good deeds, but didn't let others know his identity. This was really... a bit different.

Qiu Hong said with emotion: "I'm not sure why, but I can guess roughly from his words and actions."

"I once asked him, 'What is the purpose of the Poor Road Project?'"

"He asked me back, 'Why must there be a purpose?'"

"That is to say, he is not for fame or profit. He doesn't want to make money from this, nor does he want others to say that he is trying to gain fame and praise. He just wants to silently do something meaningful for this industry."

"Just like the name 'Poor Road Project,' it is simply to help those independent game companies and developers who have reached the end of their road and are about to give up."

Xia Jiang couldn't help but be deeply moved: "I didn't expect that there would be someone so concerned about domestic games. This noble character is really admirable!"

"Of course, President Qiu, although you did not directly contribute funds, you have managed the two incubation bases in an orderly manner. You are also a capable assistant to this investor, and I think he will be very grateful to you."

Qiu Hong smiled: "I'm sure I'm more grateful to him."

"Strictly speaking, the 'Poor Road Project' not only redeemed many domestic independent game developers, but also redeemed me."

Xia Jiang's eyes lit up: "Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Qiu Hong explained: "I'm not afraid of being laughed at, but the reason why I've been making online games, making氪金(kè jīn, pay-to-win) games, is mainly because of spite."

"When I entered the industry, I was also full of love for domestic games, but this love was worn away during the two years I spent making my first single-player game. The chaos in the domestic game industry and the poor living conditions gave me a rebellious feeling of love turning to hate."

"At that time, I was still young. In a fit of anger, I went to make氪金(kè jīn, pay-to-win) games, and all I could think about was how to make more money."

"Later, I had no worries about food and clothing, and that rebellious feeling had long since disappeared. But I didn't dare to go back to the field of single-player games, because online games had become my comfort zone."

"As I reached middle age, the pressure of life increased sharply, and I didn't have the courage to leave this comfort zone and pursue the illusory dream of single-player games again."

"But my investor, who should also be considered a good friend, touched me with one sentence. I shouldn't let the sorrow of the times become my own sorrow."

"The great depression of domestic single-player games back then was the result of many factors. Although my passion was betrayed, I shouldn't harbor resentment towards anyone."

"In fact, I had long understood this principle in my heart, but I was unwilling to come out of the comfort zone of online games and unwilling to admit it."

"The 'Poor Road Project' also gave me a second chance, allowing me to help independent game developers fulfill their dreams. They are just like me when I was young, full of enthusiasm but without experience or money. I feel sincerely happy and fulfilled to be able to help them."

"Therefore, I am the one who should be most grateful to this friend and investor."

Xia Jiang took notes carefully, feeling inexplicably moved.

If what Qiu Hong said was true, then this investor who did good deeds without leaving a name was really too noble!

Not only did he provide timely help to independent game developers who were struggling financially, and supported the development of domestic games with real money, but he also rescued Qiu Hong, a game developer who had lost his way, allowing him to pick up his dream again and set off again.

And such an investor, who had done so many good things, still didn't want to reveal his name.

What kind of spirit is this!

Xia Jiang still didn't give up: "President Qiu, can't you really reveal anything about the identity of this investor? Even a side hint would be good."

Qiu Hong shook his head very firmly: "Really can't."

Xia Jiang felt a little regretful, but since Qiu Hong's attitude was firm, she didn't want to get to the bottom of it.

There were so many big shots and big companies in the game industry, and there were countless investment institutions and funds in the country. It was very difficult to guess the investor behind Qiu Hong without too many clues.

Although Xia Jiang was curious, she didn't have any good way to do it, so she could only put it aside for the time being and complete her own job.

After asking a few more questions and taking a lot of information about the incubation base, Xia Jiang and the interview team prepared to leave.

The interview team had previously been to the capital once to interview Wu Zhicheng, the creator of *Shui Mo Yun Yan* (Water Ink Clouds and Smoke), and had also taken a lot of information.

By sorting out the information from the capital and Shanghai, and integrating the interviews with Wu Zhicheng and Qiu Hong, this interview on the "Poor Road Project" incubation base would be successfully completed.

When *Shui Mo Yun Yan* (Water Ink Clouds and Smoke) was pre-sold, the "Poor Road Project" had already become popular once, attracting the attention of many players. Once the official exclusive interview came out, it would definitely be able to go further and attract more attention!

"President Qiu, our interview is over here. Thank you very much for your cooperation." Xia Jiang prepared to say goodbye.

"You're welcome, this is what we should do."

Qiu Hong exchanged a few more pleasantries, and originally wanted to ask Xia Jiang and others to have a meal together, but they declined.

Qiu Hong didn't insist any further, and sent the interview team to the car before returning to the incubation base to continue with his own affairs.

In the car, Xia Jiang flipped through the notes she had taken, and looked at the photos and videos taken by the photographer.

As she looked at them, her brows furrowed slightly, and a special feeling lingered in her heart, refusing to go away.

"Strange, why do I feel like these two incubation bases are so familiar?"

"The workstations are very spacious, the working environment is excellent, and everyone's work enthusiasm is very high."

"They regularly arrange for designers to play games to accumulate inspiration, and they also arrange for托管(tuō guǎn, outsourced) fitness to exercise their bodies."

"Why is it so similar to Tengda's style?"

"Could it be that... the 'Poor Road Project' incubation base is related to Tengda? Is the friend and investor that Qiu Hong mentioned actually President Pei?"

Xia Jiang didn't know why, but she inexplicably recalled the things she had seen and heard when she did an exclusive interview with Tengda before, and they matched the situation of the incubation base!

She was startled by this thought herself, but once she accepted this setting, she realized that everything seemed to become reasonable!

The investor that Qiu Hong mentioned seemed a little too noble, even making people suspect his authenticity, wondering if he really existed.

But if this person was President Pei, then it wouldn't be strange at all!