Chapter 198 Turning Point

The video started with Qiao Laoshi's unique voice, a bit accented, husky, yet drawn-out and mellow.

"Hello, my dear beloved viewers. I am still your 'Game Godfather,' Qiao Laoshi, who works overtime every day until he's bald and produces content like a sow."

"Recently, the official platform released a 'Collection of Classic Domestic Games,' and I'm taking this opportunity to introduce a 'classic' domestic game known as the 'Shame of National Games,' *Mission and Choice*!"

"Many of you may not have experienced that era and don't understand why this game is called the 'Shame of National Games.' Don't worry, let me start with the background at that time and slowly explain it to you..."

After all, Qiao Liang made his name with this series; he could easily find points to criticize terrible games.

The video was filled with verifications of various materials from that time, as well as a large amount of game footage, coupled with Qiao Liang's humorous and witty commentary style. Although it was a topic that had been done many times, it was still fascinating to listen to.

After complaining about how terrible the game was, Qiao Liang also introduced the final outcome of the incident: a large number of refunds from players who pre-ordered *Mission and Choice*, a large number of discarded discs, a serious blow to players' enthusiasm for supporting domestic games, and the domestic single-player game market worsened and entered a long period of decline...

When Qiao Liang talked about this part, he was heartbroken, and the audience's comments were filled with sighs.

However, at the end of the video, Qiao Liang changed the subject and brought hope to the audience.

"To this day, *Mission and Choice* has been nailed to the pillar of shame for domestic games."

"In the past, when mentioning *Mission and Choice*, we could only vent our anger at this game with a feeling of resentment, lamenting the misfortune and lack of ambition of domestic single-player games."

"But now, what is gratifying is that when we look back at *Mission and Choice*, the original resentment is gone, and it is more of a kind of ridicule."

"Because more and more excellent domestic games are constantly emerging, and the domestic single-player game market is no longer a desert."

"We can finally put aside those unpleasant memories and continue to look forward."

"Some people used to say that all domestic games except for Tengda are trash. Although we have *Turn Back is the Shore* and *Struggle*, these are just miracles in a desolate desert."

"But now, we know that Pei Zong is not the only one working hard in the domestic single-player game market. We have the 'Endless Road Project,' as well as a series of excellent indie games such as *White-Collar Survival Manual* and *Ink and Wash*!"

"With the continuous growth of these independent game developers, they will definitely continue to improve, allowing the old tree of domestic single-player games to come back to life and flourish again!"

"The future of domestic single-player games will definitely get better and better!"

"The content about the 'Endless Road Project' incubation base is taken from the official platform's interview. If you are interested, you can check it out yourself. In addition, *Ink and Wash* will be officially released tomorrow, and I hope everyone will pay close attention!"

Qiao Liang was considered a big up-loader in the game area of Aili Island website. Not long after the video was released, it already had a high number of views and a large number of comments.

Many viewers were excited to click in when they saw that Qiao Liang had updated the video, but they were disappointed to find that it was a "Trash Game Rant." They said that Qiao Laoshi was really敷衍 (fū yǎn - perfunctory), taking out a game from more than ten years ago to make a video.

But after watching the entire video, the audience was deeply moved and the discussion was extremely enthusiastic!

"Before, when I saw that the *Fantasy War Remake* was released, but we were still promoting the 'Collection of Classic Domestic Games,' I felt very disappointed. But after watching this video, I feel better. Although domestic single-player games still can't compare with foreign ones, it is clear that some people are still working hard!"

"Qiao Laoshi is right. I used to scold *Mission and Choice* because there was really no domestic single-player game that could be shown off; now everyone can look at it with a kind of ridicule, not because we are tolerant, but because the domestic single-player game environment has improved, and we also have a batch of our own good games, so we can naturally laugh off the shame of the past."

"I just went to see the interview, and it was really well done."

"Yeah, I didn't expect that Wu Zhicheng, the developer of *Ink and Wash*, had such a bumpy experience before. If it weren't for the 'Endless Road Project,' the release of *Ink and Wash* would have to be delayed for another ten years... and it certainly wouldn't be able to achieve the current quality."

"Qiu Zong's mental journey is also very moving. He entered the industry with dreams, got lost in making pay-to-win games, and came back around. Isn't it a kind of happiness to be able to realize his dream in middle age?"

"I just don't know who this mysterious investor is. It feels like he is also a person with a big picture and a generous attitude."

"I've decided that in the future, I will definitely support all the games produced by the 'Endless Road Project,' as long as the quality is acceptable!"

…

After reading the comments, Pei Qian's mood got even worse.

Although no one has guessed that this "mysterious investor" is him, the popularity of the "Endless Road Project" and *Ink and Wash* has increased again!

Not only that, but the old game *Mission and Choice*, which no one paid attention to anymore, has now become the focus of players' discussions because of Qiao Liang's video.

This is too unfavorable for the upcoming release of *Mission and Choice*!

While silently raising Qiao Liang's ranking on his little notebook, Pei Qian paced anxiously in the office.

Qiao Liang's move of anticipation greatly increased the risk of Pei Qian's original perfect plan.

What should he do?

Pei Qian walked around the office twice and decided to call Meng Chang.

He had to prepare for a rainy day.

The key issue now is not how to expand the results, but to find a way to stop the losses in advance.

Pei Qian knew that Meng Chang had asked for 30 million in advertising funds, but only 10 million had been spent, and there were still 20 million left.

If there was no video from Qiao Liang, Pei Qian would definitely want Meng Chang to spend the remaining 20 million as soon as possible. The faster he spent it, the happier he would be.

But now the situation has changed a bit.

Qiao Liang's video has already had a good publicity effect. What if the 20 million is spent and the popularity of *Mission and Choice* increases greatly, and the advertising funds are doubled after the game is released?

The main reason is that Pei Qian has not asked about Meng Chang's publicity plan, so he is instinctively a little worried.

Thinking of this, he immediately dialed Meng Chang's phone.

…

At this time, Meng Chang was at his workstation, continuing to play *Mission and Choice*.

Seeing President Pei's call, Meng Chang did not dare to neglect and immediately answered it.

"What? Don't spend the remaining 20 million?"

"Why?"

Meng Chang was dumbfounded. It was like a bolt from the blue.

In his opinion, the current publicity was all good, and the huge amount of money spent did not cause too much of a splash. Whether the "Collection of Classic Domestic Games" was promoted or not, the effect was not much different.

He originally planned to go directly to Aiiin next week and spend all the remaining 20 million in one go, directly making a final decision and maximizing his commission.

He never expected that President Pei would ask to stop spending money at this critical juncture?

This was unacceptable to Meng Chang.

Pei Qian fully understood Meng Chang's feelings and said earnestly: "I understand your feelings. After all, the results last month were gratifying, and the first half of this month has also been smooth."

"I'm mainly worried about something really going wrong. It will be hard for you, and it will be hard for me too."

"How about this, don't spend the 20 million. I'll calculate the commission for you at half of the full amount. Let's just make do with it this month and discuss it again next month."

Pei Qian couldn't say it too clearly. He was afraid that if a large amount of advertising funds were spent, something would suddenly go wrong. He would make a lot of money, and Meng Chang would not get a penny of commission. What was the point of that?

So, he chose a compromise solution, not promoting it, and giving Meng Chang a little commission as compensation. It was good for you, and it was good for me.

Although continuing to promote it may not necessarily lead to both of them collapsing, Pei Qian had a strong worry, and his sixth sense has always been very accurate.

Meng Chang was unhappy at the time.

"President Pei, you can't do this! We signed an agreement in black and white. How can we change it casually?"

Pei Qian was indeed a little guilty. After a moment of silence, he said: "I'm mainly worried that something goes wrong with your plan. Then the commission will be gone again, and it will be a loss."

Meng Chang laughed inwardly.

President Pei, you are being too hypocritical!

You are clearly seeing that the 20 million advertising funds are about to go down the drain, so you are trying to trick me into stopping and save me tens of thousands of dollars in commission. Saving 20 million is a big deal!

But want me to give in? That is absolutely impossible!

I have worked so hard to plan for so long, and I am almost there. Do you think you can scare me with this little bit of rhetoric?

No way!

Meng Chang said firmly: "President Pei, you don't have to worry. My plan is perfect, and there will definitely not be any mistakes!"

"Please believe me, and please abide by the spirit of the contract!"

Meng Chang said firmly, and Pei Qian had nothing to say.

In fact, Pei Qian could not be sure that something would go wrong after the 20 million was spent. He just vaguely had this worry.

Since Meng Chang was so firm and believed that his plan was absolutely no problem, Pei Qian didn't bother to be too unpleasant for an uncertain thing, and he could only choose to believe him.

After all, the goals of the two people are the same.

Thinking of this, Pei Qian nodded: "Okay, then you can still proceed according to the original plan. I won't interfere."

"Good luck!"

Pei Qian said the last four words with sincerity.

However, when Meng Chang heard it, he always felt a little strange, and the taste was not right.

"No, I must spend this money immediately, or something will change!"