Chapter 271 So Expensive

After roughly finalizing the various package deals, Jiang Yuan couldn't help but lament, "This is really expensive."

Tengda had made some relatively expensive equipment before, like the Fully Automatic Squabble Facilitator and the Smart Fitness Clothes-drying Rack.

But compared to this simulation equipment, the prices were worlds apart.

And this was already the result of Pei Zong pushing the price down as much as possible, in his usual style.

Moreover, even buying this equipment wasn't the end of it; players also needed a high-end computer, and either a three-screen display, an ultra-wide curved screen, or a VR headset.

Just to get three 2k monitors with narrow bezels, you'd probably need to shell out seven or eight thousand.

So, all in all, setting up a complete system for the best experience would probably cost around thirty thousand.

Wang Xiaobin explained, "It can't be helped that it's expensive; this is the reasonable price for this equipment."

"We're actually not making much profit at this price. This is only possible because Tengda can make money from games; other manufacturers couldn't do it."

"To get a good experience, the steering wheel's surface, direct-drive base, and pedals absolutely cannot be compromised."

"It's easy to lower the price: make the steering wheel with gears, change the wheel body to plastic, and you can get it down to a little over a thousand. Make the pedals with plastic and springs, and five hundred should be about right. But that would definitely diminish the gaming experience."

"Simulators take up quite a bit of space. Since you're buying one, you'll definitely want to pursue the best gaming experience."

"Of course, if players think it's too expensive, they can buy those steering wheels on the market that cost two or three thousand, and then just spend a hundred from us to buy a special console; they can still play *Safe and Civilized Driving* normally."

"But if we're going to make peripherals, we definitely have to make the best. We can't make a cheap version, that would affect Tengda's consistent reputation. What's more, those who really know their stuff will understand that our package is already very cheap; compared to foreign packages, the price has been cut by at least half."

"And this equipment will be perfectly compatible with our game. We can also provide on-site installation services, just like the Smart Fitness Clothes-drying Rack. All things considered, it's very cost-effective."

Chang You nodded, "Understood."

"The general plan has been roughly determined, and I've noted down some key points. Next, I need to find some professionals in this field and look for corresponding manufacturers to see if there's anything that needs to be improved in this plan."

"If there's any progress, I'll contact you as soon as possible. Let's keep in touch."

Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin nodded, "Of course."

Shang Yang Games and Ou Tu Technology often collaborated. *Fitness Battle* and the Smart Fitness Clothes-drying Rack were made after close communication. They were already very familiar with cooperating in this regard.

Wang Xiaobin's plan was made in a relatively rushed manner, so there were definitely some shortcomings. Chang You needed to consult some professionals and repeatedly consider the final state of this equipment before he could completely finalize it.

...

At the same time, Tengda Games Department was already developing *Eternal Reincarnation*.

After a long two months of accumulation, the design details of *Eternal Reincarnation* were very clear. Everyone knew what they had to do, so they got into the swing of things very quickly.

Because it was a DLC, most of the game's resources were reused from the original game's existing scenes, so there was no need for additional production. This greatly shortened the development time.

According to Hu Xianbin's estimation, it should take a month to complete the new mechanism required by Pei Zong, and two months to officially release it.

As for what Tengda Games Department would do after the release of the *Eternal Reincarnation* DLC?

No one knew. They would just ask Pei Zong when the time came.

As for Min Jingchao's side, he was still carrying out the daily development and maintenance work of GOG as usual.

Hu Xianbin temporarily put down his work, pulled a chair and sat down next to Min Jingchao's workstation, then lowered his voice and said, "This year's Excellent Employee selection is scheduled for Friday, which is tomorrow, you know?"

Min Jingchao nodded, a little puzzled, "I know."

Hu Xianbin said, "So, you don't have any thoughts?"

Min Jingchao was even more confused. He thought for a while, then said, "What... should I have thoughts about?"

Hu Xianbin sighed softly, "Isn't it obvious? The two of us are high-risk groups for getting the Best Employee award!"

Min Jingchao suddenly woke up.

Oh, that's what he meant!

His expression instantly became serious: "That's right! I hadn't thought about this before, but now that you mention it, the problem is indeed very serious!"

Although the Excellent Employee award was a kind of honor, a kind of reward, many people within Tengda, especially those in charge, didn't really want this reward.

For example, Zhang Yuan, who was previously in charge of Moyu Internet Cafe and ROF assembly business, and Chang You, who was in charge of Ou Tu Technology.

Because the industry they were currently in was their favorite industry, but after receiving the Best Employee award, they had to take the Dream Fund to another industry, and they couldn't refuse.

Zhang Yuan had no choice but to give up his beloved ROF assembly, hand over Moyu Internet Cafe to Xiao Peng, and then take charge of DGE E-sports Club and Tengda's E-sports Division.

Chang You was much more cunning, taking advantage of loopholes and actually staying at Ou Tu Technology.

But the problem was that Pei Zong had already said last time that taking advantage of loopholes was not allowed as an example, and people who received the Excellent Employee award in the future could not do this.

Hu Xianbin and Min Jingchao were obviously high-risk groups for getting the Excellent Employee award.

Hu Xianbin had been the main designer in the core Tengda Games Department for a long time, and *Mission and Choice* was also a great success. With Huang Sibo having already received the Excellent Employee award once, he was the first in line.

Min Jingchao had always been in charge of GOG. During this period, GOG's development had been smooth, while IOI was declining. This contribution could not be ignored.

But they were both obviously very satisfied with their current jobs and didn't want to take the Dream Fund out to "pioneer" at all.

Min Jingchao thought for a while and said, "But, there's no way around it."

"This is the company's regulation, and we can't possibly get Pei Zong to change his mind."

"Chang You had already taken advantage of a loophole once, and Pei Zong has already blocked that loophole."

"Unless... we can find a new way to take advantage of loopholes."

Hu Xianbin lowered his voice: "I didn't think of a way to take advantage of loopholes. But I thought of another method, and it has some feasibility, more reliable than finding rule loopholes."

Min Jingchao's eyes lit up: "Oh? Tell me, what method?"

Hu Xianbin put on a profound expression: "Find... a scapegoat."

Min Jingchao: "Huh?"

Hu Xianbin looked around, afraid of being discovered: "It's actually very simple. We just have to find a way for someone else to get first place in the Excellent Employee award, wouldn't that be enough?"

"Think about it, who originally had the best chance of getting second place in the Excellent Employee award?"

Min Jingchao suddenly woke up: "Brother Bao!" (Bao Ge)

Hu Xianbin nodded with a smile: "That's right."

In terms of contribution, Hu Xianbin, Min Jingchao, and Bao Xu all had the opportunity to compete for the Excellent Employee award.

So, as long as Bao Xu was pushed to first place, wouldn't Hu Xianbin and Min Jingchao be safe?

Whether they got second place and went on a trip, or got third place, they wouldn't have to leave the Games Department. How great would that be?

Hu Xianbin continued: "Moreover, this is a win-win situation!"

"The two of us don't want to leave the Games Department, and Brother Bao doesn't want to go on a trip. If we switch it around like this, Brother Bao gets the Dream Fund, and one of the two of us goes on a trip. Isn't that perfect?"

Min Jingchao was silent for a moment, then said, "Not perfect. It would be best if we didn't get the Excellent Employee award and Brother Bao went on a trip; that would be perfect."

"An Excellent Employee selection without Brother Bao going on a trip has no soul!"

Hu Xianbin nodded: "Okay, actually, I think so too."

"If Brother Bao doesn't go on a trip, it always feels like something is missing."

"If there were any other suitable candidates, I wouldn't consider Brother Bao."

"But the problem is that there are no suitable candidates now. If Brother Bao doesn't take first place, then one of us is definitely going to have to leave the Games Department."

Min Jingchao agreed: "Hmm... okay, it seems that in order to protect ourselves, we can only push Brother Bao out to take the blame."

"Then... how should we operate specifically?"

Hu Xianbin said: "This is very simple."

"Brother Bao has made great contributions in the Snack Market this time. Zhang Yahui also praised him during the TV interview. Many people will definitely vote for him, hoping that he will go on a trip."

"However, everyone will definitely try to control his votes in second place."

"Let's find people to talk to in advance and tell them not to vote for now."

"When Brother Bao is basically stable in second place, and the gap between him and the first place (you or me) is very small, we'll take all the votes we've arranged in advance and dump them all on Brother Bao!"

"The gap wasn't big to begin with, so maybe only a few dozen votes are needed to reverse the situation and push Brother Bao to first place."

Min Jingchao nodded: "That's right, your method seems feasible!"

"The only problem is... convincing so many people to give up watching the traditional show of 'Brother Bao going on a trip' is a bit difficult."

Hu Xianbin said: "Yes, this is the only difficulty in this plan. But with the friendship between the two of us and the heads of other departments, and by playing the sympathy card a bit more, saying how tired Brother Bao is now and how much he doesn't want to go on a trip again, we should still be able to get some support."

"It might not work. If the vote gap is too big at that time, even if these votes are cast, they won't be able to make up the difference. That would be awkward."

"But overall, it's worth a try."

After considering for a moment, Min Jingchao nodded: "Indeed, it's worth a try!"

"If it fails, there's nothing we can do, but what if it succeeds?"

"Let's split up and try to persuade as many people as possible to vote for Brother Bao!"