You call this entrepreneurship?

Chapter 458

If George's grandfather was a veteran stock investor, this reason would make sense.

After a lifetime of stock trading, it is reasonable to make a lot of money in the end, right?

This is the real American dream. You can't say that you have to lose money if you enter the stock market and not allow others to make money. Casinos are not so domineering.

As for why they make money, it is of course because the elderly are experienced and have accurate judgment.

What? You said this was Grandpa George's first time trading stocks?
Maybe he is just lucky.

No matter whether the old stock god is really capable or just lucky, he has made money anyway.

George said very happily: "My grandpa just gave me a luxury sports car as a birthday present."

Qin Shaoyan sighed, "Your family has such a good relationship."

"Of course." George said with a smile, "I grew up on my grandfather's farm when I was a child. He has a large farm in Texas. He raised half of my tuition for me when I went to college."

"That's a huge sum of money." Qin Shaoyan also exclaimed.

"Indeed." George nodded with emotion, "If it weren't for grandpa's help, I wouldn't be able to go to Harvard University."

Qin Shaoyan remembers that classics such as "Reader" and "Yi Lin" often promoted some American social customs and life. For example, American society does not rely on relationships and personal connections, but relies entirely on rules to get things done.

For example, families abroad advocate independence, and children live on their own and work to pay for tuition when they turn 18.

But later everyone knew that these rumors were nonsense.

The higher the social class, the more important relationships and connections are, and these are necessary conditions for mixing in circles.

As for advocating independence and letting children earn their own money to pay for their tuition, it is purely because tuition at American universities is too high.

Most families simply cannot afford this money, so of course they can only rely on their children to find a solution themselves.

The proportion of undergraduate students in the United States who take out loans to go to school is as high as 94%. According to data analysis from the U.S. Department of Education in 2015, more than 7% of American college students are burdened with student loans when they graduate, with the average debt per person exceeding US$35000.

Moreover, student loans have compound interest, and the bank’s favor is something you can never repay. It may not be paid off even by the time you retire.

It would be different if you were rich. You wouldn’t have to worry about tuition fees, or even how to get into college. You could just donate a building and it would be done.

However, George, the descendant of the old redneck, still has a certain financial strength and can afford half of the tuition.

Therefore, the old man’s ability to become a stock god depends on his own strong strength. After all, the returns generated by one dollar and one million dollars entering the stock market are different.

George could rely on his grandfather to make some extra money in the stock market. As for how other partners avoided the attention of the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), it is not convenient to elaborate.

Qin Shaoyan didn't care about the details and didn't intend to get involved. Some things others can do, but that doesn't mean you can do it too.

He should just do some legitimate business through legal means. "How is Gabe doing lately?"

"Overall, it's pretty good. Steam is becoming more and more successful." George said happily, "Now that you are willing to take over the Counter-Strike online game, he is even happier. He said that you are a very good game producer and Counter-Strike will become even better in your hands."

"That's not necessarily true, George." Qin Shaoyan sighed, "I'm a businessman now, and the primary goal of a businessman is to make money, not to make the game more fun."

"What's the difference?" George looked confused and puzzled. "Wouldn't it be more profitable if the game became more fun?"

"Of course it's different. A fun game may not necessarily make money." Qin Shaoyan explained, "A money-making game may not necessarily be fun."

"Well, we believe you anyway." George smiled. "How bad can Counter-Strike be?"

After all, "Counter-Strike" is well-known around the world and can be called a truly world-class national shooting game. With such a huge fan base, the online version of "Counter-Strike" will not lose money at all.

So this cooperation is a win-win situation for both parties.

"If I were to make an online version, I would optimize it appropriately based on the original version." Qin Shaoyan said seriously, "After all, the online version is different from the stand-alone version."

"Oh, it's okay, I understand." George nodded. In fact, he didn't quite understand the difference between the online version and the stand-alone version.

However, Qin Shaoyan has experience in making online games, so he must understand the market and players better.

"I will commercialize it a bit." Qin Shaoyan continued, "In order to increase the revenue of the game, I will add some powerful guns and props. What do you think?"

George was a little stunned. "Wouldn't that destroy the balance of the game?"

"Of course." Qin Shaoyan answered confidently, "You can't think about balance and making money at the same time. Players just want to spend money to become stronger. What's wrong with them?"

"But..." George was a little confused, "I don't think it's right to do this. Fairness is the most important thing in competitive games."

"You'll ruin the game if you do that."

Qin Shaoyan looked at the other person and suddenly laughed, "I was just joking, you wouldn't take it seriously."

"John," George frowned, "this isn't funny, and you have to promise me you won't ruin it."

"Don't worry, I will try my best to maintain the fairness of the competition." Qin Shaoyan said sincerely, "I will find ways to increase its commercial value in other aspects."

"I've been researching shooting games recently. The gameplay of Counter-Strike is too monotonous. What do you think of adding some Resident Evil elements?"

"Wow!" George's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great, John. We've also been researching this recently."

"What is it?" Qin Shaoyan also became interested. "What new things have you made?"

"We are developing an online shooting game set in a zombie-infested apocalypse," George said excitedly. "We have designed a four-player online mode and added a lot of novel elements..."

Qin Shaoyan then understood that the other party was talking about the "Left 2 Dead" series, which is also a classic stand-alone game. Even twenty years later, "Left Dead " still has a large number of loyal players.

Well, there is no third part in this series. This is a classic operation of Valve.

Qin Shaoyan had also played this game, so he was naturally very familiar with the game settings. The two of them naturally started chatting happily soon.

George found that Qin Shaoyan's ideas were very much in line with his own. He excitedly picked up a pen and paper and immediately wrote down the content while discussing. He would then add these things to the game.

As he wrote, George felt regretful.

Why would such a good person choose to work in the Internet industry?

Unfortunately, Qin Shaoyan is now a wealthy man, and it is impossible for him to give up his career and go back to making games with him.

"John, you are a game design genius." George said sincerely, "Don't waste your talent. It will be a loss for the game industry and players."

"Well, I will make good use of my talent." Qin Shaoyan nodded in agreement.

I will definitely make good use of it. After all, games make money quickly. "When do you plan to release the new game?" Qin Shaoyan asked.

"Normally, it will take about two years." George made a rough estimate and gave a time.

"What about the sequel?" Qin Shaoyan continued to ask.

“If it sells well, there will definitely be a sequel.” George gave an affirmative answer.

“Will it be a trilogy?”

"..." George was silent for a moment, "Well, it should be a trilogy."

Haha, you feel guilty about saying that.

"George, I think if Valve keeps making shooting games, isn't that a bit too limited?" Qin Shaoyan suggested, "Has Gabe ever thought about developing other types of games?"

"Well, he has indeed considered this, but we have experience in FPS and are not familiar with other genres." George thought for a moment, "So, do you have any suggestions?"

During this period, Valve was still very enterprising, but later it just laid back and made a lot of money by relying on Steam as a middleman.

"Have you ever played DOTA?" Qin Shaoyan asked.

"That DOTA in Warcraft?" George was a little confused. "Why do you mention this?"

"I think this type of game is very interesting. It will be welcomed by players all over the world and it is very competitive." Qin Shaoyan said enthusiastically, "Don't you think this is a very good reference?"

"Are you saying that we made a similar game based on DOTA?" George asked puzzledly.

"No." Qin Shaoyan replied, "We are not imitating it. We can just copy DOTA directly."

George shook his head and refused, "But DOTA belongs to Blizzard..."

"No, it doesn't belong to Blizzard." Qin Shaoyan replied, "It's just a custom RPG map based on Warcraft. It was created by Eul, Steve Guinsoo, and IceFrog. It's not Blizzard's property, but the players'."

Eul created the first DOTA map, and Steve Guinsoo and IceFrog continued to improve it before DOTA came into being.

Among them, IceFrog made the greatest contribution. When developing DOTA2, he was also updating and producing DOTA maps free of charge, simply for the love of it.

"Dota has infinite potential. Warcraft gave birth to it, but it also restricted its growth." Qin Shaoyan said righteously, "For the benefit of the majority of players, we should help it break free from the constraints of Warcraft and give it a larger and freer space to grow."

“So, we should move it out and make a new DOTA.”

"Will this... cause any trouble?" George hesitated. He was also a senior DOTA fan and was very tempted by Qin Shaoyan's proposal, but he was also concerned about the ownership of DOTA.

"IceFrog is the one doing the updates and maintenance for DOTA now. We can just poach him to be in charge of DOTA development." Qin Shaoyan started to stir up trouble. "As for the legal issues, I have already consulted a lawyer. We have not infringed any rights. If there is a lawsuit, the best we can do is settle. Blizzard cannot win."

"Really?" George's eyes lit up.

"Of course, I can guarantee it." Qin Shaoyan said confidently, "Have you forgotten how YouTube won the infringement lawsuit?"

"Oh, in that case..." George was very excited, "I'm going to go back and have a good talk with Gabe."

"Give me an answer as soon as possible." Qin Shaoyan urged, "I have asked someone to contact IceFrog."

"Okay, I'll convince Gabe as soon as possible." George rubbed his hands excitedly, "We're going to join forces to do something big again."

"That's right." Qin Shaoyan gave an affirmative answer, "This is indeed a great undertaking."

……

Los Angeles, California.

In a newly established game company, Brandon Baker and Marco Merrill are busy working.

They tidied up the office, put in some green plants, made the company look more formal, and put on suits.

The reason why we go to so much trouble is because an investor will be visiting today.

This was the first institution interested in investing, which was very important to both of them.

Although this fledgling company is not short of money in the short term, it has seriously restricted the company's development.

For these two extremely ambitious people, they will never let go of any opportunity.

At ten o'clock in the morning, a luxury Mercedes-Benz car stopped downstairs. The accompanying assistant opened the door. After Edward got out of the car, he took a look at the unfamiliar environment and put on sunglasses.

Brandon Baker and Marco Merrill came out early to greet them, "Hello, sir."

Edward acted very cold in the face of the two people's enthusiastically extended hands, and shook them perfunctorily, "Is this your company?"

"Yes."

"What's it called?" Edward took off his sunglasses and glanced at the company's logo. "Riot Games? What kind of games do you make? Violent Motorcycle?"

Riot Games literally means Riot Games, but it is generally translated as Fist Games in China.

The two founders did not care about the investors' ridicule. They said they chose this name to be seen by others and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Brandon Baker explained with a smile, "We chose this name because we want our company to be stronger and more aggressive."

"Offensive?" Edward nodded. "I like this term very much. I hope your company will be as aggressive in its future development."

After entering the reception room, Edward threw the information handed over by his assistant on the table without even looking at it. "In short, I am not very interested in your company information. I only care about what projects you can come up with that can impress me."

The two founders looked at each other, and Brandon Baker said cautiously, "Do you play games?"

"No, I don't play." Edward said calmly, "But I do know a little about games, otherwise why would I invest in a game company."

"Have you heard of DOTA?" Brandon Baker continued to ask.

"I know." Edward answered directly, "I heard that this game is good and has many players."

The two founders were cheered up. It would be fine if the investor knew the business. Otherwise, they would have to try hard to explain how popular the game was and how good its prospects were.

Brandon Baker explained excitedly, "Our company is developing a DOTA-type game. To be more precise, we are planning to transplant the DOTA model from a stand-alone game to an online game."

"We have a great idea..."

"Okay." Edward interrupted him rudely, "I just want to know why players want to play your game when there is already a DOTA?"

(End of this chapter)