My game, you have no right to award

Chapter 187 Candidates

"Oh, Mr. Zhou, it's been so long!"

Huang Renjun, the major shareholder of Asia United Film Co., Ltd., strode over and enthusiastically shook Zhou Kuang's hands with both of them.

"Your presence at Asia United Film Studio today is truly an honor to our humble abode!"

Hearing the other party's praise, Zhou Kuang smiled as well, but quietly withdrew his hand.

They were enthusiastic, but perhaps a little too enthusiastic.

"No, no, I'm here to learn today."

"If so..."

Huang Renjun said with a big smile.

He was Mr. Huang, who had dined with Zhou Kuang before. Zhou Kuang hadn't had time to visit his film company until today, when he finally made the time.

For Zhou Kuang, his primary concern was undoubtedly the game, but he couldn't ignore the hidden mission the system had given him.

Moreover, if the movie adaptation is successful, Kuangshi Games will not only gain additional revenue but also expand the player base of "Youming Shanhai".

Cyberpunk 2077 is a similar example of success.

When Cyberpunk 2077 was first released, although it was heavily criticized for various serious bugs, it still couldn't overshadow the game's inherent quality, which earned it a lot of fans and supporters.

Many of these fans are fans of CD Projekt Red's previous masterpiece, The Witcher 3.

This leads to a problem.

Even though CGPR later made many optimizations and adjustments to the game, which greatly reduced the number of bugs and made the game experience very perfect, the impression of the game among casual players is still that it was full of bugs when it was first launched.

This is especially true in Europe and America.

The sheer number of bugs in the initial release of Cyberpunk 2077 became a laughing stock in the gaming industry.

However, a decision made by CDPR before the game's release somewhat saved the day.

It truly lives up to the "PR" in CDPR's name.

Even before the game's release, CD Projekt Red (CDPR) had partnered with the Japanese animation studio Trigger to prepare an animated series adapted from the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

This is the animated series "Cyberpunk: The Edge Walker".

This animation not only improved CDPR's public image, but also perfectly achieved their goal when they collaborated—to drive traffic to the original work.

Judging success solely by the sales and revenue of an entertainment work is often a biased approach.

Any adaptation must consider its potential impact on the popularity of the original work.

CDPR was very clever; instead of choosing a live-action adaptation or a TV series, they chose animation as the main subject of the adaptation.

Given the worldview and background of Cyberpunk 2077, American TV series are actually a more suitable subject than Japanese animation.

However, CDPR still opted for animation.

On the one hand, Animei has been deeply rooted in the hearts of young people in Europe and America for many years and has long become their spiritual nourishment.

This even led them to have an unrealistic fantasy about neon itself.

This is also proof of so-called cultural soft power.

On the other hand, if Cyberpunk 2077 were actually made into an American TV series, the cost would definitely be much higher than that of a normal TV series.

Those futuristic high-tech urban landscapes, whether built on location or created using CG, come at prohibitively high costs.

In comparison, no matter how many times the cost of animation increases, it can never match the cost of film and television dramas.

However, the results may not be much different.

Therefore, choosing neon animation as the medium for adaptation was a necessary choice for CDPR, even though it wasn't always the case.

CDPR's chosen partners—Trigger and TRIGGER—are among the top animation studios in the industry.

The director in charge of adapting the anime, Hiroyuki Imaishi, is one of the few super directors in the animation industry who has his own unique style.

Gurren Lagann, Stocking with Garterbelt, Kill la Kill...

Each one is a masterpiece, either a top-rated animated film or a stylized work that is the pinnacle of excellence.

His profound skill can be glimpsed from the animated works he has been in charge of.

With all the positive buffs, Cyberpunk: Edgewalker's phenomenal performance is hardly surprising.

To mark the second anniversary of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red released the critically acclaimed animated film Cyberpunk: Edgewalker, accompanying the game's new version.

Thanks to its high quality, the game itself returned to the top of the Steam sales charts, and even set a new record for the number of online players.

It's safe to say that this was a perfect collaboration in the eyes of any game company executive.

Therefore, Zhou Kuang's welcoming attitude towards the adaptation of "The Netherworld Mountains and Seas" was also influenced by this.

Huang Renjun turned around, pulled over a middle-aged man who looked very much like him, and said with a smile.

"This is my younger brother, director Huang Renxiong."

Zhou Kuang immediately looked at this person.

The other person wore square-framed glasses, had thinning hair, and rarely smiled.

She was wearing a plain white T-shirt, dark shorts, and black sneakers.

The overall look doesn't resemble that of a director; it's more like that of a roadside melon vendor.

At that moment, a transparent panel appeared on the other party's body in Zhou Kuang's eyes.

Name: Huang Renxiong

Position: Director

[Ability Rating: B-]

[Specialties: Comedy, Romance, Documentary]

[Not my forte: Drama, Action, Sci-Fi]

Overall assessment: A somewhat talented second-tier director with a unique understanding of comedy, but limited future potential; skilled at producing popcorn movies that meet market expectations.

Zhou Kuang was taken aback, but before he could think further, Huang Renjun continued.

"He's a huge fan of 'The Lost Mountains and Seas'!"

Zhou Kuang then realized what was happening and grasped the other person's outstretched hand.

Huang Renxiong remained calm, showing no signs of emotional fluctuation.

Zhou Kuang even began to doubt whether the other party had actually played "Youming Shanhai".

After shaking hands, Huang Renxiong stood motionless in place.

Huang Renjun quickly pulled him behind him with a big smile.

"Haha, my younger brother is a bit shy, please forgive him."

"Haha, it's okay, it's okay."

Zhou Kuang smiled outwardly, but inwardly he was ranting and raving.

This looks like a middle-aged man in his thirties. Is he shy?

Is this a word that should be used to describe him?
Zhou Kuang then turned his gaze to the other person, hmm...

Let's pretend I didn't say anything.

Only then did Zhou Kuang have the opportunity to think about the panel he had seen earlier.

That should be the restrictive item the system gave me before—the Eye of God.

The function is the ability to see any director who wants to actively adapt "The Lost Tomb".

So, director Huang Renxiong might actually know about "The Underworld".

It's unclear whether he wanted to make the changes himself, or whether this Mr. Huang "made" him to make the changes.
Let's get back to the topic of ability.

The task was to find a director with an S-level ability to adapt "The Lost Tomb". However, Huang Renxiong's ability was only B-, which naturally did not meet the requirements.

Moreover, the other party's profile stated that they were not good at action or drama films, so Zhou Kuang was even less likely to ask them to adapt "The Netherworld Mountains and Seas".

It seems like this trip was a waste of time.

Zhou Kuang was a little disappointed.

It wasn't that he was disappointed at not finding an S-level director; after all, he hadn't expected the task to be solved so easily.

Instead, even knowing that the goal had been achieved, they still had to engage in insincere social interactions with the fawning Mr. Huang in front of them.

It's a real waste of energy and time.

However, just consider it as getting some inside information about film and television companies; it might come in handy later.

Huang Renxiong was completely unaware of Zhou Kuang's intentions and continued to enthusiastically show him around the company's various facilities.

Employee offices, common lounges, honor display room...

He then launched into a long and detailed account of Asia United Film Company's works and achievements over the years, from blockbuster films to stars they launched to how they expanded into overseas markets and participated in major film festivals...

They knew it all like the back of their hand.

Zhou Kuang pretended to be interested, but his mind was already a million miles away.

"This is my younger brother's previous film, 'Shanghai Fortress,' a masterpiece of domestic science fiction!"

"A box office of 500 million yuan is also a new high for domestic science fiction films!"

Zhou Kuang only became slightly interested upon hearing the name.

When I had dinner with Mr. Huang before, he did mention that in addition to a comedy film that grossed 1 billion yuan, there was also a science fiction film that grossed 500 million yuan.

It seems to be this "Shanghai Fortress".

The box office of "Shanghai Fortress" did indeed reach 500 million yuan, and the revenue obtained after sharing with theaters was a huge profit compared to its cost.

However, "Shanghai Fortress" received unexpectedly poor reviews, scoring only 4.3 on the well-known film review website Douye.com.

It received overwhelmingly negative reviews.

Zhou Kuang suddenly noticed that Huang Renxiong, who had been following behind Huang Renjun, frowned subconsciously when he heard the name of the movie.

"If there's another opportunity to direct a sci-fi film in the future, I'll definitely let you direct it again!"

"I'm so happy," said General Manager Huang, affectionately embracing Huang Renxiong.

Zhou Kuang suddenly understood why his score was low!
The panel I saw before clearly stated that Huang Renxiong was not good at directing science fiction films.

However, Huang Renjun clearly did not think so, and Huang Renxiong did not refuse.

However, this is their family matter, or at the very least, their company's business. Zhou Kuang wouldn't be a pushover without a reason.

Huang Renxiong's rating is only B-, which is far from S-level. Even if Zhou Kuang really wanted to meddle, he wouldn't gain anything from it.

So he chose to remain silent.

Zhou Kuang occasionally responded with a few words, but otherwise he basically followed behind the other person, listening to him boast.

Just as he was lost in thought, a panel suddenly appeared on a passing man.

But before Zhou Kuang could react, the other party quickly left.

The panel then disappeared.

Zhou Kuang turned around to look at the other person's back.

The room this person entered had a plaque that read "Special Effects Department B1".

Huang Renjun naturally noticed Zhou Kuang's unusual behavior, and following his gaze, he also discovered what Zhou Kuang was looking at.

"What, Mr. Zhou, are you interested in the special effects department?"

"Ah... um."

Zhou Kuang paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll take you on a tour of our special effects department."

Huang Renjun originally intended to take Zhou Kuang to learn about the entire company. He hadn't planned to take him to the special effects department before because their Asia United Film Studio's special effects department was very small.

The company has fewer than ten employees in total, and overall, it barely has a basic structure.

They basically don't do their own special effects for their movies; all the special effects work is outsourced to external companies.

"it is good."

This was Zhou Kuang's most sincere answer.

Although I don't know why, the person who went in just now did have a panel on him.

The panel indicates that he is a director interested in adapting "The Mysterious Mountains and Seas".

But why would a director be in the special effects department?
Unable to explain his own doubts, Zhou Kuang could only follow behind General Manager Huang with those questions in mind.

Huang Renjun knocked on the door and went inside without waiting for an answer.

Upon entering the special effects department's office, several employees were working in small groups in front of monitor screens.

"President Zhou, this is our special effects department. It was only recently established, so we don't have many employees yet."

Huang Renjun said modestly.

However, Zhou Kuang's mind was no longer on what he was saying, but was drawn to the man in the corner.

This person was the same man he had seen earlier.

Zhou Kuang unconsciously moved closer, and finally, the panel reappeared!

Name: Chu Hong

[Position: Animation Modeler]

[Ability Rating: S]

[Specialties: Animated films, action films, war films, drama films]

[Not my forte: Horror, Romance, Suspense]

Overall Assessment: Possesses a unique understanding of cinematic language, boundless imagination, and immense potential for future development. Has an exceptional understanding of the animated film market. If they were to transition into directing, they could immediately become a top-tier international animated film director!

Zhou Kuang's eyes lit up!
Although this person is not a director, he is better than a director!

This is really hard to find, and it takes no effort at all!
Not only is he looking for an S-level director, but most importantly, the other party is also skilled in animation and action films!

Isn't this perfect for adapting "The Mysterious Mountains and Seas"?
He suppressed his emotions and calmly looked at Huang Renjun, asking, "Who is this? He doesn't look like an ordinary employee!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the man named Chu Hong.

Huang Renjun answered with a smile.

"Mr. Zhou has a good eye!"

"This is Chu Hong, the head of our special effects department."

"Don't let his youth fool you, he's incredibly capable."

"He works in animation modeling, and he's the one who handles similar needs in our company's publicity department."

Huang Renjun boasted, trying to convince Zhou Kuang that his company was capable of adapting "The Netherworld Mountains and Seas," but little did he know that Zhou Kuang was already preparing to use a shovel to undermine him.

The group's voices were quite loud, so they quickly attracted the attention of the people who were working.

"Chu Hong, come here, come here."

Huang Renjun waved, but the gesture looked like he was beckoning a dog.

Chu Hong frowned slightly upon hearing this, but still walked over.

(End of this chapter)