The younger generation, starting from where the wind blows...

Chapter 37 The Ceiling of Social Games
Yang Muyi asked Ma Qiushan how much the signing fee was, and Ma Qiushan was stunned on the spot.

Is there still money to be made?
"Nonsense! Look at all those people who became famous online through blogs, and those celebrities—who among them has joined Fanfou? Don't they see the major trend of blogs being replaced by microblogs in the future?"

Yang Muyi's rapid-fire questions completely stunned Ma Qiushan.

What other reason could there be?
Only a fool would sign up if there were no benefits.

Now, Machushan has discovered that he is the fool.

With various sentences using the phrase "a difficult decision" going viral online, Ma Qiushan's fame is now comparable to that of third- or fourth-tier celebrities.

Although the initial popularity may be temporary, as long as Shanye Technology continues to launch blockbuster products, Maqiushan's reputation will only grow stronger in the future.

As a result, the game wasn't free-for-all because Yang Muyi intervened.

But the person got ripped off for free.

Upon learning the truth, Ma Qiushan silently shed tears of regret.

I was planning to cancel my Fanfou account as soon as I got back, but Yang Muye stopped me from doing so.

Wang Xing's judgment this time was correct; the golden age of microblogging products has indeed arrived.

Unfortunately, Fanfou.com collapsed on the eve of this major trend due to its lax control over speech.

In the end, the one-eyed man got the benefit.

History will not change. Fanfou will not have any problems until September next year. Before that, its development momentum has been very strong.

Now that Maqiushan has already joined, it would be a good idea for them to use their Fanfou account to advertise their products in the coming year.

Hearing this made Ma Qiushan feel a little better.

Although the collaboration with HaiNei.com fell through, Ma Qiushan still honored the previous bet. Before coming to see Yang Muyi this morning, he had already renewed Yang Muyi's hotel executive suite for another year.

The key is the additional condition in that bet, which is why Ma Qiushan came to see Yang Muye today.

With the potential of the cow/sheep mini-game nearing its end, not only is Machushan anxious about the company's next product, but the outside world is even more anxious.

To be precise, they were waiting to see Shanye Technology make a fool of itself.

Games like cows and sheep don't have much technical content, yet they become wildly popular through controversial viral marketing tactics.

Earning tens of millions in just half a month is bound to make others envious.

There are already some voices expressing pessimism about the future development of Shanye Technology, and there are even rumors circulating online that Shanye Technology will disband after making a quick buck with its two mini-games featuring cows and sheep.

In front of Yang Muye, Ma Qiushan looked heartbroken:

“I think the best way to respond to these rumors is to come up with a new product as soon as possible. I lost the bet last time, so I will listen to you on all business matters from now on. That’s why I came to you for advice.”

"You really want to listen to me?"

"necessary!"

Ma Qiushan raised his hand and swore: "This time, wherever you point, I'll go, no hesitation whatsoever!"

"I am registering a trademark for a tabletop game category. Once the trademark is approved, I will authorize Shanye to make a social online game similar to 'Three Kingdoms Kill'. This time, we need to apply for a game license, and the company needs to prepare in advance."

Ma Qiushan was stunned after hearing this.

Yang Muye first registered the trademark, and then authorized Shanye to develop and produce the online game, so that he could get an extra licensing fee.

The idea came from Yang Muye, so there's nothing wrong with doing it that way. What Ma Qiushan really couldn't understand was something else.

"We're not making mini-games anymore?"

"We will make a social game that reaches the pinnacle of public participation and use it to expand into overseas markets."

If it weren't for Yang Muye's serious demeanor, Ma Qiushan would have almost thought he was being sarcastic.

Weren't you quite calm before? Why did you suddenly become so high-spirited? You might cause trouble.

Ma Qiushan's mouth moved, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Seeing through Ma Qiushan's thoughts, Yang Muye laughed: "Do you think that if there were just a plate of peanuts, I wouldn't be this drunk?"

Ma Qiushan thought to himself:
Isn't that quite clear-headed?
Of course, when it comes to actually speaking up, we still have to give Yang Muye face.

"Poetry and distant places are certainly wonderful, but I think the most important thing is to do the things in front of us well first. Shall we talk about the product first?"

"Brother Ma, after living in a bustling big city for so long, have you ever had a moment in your mind when you wanted to return to the countryside and live a pastoral life?"

"Yes, the desire to retreat to the countryside is a sentiment deeply ingrained in the Chinese people; otherwise, 'The Peach Blossom Spring' wouldn't have become a timeless masterpiece!"

"But the reality of rural life is far from the idyllic life that everyone yearns for."

“This—” Ma Qiushan blinked, looking troubled.

He genuinely didn't know how to proceed.

"So people actually just yearn for the idyllic life of 'picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence and leisurely gazing at the southern mountains,' not that they really want to live in the countryside, working from dawn till dusk every day, facing the loess soil and turning their backs to the sky. Just like Tao Yuanming in history, he wasn't really poor and destitute. The idea of ​​being content with poverty and finding joy in the Way is just a persona created for him by later generations."

"Yeah!"

Ma Qiushan pointed at Yang Muye: "That's spot on, a very accurate summary!"

"But you can't deny that farming is indeed ingrained in the genes of every Chinese person. From growing flowers and grass to actually acquiring a piece of land to run a farm, these are all manifestations of this genetic awakening."

Ma Qiushan nodded repeatedly, while raising his hand to signal Yang Muye to continue.

“I come from the countryside myself and know how hard farming is. In fact, let alone farming, even planting flowers and grass requires time and effort to take care of. You need to have enough leisure time to do these things that cultivate your mind and body. Can we develop a game that satisfies everyone’s innate farming genes while saving them the hardship and tedium of labor?”

Ma Qiushan's eyes lit up, and he pointed at Yang Muye: "I understand, you mean to make a farm management game similar to Farming Simulator or Story of Seasons?"

"More accurately, it's a super-simplified version!"

Yang Muye then added.

Traditional farm games focus more on simulating real farm operations. Players need to cultivate wasteland, grow crops, raise livestock, and trade goods. The functions are numerous and complex.

Yang Muye's requirements are very simple: players only need to manage their own small farm on a fixed map, and all tasks such as cultivating, watering, fertilizing, harvesting, and weeding can be completed with just one click of the mouse.

In terms of product functionality, it is even simpler than the previously developed cow/sheep series games.

However, for a social game, the game itself is never the focus; the social aspect is.

This is exactly what Maqiushan is worried about right now.

Is Yang Muyi perhaps planning to repeat his old tricks and create a farming ranking list like the cattle/sheep series?

To think that this is the pinnacle of social games is probably wishful thinking.

(End of this chapter)