Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 298 Collaborative game development, independent animation development

Upon hearing that Chen Xiu already had an operational plan for the "Black Myth" IP, both Feng Ji and Yang Qi showed a look of despair.

Their company was still researching whether to try to develop the first AAA game in China when a big shot came to them saying he wanted to get involved.

The vast difference in capital between the two sides made the already uncertain path even more difficult and fraught with obstacles.

Chen Xiujian could read their expressions and, from their increasingly pale faces, he had already guessed what they were thinking.

"Mr. Feng, Mr. Yang, is there something you're having trouble saying? Or is it that there are no other companies in China capable of developing this game?"

"That's not quite right."

Feng Ji gave a bitter explanation, then turned to look at Yang Qi.

After exchanging coded glances, just as Chen Xiu was wondering whether she should continue to steer the conversation, Feng Ji's expression suddenly became serious.

He straightened his expression, turned to look at Chen Xiu, and said, "President Chen, to be honest, our company actually already has a 3A game plan based on the Journey to the West theme."

"Oh, that's how it is."

"I'm not just brushing you off, it's just..."

“I understand. As the excellent team that developed ‘Dou Zhan Shen’, it’s not surprising that you want to develop another game based on the Journey to the West theme, and that’s why I approached you to discuss cooperation.”

Chen Xiu's words subtly flattered Feng Ji and Yang Qi.

Seeing the two men relax, he changed the subject, saying, "But our company also has many plans for the Journey to the West IP, and the game happens to be the last piece of the IP plan."

"We understand, so we'd like to discuss a collaboration where our company will be responsible for the game, but we won't interfere with the other film and television copyrights. We will also cooperate with your film and television promotion. What do you think of this collaboration, Mr. Chen?"

"So, you're saying we'll let you develop the games, and we'll only be responsible for film and television adaptations with similar storylines?"

"..."

Feng Ji nodded silently, thinking that his request was a bit excessive, and wondered if Chen Xiu would be angry...

"Sure! What's the problem?"

"Eh?"

This unexpected reaction startled Feng Ji, and Yang Qi, who was sitting next to him, also widened his eyes.

Before the two could respond, Chen Xiu continued, "Since we're planning to cooperate, let's also discuss the form of cooperation and the shareholding ratio for each of us!"

"Huh??" *2
Feng Ji and Yang Qi reacted in unison, and then the former hurriedly said, "President Chen, are you sure you haven't misunderstood...?"

"If a game company under Datang Pictures were to cooperate with your Youke Interactive, with one party providing the majority of the funding and the other providing technology and some funding, the cooperation would be successful."

The so-called game company under Datang Pictures does not exist yet, but if they want to establish it, it could happen this month.

Upon hearing Chen Xiu's eloquent speech, Feng Ji's expression, which had been eager to clarify, instantly froze.

Chen Xiu ignored her and continued, "Based on this cooperation, everyone can communicate and exchange ideas better. With the funds provided by Datang Pictures, your company can bear less risk, and at the same time, you can attract more talent and increase production speed."

Just seconds ago, Feng Ji and Yang Qi had expressions of strong resistance on their faces, but now they both hesitated.

Their company is not large, but their monthly labor costs are considerable, which is why Feng Ji has been hesitant about whether to launch "Black Myth: Wukong".

Now, a big shot with money has suddenly appeared, saying he can provide most of the funding for the development of "Black Myth".

As long as Feng Ji nods, all the problems that have been troubling him in the early stages, including those that have been bothering him until now, will disappear, and the development speed of "Black Myth" can even be greatly improved.

But is it really that good?

Feng Ji looked at Chen Xiu suspiciously: "President Chen, do you mean that you provide the funding, we provide the technology, and then we can jointly develop this game and share the copyright?"

“We cannot provide all the funds; you must provide at least one-third of them. This is also a guarantee for us.”

"Then game development?"

"Follow your schedule. I only require authority over financial expenditures and approvals, communication and acceptance of work progress, and the game's contribution to film and television content. You are responsible for other technical matters, and I will not interfere too much."

Upon hearing this, Feng Ji and Yang Qi exchanged a glance, both feeling relieved.

Money gives heroes courage.

Their initial hesitation stemmed from insufficient cash flow within the company, making the development of "Black Myth" extremely difficult.

If the funding issue had been resolved, game development could have started much earlier, since the team previously developed "Dou Zhan Shen" and still has a fondness for that horse-themed game.

However, the unpleasant experience working at the penguin still left the two with reservations.

Yang Qi asked to confirm, "President Chen, are you sure you won't interfere with the game development or the content?"

"I don't understand games, so what right do I have to interfere?"

"However, AAA game development is more difficult, takes a longer time, and has an even longer payback period..."

"That's why I want to develop film and television works at the same time. It takes 3 to 4 years to produce an excellent animated film. By the time the film and television works are released, the game development will be almost complete."

Chen Xiu said without reservation that he didn't understand games, and the two people opposite him didn't understand movies or TV shows either, so it didn't matter if they said it or not.

The main reason for wanting to adapt the plot of "Black Myth" into an animation is that the cost of animated films is far lower than that of live-action films. Coloroom Pictures' "Ne Zha" had a production cost of 6000 million yuan, with Datang Pictures investing 30%, or 1800 million yuan—less than the salary of a young heartthrob.

Compared to the dubious 30 billion yuan cost of the "Fengshen" trilogy, the investment in animated films and games is far more cost-effective!
From a businessman's perspective, Chen Xiu's plan is to invest 3 million yuan in developing the "Black Myth" IP.

Of the 2 million, 1 million will be used for game development, and the remaining 1000 million will be used to produce animated short films. Then, based on market response, a decision will be made on whether to continue investing 9000 million to produce an animated film.

If the animated short film doesn't perform well in the market, then cut your losses and focus on developing the "Black Myth: Wukong" game, waiting for the dividends.

If the animation is well-received, it wouldn't be unreasonable to make a live-action movie version after the game is released.

In any case, considering the whole plan, Chen Xiu is definitely not at a loss.

After listening to Chen Xiu's overall plan, Feng Ji and Yang Qi already had their own ideas, but neither of them was in a hurry to make a decision.

"Mr. Chen, can we go back and discuss this?"

“Sure! If you’re willing to cooperate, it would be best if we set up a new company so that our equity structure can be clearer.”

"I will seriously consider it."

Seeing Chen Xiu get up, Feng Ji also stood up and reached out to shake hands with him to say goodbye.

After exchanging WeChat contacts with the two, Chen Xiu personally escorted them out of the private room. When she returned to her seat to check her phone, she was drawn to a piece of "fake news."

"Wei Feng, deputy chief content manager of Datang Pictures, met with Yang Weidong, president of Ali Youku Business Group, seemingly to discuss the content production of a sequel to 'Qin King's Battle Song'."

Along with the "fake news," there were also messages from Gong Yu and Sun Zhonghuai.

The content was consistent, subtly inquiring whether Chen Xiu intended to collaborate with Youku, and then stating that maintaining the status quo and having the three companies work together to produce sequel content would be a good idea.

Why didn't you do this earlier? Why try to eat it all by yourself?

Chen Xiu rolled her eyes and replied to the two of them with the same message: "I don't know about this. Maybe the company has other projects with Youku. Don't overthink it!"

It's hard for them not to think twice after receiving this message.

Sure enough, the reply came quickly.

Sun Zhonghuai: "President Chen, if Datang Pictures has any new projects, just talk to us directly. Tencent Pictures has also confirmed a lot of new projects. Let's see if your company has any suitable artists who can star in them."

Gong Yu: "President Chen, the scripts for 'The Hidden Corner' and 'The Silent Truth' that we talked about last time have already been approved. When are you coming back? Let's have a meal and discuss the project's start date."

Returning to the two messages, Chen Xiu thought to herself: Done!
……

Pengcheng Bay Park, auxiliary road of Shahe West Road.

A van was parked on the side of the road. Chen Xiu, sitting in the back seat, looked at Meng Ziyi in the next seat with a serious expression.

"Well, are you ready?"

"Do you really want to do this?"

Meng Ziyi looked troubled, and even gave a reluctant purse of his lips.

Chen Xiu, who had been trying to persuade him all the way, rolled her eyes and said, "So, do you want to go out and have some fun?"

"think."

"Would you like to hold hands and go out for a walk with me?"

"think."

"Would you like to be spotted by fans when you go out, and then attract Uncle Hat's attention to maintain order after a few moments of playing around, making the news headlines again tonight?"

"Do not want to."

Chen Xiu clapped her hands, turned around and went to the back row to take out two strange clothes, and placed one of them on Meng Ziyi's lap.

"Then put them on."

"Oh~~"

Meng Ziyi pouted unhappily, but there was nothing else she could do.

Ten minutes later, the two inflatable dinosaurs walked hand in hand on the seaside boardwalk of Pengcheng Bay Park.

Not far behind the two dinosaurs was Luo Shikan, who pretended not to know them but was keeping a close eye on their movements.

Watching Chen Xiu, who came up with the idea of ​​wearing a mascot costume to conceal her identity and to create a clash with Meng Ziyi, Luo Shikan thought to himself: When the boss isn't working, he seems no different from an ordinary person...

Chen Xiu, dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume, bumped into Meng Ziyi twice, then they both sat down on the ground and burst into laughter.

The two ignored the strange looks from passersby.

However, worried that playing too vigorously might cause unnecessary misunderstandings and attract Uncle Hat's attention, the two bumped into each other a few times and then headed towards the place where they had originally gone on a date.

Returning to this familiar place, with the sea breeze rustling in their faces, Chen Xiu held Meng Ziyi's hand and walked on this old little station platform.

A family who had come to watch the sunset were amazed by the sight, with the youngest child exclaiming innocently, "Mommy, Daddy, I want to wear this outfit too..."

(End of this chapter)