Rebirth 08: Can a mobile game company also build a tech empire?

Chapter 108 Online Discussions

The three-day E3 exhibition.

ZhengTu Technology started with a small, unnoticed booth.

It became the focus of attention for the media and players.

The effort and sweat behind this.

Only those who have experienced it firsthand can truly understand.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

Lu Chen said sincerely.

"Get some rest back at the hotel. We can go home tomorrow."

6 month 5 day.

The E3 exhibition has officially ended.

In the morning, Lu Chen was in his hotel suite.

I made a final work arrangement with Wu Zhixuan.

Lu Chen sat in a chair by the window.

A notebook was spread out in front of him.

Wu Zhixuan sat opposite him.

The coffee in front of them was steaming.

"Old Wu, we're going back to China tomorrow."

Lu Chen put down his pen, his tone serious.

"Voyager is now in your hands."

Wu Zhixuan nodded, his eyes resolute.

"Don't worry, Mr. Lu, I will do my best to complete the task you have assigned me."

Lu Chen opened his notebook and said to Wu Zhixuan.

"First, the Answer website. Steve's team is passionate about the product, but lacks business experience. You need to help them steer the direction."

He paused, then continued.

"In the Chinese market, I have already asked Xu Yi to reserve an entry point on Z-Dimension. The Chinese version of Answer must be launched within three months. This is not only a knowledge community, but will also be an important part of our Journey ecosystem in the future."

"clear."

Wu Zhixuan quickly took notes in his notebook.

"I will report my progress to you weekly."

"Second, Edmund."

Lu Chen looked at Wu Zhixuan.

"He is indeed a genius, but you should take the initiative to contact him and invite him to participate in the early concept discussions of Dark Souls. You don't need to ask him to join full-time immediately. Let him participate as a consultant first, and then come over after Super Meat Boy is finished. The important thing is to let him feel that we understand and respect his creative ideas."

"I will communicate with him personally."

Wu Zhixuan nodded and said.

"I will simultaneously advance the team building for Metro 2033. In the meantime, I have already scheduled interviews with several programmers with Unreal Engine development experience, and the earliest interviews will begin tomorrow."

"very good."

Lu Chen nodded in satisfaction.

"Remember, Voyager is not just a branch of Journey to the West in the United States. It should become a world-class game company that can operate independently and continuously produce works. I am giving you full autonomy, but I also require you to produce commensurate results."

"clear."

Wu Zhixuan emphasized this point.

A determined light shone in his eyes.

"I will not let this trust down."

The two then discussed for nearly half an hour.

From staffing to development schedule.

Then there are details such as budget allocation.

Wu Zhixuan's notebook was filled with key points.

"alright,"

Lu Chen patted Wu Zhixuan on the shoulder.

"I've told you everything I need to. I'm leaving Los Angeles in your care. If you encounter any problems, feel free to contact me anytime. I'm online 24/7."

Evening, Los Angeles International Airport.

In the waiting area, Susie was organizing the business cards she had collected from the E3 gaming expo.

Jiang Chang was holding a laptop.

I kept refreshing IGN's website.

There's one hour left before the flight takes off.

The three of them sat in the rest area.

They gained a rare moment of leisure.

"Mr. Lu, take a look at this."

Jiang Chang suddenly shouted.

His voice was filled with unbelievable excitement.

Lu Chen took the computer.

The screen displayed IGN's E3 special report page.

In a long list of awards.

The Best Game Design award section prominently features "Famine".

The citation reads: "At E3, a showcase filled with visual bombardment and technological brilliance, a mobile game that has not yet been officially released captivated our jury with its pure design charm. With its unique hand-drawn aesthetics, deep survival system, and innovative psychological state design, 'Famine' proves that the essence of game design is always the innovation of gameplay. This award is dedicated to recognizing the outstanding talent and forward-looking vision that Journey Technology has demonstrated in game design."

The members of the judging panel are listed below.

The list includes names of top gaming media figures such as John Davis of IGN, Millie Chen of GameSpot, and Robert King of PCGamer.

"This is the Best Game Design Award at E3!"

Jiang Chang's voice trembled slightly.

"Although it's not an official award, it's jointly selected by top media outlets like IGN and GameSpot. In the gaming industry, its prestige is in no way inferior to the TGA!"

Lu Chen read the entire report.

A complex light flashed in his eyes.

As a reborn individual, he certainly knew the significance of this award.

It is more than just an honor.

It is also the industry's recognition of innovators.

It will be a bellwether for major game companies for the next year.

Jiang Chang,

Lu Chen raised his head.

A genuine smile appeared on his face.

"This is all thanks to your game development team."

"No, this is a credit to the entire company!"

Jiang Chang's face turned bright red with excitement.

"Without your design direction, Mr. Lu, and without the hard work of the entire team, there would be no 'Famine'!"

This is an international award!

We won an international award!

Susie also came over to take a look.

His eyes shone with joy.

"This means that Journey Technology has truly gained international recognition in the gaming industry."

The boarding announcement came over the loudspeaker.

The three packed their luggage and headed towards the boarding gate.

The moment I stepped onto the covered bridge.

Lu Chen glanced back at the Los Angeles nightscape.

This summer of 2009.

This marks the first step for Journey Technology on the international stage.

He walked more steadily than he had expected.

The plane flew over the Pacific Ocean for twelve hours.

Most of the time, Jiang Chang was in a state of excitement.

He kept mentioning the IGN report.

I was calculating the time difference for a while.

I wonder what the domestic reaction will be right now.

"Mr. Lu, do you think the domestic media will report on this?"

Jiang Chang asked for the umpteenth time.

"meeting."

Lu Chen closed his eyes to rest, his tone calm.

"And it will be faster than we imagine."

In fact, this happened while the plane was still over the Pacific Ocean.

The domestic internet has exploded.

9:00 AM, June 6th, China time.

IGN's E3 Awards coverage.

It has been quickly translated and reprinted by domestic technology media.

Sohu Games Headline: "Huaxia Games Wins First E3 Best Design Award! ZhengTu Technology Shocks Overseas!"

NetEase Technology: "From Angry Birds to Famine: The Advancement of ZhengTu Technology"

Tencent Games: "Zhengtu Technology Gains International Recognition, Is This a Golden Moment for Chinese Games?"

Baidu Tieba, forums, and Z-Dimension.

All gaming-related communities are discussing the same thing.

"Holy crap! Famine won the E3 Best Design Award? Am I seeing things?"

"IGN reviewed it! And GameSpot and Eurogamer too! I don't need to tell you what kind of status these media outlets have in the gaming world, right?"

"Zhengtu Technology is awesome! Domestic games have finally stood up!"

"So when exactly will the famine relief be officially announced? I can't wait!"

"I heard it'll be launched first on Conquer Online 1? The phone will go on sale on June 10th, right? I have to get one!"

"Some people used to say that Journey was just dabbling in games, but what do you say now? Doesn't it hurt to be proven wrong by an international award?"

In Hangzhou, at the office of ZhengTu Technology.

Today is Saturday.

However, the game development team members were gathered in the office.

Chu Yu stood in the center of the office area.

The large screen behind me displayed IGN's report page.

"Everyone saw it."

Chu Yu said excitedly.

"Jiang Chang and his team made a name for themselves for the company and for domestic games at E3."

Everyone in the game team was clapping enthusiastically.

The cheers nearly lifted the ceiling.

Xu Yi stood in the Z-Dimensional team's office area.

He shouted to his men.