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

Chapter 117 Craze

What time did you get up?

Wang Xuan's voice was a little hoarse.

"Seven o'clock."

Tan Ming didn't even turn his head.

"."

Wang Xuan was silent for a moment, then turned over and took out the Z2 from under his pillow.

From that day on, the lives of the four roommates began to quietly change around "Famine".

The few hours before lights out every night.

It's an unwavering online gaming schedule.

Qiu Zihao gave up other entertainment activities.

Spend all your time exploring the depths of the cave map.

Lu Bowen's Z1 screen is always showing the game interface of Famine.

I also created new save files using different characters.

Wilson, Wolfgang, Wendy, and Old Mac.

Each character has different attributes and gameplay.

Wang Xuan and Tan Ming, on the other hand, fell into a state of near-obsession.

Every day, we discuss topics such as how to attack the BOSS and how to develop the camp.

At noon, Chen Lei from the neighboring dormitory 507 came to borrow a charger.

I was taken aback when I opened the door and saw the four of them sitting in chairs, looking completely absorbed.

"What are you guys playing?"

Famine.

Qiu Zihao didn't even look up.

Is there a fee?

"Download for free, but skins cost money; you can play without buying them."

Chen Lei stood there and watched for ten minutes.

Ten minutes later, he returned to his dormitory and began searching for information about the famine.

Another day has passed.

The four devices in room 508 have been increased to six.

Chen Lei and his roommate stayed in Lü Bowen's dormitory.

Everyone has a mobile phone or MP4 player.

The screen was full of Wilson, Valkyrie, and Wolfgang.

"Do you have enough wood?"

"Not enough. Does anyone have flint? Give me two."

"Don't put the box here! You're blocking my way!"

A week later, dormitory 508 became the entire floor's famine teaching center.

"Brother Lu, how do we find Chester?"

"Brother Lu, how do we fight the One-Eyed Giant Deer?"

"Brother Lu, the dog's here again, help!"

Lü Bowen was often surrounded by a group of people.

They were taught how to play the game step by step.

This enthusiasm did not stop at Yangcheng University.

In mid-June, discussions about "Famine" began to appear on various campus forums, online communities, and the Z-Dimensional game section.

"I recommend a game that you can have a blast without spending any money."

"A survival masterpiece on mobile phones; it doesn't require high-end specs, but it does require a lot of time."

"The one that won the E3 Best Design Award is truly different."

The keywords are surprisingly consistent.

Don't spend money.

It doesn't require high specifications.

It can be played online.

These three elements were practically luxuries in the Chinese game market in 2009.

The mainstream online games on the market.

It is not charged based on prepaid cards.

They're just using the "free" label as a selling point.

It's actually a fake free game where you can't progress without spending money.

Players have long been accustomed to the unspoken rule that you get more power for every penny spent.

I've also gotten used to playing a game until the later stages.

The fate of being crushed if you don't spend money.

That's not how it is in "Famine".

Its paid content only includes skins and cosmetic items.

You can survive a thousand days without buying skins.

You can fight tentacles, go down into caves, and fight queen bees without spending a single penny.

Therefore, Famine spread among players at an almost viral speed.

Z-Dimensional Games Zone.

Strategy videos for "Famine" have started appearing on the homepage.

Five things beginners must do within seven days of a famine.

"The Challenge of Wilson's 1000-Day Solo Survival"

Online Mode Base Layout Tutorial

Under each video, the comment section is filled with spontaneous mutual assistance.

"Thanks, uploader! I finally survived winter!"

"Help! How do I defeat the Shadow Monster?"

"Hey upstairs, if your sanity is too low, you'll spawn shadow monsters. Just go back to camp and roast some green mushrooms."

There were no arguments in the comments section.

There were no complaints about whales (players who spend a lot of money) crushing ordinary players.

This game is like a maverick, an outlier.

It shone brightly in the game market in 2009.

June 25, Hangzhou.

ZhengTu Technology Conference Room.

Susie placed the newly printed report in front of Lu Chen.

The paper still carried the heat of the printer.

"As of midnight today, the cumulative number of activated Journey 1 units is 177832."

She paused, then added clearly.

"The inventory was completely cleared out by 6 PM yesterday."

Lu Chen looked down at the thin A4 sheet of paper.

It's written in black and white, accurate to the last digit.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Lin Bing broke the silence first, speaking calmly.

"We originally estimated that sales in the first month would be 200,000 to 300,000 units. Based on the current growth rate, this number may reach 350,000 to 400,000 units by July 10, when it will be a full month."

He adjusted his glasses.

"Production capacity is severely lagging behind."

Zheng Yong sat on the other side of the conference table, his brows furrowed.

"Foxconn's three production lines are already operating in three shifts, with a maximum daily output of 8000 units. BYD's contract manufacturer has just completed its break-in period, and its daily production capacity is only around 2000 units."

He opened his notebook and read quickly.

"Last week I contacted two other contract manufacturers. One is in Dongguan City, which mainly assembles feature phones and has never made smartphones. The other is in Kunshan City. They have experience, but their prices are too high and their capital requirements are too strict."

"How much higher?"

Lu Chen asked.

"It's 12% more expensive than Foxconn, and you have to pay a 30% deposit in advance."

"sign."

He said briefly.

"Pay a deposit to the company in Kunshan and follow their instructions."

Zheng Yong looked up, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Lu Chen didn't look at him and continued speaking.

"At the same time, we started negotiations with a fourth contract manufacturer, looking in both the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta regions. Any manufacturer that can assemble Android smartphones is on the shortlist."

He pushed the folder to the center of the table.

"We sold 180,000 units, and hundreds of thousands of people still couldn't get one. Online scalpers have already driven the price of the 16GB version up to 3200 yuan."

He paused.

"If this situation drags on for even a day, it will only test the patience of users for another day."

Zheng Yong took a deep breath and nodded emphatically.

"clear."

Lu Chen turned to Lin Bing.

"The production lines for the Z2 overlap with those for the Z1, so we can't squeeze production capacity at the moment. Have the first batch of data for the Z2 been released yet?"

"They're out."

Lin Bing pulled out another set of data from the folder.

"The number of online buyers has exceeded 10, and the total number of offline buyers is approximately 15."

"What about daily production?"

"Currently, Z2 has two separate production lines, producing about 10,000 units per day. If there are still spare production lines after the expansion of Journey 1, they can be allocated."

Lu Chen pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Maintain Z2 production and increase Conqueror 1 production; neither leg can falter."

He straightened up and looked around at everyone present.

"The expansion plan will proceed in this direction. Lin Bing will be in charge of the supply chain, Zheng Yong will focus on negotiating with new contract manufacturers, and I will handle Lao Wu's side separately. Voyager in Los Angeles also needs cash flow support, but at this stage, the domestic market is the priority."

Meeting adjourned.

The crowd gradually stood up.

Lu Chen remained seated and did not move.

They carefully calculated the sales figures for Conquer Online 1.

Susie gathered the documents and was about to leave.

But it turned back the next second.

"Mr. Lu, there's one more thing."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Director Liu from Hangzhou High-tech Zone called this morning."

Lu Chen looked up at her.

Susie spoke at a steady pace.

"The leadership is very interested in Journey 1 and wants to visit the company soon. The preliminary date is three days from now."