A writer has arrived in the Chinese entertainment industry.

"Noodle Shop Girl" is a turn-based strategy RPG, also known as a tactical RPG. MICA Studio, founded in 2008, initially created a visual novel based on the "Noodle Shop Girl" IP, and this year collaborated with studioGM to develop it into a game. The game is not available on platforms like Steam; it is only released within MICA Studio's own community.

While Yao Men and An Wenxiu were introducing their studio, Su Liu played this game on the side.

The game features a familiar top-down grid map, fog of war, and limited enemy visibility. Action points drive all actions, including movement, attacking, stealth, setting traps, and building turrets. It combines RPG elements with resource management, and the story is advanced through character portraits and CG cutscenes.

Overall, it's a pretty good anime-style game.

"Actually, after meeting with several investors, we became somewhat confused," Yao Men said somewhat hesitantly.

When most people are trying to attract investment, they talk endlessly about their company's prospects and the advantages of their products, acting as if they are on a smooth road to success.

These two men from the Yao family, however, did not have the spirited demeanor of typical entrepreneurs.

"Our original intention was to make a PC-based anime-style game, and we even had a game design plan. But the investors presented a bunch of data and convinced us to make a mobile game. But the problem was, what kind of mobile game should we make? They couldn't explain it clearly. Once, when I pressed them, they got angry and said, 'Hey, aren't you professionals?'"

Yao Men pursed his lips and continued, "President An, we can accept your offer to acquire or control the company. But since you're doing this, you obviously want to be involved in the company's operations. I'd like to ask, do you have any understanding of the domestic game market?"

If it were someone else, they might have been stumped. But An Wenxiu...

She deftly pulled a document from her bag. "Due to time constraints, I only summarized the situation of the local game industry in Shanghai."

The two members of the Yao family opened the first page of the document, which contained a chart dividing video games into four main categories: console games, arcade games, PC games, and mobile games. PC games were further subdivided into massively multiplayer online games (MMORPGs), multiplayer online games (MOOCs), platform games, web games, social games, and casual games.

"In Shanghai alone, the total output value of the entire game industry was around 20 billion yuan by the third quarter of this year."

This document details the revenue models and income of all games from established local companies in Shanghai, such as Shanda, Giant Interactive, and NetEase, as well as emerging companies like Kaiying and Yoozoo. It also includes 68 exported games.

Further down are the changes in the male-to-female ratio of gamers in recent years, age distribution, education distribution, market share changes of various platforms, and so on.

The document also surveyed game information websites. Tencent Games Channel ranked first, with an average monthly reach of 6077.9 million users. Following were Duowan, Changyou, and 17173. Youxia.com, which focuses on single-player game information, ranked eighth with an average monthly reach of 1367.8 million users.

The current homogenization of online products and the saturation of online game players have led to a continuous increase in attention to niche areas such as mobile games and competitive games.

"Based on the data, it makes sense that the investors you encountered before wanted to develop mobile games. The client-based online game market is dominated by top-tier products, and single-player games are difficult to profit from due to the current market situation. That leaves only web games and mobile games. With the number of mobile users increasing year by year, the prospects for mobile games are undoubtedly good."

"Does President An also want us to make mobile games?" Yao asked.

An Wenxiu leaned back in her chair with a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. "I don't care about this," she nudged Su Liu, "President Su, you handle it."

The two people opposite immediately turned their gazes to Su Liu, who pushed his computer aside and adopted the air of a reclusive master.

He slammed his fist on the table. "We have to make mobile games! Of course we have to make mobile games! And of course, we also have to make PC games!"

An Wenxiu held her forehead, unable to bear watching. The two members of the Yao family opposite her were startled by the sound of him slamming his hand on the table.

"Um...Mr. Su," Yao Men said stiffly, "you mean we're going to develop both mobile and PC games simultaneously?"

"You really don't understand anything! How could that be what I meant!"

"Huh? I... this..." Yao Men suddenly didn't know what expression to make.

"Be normal!" An Wenxiu said.

"Okay, I mean, let's make mobile games first."

"Phew." Yao Men secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "What kind of game does President Su want to make?"

He had assumed that Su Liu would ramble on like other investors and eventually pass the pressure on to them.

Unexpectedly, he confidently said, "Let me tell you a story."

"The story takes place in Teyvat, a fantasy world where seven elements converge."

"In the distant past, people gained the power to control the elements through their faith in the gods, which enabled them to build homes in the wilderness."

Five hundred years ago, the destruction of the ancient kingdom caused a cataclysmic change in the world... Today, Teyvat is ruled by the Seven Earthly Kings...

"They are: Anemo – Mondstadt; Geo – Liyue Harbor; Electro – Inazuma Castle..."

That's right, Su Liu was talking about Genshin Impact, the masterpiece that miHoYo would rely on to make a name for itself in the future.

He had initially felt a deep sense of regret upon learning that An Wenxiu had given up investing in miHoYo. However, after briefly playing "Noodle Shop Girl," he realized that these two were also primarily focused on anime-style games. Su Liu reconsidered; miHoYo was still in its early stages, and perhaps he could take its place. Both were graduates of Jiaotong University—who could possibly be more outstanding?

"Wait a minute!" Yao interrupted Su Liu's impassioned narration. "President Su, what you're talking about is... the game's background story and world-building?"

"That's right!"

"But...our game genre..."

Without hesitation, Su Liu exclaimed, "Open world! Large map!"

Yao Men was startled and was about to ask him if he knew how much investment was needed for an open-world game when he heard Su Liu continue, "Of course, I know that our team and funds are limited, so we're making an ARPG mobile game first to practice."

Yao Men's emotions were like a rollercoaster, going up and down. Fortunately, the investors were smart enough that ARPG mobile games sounded much more reliable than open-world games.

However, the profit model for mobile games...

"Mr. Su, have you looked into the current monetization methods for mobile games?"

Su Liu couldn't explain, so she looked at An Wenxiu.

"Paid downloads, built-in Google Play, carrier billing, subscription models," An Wenxiu said confidently. "Of course, the most mainstream model is still free with in-app purchases."

"Free with in-app purchases!" Su Liu made the final decision. "Our game will be free with in-app purchases! You guys should know best the spending power of the anime and manga fandom."

"Is Mr. Su talking about selling roles?"

Su Liu slowly shook his head. "It's not about selling characters, it's about drawing characters. Not just characters, but also weapons, equipment, and skins. Of course, in our game, we can call them something like 'Artifacts'."

"However, first and foremost, the game quality has to be up to par. Smooth and exciting combat, 3D non-targeting with free jumping, aerial combos, and various cool skill combos..."

"Like Devil May Cry?"

"That's right, just like Devil May Cry. Of course, we need to simplify the entire operation process to make it easier for players to experience the thrill. More importantly, real-time squad switching and the counter-relationships and synergies of various elements, combined with the storyline, will motivate players to try and obtain various characters in the game."

What Su Liu is trying to do is essentially create Honkai Impact 3rd under the guise of Genshin Impact.

Yao Men and Chen Kai never expected that Su Liu could come up with such a mature game plan, which was perfect in terms of world setting, art style, combat mechanism and monetization.

The two looked at each other, their eyes blazing with eagerness.

"Mr. Su! How much are you willing to invest?"

Su Liu immediately held up three fingers, "Three million."

The Yao family looked troubled. Three million was indeed a lot, but to support the scale Su Liu had just described...

"Mr. Su, if it's three million..."

US dollars.

"Three million US dollars?" The two men immediately stood up, unable to hide their excitement. "Let's do it!"

An Wenxiu, standing to the side, was already gripping Su Liu's thigh tightly, but she knew she had to give their CEO Su face at this moment. However, she had already made up her mind to teach him a lesson when they got back!

After chatting for a while and agreeing on the details of signing the contract the next day, they all left.

Back at the company, Su Liu was given a long lecture by An Wenxiu.

"Three million, in US dollars? Why don't you just give them the company?"

Su Liu tried his best to persuade Director An by presenting the facts and reasoning with him, and by guaranteeing that the funds would be returned soon.

On the other side, Yao Men and Chen Kai were too excited to contain themselves. Su Liu's grand vision had them on the edge of their seats, and as soon as they returned to the studio, they immediately messaged Su Liu, wanting to discuss the design of Genshin Impact in more depth.

Given this opportunity to "teach others," Su Liu naturally wouldn't let it pass. From worldviews to the customs and cultures of seven countries, and then to art styles, their conversation lasted until well past midnight.

"Therefore, our character design is of paramount importance!" Su Liu took a sip of water and continued, "First, there's the modeling, which I'm sure you all understand without me having to explain. Then there's the backstory, personality, and birthday..."

At this point, Su Liu suddenly stopped. His eyes widened, his mouth slightly open, then he slapped his thigh and roared to the sky, "Birthday! So it's my birthday!"

He could no longer hear what Yao was saying on the other end of the phone.

Realizing what had happened, he immediately hung up the phone, opened Chen Duling's chat window, and typed a line of text:

"Happy birthday, Dudu!"

The next second, Chen Duling called.

Su Liu quickly answered the phone. "Feed?"

"Hmph." A soft snort came from the other end.

"Happy birthday, happy birthday!" Su Liu said with a fawning laugh.

"snort."

"You can't blame me! Who told you to be the riddle teller! I've been thinking about it all day and I still can't figure out what day it is today."

"My information can be found online, you've never searched for it, have you?" Chen Duling's voice was extremely low.

"Really?" Su Liu searched on the computer beside her. "It really is! Chen Duling, the internet celebrity and campus beauty of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics..."

"Don't read it out loud!"

"Okay, I admit I was wrong this time."

"snort."

In the quiet dormitory, only the occasional breathing of her roommates could be heard. Chen Duling, huddled under the covers, finally relaxed. It was 11:57 PM on October 18th, just three minutes until the 19th, almost there.