Game development begins with destroying Girls' Frontline.

Finally, the Spark Project logo is added, and it is operated by Spark Games.

Moreover, thanks to the relatively good overseas operations of Spark Games, some games may generate even more revenue from a single investment.

For example, in the case of Azur Lane, the revenue from overseas operating rights might be higher.

In addition to operational revenue, once the Spark Program is rolled out, Lin Li will be able to further enhance Spark's brand appeal and influence in the market.

If one day, games based on the Spark Program become a trend in the market, then they are considered good games...

Then Lin Li can be considered successful.

After Lin Li finished speaking, no one else said a word.

After all, no one in the gaming industry has ever done this kind of operation model and concept before.

But upon closer inspection, it doesn't seem like it's impossible.

After a long while, it was Chen Anyu, who hadn't said much, who finally spoke up.

"Mr. Lin, your plan... does resemble Paradox Interactive's operating model..."

"They mainly focus on strategy games. Paradox Interactive also conducts due diligence when selecting games to distribute, and it is said that they also provide assistance to the development companies they distribute."

Lin Li nodded, thought about it carefully, and it did seem somewhat similar.

For most players, this applies to both Paradox Interactive's own games and games distributed by Paradox Interactive.

There seems to be an illusion that they can kill time.

For players who enjoy strategy and map drawing, there's a vague idea that they should stick to Paradox Interactive (P社) when playing this type of game.

"That's one way to understand it, but we need to go a bit deeper. However, this is just one idea; we still need to think about the specifics."

After having this idea, the group talked for about an hour.

The meeting ultimately failed to reach any agreement.

of course.

These kinds of meetings don't necessarily lead to any decisions.

It's just a way for everyone to keep each other informed.

Let's find out what Lin Li wants to do.

And the company's future development.

---

After the meeting.

Yao Meng followed.

He mentioned two things.

One was the confirmation of the Spark Program.

He said that Manjuu Network had recently approached him, asking for his help in finding investment. Now that the Spark Program has been launched, it would be a good opportunity to discuss it. He asked Lin Li what he thought about Azur Lane joining the Spark Program.

"Has Manju Network not secured investment yet?"

Lin Li recalls that Manjiu Networks found Warriors Networks in October of last year and reached an agreement on a joint development plan in November.

At the time, Lin Li also considered the possibility of partnering with Manjiu Network.

However, October was a very busy time for Lin Li.

At that time, Spark Games was already expanding rapidly, and Lin Li himself had a lot of projects under his control, and had just acquired several big IPs.

Taking big steps can easily lead to trouble.

After careful consideration, the matter was dropped.

Originally, Lin Li thought that Manjiu Network would return to the timeline and cooperate with the Warriors. How come it's almost the end of January now, and Yao Meng is still saying that Manjiu Network has not received investment?

“I lent them some money before, thinking it would be enough for them... but after hiring people, they still felt it wasn't enough.”

Lin Li understood after Yao Meng said that.

It's the butterfly effect again.

Indeed, given the relationship between Yao Meng and Lin Shuyin, one of the owners of Manjiu Network.

That makes perfect sense.

In her past life, Lin Shuyin helped Yao Meng when he was at his lowest point by giving him the agency rights for the Japanese version of Azur Lane, which brought Yao Meng back to life.

Now, from February last year when Yao Meng joined Xinghuo until October, he received a considerable share of the revenue from the Japanese server of Battlefront Girls.

So it turned into Yao Meng lending money to Lin Shuyin.

After securing funding, Manjiu Network opted to recruit its own staff instead of partnering with Warriors.

They managed to hold on for another two months.

By the end of the year, they might not be able to hold on any longer.

So they went to find Yao Meng again.

For Yao Meng, borrowing money is one thing, investing is another.

More importantly, Manjiu Networks is asking for quite a lot this time.

Yao Meng was a little unsure.

In addition, regardless of his current net worth, he is still an employee of Xinghuo, and he also recognizes Lin Li as a person and feels that following him has a promising future.

Therefore, Yao Meng did not intend to keep this investment a secret from the company.

Just then, Lin Li mentioned the Spark Program at the meeting. Upon hearing this, Yao Meng felt that it was a perfect match for Manjiu Network, so he came to find Lin Li again after the meeting.

“Sure, if they’re willing, we’ll use Azur Lane as a pilot program.”

Azur Lane was used as a pilot project for this Spark Program.

That's definitely a good idea.

On one hand, Lin Li has a good impression of Azur Lane. On the other hand, he also has many ideas about the ship girl theme, which he hopes can be integrated into the Azur Lane that is currently under development.

Perhaps it can achieve a result where 1+1 is greater than 2.

Moreover, the weakness of Azur Lane in its previous life was precisely its writing, which is exactly what Spark Games excels at.

After the initial agreement was reached.

Yao Meng was clearly relieved.

It wasn't for himself, but for his friends.

In his view, if Lin Li were willing to lend a hand to Manjuu Network, then Azur Lane would be truly secure.

That's the first thing I've said.

Yao Meng then brought up the second matter.

"Didn't you keep asking me to deal with ZUN's Touhou Project copyright?"

“Recently, ZUN wanted to create a foundation for fan-made games, and then he approached me.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Li stopped in his tracks.

"Doujin Game Foundation?"

Japanese doujin games are quite a unique phenomenon, even on a global scale.

At first glance, Japanese doujin games seem like a collection of indie games.

But take a closer look.

Yet they are completely different.

Although Japanese doujin games have also spawned super IPs like Fate, Touhou, and Higurashi.

However, this does not mean that Japan's doujin games market is a complete indie game market.

While searching for doujinshi, Lin Li also came across some very interesting fan-made games.

Chapter 156 Taking Over Touhou Gensokyo

For example, Start Warrior XP.

This is a fan-made game based on the system of Gundam's "United vs. ZAFT". Its unique mecha design and gorgeous move effects left a deep impression on Lin Li at that time.

However, most Japanese doujin games have a fatal flaw.

That is, the sales channels are extremely limited.

Basically, they can only be sold at CM Comic Con. For most doujin game developers at CM Comic Con, working for love is not just empty talk.

Even for the top-selling studios, a game can only sell a few thousand copies at most.

As we all know, generating electricity out of love is unsustainable.

This type of game development, due to its revenue ceiling, also has a ceiling on development investment.

For example, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Super Brawl in 07 was a fan-made game that was actually quite well-made, but it was difficult to support the investment due to low sales.

They can't even recoup their costs.

The production team wanted to sell it secretly online, but they were warned of copyright issues.

In the end, this very innovative team disbanded.

In this market environment, ZUN, who came from the doujin game industry and has been involved in the doujin game circle, wanted to start a doujin game development foundation.

Not surprising.

For Lin Li, Japanese doujin games are actually a resource library.

Who can guarantee that the next Fate or the next Touhou Gensokyo won't be born in that place?

Although the probability is already very small...

However, investing some money is no big deal for Lin Li right now.

"Tell me more about it."

"Actually, it's nothing. It's just that when we were drinking last time, ZUN mentioned a guy who used to work with him on doujinshi games. Because he wasn't making any money, his wife was run off with someone else. He lamented the difficulties faced by doujinshi game circles."

"Then he mentioned wanting to set up a doujin game development foundation to help people who genuinely love doujin games. I mentioned that we could contribute money, but he dodged the question."

“I thought it was hopeless, but when I invited my partner this time, ZUN didn’t refuse and came to the Maldives with me.”

Lin Li smiled, thinking to himself that he had really made the right choice in selecting the location for the annual meeting.

If we choose other places.

It might not really attract these people.

"Okay, tell me about your conversation with ZUN and your impression of him, and we'll think of a solution together."

It is said that a person who has no desires is invincible.

The biggest reason ZUN wasn't interested in commercialization before was that he didn't value money that much.

Furthermore, they have a rather laid-back attitude towards the development of Touhou Gensokyo.

But this does not mean he is completely opposed to commercialization.

In fact, in the second half of this year, the first officially licensed Touhou Project mobile game, Touhou Project: Touhou Project, jointly developed by Aniplex and Quatro A, was released.

However, this game ultimately didn't make much of a splash, and many domestic players may not have even heard of it.

Because its core gameplay is a Monopoly-like board game, it doesn't really fit with the core concept of Touhou Gensokyo.

Following this, ZUN licensed a second Touhou Project mobile game, namely "Touhou Guiyanlu," a collaboration between Good Smile Company, known for its anime figures, and NextNinja, a company specializing in RPGs.

The gameplay of this game is quite similar to modern mobile games; it's a turn-based game centered around gacha mechanics.

It generated a lot of buzz when it was released, and even reached the top of the download charts in both the Japanese and Chinese servers.

However, Dongfang Guiyanlu was not considered a success, remaining outside the top-ranked games for a long time in both the Japanese and Chinese servers.

And the reason why this happens.

The main problem is the game's poor quality; the gameplay, combat, and story are all mediocre.