"Professor. ()”
In a quiet lounge, Professor Chen slowly opened his eyes. He saw a man in his thirties standing respectfully beside him. He was wearing a white lab coat and a pair of black-rimmed glasses.
"Is the board meeting about to begin?"
Hearing Professor Chen's question, the man nodded and said, "It will begin in five minutes. President Wen and most of the directors have already arrived."
"Then let's go in."
As he spoke, Professor Chen stood up. The man next to him opened his mouth and seemed to want to say something. Professor Chen noticed that he wanted to say something but stopped, so he could not help but say, "Li Fan, if you have something to say, just say it."
Li Fan hesitated for a moment before saying, "I asked Xiao Jin to inquire about it. It seems that the directors attending the meeting are completely negative about our proposal to increase the X program …"
Before Li Fan finished speaking, Professor Chen slammed the crutch in his hand and scolded, "This group of maggots reeking of money. They only have money in their eyes. They don't understand the importance of intelligent life at all."
"The professor is right, but the current situation is indeed very unfavorable for us. I heard that the group has set up a new operation planning department to take over the overall operation of Immortal Martial Era from us. In the future, we will only be in charge of the follow-up content production and research and development."
"Preposterous!"
Professor Chen was furious. Before his voice died away, he walked quickly toward the outside. As he walked, he said, "I'd like to see who wants to take over the operation of Immortal Martial Era from me!"
The lounge was not far from the large conference room where the board meeting was held. After a while, Professor Chen pushed the door and entered. He looked around and said, "Who is going to take over the operation of Immortal Martial Era from me?"
Swish …
In an instant, everyone in the meeting looked at Professor Chen. Professor Chen looked at the chairman, Wen Shiming, who was sitting on the main seat. He knew that only Wen Shiming had the right to form the operation planning department. Wen Shiming stood up and said, "Old Chen, please sit down first. Let me introduce you. This is Liu Tianliang. He has been nominated as the director of the newly established operation planning department of the group. As long as he is elected at the board meeting, he will officially take office after the meeting."
As soon as Wen Shiming's voice fell, a young man with gold-rimmed glasses in front of Professor Chen stood up and turned around. Then he stroked his abdomen with one hand and stretched out the other to Professor Chen, saying, "I am a new junior, Liu Tianliang. Please give me more advice in the future."
Looking at the two polite people in front of him, Professor Chen did not fall for it at all. He said coldly, "Have you decided?"
Wen Shiming shook his head and did not say anything. Liu Tianliang calmly withdrew his hand and then took out a document from the file bag on the table. He faced the people in the conference room and said, "This is the income and expenditure of Immortal Martial Era from the financial department of the group for more than four months. In the case that the outside world thinks that Immortal Martial Era is popular, the group actually did not get much return from this game. Even the expected recovery of the early investment is far from achieving. This is also the purpose of today's board meeting."
Speaking of this, the young Liu Tianliang turned to look directly at Professor Chen and said, "Old Chen, do you know what it means to maintain this situation?"
After all, Professor Chen was not in the financial industry. He had a bad feeling about this, but he could only shake his head. Liu Tianliang saw this and showed his white teeth. He smiled and said, "If this situation continues, the group must transfer Immortal Martial Era to its subordinate shell subsidiary before the financial statements for the next quarter come out, and then split it up and sell it. Otherwise, this product that the group poured a lot of money, time, and effort into will only bring disaster to the company!"
After saying this, Liu Tianliang slammed the document in his hand on the table. He no longer looked humble as before, but stared straight at Professor Chen.
"How could this be?!"
Sweat oozed from Professor Chen's forehead. He knew very well that Immortal Martial Era, under his insistence at the beginning, used a double consumption card and a monthly card. He completely eliminated the direct purchase channels of the shop and items. He wanted to make this game a classic, a brand.
Looking at Professor Chen's expression, Liu Tianliang continued, "I know what you're thinking. You want to make 'Deity Martial Era' into a celebrity brand, just like Blizzard's' World of Warcraft ', but you've neglected three points. First, the data of the holographic intelligent online game is extremely huge. You were quite proud of how big the mainframe of Immortal Martial Era is in the interview program. We have nearly 300 large computer room groups in the country, and there are more than a dozen high-end computer room groups and research rooms dedicated to high-intelligence NPCs. But have you thought about how much money and manpower it takes to host these?
Second, Immortal Martial Era does not have the conditions for a worldwide agent. Even in China, it only diverts some users. It is only in this theme that it becomes a hot topic. How many people abroad buy it? Even if they are agents, how much can they pay?
Thirdly, and most importantly, the content of the Immortal Martial Era is lackluster. I've personally experienced it. This world is indeed complete and vast, just like a real foreign world. However, the experience that players can obtain in it is too little. Training is too slow, and the number of points that can be generated are also too few. "
Liu Tianliang took out a stack of documents and said, "In the four months since the opening of the server, we have gone from an average of 3 million online users at the peak to less than 2 million online users now. And this trend is increasing. A large number of accounts have gone into hibernation, and the usage of the card and monthly cards has been getting worse.
Old Chen, have you seriously understood these situations? Operation isn't research and development. It doesn't mean that just because you think your product is good, others have to buy it. Aside from the initial sensory experience of Immortal Martial Era and the unique Jianghu portrayal, there's nothing that attracts people to continue playing. How long do you think Immortal Martial Era can last? How long do you think the corporation can last? "
Sweat kept dripping from Professor Chen's forehead. He realized the seriousness of the problem. After all, scientific research cannot lack financial support, but he still did not give up. He said, "Haven't we developed a series of derivative products? Like the 'Chivalrous Friend' social software … "
Before Professor Chen could finish his words, Liu Tianliang rudely waved his hand and interrupted, "Old Chen, you must understand that all derivative products are dependent on the existence of the Immortal Martial Era. For example, 'Chivalrous Friend' did indeed have remarkable results at the beginning, and the number of downloads exceeded 2 million in less than two months. But what's the situation now? The active users are less than 300,000, and the trend is further declining. So we must find the root of the problem, that is, how to improve the playability of Immortal Martial Era, so that we can keep players, especially ordinary players, and not just some martial arts enthusiasts. Then on this basis, without changing the existing operating model of Immortal Martial Era, we can improve the ability to produce blood, generate profits, and then let the group recover the research and development and early investment, entering a virtuous cycle channel, right? "
Wen Shiming saw that the time was right, came over to help Professor Chen, and said, "Old Chen, you'd better sit down first. No matter what opinions you have, listen to Xiao Liu's suggestions first. Xiao Liu is still very capable and talented."
Professor Chen did not speak, but still walked to his seat with Wen Shiming's help and sat down. Seeing this, Wen Shiming returned to his seat and then presided over the board meeting. After some necessary procedures, everyone turned their eyes to Liu Tianliang. Everyone knew that this young man was the focus of today.
Liu Tianliang did not have stage fright. He stood up and bowed to everyone. He said, "Everyone knows the current situation of Immortal Martial Era. To put it bluntly, it's too much consumption, and it lacks the ability to produce blood. To improve this situation, there are only four words: increase the source and reduce the expenditure.
I'll talk about reducing the expenditure first. The data of Immortal Martial Era is too large, far more than any game on the market today. In order to carry the mainframe and many computer rooms, too much capital and manpower has been consumed. So, I have to start from this aspect first. I heard that in order to develop intelligent life, Professor Chen has extracted thousands of specimens. In order to carry these specimens, nearly 30 independent units have been consumed. I suggest reducing the scope of the specimens … "
Hearing this, Professor Chen, who had just sat down, stood up and said, "Absolutely not!"
Professor Chen's attitude was very firm. Wen Shiming waved his hand and said, "The development of intelligent life was a condition for Old Chen to be the chief research and development engineer. It was unanimously agreed by the board of directors. You don't have any ideas in this aspect."
"I understand."
Liu Tianliang smiled slightly. He was not surprised or discouraged at all. Obviously, he had long known about this situation. He then said, "However, we still have to reduce the number of computer rooms. For this reason, I think we can reduce the intelligence of some of the middle and high-level high-intelligence NPCs. According to what Professor Chen said on the show, this part of the middle and high-level high-intelligence NPCs can be used as experience cannon fodder. Their intelligence and killing difficulty will be reduced, forming a permanent boss that respawns periodically for the players to kill. This will increase the fun and strength of the players.
I believe this shouldn't affect Old Chen's research and development of intelligent life, right? "
Hearing Liu Tianliang say this, all the directors present had looks of approval in their eyes. Liu Tianliang's attack on the artificial intelligence specimen was obviously a feint. After taking a step back, he threw out this trick. It would be difficult for Professor Chen to hold on. As expected, Professor Chen hesitated. He stood there silently.
When Li Fan saw this, he could not help but say, "But doing this will break the existing logic in the virtual world and the cognition of the intelligent NPCs. This …"
"You're mainly worried about the unknown consequences of the intelligent life specimen's habitual cognition being broken, right? I think there's no need to do this. I know that ordinary high-intelligence NPCs will still follow the program's instructions. You only need to input a relevant shielding command to solidify their understanding of being converted into a permanent boss that respawns periodically.
As for those extremely intelligent digital intelligent lives, you can let them develop cognitive barriers. After all, if they want to become real life, it's completely impossible if they don't understand the nature of the world they live in and the nature of their own lives. I think this can also promote the formation of intelligent life … "
Professor Chen could not bear to listen to Liu Tianliang's long speech. He knew very well the possible consequences of the changes in the middle. In the end, he just waved his hand and said, "Let's do as you say. However, the first reduction of the computer room cannot exceed 10% of the current number."
"Don't worry, Old Chen. That's for sure. It won't work to release a large number of periodic bosses to the players at once. I'll come up with a special plan for this later. When the time comes, I'll hand it over to you. I hope that you and the research and development team will follow it."
Professor Chen did not want to argue anymore, so he just waved his hand. Liu Tianliang saw this and said, "Jie Yuan can only be done step by step, but since Old Chen has already said that everything is easy, then I'll talk about how to open up the game. Opening up the game is naturally to let the players spend more, but based on the current operation method of the Immortal Martial Era, we can only increase the average number of people online. To achieve this, the game must retain the players, and more importantly, let the players have something to play, and even be addicted to it.
In this aspect, the Immortal Martial Era obviously did not do enough. Any game that wants to keep the players, must give the players room to continuously improve, and must give the players a way to continuously improve. For example, in traditional games, players start at level 0 and then obtain equipment through quests. After their level increases accordingly, they can challenge level 3 or 5 dungeons. After their level increases, and their equipment becomes better, they can challenge stronger dungeons and bosses, obtaining better equipment and even better items. When the players' level increases, there will be more vertical content, and more ways to improve. Guilds, gangs, battlefields, city wars, and so on, these are all important elements of online games.
In contrast, what does the Immortal Martial Era have? It is difficult to get started, the novice guide is not perfect, and the ways to improve are extremely limited. The game map is too vast, and the players lack coordination. Moreover, in front of the vast game map and the large number of NPCs, the players appear weak, and overall weak. How can the players stay in this game for long? It must be known that the players of any game are the protagonists, and the players are the main body. The existence of the world is only to serve the players, but the current situation of the Immortal Martial Era is completely contrary to this principle.
I'll give you an example: the 'Blood Demon Sword' incident in the southern Northern Victory State's Golden City. A mere low-level NPC massacred thousands of players, and many were even killed three or four times, causing their cultivation to drop to the bottom. For ordinary low-level players, it is difficult to obtain secret manuals, and their cultivation speed is also not high. The effect of this kind of continuous death is simply devastating.
And after the 'Blood Demon Sword' incident, the number of active players in the area plummeted by 40%. I don't know if this' Blood Demon Sword 'is your artificial intelligence lifeform specimen, but the players are so weak, and the NPCs are so unscrupulous. If there are a few more such incidents, what will the consequences be? "
Liu Tianliang's words were powerful and resonant, and the group of directors all whispered to each other. Professor Chen was speechless, and Li Fan also didn't know what to say. In the end, Professor Chen said, "What is your suggestion?"
"Last time, I saw Lu Yu, and Professor Chen mentioned that the players can't cultivate. Indeed, the rules of the virtual world can't be grasped by the players, but as the operator and developer, in order to let the players have a sense of immersion in the virtual world, we must let the players have a feeling similar to continuous cultivation.
For example, setting up an absolutely safe training room, so that after the players go offline, they can cycle the internal force and set the martial arts routine in the training room. This can be considered as a way to increase the strength of the players, and reduce the difficulty of improving their strength. However, such a function requires the expenditure of additional card points. "
"Isn't this a chargeable hack?"
Li Fan exclaimed. He had some understanding of other online games. If such a function was opened up, the players could basically cultivate 24 hours a day. But in that case, how would it be different from those hack web-based games?
"This is just another way for the players to become stronger. The players must be the main body of the game world!"
Liu Tianliang didn't care about Li Fan at all. He continued, "Apart from that, in the virtual world where the senses are immersed, not many players know how to use martial arts or how to fight. The current completely free combat mode isn't suitable for all players. You have to develop a player-assisted combat system, just like the directional casting system of traditional online games.
"Just as Professor Chen said, the players are unable to truly cultivate, nor do they understand the essence of martial arts. But why should the players understand? They only need to combine their own martial arts according to the power and special effects of the martial arts they cultivate, and use it like a skill.
"Of course, the completely free combat mode can also be maintained to give the players a choice. After all, very few professional players like difficult challenges.
"Also, you can leave some hidden things in the middle. For example, you can set a limit for the auxiliary combat system." For example, Aojian Villa's Yuanying Swordplay. You can use the data of the Blood Demon Sword as a template. The same sword move using the same amount of internal energy at the same realm without any special effects, the strength of the player using the auxiliary combat system can only reach 70% of the Blood Demon Sword's strength. If there are any debuffs after the hit, such as bleeding, it can be weakened according to the ratio. "However, players using the free combat mode can use the same sword move according to the timing, their own understanding, special effects, etc., to achieve the effects of the Blood Demon Sword, or even surpass it.
"I have always believed that the operators should have an attitude of nurturing the players. According to the money, time, effort, talent, and so on invested, the players will eventually be left behind. Then, for the players at the bottom, they can only constantly seek to become stronger through the methods we have opened up and enjoy the process. "Middle-level players can obtain more experience, such as the periodic boss refresh. Don't tell them about this, let them explore it on their own. As for the high-end players, they could stay in the current mode and continue hunting high-intelligence NPCs and other big bosses for fun, or participate in some major events and so on.
However, this alone isn't enough. You need to set up a large number of events at different levels. For example, in the vicinity of a city, an ancient tomb being excavated, a weapon that low-level players can't find, a Yellow, High, Yellow, and Secret Skills, etc. All of these can be obtained through these low-level events. It's like a fortuitous encounter. Set these low-level events to be triggered periodically to achieve the same effect as a dungeon.
"Then, the mid-level events will affect the entire north or south of a state. For example, if someone steals a sect's secret manual, it will lead to a reign of terror. Countless people will surround and fight over it. Or if two sects start to attack each other and recruit players. Not only can the players participate like mercenaries and receive benefits from the employer, but they can also obtain secret manuals, weapons, and so on in the process of attacking.
"Finally, the high-level events that will shock the entire state will require careful planning.
"When the ordinary players have a high cultivation base and the high-level players have become the top existences in the world, we can start a major event that will affect the five states as the annual theme of our carnival and so on …"
Liu Tianliang talked non-stop. Professor Chen could not help but be impressed. This young man's immersion in the field of online game operations was much deeper than his. The ideas he mentioned were actually very ordinary, and there were no technical difficulties. It just required a lot of effort. Moreover, the key point was to constantly develop new content, increase playability, speed up the growth of the players, and let them better integrate into the virtual world.
An entire hour later, Liu Tianliang finally ended his general speech. He stood up and bowed to the directors around him. "If I can become the Director of the Operations Planning Department, then I suggest that we make adjustments after the meeting. The Immortal Martial Era will be updated for a long period of time. Everything will be upgraded, and the operating philosophy will be changed.
"In order to appease the restlessness of the players and increase their enthusiasm for investment, I'm going to start an activity. This is the related plan.
As he said that, Liu Tianliang distributed the documents and said, "Although we can't open up more channels of capital inflow due to the current operating model of the Immortal Martial Era and can't sell items, it doesn't mean that we have to give up this part of the rights.
"I suggest that the R&D department develop a kind of cultivation pill that can directly improve a certain type of martial arts, such as the corresponding Qinggong, Neigong, martial arts moves, and so on. After taking it, it can directly improve the current cultivation progress by one level, allowing the players to have a rapid improvement effect, which will then produce a sense of joy and comfort.
"Of course, this kind of thing can't be given out easily. It must be an out-of-print item that can only be used by each person. As for the distribution method, we can give it to the old accounts that are in hibernation as a reward for the recall activity. As for the players who are still in the game, they can get it through the point card renewal package or the monthly card package. As for the new players, they can get one for free, so that they can quickly improve their strength in the early stages.
"In addition, we can also connect with Chivalrous Friends and other derivatives. For example, one person can pull five friends to register as a Chivalrous Friend and reach the active value. Moreover, after these five people become Immortal Martial Era users and top up, they can also get more precious items, such as Enlightenment Pill. After the players take it, they can understand the true meaning of the martial arts that have been perfected and cultivate to a higher level. According to the existing classification, it's the first glimpse of the mystery, or the next level.
"If a player pulls many players, we can also give out out-of-print items, such as Martial Dao Pill, which can increase the martial arts realm after taking it. As a special bonus, it can make the martial arts more powerful and so on.
"Through these methods, we can let the players become our promoters for free and pull more players into the virtual world, so as to realize profits and generate a word-of-mouth effect …"
.....
After an unknown period of time, the board meeting finally came to an end. Wen Shiming and the other board members had already left. Professor Chen sat on the chair in loneliness, looking at the young man's arrogant back view.
"Professor, are we going to let Liu Tianliang continue messing around in the future? If he continues like this, the NPCs will be completely killed by the players. When that happens, he will turn all the NPCs into periodic bosses, and the world that we have painstakingly constructed will be over. "
Li Fan looked indignant. He had a deep understanding of online games and knew what the Immortal Martial Era's world would become under Liu Tianliang's various changes. Li Fan's voice was not soft.
Liu Tianliang, who had not left the room, naturally heard it. He could not help but turn around and say, "Professor, what you want is the scientific research results, but the group needs benefits. It's a given that we have to make some concessions. As for your students' worries, I don't think it's necessary. For now, you just need to protect your artificial intelligence life specimen and let them continue to grow. Once the Immortal Martial Era is on the right track and generates profits, there will be money for the subsequent research and development. It's not impossible for you to increase the release of the X program.
You can completely treat the five desolate states as a beginner's village. So what if all the NPCs are dead? As long as the group earns money, you can rebuild the Central State and release the X program everywhere. You can also buy more time for your artificial intelligence life specimen, right? "
After saying this, Liu Tianliang bowed slightly and left with a face full of smiles. After a long time, Professor Chen stood up and said, "Go. Do as he said and prepare to stop the server update."
"Professor!"
Li Fan's face was filled with indignation, but Professor Chen waved his hand and said, "Now that things have come to this, we have no other choice but to speed up the progress of the artificial intelligence life research. You will be in charge of the update. Those props, regional events, auxiliary combat systems, comparison templates, and so on that Liu Tianliang mentioned will all be handed over to you.
In addition, set up a storyline team to be in charge of major regional events. "
"Professor, what do you mean?"
"Let the four major regional events take turns to appear. The time will be set for two months later. By then, the high-end players should have improved their strength to a certain extent and can also participate. As for the annual event, choose the Filthy Earth Realm that we previously planned and let the person in charge continue to improve it. "
After saying this, Professor Chen walked out. Li Fan could not help but ask, "Professor, where are you going?"
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
