After sending out the job postings, Chen Mo decided to wait until the evening to look at the applications.
Now Chen Mo needed to plan out the updates for Plants vs Zombies.
In his previous life, Plants vs Zombies had a sequel, but it had a terrible reputation. Although it was good in terms of profits, it wasn't good in terms of reputation.
Therefore, Chen Mo didn't plan on making Plants vs Zombies 2. If it was just to make money, it would still be criticized. Why not make a Chinese scam game? At the very least, it would maintain the reputation and brand of Plants vs Zombies.
This update might very well be the first and last update for Plants vs Zombies. Therefore, Chen Mo's goal was to get the players as excited as possible, allowing them to create new playstyles within the framework of the game, allowing those who loved the game to continue playing it.
Since Chen Mo was going to start making a new game soon, he didn't have the time or energy to maintain Plants vs Zombies.
After some consideration, Chen Mo planned out a few things for the new update.
First, in terms of content, add a new Developer Tools. Anyone can use the Developer Tools to experiment within the framework of Plants vs Zombies.
They can adjust the settings for plants, zombies, environments, maps, etc.
They can upload new art resources to create new plants and zombies.
They can use existing art resources to create new maps, or new levels and playstyles.
These new mods (meaning mods, which are modifications or enhancements to the game) will have a dedicated portal in Plants vs Zombies. Players only need to download the mods to play the game.
Players can also rate and review the mods. In the mod function, the system will have a default algorithm to rank the mods based on downloads, ratings, playtime, and other factors, and recommend them to the players.
Second, create an online and community function, allowing the players to be more connected in the game.
Chen Mo's Plants vs Zombies had a simple online and ranking function, but this was only to satisfy the players' need to show off and compare, it didn't satisfy the deeper need to socialize.
Through the new online and community function, players can add each other as friends, or join the same community (which could be understood as a guild). Friends or players in the community could watch other players battle, upload and share videos of themselves clearing levels, and recommend some fun mods.
Third, create a simple multiplayer function.
For the players, it was only a matter of time before they made a multiplayer game with the Developer Tools. Chen Mo was only trying to speed up the process.
Chen Mo planned to have two modes for the game, both of which were relatively simple.
The first mode was a cooperative mode. Each player controlled three to five paths, which allowed two to five players to play at the same time. In other words, there was a maximum of twenty-five paths. The screen could be dragged up and down to freely check the other players' situation.
The sunlight produced by each player was counted separately, and they could help other players plant plants to resist the invasion of the zombies.
In Cooperative Mode, a player could be resurrected using a special plant after death. Players could also work together to grow some special plants.
The second mode was a multiplayer mode. It could be 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3. Every player could obtain sunlight and moonlight over time. Sunlight was used to produce plants, while moonlight was used to produce zombies.
The production rate of zombies was slightly faster than the production rate of plants.
Players had to use plants to defend their own turf and zombies to attack the enemy's turf. Once a player was defeated, they would not be able to revive.
As to why sunlight and moonlight were needed, it was to prevent everyone from just planting plants and not zombies, which would drag the game into a stalemate.
If one side controlled plants and one side controlled zombies, it would be difficult to maintain balance, which was why Chen Mo didn't do that.
Chen Mo wasn't sure if these two modes would be successful, but he was still relatively optimistic. These two modes followed the classic gameplay of the original game, and the changes made were mostly for the benefit of the game, so it wouldn't affect the core of the game.
Of course, it didn't matter even if it didn't work, as there would be other mods that the players could come up with.
Chen Mo estimated the development time to be two weeks, which was quite a long time. After all, the main features of Plants vs Zombies were developed in a little over a month.
By the time Chen Mo finished writing the design document, it was already night time.
After the experience store closed, Chen Mo went back to the second floor and opened his email to filter through the resumes from the applicants.
Most of the resumes were for assistants, and only four were for receptionists.
Chen Mo looked through their resumes and wasn't satisfied with any of them. They either had a shallow understanding of the game, or hadn't played Plants vs Zombies before, or two of them were very half-hearted.
Of course, it was mainly because of the looks of these four girls, which didn't appeal to Chen Mo.
Chen Mo didn't care about appearances, nor did he have any ulterior motives for hiring receptionists. However, it was a job that paid well, and Chen Mo had a lot of choices, so he didn't need to settle for one.
This was also for the sake of the players. A sweet receptionist would make the players feel better, so it was better to find someone that was more attractive.
At least someone that was cute.
Chen Mo continued to look through the resumes for assistants.
There were a lot of resumes. Chen Mo looked through them one by one, and rejected any that didn't fit his requirements. He only needed one assistant at the moment, so it was relatively easy for him to look through the resumes.
Those that were too old weren't considered.
Those that were too old were more conservative in their thinking, and weren't active enough. They didn't have enough creativity, and didn't have enough potential. Moreover, it would be very awkward to have someone older than them as an assistant.
Those that had long experience at other video game companies weren't considered.
Chen Mo's game design philosophy was completely different from other companies. Those that had worked at other video game companies for a long time would have a set philosophy, and it would be difficult to change it.
Those that had no skills other than playing games weren't considered.
Playing games and making games were two completely different things. Playing games required reflexes, mechanics, and game intelligence, while making games required logical thinking, meticulous thinking, a solid work ethic, and a bit of inspiration.
A pure gamer wouldn't be able to do a game design job.
Then there was the game reviews sent by these people.
Game reviews could reflect a person's basic understanding of the game, and Chen Mo wouldn't choose someone that didn't share his game philosophy as an assistant.
As for Plants vs Zombies, Chen Mo mainly looked at the applicant's understanding of the game. As long as they could describe the game's strengths in any two or three areas, such as creativity, playstyle, system, level design, or numerics, they would pass.
As for other games, Chen Mo mainly wanted to see what type of games the applicant liked, as well as their taste. As long as they chose a relatively successful game, and briefly described the game's strengths, they would pass.
As for the future of the game, this was an additional question.
Those that misjudged the future of the game were not considered, as they were too stupid to be taught.
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