Eric was very pleased. He could feel that IOI was walking on the right path under his guidance. For the first time, the gap between them and GOG showed signs of narrowing.
He looked at Zhao Xuming. "Boss Zhao, Finger Games will release some news about IOI's mobile version in the next two days. Long Yu Corporation's mission is to cooperate with Finger Games and spread the news better."
"Of course, there's one more important thing. Long Yu Corporation has to be in charge of contacting channels to promote the mobile game after IOI's mobile version is released."
Zhao Xuming quickly nodded. "No problem, that's my duty."
Obviously, IOI's mobile version had always been within Eric's plan. He had already started preparing for two things after he took over the operations of IOI's local server and became the 'vanguard general' who fought directly against Tengda Corporation.
On one hand, he had to update the version and start burning money. On the other hand, he had to urge Finger Games to arrange for specialized personnel to develop a mobile version of IOI.
Of course, changing the client-side game to a mobile game was not a simple task that could be completed overnight.
Back then, Tengda Corporation was able to quickly change GOG into a mobile game because GOG's design had some mobile game elements. The game time was short, the map was smaller than IOI's, and the game mechanism was simpler. Thus, there were fewer obstacles to change from the design.
It was definitely not a simple project for IOI to change the client-side game into a mobile game.
However, even so, he could release the news first to warm up.
He would first use IOI's resources to create a simple DEMO, choose a few heroes that were more suitable for mobile games, and then use this DEMO to make a few trial videos. Then, he would upload these videos online and hype them up so that IOI gamers would know that there was such a thing.
As long as he created a feeling that IOI was catching up and competing with GOG, it would be of great help to IOI's promotion.
Zhao Xuming also raised both hands in support of this matter. After all, in his opinion, the arrival of the mobile game trend was inevitable. IOI could learn from GOG and make the game into a dual-terminal game. This was indeed a move that followed the trend.
What's more, Long Yu Corporation had a very close relationship with domestic mobile game distributors. They even controlled some mobile game channels. It might be more convenient to promote mobile games than client-side games.
Once IOI's mobile game was released, old gamers would definitely try it out. Many gamers who were tired of GOG's mobile game would also try it out and take a look. If they could think of a few good marketing plans …
It would definitely be effective!
Eric and Zhao Xuming were full of confidence in IOI's next operation strategy.
GOG's current position in the country was very stable and unshakable, but everything was difficult at the beginning. As long as they persevered and allowed IOI's local server to gradually recover, they would soon be able to form a positive cycle. Then, everything would turn for the better!
…
February 17th, Friday.
Ye Zhizhou hurried to Tengda Games and found Min Jingchao, who was busy working on the new version of GOG.
"Finger Games has made a move!"
"They released a few demo videos of IOI's mobile game just now. They look pretty good."
"However, I suspect … that they used IOI's ready-made client-side game materials. It's still far from the official development of the game. It's still in the 'demo to deceive people' stage."
"However, the development of IOI's mobile game has obviously been put on the agenda. We have to be careful."
"At the moment, these videos have received quite a good response on domestic and foreign video websites. Many gamers are looking forward to it."
"There are also people who have been comparing it to GOG's mobile game to create popularity. It's most likely the fake reviewers arranged by Long Yu Corporation."
As Ye Zhizhou spoke, he handed his cell phone to Min Jingchao and showed him a few videos of IOI's mobile version.
The videos were demo videos of a few classic IOI heroes. For example, Chaos Misfortune, Storm Swordsman, Specter Blacksmith, and so on, which had shone brightly in the global finals. There were also some noob heroes that newbies often used.
These heroes had a common characteristic. The operation was not particularly complicated. It would not be too difficult to transplant them from client-side games to mobile games. It would be easier to transplant them.
What's more, these heroes were popular. Heroes like Storm Swordsman were more handsome, so the video gave players a good impression.
They might not have played the game yet, but just watching this video was very attractive.
"They're not friendly."
Min Jingchao immediately saw through Finger Games' intentions.
The current situation could be said to be 'offensive and defensive'. In the past, GOG would take the initiative to attack, and IOI would be forced to defend. They would be beaten to the ground.
However, the offensive and defensive situations of both sides were completely reversed now.
GOG's mobile version was a pioneer. Now, it had gathered a huge group of players. Due to the problem of size, it was not appropriate to make too many risky moves. It was a passive defense.
On the other hand, IOI's mobile version was a new game. It had many advantages: it could directly refer to GOG's ready-made gameplay and take fewer detours. It could directly bundle itself with GOG's mobile version for publicity, scam, and easily obtain huge popularity.
This kind of 'rubbing' tactic would often have a very good effect. The party being rubbed did not have a good solution. The more they reacted, the more popularity the other party would obtain.
On the other hand, if they chose to deal with it coldly, the other party would be even more unrestrained and would still obtain a lot of popularity.
Ye Zhizhou asked, "What should we do?"
Min Jingchao pondered for a moment. "Why don't … we ask Boss Pei?"
While the two of them could think of some countermeasures, this matter was of great importance after all. If they did not handle it well, the consequences would be very serious. Neither of them dared to make a decision.
GOG was currently the most popular game in Tengda Corporation. It was the most influential and popular game. It also involved the GPL, the money tree. Neither of them dared to be negligent.
After some discussion, the two of them felt that they had to ask Boss Pei about such a huge matter before they could feel at ease.
They sent a message to the front desk and found out that Boss Pei had come to the office today. The two of them went to the 16th floor and knocked on Boss Pei's office door.
"Come in."
Boss Pei's voice sounded from the office.
Min Jingchao pushed the door open and entered with Ye Zhizhou following closely behind.
"Boss Pei, we're here today to report on Finger Games' movements …"
Min Jingchao briefly explained the matter of Finger Games releasing the IOI mobile game trial video and Long Yu Corporation buying fake reviewers to ride on GOG's popularity.
Pei Qian almost slammed the table and cheered.
Eric, well done!
You did not let me down!
From the previous price war to the mobile version of IOI and buying fake reviewers to ride on its popularity, Pei Qian was very satisfied with every step Eric took.
The more Finger Games pressed on, the more reason Pei Qian had to burn money to fight back.
However, how should he deal with it …
Pei Qian pondered briefly.
His first reaction was to retaliate fiercely. If they wanted popularity, he would give them popularity. Tengda could also spend a lot of money at the same time. Why not?
However, on further thought, it seemed a little dangerous.
At the moment, GOG and IOI were not on the same level in the country. If he retaliated fiercely, IOI would indeed gain a lot of popularity, but GOG would also gain a lot of popularity.
What if both sides' fought passionately 'and rode on each other's popularity, causing GOG's popularity to increase and the players' sense of unity and identity to become stronger?
Something did not seem right.
What if he did not care at all?
That did not seem very good either. That might not bring popularity to GOG, but IOI's popularity would also accumulate very slowly. It would take a long time before it really posed a threat to GOG. Distant water could not quench the present thirst.
After some consideration, Pei Qian decided to continue with the previous plan.
"Continue to pay attention to IOI's movements. No matter what strategy they adopt, we will follow, but we have to be 'courteous' to them in everything.
"For example, if they spend ten million yuan on publicity, we will spend seven million yuan. If they reduce the price of their skins by ten percent, we will reduce the price by seven percent.
"The same goes for the battle of public opinion. If they provoke us and want to ride on our popularity, we will fight back. However, we have to leave some leeway when we fight back. "
Min Jingchao was stunned. "Er … do you have any other requests, Boss Pei?"
Pei Qian shook his head. "No."
Min Jingchao and Ye Zhizhou looked at each other and saw some confusion in each other's eyes.
That was it?
They thought that Boss Pei was going to start 'killing everyone', but Boss Pei actually said to be 'courteous'?
Boss Pei always seemed to be able to give very subversive and creative suggestions when they consulted Boss Pei previously. However, this time, Boss Pei's suggestion seemed to be normal and nothing special.
'Courteous' sounded nice, but in fact, it was nothing more than a passive defense. What's more, Boss Pei specially emphasized that they had to burn less money than the other party in the price war?
What kind of logic was that?
However, looking at Boss Pei, it was obvious that he had said all that needed to be said. All that was left was an expression that said 'go figure it out yourselves'.
Thus, the two of them had no choice but to leave.
After leaving Boss Pei's office, Min Jingchao and Ye Zhizhou's expressions were filled with confusion. Obviously, their consultation with Boss Pei had not achieved the effect they wanted.
There was still no particularly reliable countermeasure to deal with the threat of IOI.
In other words, Boss Pei had given a reliable countermeasure, but they had not understood the deeper meaning of this countermeasure.
The two of them returned to the 17th floor and sat down in the lounge, sipping their drinks as they looked at each other.
Both of them saw the same attitude in each other's eyes.
"Do you believe that Boss Pei thinks it's that simple?"
"I don't believe it. What about you?"
"I don't believe it either."
"That can only mean that Boss Pei has a deeper idea that we haven't dug out."
"Think about it carefully. I won't leave if I can't figure it out!"
The two of them sipped their drinks as they thought hard.
Ye Zhizhou said, "I think there's something fishy about this."
"When has Boss Pei ever lost to others when it comes to spending money?"
"Previously, we had to burn more money than the other party. It's the same whether it's games or physical industries."
"However, this time, Boss Pei actually asked us to 'give in'? How is that possible! It's not in line with Boss Pei's usual style at all! "
Min Jingchao nodded. "Indeed."
"The key is that Finger Games and Long Yu Corporation are our sworn enemies. They are competitors, but they do not have any cooperative relationship. There is no friendship at all."
"They started the price war first, and yet we have to give in? Why! This is not in line with Tengda's usual style at all! "
"Therefore, there must be a special purpose behind Boss Pei's' giving in '!"
The more the two of them discussed, the more they felt that something was amiss.
However, no one could tell what was wrong with them.
Min Jingchao left the lounge and returned a moment later with two laptops.
"These are the relevant data of GOG and IOI in the country, including the changes in their market share and other data. We might be able to find out something if we study it."
Ye Zhizhou nodded and took one of the laptops.
The two of them began to flip through all kinds of information aimlessly, hoping to find some clues.
Suddenly, Ye Zhizhou seemed to realize something and said, "I noticed something. It's the market share of other MOBA games like IOI and GOG and the release of new games."
"There's no need to talk about GOG and IOI's market share. At the moment, GOG has the overall advantage in the country. Both sides are evenly matched overseas. GOG has a small advantage but not a big advantage. There are fluctuations in both."
"However, the situation of other MOBA games is worth thinking about."
"On one hand, the market share continues to decline. On the other hand, there are fewer and fewer new games being released."
"There are at least five or six mobile MOBA games at the same time as GOG, but only one or two are still barely operating. What's more, they are in a half-dead state."
"It can be said that they are dying very quickly."
Min Jingchao nodded. "Didn't we know this a long time ago?"
"Our competition with IOI will definitely squeeze the living space of all other games of the same type. In the end, only one winner will survive."
"Even old games like Gods Rising have been seriously affected."
"Gods Rising still has a group of diehard players based on the data and is difficult to shake. However, it has almost no new blood flowing in."
"More importantly, there was news that a big company wanted to buy Gods Rising to make an online game like IOI or GOG, but it was delayed again and again."
Ye Zhizhou said, "What if we dig deeper into the reason behind this?
Why are these companies giving up on MOBA games? "
"I think fierce market competition is only one aspect. There is also a very important reason: the anchoring effect!"
"Boss Pei's pricing for GOG actually formed an anchoring effect. This anchoring effect became more stable after IOI was forced to fight a price war with us. That made it unprecedentedly difficult for other companies to start, so they did not intend to follow! "
Min Jingchao nodded. "Yes, that's it."
The so-called anchoring effect was actually very easy to understand: all MOBA games had similar profit methods. It was nothing more than selling heroes, buying skins, and various value-added services.
Otherwise, they could not possibly sell their combat power, right? That would be courting death.
If all MOBA games set the price of their skins at a few dozen yuan, the players wouldn't be surprised.
This pricing allowed many emerging MOBA games to barely survive.
Only after surviving could they gradually develop and grow.
However, Boss Pei had forcefully set the price of GOG's skins at cabbages. He had also forced IOI to fight a price war and reduce the price of their skins. That had formed an anchoring effect: all players felt that MOBA games' skins should be that cheap!
Thus, even if other games companies made MOBA games of similar quality to GOG and IOI, there was basically no chance of success.
Due to the existence of the anchoring effect, these companies would face a dilemma: if the price was higher than GOG, gamers would think that they were eating poorly; however, if the price was the same as GOG, they would not be able to operate at all.
GOG's skins were priced low, but the player base was huge. There was also the GPL league, so there were many ways to maintain profits. The other MOBA games had very few players to begin with. They relied on skins to make money. How could they make money if the skins were priced like cabbages?
Thus, the first to bear the brunt of the price war between GOG and IOI was not IOI but all other MOBA games.
MOBA games were winner-take-all games to begin with. GOG had already taken the lead with its huge user base and set the price so low. What else could the other MOBA games play?
Ye Zhizhou continued, "Therefore, Boss Pei's strategy of 'giving way' is worth digging deeper.
"On the surface, Boss Pei is deliberately allowing IOI to expand its user base. However, if you think about it carefully, isn't Boss Pei using IOI's strength to continue attacking other competitors?
"GOG has a huge user base and a first-mover advantage. Even if it only uses 70% of the publicity budget, it can still fight a protracted war with IOI. Let IOI persevere and burn money. The more we fight, the harder it will be for other MOBA games. "
Min Jingchao frowned slightly. "However, it's good to kill with a borrowed knife, but what if IOI beats us? What if their market share increases and they enter a virtuous cycle? "
Ye Zhizhou said, "There is indeed such a possibility, but Boss Pei is so confident. He must think that IOI can't beat us.
"Boss Pei said that no matter how much money they burn, we will follow them. We're just 'giving way'.
"This three-point gap will not put us at a disadvantage, but it will entice Finger Games to continue burning money. They will expand their market share and help us eliminate other competitors. At the same time, they will consume a lot of Dayak Corporation and Finger Games' funds.
"Boss Pei's' giving way 'does not mean that I will retreat when the enemy advances. Instead, it means that I'll give way to you on account of you helping me snatch the market. However, if you want to challenge me, the coward will be the grandson!"
Min Jingchao suddenly understood. "Indeed, that should be what Boss Pei means! We'll hold back for now and play with Finger Games. We'll burn money with them to further eliminate other competitors. When the time is right, we'll give Finger Games a fatal blow! "
Both of them felt much more at ease.
What was there to worry about since Boss Pei already had a plan and was full of confidence that he would win even if he held back?
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