A real cheat was blocked, and the game industry was rectified with a backhand

"MOBA game? Multiplayer online tactical competitive game?"

Zhang Chengbo muttered to himself, as if a flash of lightning passed through his mind. He kept repeating the word "tactics" in his mouth, and many ideas suddenly opened up.

Watching him muttering as if his Ren and Du meridians were opened, it seemed as if he had realized something.

Lin Mo couldn't help but admire in his heart.

Since the emergence of Naughty Cat, many creative and interesting works have been born, and many small companies have also dared to take the step of producing high-quality games.

Of course, this is inseparable from Naughty Cat’s plan to support small and independent game teams over the years, but it also proves the progress of the industry.

When Warcraft was launched, I wondered whether there would be a talented designer in this life who could create a great work from a map editor.

Unexpectedly, after just over a year, the first signs of trouble have already appeared.

In the past, MOBA games also went through a long period of development before the two popular products DOTA and LOL were slowly born. After the advent of the mobile game era, there was even the horrifying product Honor of Kings that appealed to all age groups.

The origin of this type of game can be traced back to a self-made map Aeon Of Strife during the StarCraft era. This map laid the basic gameplay for many MOBA games.

For example, the player can only control one hero, there are only two forces fighting, the map is divided into several symmetrical routes, etc.

However, in that era when the Internet was not yet well developed, few people knew about this map and only a few had played it.

It is also limited by the limitations of the StarCraft game itself and lacks important systems such as equipment experience points.

But then a game came along that perfectly captured this idea: the original version of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.

With the help of the new map editor, a legendary map came into being, that is Defense of the Ancients, abbreviated as DOTA.

Later, with the explosive popularity of Warcraft III: Frozen Throne, the client was brought to countless Internet cafes and home computers around the world.

The subsequent DOTA allstar version gradually matured by borrowing and stitching together a lot of dota maps from other versions, explored the mature gameplay of moba games, and was promoted through word of mouth among players.

By this time, five full years had passed.

Five years later, "League of Legends" was born, and six years later, "Honor of Kings" was released, making this type of game truly enter thousands of households.

Over a period of time, every gamer has come into contact with one of these three MOBA games.

Even if you haven't, you may have been attracted to play games like the ever-popular "Heroes of the Storm", the IP fan-oriented "Battle of Onmyoji", the "Dream Three Kingdoms" set in the Three Kingdoms, or the "300 Heroes" preferred by the two-dimensional group, etc.

Lin Mo originally thought that it would take some time for this gameplay to be born, but he did not expect that a prototype would appear in just over a year.

Although Zhang Chengbo's design is still very immature and full of loopholes.

"I heard that you want to have your own production team?"

Hearing this, Zhang Chengbo shuddered and said dryly: "Uh, Mr. Lin, I, I was just kidding."

Lin Mo nodded and said, "You are still too young. If you can get 3 players online on your map within a month, I will give you this opportunity. As for whether you can achieve your dream, it depends on your own ability. If you need any help during this period, please feel free to ask."

"Okay, okay! Mr. Lin!"

After these words were spoken, Zhang Chengbo became even more excited and nervous, and was at a loss as to what to do.

The other members of the slacking group behind him stared blankly at their colleague's back, as if they had seen a ghost.

No, he was a new colleague who was being teased just a moment ago.

How come the next moment, she will fly onto the tree branch and turn into a phoenix?

Lin Mo patted his shoulder to show encouragement and asked, "By the way, what is the name of your map?"

"The Legend of Heroes."

Lin Mo was stunned when he heard this. Was this name destined?

So he smiled and said, "Change your name. League of Legends sounds better. All right, go upstairs and get to work. As for your violation of company regulations, your salary should still be deducted. Pick up the cigarette butts before going upstairs."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the company building.

Leaving behind them the sound of a few people gasping for breath after surviving the disaster, and then one by one hurriedly lowered their heads to pick up the cigarette butts that they had just thrown on the ground and stepped on.

Back to the office, there was no rush to work.

I opened the Warcraft client and took a look.

It didn’t take much effort to find this map, and it was put on the leaderboard, and its growth was gratifying.

In the comment section, players are very loyal and they all like this type of game mode.

They are all offering suggestions and contributing their own ideas and creativity.

"What a coincidence."

Lin Mo couldn't help but chuckle.

With both major console platforms breaking down, a flagship game is indeed needed to provide continued financial support.

"League of Legends" was the game he had previously thought was most suitable for serving on the table.

I was thinking that it would be a pity to present the game in this way without being able to see the brainstorming of the players and designers in this world.

As it turned out, the surprise came from their own game company.

It is too slow for Zhang Chengbo to make a map by himself. He might not be able to produce any results in a month.

Some appropriate help is still necessary.

After arranging some work, I thought about some of the concerns of employees that I overheard today.

It's not without reason that they are afraid.

For a general game company to encounter such a situation is like the sky falling.

Lin Mo was confident that he could lead the company through the difficult times, but his employees didn't know that.

Although compared with other domestic game companies, their employees are top-notch, they are still ordinary people after all.

The company’s future plans cannot be revealed at the moment, so let’s write an internal letter first, at least to calm the morale of the team.

Although it is said to be an internal letter, it will definitely be posted online.

It can also be regarded as an indirect way of expressing an attitude to the outside world.

Don't bother with useless things!

Hoping for the naughty cat to die?

Next life.

As for those who are leaving because of the company's turmoil, there is nothing we can do but let them go.

I took a look at the files on my computer.

The design progress of the new console Switch is very rapid. It is now approaching the end of the year and will be ready for mass production and release in the first half of next year.

By then, it will be time to sound the clarion call for a counterattack.

Throughout November, countless eyes were fixed on Naughty Cat, the most talked-about company in the industry.

Many people are speculating how this brilliant and dazzling leader will lead the company through the difficulties.

Once you pass this level, you will be the overlord.

If you can't get through it, then you are a legend. There are no living legends either in Night City or in the gaming industry.

But many people are still pessimistic, believing that Lin Mo's attitude towards the two major console manufacturers is too tough, and this time he is afraid that he will be unable to turn the situation around, and can only rely on large-scale layoffs and the sale of some IPs or assets to survive.

At this time, an internal letter from Naughty Cat was leaked on the Internet.

It clearly states the troubles the company is facing and suggests that there are solutions to overcome the difficulties.

Not only will there be no layoffs, there will also be an overall salary increase ranging from 3% to 7%.

This move really stabilized the morale of the troops and was completely unexpected by the industry.

However, the voices of pessimism still exist.

Many companies have tried to contact Naughty Cat to buy some of the game copyrights they have been coveting for a long time, and after returning empty-handed, they have set their sights on Naughty Cat’s employees.

In addition to some veterans and people who have played an outstanding and important role in many projects, the most popular people are actually the people in the Warcraft project team.

"I really didn't expect that my dream would come true one day."

Zhang Chengbo felt a little emotional when he saw that the number of simultaneous online players of the map renamed "League of Legends" had officially exceeded 30,000.

Zuo Xuming smiled and poured cold water on him: "I have to correct you. All the general managers of the project teams within Naughty Cat report to Mr. Lin. For example, Du Ruizhi in the Left 4 Dead project and Wang Yi in the Dark Souls project were just deputies to reduce Mr. Lin's workload."

Zhang Chengbo touched his nose and said awkwardly, "Yes, yes. But even so, I am very happy. Not everyone can be Mr. Lin's deputy."

"That's right. Okay, let's get ready to get off work. I'm starving."

"Wait a minute, Manager Zuo." Zhang Chengbo hesitated for a few seconds, "Has anyone contacted you recently?"

Zuo Xuming understood what he meant and shrugged, "Yes, we have had it since the company's first game, CS:GO, came out. But they were all rubbish companies, and there was no point in staying there."

"Is that so? Are there any colleagues around you who have switched to other companies?"

"Yes, there are too many. The original CSGO team only had 25 people. Some of them deserted before the game was released, and some of them jumped to other companies later. However, none of them achieved any results."

"Then why didn't you leave?"

Zuo Xuming looked at him meaningfully and said, "Because I know that the reason I have my current status and income is not because of how capable I am, but because I can resolutely carry out the work requirements assigned by General Manager Lin."

Zhang Chengbo nodded and sighed.

“I just don’t know how many people will be able to stay in the Warcraft project team after a while.”

after an hour.

In a private room of a hotel.

Zhang Chengbo looked at the smiling middle-aged man in front of him and greeted him: "Manager Liu."

"Why call me Manager Liu after get off work? Just call me Liu Hu."

"Okay, Tiger."

Liu Hu, who jumped to Naughty Cat from other companies, is the deputy project manager of "Warcraft".

He is not arrogant, has good relationships with people, and has pretty good work ability.

I have organized several "Warcraft" competitions on behalf of the official, and the results were pretty good.

As soon as he said hello, Liu Hu directly opened a bottle of 53-proof sauce-flavored liquor and asked the waiter to pour it.

This action startled Zhang Chengbo, and he quickly said, "Brother Hu, you can't do that. We still have to update the map tomorrow, so we can't drink."

"Hey, just drink a little less, it's okay. The update of this map is currently being worked on by most of the Warcraft project team and the extra people transferred in, so it's okay for you and me to slack off occasionally."

But Zhang Chengbo said he would not drink it and was extremely determined, so Liu Hu could only give up in disappointment.

Soon, the food was served.

The two chatted about everything from life to work, and from work to the company's latest developments.

"Cheng Bo, what do you think of our company recently?"

"That's great. I even got a raise."

Liu Hu nodded and said, "But how much can we have? Besides, the company has no money to begin with. I don't know how long it can last if it continues like this."

As he said this, he let out a long sigh and seemed very sad.

Zhang Chengbo ate his food silently without saying a word.

Seeing this, Liu Hu said in a persuasive manner: "Cheng Bo, you are a talented person. I know you have always wanted to have a team of your own. No matter who you are here, you are just Lin Mo's assistant and make games according to his will. Don't you think it's a pity?"

Zhang Chengbo sighed and said, "Brother Hu, I can pretend I don't know about what happened today. Let's eat."

"Come with me." Liu Hu was like a whispering devil. "Go to the Chinese branch of Baofeng Entertainment. You will lead a team on your own and have full support from funds, technology and talents. Your income will at least increase fivefold!"

"Many people have approached me recently, but I rejected them all." Zhang Chengbo put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "The popularity of this map in League of Legends is closely related to the design suggested by Mr. Lin. It's not possible to replicate this success by changing a company. I advise you to seriously consider it."

Even though the words had come to this, Liu Hu still did not intend to give up, and said earnestly: "The recent rise of this map has attracted the attention of many people, and you are now a hot commodity. This is a map you made yourself, and you should lead the team and carve your name into the monument of game history."

"Engrave on a monument? I'm not interested. I just know that Mr. Lin believes in me and is willing to train me, so he didn't rush to launch an independent MOBA game, but taught me little by little through maps. I'm not a beast who doesn't know how to be grateful." Zhang Chengbo stood up and said, "Thank you for the treat. I'm full."

Having said that, he stood up and walked out.

Seeing this, Liu Hu got a little anxious: "Hey, there are still some vegetables that haven't been served yet."

Didn't stop it.

"Damn it, this guy is really stubborn. The naughty cat has been dug into a sieve, and the disaster is imminent, but he has no backup plan at all, and he is still staying on this broken boat?"

Liu Hu cursed with a "Pah".

I was thinking, when can I invite this guy out for a get-together? It would be a great achievement to recruit this guy.

There was a table full of delicious food and wine, but even the dishes weren’t served and I had no appetite to eat.

go outside.

It was only when I checked out that I realized I had already paid.

Liu Hu frowned deeply. Is this kid's desire to stay so strong?

Fine.

You will regret this.

In November, it ended with the controversy over Call of Duty, the conflict between Naughty Cats and the two major consoles, and the sudden rise of a Warcraft map.

Time has entered December.

Zhang Chengbo couldn't help but feel emotional as he looked at his colleagues who had been replaced.

As for the slacking group that was caught by President Lin for smoking a month ago, none of them resigned. As if they were stimulated, they worked very hard in helping to update and make the maps, and all kinds of creative ideas for designing heroes popped up.

Now every move of Naughty Cat is closely monitored by peers. After this MOBA map became popular, the Warcraft project team that mainly assisted in the production became the hardest hit area by poaching.

This situation occurs not only here, but also in other project teams.

Liu Hu, as expected, has resigned and taken many people with him to Baofeng Entertainment.

"It's like a storm is brewing."