Top of the big era

As the New Year approaches, Zhou Buqi can clearly feel that the atmosphere in the company has become a bit looser. Most of the employees are preparing to take annual leave and go home to celebrate the New Year.

Many projects have reached a stage of suspension.

However, some projects cannot be discontinued, especially Weibo and WeChat, because they are both in a period of rapid development of mobile terminal growth, so they cannot be suspended.

During the Spring Festival, young people all go home. This is not only a great migration of the people, but also a great migration of culture. Many relatives and friends gather during the New Year and share interesting things in their lives and favorite products, and also leave each other’s contact information.

WeChat and Weibo, two new products, will receive particular attention.

Especially WeChat.

You can send text messages for free, and you can also leave voice messages for free. How attractive is this?

Therefore, it is difficult for many core teams to take time off during the Spring Festival holiday.

Zhou Buqi was also in a hurry, planning to meet Wei Zhe before the year and tell him about the Lian family. Then let him think about it carefully during the Spring Festival holiday and let him know whether it is successful or not after the Spring Festival.

The effect is very good, his face is great, and his influence in the industry is greater. Wei Zhe is currently in the south. After hearing the news, he said he would set off to the capital tomorrow.

That evening, Zhou Buqi wanted to have a phone call with Ren Yuxin as usual to learn about the progress of the Japanese game industry. The one he was most concerned about was "Pro Evolution Soccer".

However, negotiations are not easy.

Ren Yuxin said another piece of good news, "Today at Konami, there was someone who gave me a message!"

"Who?"

"Nintendo."

"oh?"

Zhou Buqi is actually not a fan of Nintendo.

Nintendo is also a gaming giant and can be said to be Japan’s most valuable gaming company. However, the company's main source of income does not come from games, but from game consoles.

From arcade machines, home game consoles to handheld game consoles, they are the leaders in the industry.

In the early years, there was another company in the United States called Atari, which basically existed by imitating and following Nintendo, and became the biggest competitor in the market.

But then Nintendo launched a series of classic games that swept the market. The most classic ones were of course "Super Mario" and "Tetris", which quickly dominated the market and killed Atari.

Now only Sony on the market can compete with Nintendo in the field of game consoles.

Ren Yuxin said: "The president of Nintendo will meet with me tomorrow. I guess he may want to discuss cooperation with Changyou. Nintendo's performance in recent years has not been very good."

"It's definitely not good. The future is the era of mobile games."

Zhou Buqi is actually full of respect for Nintendo.

In today's era, the release of each generation of iPhone has become the most shocking and cheering event in the world's technology circles. However, this marketing model was not pioneered by Jobs. He was a believer in Japanese culture, and he imitated Nintendo.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the release of each new generation of Nintendo, like the release of the iPhone now, caused a rush to buy around the world.

In that era when entertainment was relatively scarce, Nintendo's game consoles were the biggest entertainment in the world!

How exaggerated?

At that time, Nintendo's game console revenue was higher than the total revenue of the entire Hollywood film industry, and more than the total profits of the three major American television networks!

It’s basically one company that instantly killed the entire American entertainment industry.

Then Sony came out and killed Nintendo. Then Apple came out and dominated the world.

However, as time has passed, Nintendo has long lost its ability to dominate the world.

In this era of change, we have to resort to humiliation to seek help.

In the past, Nintendo was straight-backed and full of arrogance. If other game manufacturers want to develop Nintendo versions of their games and add them to their game consoles, they have to ask their grandfather to sue their grandmother. But even so, it is difficult for most game manufacturers to get the opportunity to cooperate with Nintendo, especially foreign game manufacturers.

Nintendo has its own game software development department, and most of their games are developed by themselves. The most classic one is of course the "Super Mario" series.

But things are different now. Nintendo has to take the initiative to put down its status and beg Changyou for cooperation.

This can actually give you a glimpse.

This almost represents the general situation between China and Japan, one is declining and the other is thriving.

Ren Yuxin said with a smile: "I guess it is related to "Angry Birds", "Talking Cat", "Jewel Puzzle", "Plants vs. Zombies" or something like that."

Zhou Buqi nodded, "Well, it's possible."

Ren Yuxin said: "These games are so popular now, especially "Talking Cat". This game can only be regarded as a first-line game in the European and American markets, but it is a god-level performance in the Asian market, better than "Angry Birds" It’s all good. Japanese players seem to like the kawaii energy of Tom Cat.”

Zhou Buqi asked: "Is it also related to "DOTA2"?"

Ren Yuxin immediately said: "This is impossible. Even if it is relevant, I will not agree. "DOTA2" only has a computer version. This kind of multiplayer battle competitive game requires too much polishing of details. You cannot just do it casually. Another platform development version."

Zhou Buqi pondered and said: "The largest sales market for this type of game console is Japan. Most players here still like to play games through various game consoles. This has been a cultural habit for decades. Yes, it will be difficult to change in a short period of time.”

Ren Yuxin said: "Yes, I feel deeply. These Japanese gamers are really pitiful. They have been manipulated and brainwashed by Japanese game manufacturers. Obviously computer games are richer and more fun, but they still have to spend money. Exorbitant prices for gaming consoles.”

Zhou Buqi said: "For most people, they do not have the ability to think independently and judge independently. Their thoughts are just because the people who control them want them to think so. We must look at this kind of thinking inertia in the game industry objectively. Strong The dragon does not overwhelm the local snake, Changyou, don’t try to change things on your own, just follow the trend first.”

Ren Yuxin heard what he meant, "So you support cooperation with Nintendo?"

Zhou Buqi said: "Play these casual games, such as "Angry Birds", "Talking Cat", "Jewel Puzzle", "Swallowing Fish", "Happy Farm", "Plants vs. Zombies", etc. They are easy to develop and have a wide audience. , specially developed a version adapted to Nintendo game consoles, at least it will not lose money."

Ren Yuxin said with a smile: "Not only will we not suffer losses? We also have to pay a large amount of copyright fees. Do you know "Tetris"? Nintendo has to pay a royalty of 1 US dollar for every copy sold, and Additional cut from the middlemen. Over the past two decades, Nintendo has paid more than $200 million for this."

Zhou Buqi analyzed: "This should be related to Nintendo's business model, which is the binding of game consoles and games. Use game consoles to promote games, and use attractive games to attract players to buy new game consoles."

Ren Yuxin said: "Yes, it is similar to your platform theory. Nintendo's games must be strictly controllable, and all games are self-operated. Even if Changyou develops a Nintendo version of the game, it cannot be designed casually. You have to comply with their requirements. This will prevent third-party game manufacturers from harvesting Nintendo players with some krypton gold games."

Normal game manufacturers make money by selling games.

The traditional model is one-time consumption.

Players can play the game as they please after purchasing the genuine game.

The game model in the new era has changed, and more and more games are free games. Then, there are more built-in consumption options during the game. Players have to spend money to buy props if they want to enjoy the game.

This model is more profitable.

Nintendo's model is much more traditional, mainly making money with game consoles. For example, if a player buys a Nintendo game console, it will be bundled with a dozen game cartridges.

There is no built-in consumption at all.

It's also a technical reason.

If a game wants to have built-in consumption, it needs a set of platform-based charging tools. This is the Internet model. Nintendo is very traditional and not Internet at all.

It is still a business model focusing on production and sales.

Zhou Buqi said: "Okay, let me meet you tomorrow. I will support the attitude of cooperation. Whether we make money or not is secondary. We can use Nintendo's platform to let senior gamers in Japan know and understand Changyou's games." Nintendo is a good platform to help Changyou do free promotion. If you get used to playing Changyou's games, you will be able to attract more mobile game players in Japan in the future."

Ren Yuxin said with a smile: "It's not free, they have to pay royalties. Moreover, royalties alone are not enough."

"oh?"

"I'm going to fight for it. If possible, I'll see if I can get the mobile game copyright of "Super Mario"!"