Losing Money to Be a Tycoon c1-883

by Inebriation-seeking Blue Shirt, 青衫取醉

  When he returned to his own office, Pei Qian switched his computer on. He was still conflicted about whether to advertise Repent and be Saved.

  If he did…

  Every player would add to the risk of generating profit.

  Yet, if he did not…

  Given Tengda Games’ current fame—even if he did not advertise the game, it would be well-known.

  What’s more, if he engaged in large-scale advertising, he might be able to spend more money.

  After a long period of consideration, Pei Qian finally made his decision.

  After his experience with Zha Zhuti and Bloody Battle Song: The Powerful Version, he decided that it would be safer not to advertise the game. It did not seem wise to take such huge risks for the sake of spending a bit more money.

  “I should maintain a low profile to minimize attention to the game. Tengda has many loyal fans now, but I should avoid advertising the game so that fewer people know about it.

  “If I intentionally avoid advertising it, it would take at least two or three days for the game to become a hot topic of discussion among the first batch of gamers, right?

  “I’ll take as much delay as I can get.”

  Pei Qian silently thought about all of these things as he accessed the official platform, intending to check on Bloody Battle Song’s situation. To his surprise, Bloody Battle Song no longer took up the biggest recommendation spot on the official platform’s homepage.

  Pei Qian paused, not knowing how to react.

  The official platform had just recommended Bloody Battle Song some time ago, and it had not taken it down since. A week had not even passed yet—why was the recommendation

  gone?

  He looked closer at the title of the current recommendation.

  ‘The glory of domestically-produced games: Tengda’s newest game is going to be released!’

  Pei Qian, “???”

  What is the official platform doing?! Did I ask for recommendation spots? Why are you forcing me to accept them?!

  reco

  Pei Qian did not know what to say. There was no need to think about whether he should advertise the game anymore. The official platform had already done all the advertising for him!

  He could not even hope for two or three days before the game became a hot topic of discussion; it was already generating a lot of discussions! This was all because the official platform gave it a recommendation spot in advance of the game’s release!

  Pei Qian was speechless. What is the meaning of this?! The official platform’s recommendation spots are extremely important. Aren’t they fooling around by giving the best spot to a game that has not even been released yet?!

  However, on further thought, Pei Qian understood.

  Repent and be Saved had to be sent for vetting before being released. They could only release the game if it passed the vetting process.

  The official platform’s staff probably developed an understanding of the game’s content after vetting it.

  Of course, those in charge of vetting the game did not have to complete it on their own. Tengda had to send an official hack and detailed explanation of the game for them to vet it. This would ensure every staff in charge of vetting would be able to experience each stage of the game.

  The vetting staff had obviously been impressed by the game’s traditional Chinese style and content!

  The official platform had been keeping an eye on Tengda Games, the creator of games like Ocean Stronghold and Game Designer. It also tended to give the latter recommendation spots very easily.

  Since Repent and Be Saved was preceded by so many outstanding games and it had top-quality, Chinese-style content, the official platform naturally left the best recommendation spot for it! Pei Qian was really speechless. Official platform, you’re really something. I’m already in such a state – why are you still showing me special treatment?! I just want to be a minor, transparent, game designer. Can’t I?!

  was

  Pei Qian was filled with sorrow as he clicked on the recommendation.

  Once he clicked it, he entered what would be Repent and be Saved’s details page after its release. However, there were very few details of the game’s content. There were only the game’s title, a simple introduction, and a few images.

  The game’s official release date was set for October 1st. However, many gamers had already posted comments.

  “Impressive! The new game hasn’t even been released, but it’s already given the recommendation spots on the official platform’s homepage. Tengda Games is awesome!”

  “The official platform is treating it like its biological son.”

  “Tengda’s operations staff must be quite capable; they know how to establish good relations with the official platform.”

  “Do they even need to establish a good relationship with the official platform? The company is just capable, understand? Game Designer shot to the top so quickly. Tengda Games deserves this treatment. Are other games companies unhappy? If they think they’re deserving, they can try creating a similar game.” “Ai, I admire them.”

  As Pei Qian read these comments, his eyelids kept twitching; and his head began to hurt.

  Impressive my foot! Admire my foot!

  He continued reading the other comments.

  “What game is this?”

  “According to the images, I guess it’s going to be a Chinese-style RPG.” “Tengda is finally moving in the direction of AAA projects? I’m so excited!” “Indeed. The official platform has already vetted the game’s content and is now recommending it. It seems like the game will be good. It’s worth being excited about!”

  After reading the first few comments, Pei Qian’s heart felt heavy. However, he could not help but smile.

  Is everyone this optimistic? Hehe, I might not have been able to deal with the official platform, but I have a way of dealing with

  you!

  At that moment, Pei Qian felt like he was a butcher with a chopper while the gamers were bamboo rats who had no idea about the threat they were under. They were happily chewing on their bamboo, not knowing that they were about to meet their end.

  “Whatever. I’ll let them be happy for now. The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

  “When they play the game, their initial love would breed hate. They would have no choice but to curse it.”

  Just imagining this cheered Pei Qian up considerably.

  “Should I just wait until the official release of the game? Hmm… I don’t feel safe. Although it’s meaningless to sharpen my spear at the last moment, I must still try.

  “I’ll spend more money while I’m at it.”

  Since the official platform had advertised on Pei Qian’s behalf, there was no point in trying to hide the game anymore.

  Pei Qian decided to look for other avenues to spend money.

  He accessed Aili Island and found Shaohu Reviews. Pei Qian had decided to buy fake reviewers!

  Although the fake reviewers Pei Qian hired from Shaohu Reviews disappointed him before, he could not shift the blame entirely on them. After all, they had been paid to work for him.

  If he wanted to closely analyze what went wrong, Pei Qian had to accept a bigger part of the blame.

  What’s more, Shaohu Reviews had refunded Pei Qian the one thousand yuan. Pei Qian was extremely satisfied with their attitude.

  Since they were so upright, Pei Qian thought they deserved a second chance.

  The last time he bought fake reviewers, his plan fell through. This time, Pei Qian had to alter the way he would make use of these fake reviewers.

  Whether he would be able to change the outcome or not was another matter; his main priority was not to spend his own money this time. In fact, strictly speaking, his plan technically did not involve buying fake reviewers this time.

  If he had a good reason, the system would pay for it!

  Chapter 273 - I’m Stingy with My Own Money, but I Go All Out with System Funds!<
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  Pei Qian used Hardcore Reviews’ account to message Shaohu Reviews. Two minutes later, Hu Xiao replied. “Brother, tell me what you need!”

  Pei Qian was slightly shocked. This man really surfed Aili Island 24 hours a day. Pei Qian sent Hu Xiao a private message on Aili Island, not on other social media platforms.

  Yet, the UP Master of Shaohu Reviews replied so quickly. It proved that he was always keeping an eye on private messages he received on Aili Island.

  Of course, he might have been surfing Weibo and other forums apart from Aili Island as well.

  Pei Qian could only say that he had the attitude of a professional UP Master. Pei Qian considered his words carefully.

  The System did not allow him to buy fake reviewers. Perhaps it was because the System saw buying fake negative or fake positive comments as trickery nonetheless. Either way, consumers’ judgment of the product would be affected.

  Since the System saw this behavior as trickery, Pei Qian was not allowed to use System Funds.

  However…

  He would be able to use the System Funds if he was not planning to resort to trickery.

  I’ll hire a group of people to comment on the game honestly, in the same way with paid reviewers. The System can’t prohibit that, right?

  Boss Pei was extremely good at finding loopholes in the rules.

  “Do you take on custom assignments?” Pei Qian asked.

  Hu Xiao seemed eager to tend to Pei Qian. His reply came quickly. “Of course! Our brothers are very good at their assignments. Not only do they have vast experience, but they are also highly adaptable. Just name your request; we will satisfy it for sure! “Of course, there might be a slight adjustment to the prices. It’s a custom assignment after all; it’s considered skilled work…”

  After what happened the last time, Hu Xiao paid a lot of attention to Hardcore Reviews’ UP Master.

  This UP Master was obviously rich and skilled in terms of his marketing. What’s more, he seemed to have a complex relationship with Fei Huang Workspace.

  Hu Xiao was happy to establish a good working relationship with this UP Master. For all he knew, he would need the latter’s help in the future.

  Of course, Hu Xiao did not mind earning a bit more money, too.

  Pei Qian pondered for a moment and typed. “I’ll let you and your brothers play a game. Then, I’ll need you to write comments on the game based on your first impression.’

  Hu Xiao paused. “That’s all?”

  Pei Qian replied, “That’s right. Name your

  price.”

  Hu Xiao felt confused. He quickly asked, “Brother, let me confirm this. You’re asking us to give our first impression of the game? Clarify what you mean. Do you want us to write good or bad comments?

  “I’m afraid I’ll misunderstand you.”

  Hu Xiao’s head was beginning to hurt. This was the first time someone was hiring fake reviewers for this purpose.

  You have to give fake reviewers a clear aim once you hire them, right? Should they mindlessly praise, mindlessly curse, masquerade as enemies, make biased arguments while pretending to be logical, offer praise and criticism hand-in-hand, or divert attention…?

  Fake reviewers were good at all the above.

  However, the payer had to be clear with his instructions, right?

  There are so many ways of doing things. If you don’t clarify which method you want us to adopt, what if we achieve the wrong effect?

  Pei Qian replied, “I just want your brothers to try the game and comment on it based on their first impression. I’ve made it very clear. Be it good or bad, just comment on the game based on your first impression.

  “Also, I must emphasize that I’m not buying fake reviewers. I am just spending money on getting your brothers to try the game. I want them to give their opinion of it.”

  Hu Xiao was speechless.

  You named so many requests to the leader of fake reviewers and then ended off with ‘I’m not buying fake reviewers’?

  Brother, we are having a private conversation. I won’t expose the contents of this conversation. You don’t have to be this nervous.

  Hu Xiao was very uncertain, but his principle had always been ‘the customer is king’. He read the other party’s words carefully from beginning to end and tried hard to understand him.

  “So you’re spending money to invite everyone to play the game and write a few comments.

  “As for whether they are to be good or bad, you don’t have specific requests. We’re just supposed to write our first impression of the game, right?”

  Pei Qian answered, “That’s right.” Hu Xiao asked, “Which platform?”

  “Everywhere, including the official platform, Aili Island, Weibo, forums, and the like. I’ll leave it to you,” replied Pei Qian.

  “Name your price.”

  Since he could use the System Funds, Boss Pei immediately sounded much more generous.

  I’m stingy with my own money, but I go all out with System Funds!

  After two minutes, a reply came in.

  “I’ll base the price on our premium reviewing standards: twenty yuan for every hundred comments. Of course, we will properly consider the contents of more popular Weibo posts before we post our own comments. That will make our comments look more realistic.

  “On other platforms such as games channels on Aili Island, we’ll try our best to produce popular comments as well.

  “There are more complicated issues related to fees here. We’ll have to calculate things like the cost of every like, share, and comment we get on Weibo. However, you can rest assured that we are very professional. We will make sure that we cover all ground and give you a favorable price.

  “This is the price list…”

  Hu Xiao had just sent the price list over when he received a reply almost immediately.

  “Don’t make it so complicated. I’m too lazy to do the calculations.

  “I’ll pay you according to the number of people working for me. I’ll pay three hundred yuan for every person. Help me form a team of three to four hundred people. Assign the workload to them according to the price combination.

  “It doesn’t matter whether the comments would be good or bad, as long as they are made based on their first impressions.

  “Any problems?”

  Hu Xiao felt light-headed. Of course there were no problems—what problems would he have?

  I can’t be happier with you being so willing to spend. But why? What are you spending so much money for?

  It would be much more worth it to pay per comment rather than per person!

  Hu Xiao just had to do the math to realize that Pei Qian would end up paying over ten thousand yuan if he paid three hundred yuan to each of three or four hundred people. Yet, the problem was that ten thousand yuan would be wasted just like that!

  However, on further thought, Hu Xiao doubted that the UP Master of Hardcore Reviews would mindlessly throw money into asking others to play games when he was so good at marketing.

  He must have had his own intentions.

  Thus, Hu Xiao did not question him any further and agreed. “No problem. Don’t worry, we’ll do the job well! I’ll notify my brothers and reply to you soon.”

  After getting the reviewers settled, Pei Qian felt much more stable. Ten thousand yuan was a small figure; it did not hurt to use the System Funds to pay this sum.

  Pei Qian knew very well that he could not buy enough reviewers to change the direction of the wind.

  Even if hundreds of fake reviewers tried to change the general direction of the comments, they would still prove to be the minority among tens or hundreds of thousands of players.

  What’s more, Pei Qian was being restrained by the System. He could not request for the fake reviewers to comment positively or negatively. He could only employ this method to make them comment based on their first impressions of the game.

  Pei Qian could be this confident because he knew very well that the f
ake reviewers would have an extremely bad first impression of Repent and be Saved!

  One only had to think for a while to realize that the fake reviewers would not be skilled players. Pei Qian was not even sure if they would be able to figure Repent and be Saved out.

  This group of people probably had very a poor experience in gaming. Could they possibly have a good impression of Repent and be Saved?

  Thus, Pei Qian had found the perfect loophole in the System’s regulations. Not only had he managed to buy fake reviewers to influence the direction of discussions online, but he also managed to avoid spending his own money for this purpose.

  It was perfect!

  Ten thousand yuan was not a lot of money, but Pei Qian was interested to see what kind of results he would achieve.

  Whether it proved effective or useless, he could continue to spend more money on this.

  However, if it backfired… he could hold back and minimize losses.

  Pei Qian did not dare to spend too much money yet. If things developed like they did the last time, he would be in big trouble.

  He was just about to close the chat window when he received another message from Hu Xiao.

  “Brother, we have to purchase the game. How should we pay for it…?”

  Pei Qian was speechless. Didn’t you just say you were professional fake reviewers? Do you need me to teach you how to buy the game and then return it within the stipulated period?

  However, on further thought, Pei Qian realized that they probably hardly acceded to custom requests like his.

  Others probably gave clear directions when hiring fake reviewers. All the latter would have to do was copy and paste the message or make minor edits to it before starting work. Yet, Pei Qian was hiring the fake reviewers to experience the game for themselves.

  He was putting them in a spot.

  Pei Qian replied, “Don’t worry. You can try it and then refund it. If you think it’s too troublesome, I can pay you twenty thousand yuan more for your hard work.”

  Hu Xiao replied, “Thank you very much, Boss! Speaking of which, does your game have a lot of hardware requirements? I don’t know if my brothers’ computers are good enough.” Pei Qian was speechless. “…”