Chapter 3 (1/2)

The current ecosystem in the games industry was similar to 2009 in Pei Qian’s previous life.

For example, the hottest internet games had gone from World of Warcraft to Fantasy World, CS to Counter Strike, DOTA to Gods Rising. They may seem different on the surface, but their gameplays were about the same.

There was a clear improvement for mobile games probably owing to the faster hardware development here compared to his previous life.

For example, in Pei Qian’s previous life, mobile card games only started gaining traction in 2012 thanks to the smartphone trend. However, due to the earlier development of smartphones in this world in 2008, similar games have already appeared since then and the game genre have already matured by now.

“If that’s the case, the situation’s rather optimistic.”

“All I have to do is to spend the 50,000 yuan completely on the website to purchase templates and art resources. I’ll then create a game that nobody wants to play and can’t sell out! Two weeks later, this will count as a loss!”

“Perfect!”

Decided, Pei Qian started searching for templates that he wanted on the website.

“Driving simulator basic template. 20,000 yuan with a complimentary drawing of a car’s exterior and interiors.”

“Background template – desert road template. 15,000 yuan. If I want the environment to change accordingly, I’ll need another 8,000 yuan. That adds up to 23,000.”

“A little expensive, but that’s exactly how I want it to be!”

“I’ve still got some money leftover.”

“Radio music. Choose 30 out of 100 songs or allow it to play randomly from the system’s song library. 6,000.”

“1,000 yuan left, hmm… I’ll get a simple ranking function then. Can’t afford anything else anyways.”

After contemplating, Pei Qian placed the orders furiously on the website and wiped his 50,000 yuan clean.

In truth, these resources were not expensive.

Inserted into the game editor, the driving simulator template would be able to create the basic functions of a driving simulator game.

Accelerating, braking, turning and crashing et cetera – they were all complete.

As for the desert road background, the game editor supports editing of its distance that causes the desert background to appear with random changes as well.

Coupled with the environmental change function, there’s sunsets, sunrises and sandstorms alongside other changes.

Because these were universal templates, many indie game creators would purchase them as well so there was a 100% chance that there would be similarity clashes.

In order to not have clashes, some creators would customize some art resources to create variations. Naturally, that translates to an increase in investment costs.

However, that wasn’t something Pei Qian was concerned about?

Clash? Go on! I’m here to lose money anyways! If gamers choose not to play this game because of clashes, I couldn’t be happier!

Pei Qian began to create his game.

Even though his aim was to lose money, the game had to be good enough to pass through ESRO’s vetting approval before it can be sold successfully.

If it’s a half-finished product because of functional deficiencies and failed ESRO’s vet, the system may judge it as Pei Qian’s violation of the rules.

As such, no matter how messed up the game is, it has to be functional.

After inserting the basic and background template into the game editor, the framework of the game was done.

Upon entering the game, players would be able to start driving on a desert road.

However, the purchased resources must not be wasted.

Pei Qian added a radio function to the cars such that players were able to turn on the radio while driving to listen to music.

They were all simple or old and classic tunes – the trending songs couldn’t be purchased so cheaply.

Thereafter came a crucial problem.

What should be the core gameplay of this game?

Pei Qian had no idea at all.

Should it be a racing game?

Nah, no way. He had no money for that.

All he could afford was a basic template with an image of a car and a background.

As for those complex racing tracks and flashy cars along with the algorithms for competitive racing, he couldn’t afford them!