Chapter 11: Changing Perspectives

Ma Yang packed up his things and went out, heading to the nearby bookstore to buy some professional books on game design.

Pei Qian didn't know if he could find any, but with so many large bookstores around, he should be able to find something, right?

Actually, at this time, some online shopping platforms had already appeared, including websites dedicated to selling books.

However, many people hadn't yet made the switch, and even some slower students hadn't set up online banking.

Ma Yang was one of those more traditional students who, when thinking of buying a book, would still choose to go to a bookstore first and flip through some of the content before deciding whether or not to buy.

Of course, this situation would change dramatically in the coming years.

Pei Qian returned to his bed, opened his laptop, and thought about what to do next.

In the afternoon, Ma Yang returned.

He brought back seven or eight books, including one particularly thick one, about two fingers thick and in 16mo format, titled "Advanced Programming Overview."

In addition to that, there were several other books.

For example: "Survival Guide Beyond Code," "Program Development Management Bible," "Code Complete," "Design Patterns," and "Cervical Spondylosis Rehabilitation Guide."

Ma Yang felt like he had a great haul.

Pei Qian flipped through the books Ma Yang brought back, eventually stopping at the "Cervical Spondylosis Rehabilitation Guide."

You really thought of everything, huh?

Even considering the possibility of getting cervical spondylosis in the future?

But the biggest problem for programmers isn't cervical spondylosis; it's overwork death!

And you're not even a programmer!

Before, Pei Qian had almost thought that he had chosen the wrong person seeing Ma Yang so dedicated and hardworking.

But after seeing the books Ma Yang picked, Pei Qian was sure.

Ma Yang was his best partner, no doubt!

Look at him, going all the way to the bookstore and picking just these few books.

You can't say they're useless, but they're not particularly useful either.

Classic busywork.

Pei Qian patted Ma Yang on the shoulder: "Ma Yang, we're doing design, not programming."

"And, do you know that games are made with editors nowadays?"

"Besides, technology is advancing at an explosive rate, and these books' content is already semi-outdated. They're really not useful anymore."

Ma Yang's face turned pale: "I was wondering why the bookstore was having a sale! Turns out they can't sell them!"

"I looked for books on game design in the bookstore for a long time, but only found these. Seeing the discount, I picked a few and bought them."

"What do we do now? They won't take discounted books back!"

Ma Yang was a bit panicked.

Pei Qian was completely reassured and smiled: "It's fine, it's the thought that counts. If you think these books can't go to waste, then just take a look at them. They might help a little."

Ma Yang felt slightly relieved: "Do you want to read them too? We can take turns."

Pei Qian's face darkened, and he quickly waved his hand: "No need, no need."

Who wants to read these books? They'd be too uncomfortable even to use as a pillow!

Ma Yang lay in bed and opened the thickest book, "Advanced Programming Overview."

He only read for about five minutes before snoring sounds came from his bed.

Pei Qian was very satisfied.

Right, reliable!

Look at that attitude, 100 points!

And that ability, 0 points!

Isn't this the designer I have been desperately searching for?

It's a pity that Pei Qian only knows one such talent like Ma Yang.

If there were more, wouldn't Pei Qian be able to easily lose the 300,000?

...

Pei Qian opened the ERSO official editor, somewhat despondently ignoring the fact that "Lonely Desert Highway" had gained thousands of new downloads today, and started to research the next plan.

For an indie game, the popularity often comes quickly and fades just as fast.

Especially for a game like "Lonely Desert Highway," which has no technical content or sustainable gameplay.

In Pei Qian's previous life, there were similar examples of games with poor quality, crude art resources, and boring single gameplay that became popular due to some special reasons.

However, such examples were rare, with only one or two in hundreds of similar games.

Pei Qian never expected that he would stumble upon such a situation!

In the coming period, the popularity of "Lonely Desert Highway" would inevitably decline rapidly, along with the download numbers and income, which is a normal phenomenon.

But regardless of whether it crashes or not, the game has already made money, which is the most unbearable part for Pei Qian.

Reflecting on the pain, Pei Qian decided to change his strategy.

This time, he couldn't make another indie game; he must switch!

Because in the short term, Tenda Technology has become associated with "Lonely Desert Highway" in the minds of players.

Pei Qian faced a dilemma:

If he made another crappy game, it might replicate the success of "Lonely Desert Highway." Even if it didn't become that popular, making a little profit would still be a devastating blow to Pei Qian;

But if he didn't make a crappy game and instead made a proper indie game... players might buy it because they think it's of decent quality.

This was very distressing!

Moreover, spending 300,000 on an indie game would be a bit difficult.

How many expensive templates and art resources would he have to buy to spend all 300,000?!

And, buying these expensive art resources and making the game so beautiful might attract a large number of appearance-focused players, making it impossible to lose money!

So, after much thought, Pei Qian decided to temporarily abandon the indie game enthusiasts and switch to another field.

With 300,000, making a large-scale game was beyond his reach.

Although Pei Qian's goal was to lose money, the finished game still had to be produced.

If the game couldn't pass review, and the 300,000 was spent without any results, the system would consider it a violation.

So, the money had to be spent, and the game had to be made.

Pei Qian searched the official platform and finally determined his target.

Mobile games!

This was also a forced choice. On the one hand, he didn't have enough money for a large-scale game; on the other hand, it was not suitable to venture into indie games in the short term.

Mobile gamers and indie gamers are not the same group.

Indie gamers might check out a new game because they know the "Tenda" company, but mobile gamers won't.

As long as the mobile game is garbage enough, Pei Qian is sure that no one will be interested!

After determining the direction, it was time for market research.

Pei Qian entered the official game platform, flipped through all the popular mobile games, and even downloaded a few popular mobile games to try them out.

Previously, Pei Qian had noticed that in the field of mobile games, the parallel world's technology seemed to be faster than that of his previous life.