Chapter 39 Plan
The trailer concludes with Ash being petrified, leaving viewers bewildered.
"What on earth?" they wondered, shocked and puzzled. "Did Ash just die? No way!"
Though Ash's performance in the series has sometimes been lackluster, he's still the main character. How could the first Pokémon movie sideline him so abruptly? This was a bold move by GC!
The trailer for this Pokémon movie went viral instantly. On XXX's trending list, hashtags like #MewtwoVsMew, #MewtwoStrikesBack, and #AshPetrified dominated the top spots.
"Wow, guys, I definitely have to go to the cinema for this one. Mewtwo battling Mew looks incredible!"
"A Mewtwo-centric movie? As an FFF group member, I have to support this!"
"There's even an armored Mewtwo in the trailer. I wonder if GC will release a figurine."
"Exactly! That armored Mewtwo is so cool. I'd buy a ticket just for that."
"But Ash gets petrified at the end?"
"Yeah, I'm curious about Ash's fate. Why did GC have to tease us with this trailer first?!"
discussion forums were filled with lamentations. People were frustrated: "Why release the trailer first?! Can't they just premiere the movie?"
Watching the trailer without seeing the full film felt truly agonizing.
"Boss Alex, GC is releasing a major film!"
With the whole internet abuzz about "Mewtwo Strikes Back," CA, always monitoring GC's moves, caught wind of it immediately. They were currently developing their "Pocket Pet" version of "Pokémon."
The game was nearing its first testing phase. Now, GC was announcing a Pokémon movie? CA was stunned.
"Their IP strategy is so meticulous. I can't believe this is a new studio," said Alex. "From game development to launching merchandise, to IP extensions through comics and animations, and now a movie? And the online feedback is overwhelmingly positive."
Alex admired CA's sudden rise. The Pokémon games were a phenomenon, and the subsequent animations and comics were equally groundbreaking. The upcoming "Mewtwo Strikes Back" was already a guaranteed box-office hit, just from the trailer hype.
"Boss Alex, should we..."
The head of CA HR hesitated before suggesting, "Contact GC Studio's team?"
"Yes, Boss Alex. GC Studio is likely a young team. We could try to recruit their key members!"
"The lead designer of the Pokémon games, the animation team, the comic artists... These are talents worth acquiring!"
To CA's executives, GC Studio was definitely more than just a few people. The key players—game designers, animators, and artists—could be recruited. Offering them generous packages could not only weaken GC Studio but also enhance CA's new "Pocket Pet" game.
For instance:
"New Game from CA: Developed by the Pokémon Game Design Team!"
Even if the game wasn't actually developed by them, borrowing their names would boost marketing efforts. Plus, recruiting GC's animation and comic team could rejuvenate Tencent's IP development projects.
Recruiting GC's core members seemed like a win-win strategy. CA had always operated this way, often poaching talent from other companies.
"Recruit their core members..." ALEX mused. He was tempted. Initially, he hadn't considered poaching from GC, seeing it as a small studio with fleeting success. But now, their solid performance in games, animation, and comics was undeniable. If CA could recruit these talents, it could maintain its dominance in the gaming industry and even venture into global markets.
"Without disrupting our development timeline, find contacts for GC Studio's key personnel," Alex instructed. "Focus on the lead designer of the Pokémon games. This individual is set to revolutionize the industry."
"Offer substantial terms to the leads of their animation and comic teams as well. Their skills are impressive."
"Also, I noticed some skepticism about 'Mewtwo Strikes Back' online," he added.
Despite mostly positive feedback, there were critical voices too.
"Why is Ash petrified?"
"Is the movie going to end with the protagonist's sacrifice? That's unacceptable."
"Spring Festival films should have happy endings. Why must GC deliver a tragic twist?!"