Pei Qian smiled slightly: “Technical accumulation… we can’t force that.”

“Since we don’t have technical accumulation, we don’t have to follow traditional animation studios. We can completely use new methods.”

Wu Chuan was somewhat confused: “New methods?”

Animation can be categorized in many ways, but put simply, it can be divided into 2D and 3D. Traditional 2D animation is primarily Japanese anime, while most domestic animation studios in China focus on 3D.

The core difference between these two types of animation is that the former involves hand-drawing frame by frame, while the latter involves creating models, binding actions, having animators adjust the motion changes in each scene, and adding post-production special effects.

Although people say 2D is more expensive than 3D, whether it’s actually more expensive depends on the type.

2D requires pure hand-drawing, resulting in enormous labor costs for artists, but if you want to make 3D particularly detailed, it similarly requires spending large sums on rendering, just like game CGI. If you want to do it well, the expenses can be unlimited.

3D is cheaper only in the sense that it can cut corners relatively more easily, with flaws being more evenly distributed and less easily noticed.

2D animation, after all, must be drawn frame by frame, so even minor corner-cutting can easily cause the visuals to fall apart, while 3D rarely has issues so severe that they become unbearable.

For these reasons, domestic animation studios primarily focus on 3D. On one hand, there isn’t sufficient talent reserve for 2D animation; on the other hand, 3D animation is relatively easier to master, and many low-budget 3D animations can guarantee basic quality and become popular with a good script.

Tenda definitely couldn’t do 2D because there weren’t enough talents in the entire domestic circle. They couldn’t just spend money to poach people from abroad, could they?

3D would generally be simpler. Wu Chuan had originally thought about directly acquiring a domestic 3D animation studio, but Mr. Pei wasn’t satisfied with these studios.

So what exactly was this new method?

Pei Qian was silent for a moment, then said: “We can use the game cutscene real-time rendering method to make animation. After all, they’re similar things.”

“With technology developing so rapidly these days, there’s no need to cling to outdated methods.”

“‘Mission and Choice’ was a good attempt, wasn’t it?”

Wu Chuan was stunned: “This…”

It seemed somewhat feasible at first glance, but upon closer consideration, it didn’t seem very practical.

Yet it wasn’t entirely impractical either.

It was roughly equivalent to a phone manufacturer making electric vehicles. There were commonalities, but the correlation wasn’t that strong.

After some hesitation, Wu Chuan said: “Mr. Pei, there are significant differences between game real-time rendered cutscenes and animation. Forcibly adapting them might not yield good results.”

“Currently, our game modeling has high precision. It can’t compare with those billion-yuan animated movies in terms of detail, but it’s more than adequate compared to ordinary 3D animation.”

“However, game cutscenes are very fragmented content, short in duration, with few extended dialogues or lines. They mainly serve to connect game plots, so they’re actually playing to strengths while avoiding weaknesses.”

“Using this method to make animation… there doesn’t seem to be any precedent.”

Wu Chuan didn’t have a clear idea whether this approach would work.

Theoretically, it could definitely be done. Tenda had accumulated talent in this area, and by transferring some personnel from the game department, they could forcibly create an animation studio without major issues.

But what made it complicated were the details.

For instance, what would be the input-output ratio of this studio? Would the production costs be proportional to its future revenue?

Tenda could invest heavily in games because there were enough players supporting them. Once sales went up, costs could be recovered.

But for animation, not many people might be willing to pay.

Also, how would details be handled during production?

“Agent Academy” was a relatively light-hearted and humorous script directly linked to heroes from GOG. According to Wu Chuan’s original idea, it would be appropriate for domestic 3D animation studios to produce it.

But if they were to use the game cutscene method, would the hero characters need to be remodeled? Would they need to find motion capture actors? What if the performances weren’t good?

If they did it themselves, it would be difficult to control costs on one hand, and on the other hand, it would be challenging to handle script adaptation and some detailed content.

Wu Chuan briefly explained these issues.

It wasn’t that he thought Mr. Pei was ignorant of these matters. It was mainly that even the most knowledgeable person had areas they weren’t particularly good at. Wu Chuan felt that as a subordinate, he should offer more reminders, especially since it was such an important matter. Building an animation studio from scratch was the most expensive option.

Whether it was paying others to do it or acquiring an animation studio, both might be less challenging than building one themselves.

Pei Qian couldn’t help but smile slightly.

High difficulty? That’s perfect!

I love high difficulty!

He was silent for a moment, then asked: “Let me ask this: if we build a studio ourselves, can we guarantee producing at least one episode in four months? This episode can be of any length—even fifteen minutes would count as an episode.”

“Agent Academy” was more like a light comedy, so an episode shouldn’t be too long, otherwise, it would seem dragged out and cause viewer fatigue.

Fifteen to twenty minutes would be enough. Updating frequently with smaller doses might give viewers a better experience.

The reason Pei Qian asked this was to determine whether it would affect the settlement cycle. If not, then everything would be fine.

Wu Chuan thought for a moment: “Mr. Pei, are there no restrictions? For example, regarding quality and plot content…”

“If there are no restrictions, then of course it’s possible. In fact, just by transferring some people from the game department, along with some outsourced work, producing a finished product would be more than sufficient.”

“The only concerns would be cost, final effect, and profitability.”

Pei Qian understood: “There’s no need to worry about those!”

“Don’t skimp on costs. Since we’re trying a new path, we should boldly experiment with trial and error. If money is insufficient, just ask me.”

“If the initial effect isn’t good, that’s within expectations. We can adjust gradually. As the saying goes, learn from your mistakes—things will improve over time.”

“As for profitability, there’s even less need to worry. As long as the quality is solid, we’ll find ways to profit.”

“Regarding the differences between game cutscene CGI and 3D animation that you mentioned, this is indeed an issue.”

“But I think at its root, it’s a matter of perspective.”

“Why do many game companies that make excellent cutscenes not make animations? Why do many animation companies with capabilities not make games?”

“Ultimately, it’s because they’re accustomed to their original domains, which is safest, and crossing boundaries implies uncertainty and risk—risks they’re unwilling to take.”

“But I believe different art forms are interconnected. There’s nothing wrong with attempting to cross boundaries. Even if it’s not successful, we can always gain some inspiration from it, which might help with future work.”

“So, precisely because others don’t do it this way, we should do it this way!”

Wu Chuan was somewhat dumbfounded, his expression momentarily frozen.

How was it that Mr. Pei’s words seemed so outlandish yet made so much sense?

Most companies would indeed choose the safest way to make money, which was correct.

It’s like many people ask: why do AAA titles, which require huge investments and carry high risks, seem to be frequently produced abroad like New Year’s goods while domestic game manufacturers are reluctant to make them?

Is it because foreign game manufacturers are nobler than domestic ones?

Such a view is certainly one-sided.

For major foreign companies, compared to item-charging freemium games, AAA titles are actually the most familiar and easiest way for them to make money. Forcibly making freemium games might actually damage their reputation and lose money.

Conversely, for domestic manufacturers, AAA titles represent a high-risk model, while freemium games are a low-risk model, because their target player groups and markets lean more toward freemium games.

After some foreign major companies tasted the sweetness of freemium games, they became just as aggressive, no less than domestic manufacturers. This shows that many manufacturers don’t resist such profits; they simply lack the courage despite having the desire.

Many manufacturers can do it but simply avoid risks.

Since making games is more profitable and there’s already a relatively mature profit model, why invest heavily in animation? Wouldn’t it be better to continue with game sequels with that money?

Even if they cross boundaries, it would certainly be of an amateur nature, just dipping their toes in without rashly investing huge sums.

But Mr. Pei clearly didn’t see things this way.

Mr. Pei was an adventure-loving person who always liked to seek artistic breakthroughs through constant boundary-crossing.

Perhaps the reason he emphasized using game methods to produce animation this time was that he didn’t want to follow existing experiences. Instead, he hoped to find new inspiration through this form of boundary-crossing?

After all, if they handed the script to an animation studio, the resulting product would definitely be relatively traditional and conservative, without generating so many imaginative changes.

But the problem was that Wu Chuan felt he wasn’t capable of this…

Not even being the person in charge, just an ordinary employee of Fei Huang Studio, he felt he was bearing too much pressure that he shouldn’t have to bear.

But the first thing to be clear about when working at Tenda was that Mr. Pei’s requirements must be fulfilled at all costs. This was the core of the Tenda spirit that every employee needed to understand.

Finally, Wu Chuan nodded reluctantly: “Alright, Mr. Pei, I’ll do my best.”

Pei Qian was very satisfied: “Good. Don’t be afraid to spend money. If you need anything, let me know at any time!”