As the video began, it was still Qiao Laoshi’s distinctive voice—slightly accented, hoarse yet smooth.
“Hello to all my dear viewer-daddies! I’m still your daily-updating, working-till-bald, productive-as-a-mother-pig ‘Game Father’ Qiao Laoshi.”
“Recently, officials released a ‘Classic Chinese Game Collection,’ and I’m taking this opportunity to introduce you all to a game known as the ‘Shame of Chinese Gaming’—the ‘classic’ domestic game, ‘Mission and Choice’!”
“Many viewer-daddies may not have experienced that era and don’t understand why this game is called the ‘Shame of Chinese Gaming.’ No worries, allow me to start with the background of that time and slowly explain it to everyone…”
Qiao Liang had built his reputation on this series, and when it came to roasting terrible games, it came naturally to him.
The video was filled with research into various materials from that time, along with plenty of game footage. Combined with Qiao Liang’s humorous and witty commentary style, despite being a topic covered many times before, it still kept viewers thoroughly engaged.
After roasting how garbage this game was, Qiao Liang also introduced the final outcome of the incident: players who pre-ordered “Mission and Choice” demanded refunds en masse, discs were discarded in large quantities, players’ enthusiasm for supporting domestic games was severely damaged, and Chinese single-player games suffered an additional blow, entering a long period of decline…
When Qiao Liang reached this part, he was practically heartbroken, and viewers’ comments were filled with sighs.
However, in the final part of the video, Qiao Liang changed his tone and brought hope to the viewers.
“Today, ‘Mission and Choice’ has been nailed to the pillar of shame in Chinese gaming history.”
“In the past, when mentioning ‘Mission and Choice,’ we could only harbor feelings of resentment, venting our anger at this game, lamenting the misfortune of Chinese single-player games and raging at their lack of fight.”
“But what’s gratifying now is that when we look back at ‘Mission and Choice,’ our original resentment no longer exists. Instead, we feel more of a sense of playful mockery.”
“Because more and more excellent Chinese games are continuously emerging, and the Chinese single-player game market is no longer a barren desert.”
“We can finally put aside those unpleasant memories of the past and look forward.”
“Someone once said that all Chinese games except Tenda’s are garbage. Yes, we had ‘Turn Back to Shore’ and ‘Struggle,’ but those were just miraculous flowers in a desolate desert.”
“But now, we know that the Chinese single-player game market isn’t just Mr. Pei working hard alone. We have the ‘Last Resort Project,’ and excellent indie games like ‘Office Worker Survival Manual’ and ‘Ink and Mist’!”
“As these indie game developers continue to grow, they will certainly keep improving, making the old tree of Chinese single-player games spring back to life with lush branches and leaves!”
“The future of Chinese single-player games will definitely be better and better!”
“The content about the ‘Last Resort Project’ incubator is from an official platform interview. If you’re interested, you can check it out yourselves. Additionally, ‘Ink and Mist’ will be officially released tomorrow. I hope everyone will pay close attention!”
Qiao Liang was already a major content creator in the gaming section of AiLiDao’s website. Shortly after his video was posted, it had already garnered high viewership and numerous comments.
Many viewers eagerly clicked on the video when they saw Qiao Liang had updated, but were disappointed to discover it was another “Roasting Garbage Games” video, complaining that Qiao Laoshi was being lazy by rehashing a game from over a decade ago.
However, after watching the entire video, viewers were deeply moved and discussions became exceptionally lively!
“When I saw ‘Fantasy War Remake’ was released but we kept promoting the ‘Classic Chinese Game Collection,’ I felt really down. But after watching this video, I feel a bit better. Although current Chinese single-player games still can’t compare with foreign ones, there are clearly people continuously working hard!”
“Qiao Laoshi is right! We used to angrily curse ‘Mission and Choice’ because Chinese single-player gaming truly didn’t have a single presentable game. Now that we can view it with a joking attitude, it’s not because we’ve become more tolerant, but because the Chinese single-player game environment has improved. We now have a batch of good games we can call our own, so naturally we can laugh off past embarrassments.”
“Just checked out the interview, it’s really well done.”
“Yeah, I had no idea that Wu Zhicheng, the developer of ‘Ink and Mist,’ had such a difficult past. Without the ‘Last Resort Project,’ the release of ‘Ink and Mist’ would probably have been delayed another ten years… and it definitely wouldn’t have achieved its current quality.”
“Mr. Qiu’s journey is also very moving—entering the industry with dreams, losing his way making pay-to-win games, and then coming full circle. Finding happiness by fulfilling your dream as you approach middle age, isn’t that a kind of blessing?”
“I just wonder who this mysterious investor is. Feels like someone with great vision and magnanimity.”
“I’ve decided that from now on, I’ll definitely support any game from the ‘Last Resort Project’ as long as the quality is decent!”
…
After seeing the comments, Pei Qian felt even worse.
Although no one had guessed that he was the “mysterious investor,” the “Last Resort Project” and “Ink and Mist” had gained even more recognition!
Not only that, “Mission and Choice,” an old game that hardly anyone paid attention to anymore, had once again become the focus of players’ discussions because of Qiao Liang’s video.
This was extremely unfavorable for the upcoming release of “Mission and Choice”!
Pei Qian mentally moved Qiao Liang up several positions in his little notebook while anxiously pacing around his office.
Qiao Liang’s anticipatory move had drastically increased the risk to Pei Qian’s originally perfect plan.
What could he do now?
After circling his office twice, Pei Qian decided to call Meng Chang.
He needed to plan ahead.
The key issue now wasn’t how to expand the results, but how to mitigate losses in advance.
Pei Qian knew that Meng Chang had requested a 30 million promotional budget, of which only 10 million had been spent, with 20 million remaining.
Without Qiao Liang’s video, Pei Qian would definitely have wanted Meng Chang to spend the remaining 20 million as quickly as possible—the faster it was spent, the happier he would be.
But now the situation had changed somewhat.
Qiao Liang’s video had already achieved a very good promotional effect. What if the remaining 20 million was spent, “Mission and Choice” gained enormous recognition, and after the game’s release, it earned back the promotional costs many times over? What then?
Mainly, Pei Qian hadn’t inquired about Meng Chang’s promotional plans, so he instinctively felt some concern.
Thinking of this, he immediately dialed Meng Chang’s number.
…
At that moment, Meng Chang was at his workstation, continuing to play “Mission and Choice.”
Seeing Mr. Pei calling, Meng Chang didn’t dare delay and immediately answered.
“What? The remaining 20 million shouldn’t be spent?”
“Why?”
Meng Chang was dumbfounded. This was like a bolt from the blue.
From his perspective, the current promotion was going well. Even with huge sums of money spent, it hadn’t created too much of a splash. Whether they promoted the “Classic Chinese Game Collection” or not, there wasn’t much difference in effect.
He had originally planned to go ALL IN next week, spending all the remaining 20 million at once to seal the deal and maximize his commission.
He never expected Mr. Pei would demand they stop spending at such a critical juncture.
Meng Chang simply couldn’t accept this.
Pei Qian fully empathized with Meng Chang’s feelings and said earnestly, “I understand how you feel, after all, last month’s results were impressive, and the first half of this month has also gone smoothly.”
“I’m mainly concerned that if something really goes wrong, you’ll feel bad and I’ll feel bad too.”
“How about this—don’t spend the 20 million. I’ll calculate your commission as half the full amount. Let’s just make do this month, and we’ll make longer-term plans next month.”
Pei Qian couldn’t be too explicit. He was just afraid that if this large promotional budget was spent and something suddenly went wrong, he would make a fortune while Meng Chang wouldn’t get a penny of commission. What would be the point?
So he chose a compromise: no more promotion, but giving Meng Chang a bit of commission as compensation—good for you, good for me.
Although continuing the promotion wouldn’t necessarily lead to disaster for both of them, Pei Qian had a strong sense of worry, and his sixth sense was usually accurate.
Meng Chang was immediately displeased.
“Mr. Pei, we can’t do this! We signed a black-and-white agreement, how can we just change it arbitrarily?”
Pei Qian did feel somewhat in the wrong. After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m mainly concerned that if something goes wrong with your plan, you won’t get any commission, which would be a huge loss.”
Meng Chang thought to himself: Hmph! Mr. Pei, that’s too hypocritical!
It’s obvious you see that the 20 million in promotional funds is about to go down the drain, so you’re trying to trick me into stopping. Saving me a few thousand in commission is a small matter, but saving 20 million is a big deal!
But expecting me to back down? That’s absolutely impossible!
I’ve worked so hard planning this for so long, and we’re just at the final step. You think you can fool me with these few words?
No way!
Meng Chang firmly declared, “Mr. Pei, you don’t need to worry. My plan is perfect and absolutely nothing will go wrong!”
“Please trust me, and please respect the spirit of our contract!”
Meng Chang spoke with such determination that Pei Qian had nothing more to say.
In truth, Pei Qian couldn’t be certain that problems would arise after spending the 20 million; he just had this vague concern.
Since Meng Chang was so adamant and believed his plan had absolutely no issues, Pei Qian didn’t see the point in creating too much unpleasantness over something uncertain. He could only choose to trust him.
After all, their goals were aligned.
Thinking this, Pei Qian nodded. “Alright, then proceed according to your original plan. I won’t interfere.”
“Good luck!”
Pei Qian said these last four words with utmost sincerity.
However, to Meng Chang, they somehow sounded sarcastic and off-putting.
“This won’t do. I must spend this money immediately—delay would be dangerous!”