Chapter 561: Chu Mo Island (27)
Chapter 561: Chu Mo Island (27)
The three stepped through the arched gateway of the Priest Hall and entered a pitch-black tunnel.
The passage grew narrower as they advanced, soon shrinking to the size of an average corridor. Though occasional turns appeared along the way, there were no side branches to be found.
"Um... actually, Ji Bu", Fei Chai Shu suddenly seemed to remember something as they walked, "There's something I've been curious about. Mind if I ask you?"
Ji Bu paused mid-step, thinking: Fei Chai Shu is at this cultivation level and he still has questions for me?
"Huh? What about?" Ji Bu responded.
Fei Chai Shu asked, "What type of gamestudio does Hiei Studio belong to?"
"Type?" Ji Bu repeated thoughtfully on the surface while internally panicking: Gamestudios have types now?!
Clearly, they did.
Roughly speaking, gamestudios fell into four categories.
The first was the "Comprehensive Type" - large-scale corporations with massive resources and Nebula Group-level backing. Their businesses operated beyond gaming alone, relying on brand power to guarantee profits.
The second category was the "Talent-Oriented Type". These studios varied in size but shared the core philosophy of people-first development, cultivating star players for revenue through talent export.
Third came the "Commercial Type" - a niche category that required exceptional patience, analytical skills, and social prowess. Rather than traditional gameplay, these studios treated games as marketplaces, profiting through virtual item manipulation, price control, and intelligence trading.
And finally, the "Practical Type" - typically small to mid-sized studios focused on the industry's most fundamental services: power leveling and gold farming. These repetitive tasks often felt mechanical and exhausting, requiring tolerance for constant player abuse accusations since efficiency-driven methods frequently ruined others' gaming experiences. Even called "locusts", they had no effective rebuttal.
This basic knowledge was essential for anyone entering the gaming industry in 2055. Without understanding these fundamentals, one would only sabotage themselves.
By now, readers likely sensed the truth - Jibu Shao Ye, or rather Jin Fuguì, had jumped into this industry completely unprepared.
Fortunately, his wealthy background allowed room for mistakes. His father, a seasoned businessman, took the pragmatic view: "Son wants to run a gamestudio? Let him try. It's legal, low investment, and even failure won't cause major losses. Better than becoming a Neet after graduation."
Thus, Ji Bu embarked on his gaming career with passion, dreams... and complete ignorance.
"Ours is..." Ji Bu hesitated, "A small team with decent capabilities..."
"Oh, an elite-focused operation? So 'Talent-Oriented Type' then", Hong Hu interjected. "Say, why hasn't your studio's official website launched yet?"
"Well..." Ji Bu flushed, "The company's still new, plus we're busy with in-game operations..."
In reality, without reminders, he might forget about the website for another six months.
"I see", Hong Hu didn't press further. "Makes sense - small studios naturally face these issues."
"Actually maintaining normal operations already shows great effort", Fei Chai Shu added. "I admire you, Ji Bu. Young as you are, already running a studio. Must've taken huge bank loans, huh? Haha..."
"Er... not really..." Ji Bu awkwardly avoided mentioning his rich second-generation status.
"Hehe, no worries", Hong Hu chuckled. "Shiva, Swords and Laughter and the others started young too. Look where they are now! Your studio already has Name Difficulty's caliber players - the future looks bright!"
He paused, "But for Talent-Oriented Type studios, networking is crucial. Even just for appearances, you should hire more staff. Once newcomers develop, you and your core team can focus on off-game management."
"Right, I understand", Ji Bu nodded.
"How about this?" Hong Hu offered. "After completing this scenario, let's connect. I know several capable independent Classplayers I can recommend to you."
"Really? That'd be amazing!" Ji Bu's eyes lit up. "Thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it", Hong Hu smiled. "These friends of mine possess talent but lack experience. Rejected by major studios and unwilling to join Practical Type ones, they risk scams at questionable small operations. Taking them in would benefit both parties."
"Still... we barely know each other", Ji Bu joked. "Aren't you afraid I'm some soulless boss exploiting employees?"
"Not at all", Fei Chai Shu suddenly spoke. "I'm usually a good judge of character. From what I've seen, neither you nor Name Difficulty's team seem like typical studio types."
"Agreed", Hong Hu nodded.
"I'll take that as praise then", Ji Bu replied.
This nightmare scenario proved worthwhile for Ji Bu. Regardless of the final clearance reward, he'd already gained tangible benefits.
"Oh, I have a question too", Ji Bu decided to shift topics. "About how you exposed Imitation Soul earlier... Was your judgment really based just on their stance?"
"Exactly", Fei Chai Shu confirmed. "Just that and nothing more."
"How did you have such confidence?"
Fei Chai Shu hesitated briefly before smiling. "Actually, I've analyzed Peak Conquest Tournament's footage countless times. Every contestant's combat style, their habitual movements, instantaneous reactions to danger - I studied frame by frame."
"Wow, you really did your homework!" Hong Hu exclaimed.
"Likewise", Fei Chai Shu returned. "I'm sure you've done similar research."
Their sharp gazes met briefly in silent understanding.
Ji Bu lowered his eyes thoughtfully. Two Classplayers operating independently had reached such mastery levels. Meanwhile, as studio head supposedly guiding their operations, he'd clung to the childish mindset of "earning money through play."
Zhen Ge, Lao Qu, and Xiao Ming could maintain this perspective since their job was playing games, and they performed exceptionally well. But Ji Bu's role as investor, decision-maker, and operator demanded more than in-game actions.
Suddenly, he understood why his three closest friends always refused to play scenarios together, constantly saying things like "You're too weak, log off already."
They didn't avoid him out of disdain for his skill, but wanted him to focus on what truly mattered. They'd grown into adults needing to survive through gaming while Ji Bu remained stuck in adolescence.
Ultimately, he'd been playing games - squandering youth and family fortune. His "studio" was just a hollow facade draped in "dreams and entrepreneurship" to keep friends together.
Reflecting now, he realized he didn't deserve the "Boss" title. Rarely engaging in tedious research or long-term planning, his studio operated day-to-day without structure.
"I'm such an immature idiot", Ji Bu thought bitterly. "Not a qualified leader nor even a proper Classplayer..." He exhaled heavily, watching the two hardcore players walking beside him. "True Class requires their discipline. Otherwise, what right do you have claiming that title?"
He recalled a classic movie line - Nothing in adulthood comes easily.
"Hey! Look over there!" Hong Hu suddenly stopped and raised his flashlight.
His words snapped Ji Bu back to the current scenario.
Fei Chai Shu immediately took a defensive stance, focusing in the direction Hong Hu pointed.
There, a cluster of eerie greenish glow floated at the corridor's distant end, slowly approaching...
(End of Chapter)
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