Chapter 259: Thank You, Uncle Chen Mo
On September 28th, the PC version, mobile version, and overseas version of *Minecraft* launched simultaneously.
A large number of players had already been waiting in front of their computers. As soon as the game was released, they immediately purchased and downloaded it.
Moreover, Chen Mo had already explained in advance that the PC version of *Minecraft* could fully replicate all the gameplay of the VR version, though the visual presentation would be slightly inferior. The mobile version shared data with the PC and VR versions but could not access the online mode or sightseeing mode.
In terms of pricing, the PC version of *Minecraft* cost 28 yuan, the mobile version cost 12 yuan, and the overseas version cost 39 US dollars.
The overseas version of *Minecraft* was temporarily only available in VR. Unlike *Warcraft* and *Diablo*, this game didn't grab people's attention as immediately, so it wouldn't become a huge hit in the short term. It would definitely go through a gradual process of gaining popularity.
However, compared to domestic players, foreign players tended to be more inclined toward exploration and creation. Judging by its performance in the previous world, the original *Minecraft* had also gained popularity quickly abroad, so Chen Mo wasn't worried at all.
For now, Chen Mo's focus was mainly on the domestic PC and mobile versions.
Everyone was watching the sales data for the PC and mobile versions of *Minecraft*.
The first-day sales figures came out quickly.
PC version of *Minecraft*: 65,000 copies.
Mobile version of *Minecraft*: 137,000 copies.
This data left the entire gaming industry dumbfounded once again.
These sales figures completely exceeded everyone's expectations. Simply put, the PC version's sales surpassed those of *Diablo*, while the mobile version's sales approached the average daily downloads of *Onmyoji* during its first week.
Of course, due to differences in development costs, pricing, and profit models, it wasn't easy to directly compare *Minecraft* with *Diablo* or *Onmyoji*. But purely in terms of sales, *Minecraft* was already a huge success.
Keep in mind that both *Diablo* and *Onmyoji* had solid visual quality and had undergone extensive pre-launch hype.
*Onmyoji*, in particular, had benefited from perfect timing, location, and people. In the booming environment of card-based mobile games at the time, it was normal for *Onmyoji*, as a free-to-play game, to have high download numbers.
But what about *Minecraft*?
The VR, PC, and mobile versions were charged separately, and data was shared across all three platforms. Many people thought, "Why would players who already bought the VR version need to buy the PC and mobile versions too?" They assumed the three platforms would split the player base.
In reality, this assumption was completely wrong.
Many players who had already bought the VR version went ahead and purchased both the PC and mobile versions as well, and these players made up the majority.
Meanwhile, many players who hadn't tried the VR version chose to start with the PC or mobile version to get into the game.
The reason was that *Minecraft* was a special kind of game.
Since the mobile version was the cheapest, many players who wanted to experience the game's classic gameplay decided to download it and give it a try.
The PC version, on the other hand, offered the most comprehensive experience. It was more convenient than the VR version, allowing for long building sessions, and its visual quality and controls were better than the mobile version. So, many players who already owned the VR version chose to buy the PC version as well.
Moreover, after the VR version of *Minecraft* had been hyped for so long, the game had already gained significant fame. Many players were eagerly awaiting the release of the PC and mobile versions, which was one of the key reasons for such high sales upon launch.
With the release of the PC and mobile versions of *Minecraft*, many players who had been itching to play but couldn't finally got to experience the game's charm.
"A newbie finally got the PC version today! Seeking guidance from the pros. Which server should I join?"
"Honestly, the PC version is really well-made. Sure, the visuals aren't as good as the VR version, but it has all the classic gameplay, and best of all, the data is fully shared. Awesome!"
"The mobile version is decent too. The main thing is I can play it anytime, anywhere!"
"After playing the PC version of *Minecraft*, I'm even more determined to buy a VR gaming pod. I feel like playing this game in VR mode would be incredibly immersive."
"After building a house on PC for a while, I finally understand what you guys mean by 'Other People's Minecraft.' I'm about to tear down this matchbox I built. Don't stop me!"
...
On the other hand, the overseas version of *Minecraft* was also receiving high praise abroad.
At first, foreign players were puzzled. Why would the Chinese company that developed *Warcraft* and *Diablo* suddenly make a puzzle game?
But after playing the game, they were all amazed by its playability. The overseas version of *Minecraft* sold quite well, and in terms of ratings, it scored even higher than *Diablo*.
Some enthusiastic foreign players began sharing classic building videos and tutorial videos from China. In certain communities and small circles, this block-building game started to catch players' attention. More and more tech enthusiasts began delving into the game's deeper appeal.
...
One day, two special guests came to the experience store.
Chen Mo was in his studio thinking about his next steps when the front desk on the first floor called to tell him that a father and his daughter had come to the store and wanted to see him.
Chen Mo went down to the first floor, and sure enough, Nini was there.
Nini was delighted to see Chen Mo. She trotted over and handed her tablet to him.
Her father said, "Nini, aren't you going to thank Uncle Chen Mo?"
Nini said in her cute voice, "Thank you, Uncle Chen Mo!"
Chen Mo corrected her, "It's Brother Chen Mo! Got it?"
Nini nodded. "Got it, Uncle Chen Mo!"
Chen Mo: "..."
Even the father was amused by Nini. He said to Chen Mo, "Thank you so much for last time."
Chen Mo waved his hand. "It's nothing. Having a little player like Nini is my honor. By the way, the new experience store has VR gaming pods available for demo. You can take Nini to try one out."
Nini jumped for joy. "Daddy, Nini wants to play the gaming pod!"
The father sighed helplessly and patted her head. "Alright, Daddy knows. Daddy will take Nini to play the gaming pod."
Chen Mo smiled. "Take the elevator to the third floor, and you'll be there. Nini, remember, you can only play for one hour."
Nini was already hopping toward the elevator. "I know, Uncle Chen Mo!"
Chen Mo: "..."
The elevator doors slowly closed, and Nini was still excitedly waving at Chen Mo.
Seeing Nini so happy, Chen Mo knew that bringing *Minecraft* to this world was the right decision. At least for Nini, this game brought her a lot of joy.
Bringing joy to people—wasn't that the original purpose of games?