Chapter 276: COG Trial Play
Qiu Jiang said somewhat dismissively, "GA is a big company, but they release plenty of crappy games every year. Especially, they often acquire small studios. As long as they think a game has even a little potential, they'll buy it. They don't care at all whether it actually succeeds after development."
Lin Chaoxu shook his head. "What you said isn't wrong, but GA is serious this time. A few of their top executives really have high hopes for this game."
Qin Xiao frowned. "Why?"
Lin Chaoxu replied, "I tried this game myself, and I share GA's view. It's a game type with great development potential, and its biggest feature is its originality."
Lin Chaoxu briefly introduced the core gameplay, tactical points, and main appeal of COG to the three of them.
Qin Xiao pondered for a moment. "Playing the same map over and over, but each time feels like a brand-new experience?"
Lin Chaoxu nodded. "Actually, you can think of it as an RTS game where you only control a single unit, which greatly lowers the entry barrier. Different heroes suit different player preferences. Five people work closely together to achieve victory, and the pace is about as fast as an RTS game. Those are its strengths."
Qiu Jiang nodded. "Fast pace is indeed a strength. A big problem with MMORPGs is that character levels and equipment require constant accumulation. New players find it hard to catch up with veterans, and levels create a natural divide among the player base."
She thought for a moment longer, then said, "But if this game removes progression, won't players lack a long-term goal?"
Qin Xiao shook his head. "Not necessarily. Just look at FPS games and RTS games. The advantages of FPS games are their ease of learning, fast pace, and replayability. No levels, no progression, and it doesn't affect the players' enjoyment in the later stages at all. I think this kind of game follows the same pattern."
Lin Chaoxu nodded. "Right. Currently, this map is very popular in Europe and America, with tens of thousands of players daily. It's completely overshadowing other Warcraft III maps. It hasn't fully taken off in China yet, but it should be soon."
"Based on player feedback, they don't feel bored playing this map repeatedly. Instead, they keep enjoying it. It's precisely because of this player data that the map's creator has the confidence to negotiate with GA."
Yan Zhenyuan asked, "So, Mr. Lin, what's your plan?"
Lin Chaoxu said seriously, "I intend to negotiate with GA to secure the domestic agency rights for this game."
...
...
At Chen Mo's Experience Store.
Everyone was worried about the massive channel partnership between Imperial Dynasty Entertainment and the Divine Fantasy Game Platform, but Chen Mo acted as if nothing was wrong, taking it easy every day.
Recently, the number of people playing Warcraft III in the PC experience area had slowly increased again, but most weren't playing the versus mode. Instead, they were playing a brand-new RPG map: COG.
"Boss, morning." Zou Zhuo walked toward the PC experience area with a bag of chips, just as he ran into Chen Mo coming downstairs.
Chen Mo glanced at the chips in his hand. "While I'm happy you keep buying snacks from the store, considering your figure, I'd advise you to show some restraint. Otherwise, you might never find a girlfriend."
Zou Zhuo casually grabbed two chips and tossed them into his mouth. "But Boss, you're skinny and still don't have a girlfriend either."
Chen Mo: "..."
This conversation was going nowhere!
Zou Zhuo said, "By the way, Boss, you're free today, right? Come play a game with me!"
Chen Mo refused sternly, "No, it's work hours now. As the boss, I should set a good example. How can I sneak off to play games?"
Zou Zhuo nodded. "Oh, I see. Then why not just announce a day off? You're the boss, after all. You decide when to rest."
Chen Mo thought for a moment. "That makes sense. Wait a minute."
Soon, Chen Mo returned from the fourth floor via the elevator.
"Alright, I told everyone we're taking the day off. Now we can play games."
"..."
Zou Zhuo, with his mouth full of chips, couldn't speak. He just gave Chen Mo a thumbs up.
They sat down in the PC experience area and opened Warcraft III.
Chen Mo had long since disabled friend request pop-ups and match invitation pop-ups, so despite being very famous, he wasn't bothered much.
Zou Zhuo found the COG map and created a room.
Chen Mo asked, "You don't play versus mode anymore either?"
Zou Zhuo nodded. "Yeah, I feel like I've hit my personal skill ceiling. Stuck at around 3800 points, can't climb higher. Plus, this COG map is really fun. I feel uncomfortable if I don't play it for a day."
Soon, the 10-player room was full.
The COG map was gradually gaining popularity in China. A dedicated localization team had translated the game content. While it hadn't reached the same level of popularity as abroad, it was already the most popular versus map in China, surpassing the Chenghai 3C that Chen Mo had previously released in an official capacity.
Zou Zhuo was very excited. "Boss, you've never played this map before, right?"
Chen Mo nodded. "Yeah, never played it."
Zou Zhuo said, "Great! I finally get to teach the boss how to play! Boss, let me tell you, this map is pretty complex. There are over thirty heroes, each with different skills and traits. Pair them with different equipment, and the game content is incredibly rich."
"Since you're a beginner, you might find it hard to adapt. I suggest you play the [Jungle God]. This hero's controls are simple and suitable for newbies."
Chen Mo looked at it. The [Jungle God] was Malfurion from Warcraft III, with four skills: Summon Treant, Entangling Roots (control skill, immobilizes a single enemy), Rejuvenation (healing skill, heals a single ally), and Emerald Dream (control skill, puts enemies in an area to sleep).
Indeed, this hero seemed like a support, very suitable for beginners.
Chen Mo said, "Yeah, this hero does suit me, but I'll pick the Dark Ranger."
Before Zou Zhuo could stop him, Chen Mo had already selected Sylvanas, the Dark Ranger, and entered the game.
Zou Zhuo: "...Alright, Boss, your skills are good. Play whoever you want."
As soon as the game started, units began spawning. Chen Mo walked toward his defense tower while quickly browsing the game's equipment system and hero skills.
The COG map used models from Warcraft III. At first glance, it resembled Chen Mo's previous life's Dota, but the differences were significant.
In terms of hero design and skills, although COG had made some adjustments to Warcraft III's skill system, it hadn't fully broken away from Warcraft III's framework. In other words, it hadn't completely formed its own independent style.