Chapter 285: The Model
Although everyone was being somewhat reserved in their words, Chen Mo understood exactly what these people were worried about.
Originally, the domestic channel providers were dominated by two major game platforms, Imperial Dynasty and Divine Fantasy, while various other smaller platforms managed to survive comfortably in the gaps between them. The channel providers held a strong position with significant bargaining power, while independent game designers in R&D were very weak, somewhat exploited, but still within a controllable range.
However, Chen Mo's Thunder Game Platform emerged out of nowhere, blatantly breaking the unspoken rules of the previous channel providers, effectively declaring war on all domestic channel providers.
This would inevitably lead to one consequence: accelerating the consolidation of the domestic game channel market.
The cooperation between the two major platforms, Imperial Dynasty and Divine Fantasy, was a clear signal. They felt the threat and hurriedly integrated channel resources to stabilize their dominant position.
Although this move was primarily aimed at the Thunder Game Platform, these independent game designers would also be affected to some extent.
If the Thunder Game Platform collapsed or compromised, a large alliance of channel providers would emerge domestically, essentially completing the integration of the two major channel providers, Imperial Dynasty and Divine Fantasy. Their power would become unprecedentedly strong.
At that point, how much bargaining power would these independent game designers have left?
They would likely be worse off than before, drowning in even deeper waters.
Of course, objectively, there was also the possibility of the Thunder Game Platform unifying the domestic channel market, but that possibility was extremely slim and seemed basically impossible from the current perspective.
These designers all shared this sense of crisis, but the war between channel providers felt like gods fighting—they couldn't intervene at all. That's why they extended goodwill toward Chen Mo.
After all, compared to those lofty, high-and-mighty channel providers, Chen Mo gave off a more trustworthy impression.
Thunder Game - Chen Mo: "Everyone, don't overthink it. The days for independent game designers will only get better. The current 'channels are king' situation domestically is an unhealthy state, and it will change sooner or later."
"When I first started the Thunder Game Platform myself, it was also because I didn't want to be controlled by others. After all, everyone knows how frustrating it is when those channel providers keep meddling in R&D."
"So rest assured, focus on making your independent games. Imperial Dynasty and Divine Fantasy won't cause any big waves."
[Group Owner] Divine Nightmare Three Kingdoms - Zhang Xiaokong: "Alright, big shot, with your words, we're reassured."
Earthly Fiend Walk - Zhu Fanglin: "Impressive, 666!"
Star Spirit Wings - Li Feng: "Awesome!"
The group flooded with a wave of "666." Although these people weren't familiar with Chen Mo, they appreciated his stance. At least for now, these designers and Chen Mo seemed to be on the same side, both opposing those monopolistic domestic channel providers.
Star Spirit Wings - Li Feng: "Speaking of which, Chen Mo, did you know? Imperial Dynasty Entertainment and Divine Fantasy Game Platform are internally discussing launching a dominant game to prove the strength of their new channel."
Thunder Game - Chen Mo: "Not really paying attention."
Lost Dream - Lin Hailing: "Li Feng, you really are our group's informant! You know this? Tell us more details."
Star Spirit Wings - Li Feng: "Sigh, as a struggling designer with nothing better to do, I just like collecting industry gossip. I heard from Imperial Dynasty that they plan to develop games internally, compete, and then launch one or two games with full-channel promotion to create a true national-level game."
[Admin] Eternal Wander Net - Qiu Hengyang: "They're showing off, trying to demonstrate how powerful full-channel promotion can be."
[Group Owner] Divine Nightmare Three Kingdoms - Zhang Xiaokong: "It's not just that. Think about it—if they actually succeed with this game, they'll inevitably grab more player resources. As one side grows, the other shrinks. This big channel will become terrifying."
Earthly Fiend Walk - Zhu Fanglin: "I'm curious. What kind of game are they planning to make?"
Star Spirit Wings - Li Feng: "That, I don't know. Information at that level, they'll definitely try to keep it secret. Unless they deliberately leak it, it's hard to get details."
[Admin] Eternal Wander Net - Qiu Hengyang: "Actually, popular game types are limited. If we're talking about player numbers, it has to be..."
[Group Owner] Divine Nightmare Three Kingdoms - Zhang Xiaokong: "Right, it'll definitely be an RPG game."
Star Spirit Wings - Li Feng: "I heard Imperial Dynasty is considering whether to act as an agent for an MORPG... and they're debating whether it's a genre that can be surpassed."
Chen Mo silently went into lurking mode.
...
In the studio, Qian Kun was testing a newly developed game prototype.
The Summoner's Rift map only had a small section of the blue side's base unlocked, and all the current art assets were reused from "Warcraft" and "Diablo." Although the art quality was high, the overall art style was extremely chaotic, making it look strange.
Qian Kun right-clicked on an empty spot, and a Barbarian walked to the location he clicked.
This Barbarian was actually Demacian Might - Garen, but since there was no Garen model yet, the Barbarian model was used as a substitute.
Using the editor, Qian Kun placed a new enemy hero in front of Garen: a Teemo.
Of course, this Teemo wasn't the official model either; it was the Mountain King from "Warcraft."
This Teemo, looking exactly like the Mountain King, was set to have 100,000 HP and stood still. Qian Kun pressed Q, W, E, R, unleashing a combo of damage onto Teemo to observe the attack effects.
A "silence" icon floated up, and the ultimate's finishing move lacked the big sword visual effect but already had a screen-shake effect.
The damage numbers were fine, and the skill mechanics were fine.
Qian Kun glanced at Chen Mo standing nearby: "Boss, it's okay. This prototype seems pretty stable now. Let me test a few more complex heroes."
Chen Mo nodded: "Good. Mainly, the judgment rules for various complex states must be perfected. Also, skill trajectories and effects, hero animations—everything must be refined to perfection."
Qian Kun said, "Don't worry. We've done similar combat mechanics in 'Warcraft' and 'Diablo.' This time it's just more complex, but it's fine."
Chen Mo patted Qian Kun on the shoulder and went to check on the art team's progress.
He was very confident in Qian Kun. Although Qian Kun was always thinking about how to trick players into spending money, his experience with numbers, levels, and combat systems was already very rich, and he was meticulous, rarely making mistakes.