You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 473: Mr. Lu: Can you lie down for once? (2 in 1 order required)

The head of Sony's interactive entertainment business department once mocked Taoyuan Township:
"Everyone, let me be frank. The 4DR III we at Sony have created is aiming to be the 'benchmark' for the next generation of premium entertainment experiences!
Compared to other competitors' so-called "dream world" systems, it's not on the same level."

"After all, Sony has been a leader in the audio-visual entertainment industry for decades. We possess the world's top technical talent and equipment. Those 'dream experiences' that have sprung up are nothing more than imitations and poor copies."

"Creating a truly high-quality, substantial, and profound immersive experience is more than just a piece of cake! Sony has long been at the forefront of this, and we will continue to lead the way, bringing unparalleled, premium entertainment to the world!"

However, Taoyuanxiang's game is now a huge success, and Yokoi Gunpei's previous criticism has no effect. Many gamers went to Yokoi Gunpei's personal channel to leave messages and mock him:
"Mr. Yokoi, you were so harsh back then, but now you're embarrassed by the Sony Motion Pod, right? The Dream World experience has completely crushed you, dear!"

"Hey, isn't this the former Sony CEO who once held the ivory tower? How come Sony's "benchmark" experience has become a laughing stock in the industry now?"

"I thought Mr. Yokoi's words were too boastful at first, but now it seems he was just being completely arrogant. Taoyuan Township is the true leader, crushing all of you so-called 'frontier pioneers' in one fell swoop."

"Hey, you're quite good at talking. But it's a shame that what you thought was a 'top-tier' entertainment experience has now become synonymous with 'downgraded'."

"I remember Mr. Yokoi saying he wanted to bring 'unparalleled, top-notch enjoyment' to the world? Now it seems he's just made a complete joke!"

"Mr. Yokoi, your so-called 'poor imitation' of the dream world experience has truly smeared your reputation as an 'industry leader'. Isn't it time for some reflection?"

"Looking at the vibrant scene in the dream world, I can't help but laugh. It reminds me of Mr. Yokoi's boast back then about being a trendsetter. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, how ironic."

……

Yokoi Gunpei closed his laptop, stared at his own reflection on the dim screen, and sighed deeply. The overwhelming online ridicule and questioning felt like thousands of sharp knives stabbing into his heart.

He stood up and walked to the window. Dusk had already enveloped the skyscrapers of Tokyo. Facing the glass, he saw his own face, etched with weariness and gloom. He remembered a few years ago, a face brimming with confidence and pride. He had taken for granted Sony's position as the industry leader, convinced it could lead the next entertainment revolution.

But now, this arrogance and blindness have been completely shattered, replaced by an endless cloud of loss and depression.

Yokoi Gunpei pulled out his wallet. Inside was a yellowed photo of him and the Sony Interactive Entertainment team at a technology conference a few years ago. Everyone's expressions had been so proud and exciting back then. But now, his colleagues' smiles seemed like silent mockery and ridicule.

He slumped dejectedly on the sofa, his heart filled with unspeakable pain and guilt. How could he not see? Years earlier, the industry's technological trends had already pointed toward the next generation of immersive entertainment and experiences. Yet he had remained complacent, confined to Sony's past achievements, shortsighted and blind.

Now, he'd finally tasted the bitter fruit of his own losses. Sony's motion-sensing pod gaming platform had become a disorganized mess, a growing laughingstock in the eyes of its peers. Even more mortifying was the realization that his reckless and arrogant rhetoric back then now seemed ridiculous and self-deprecating.

Even more painful was the uproar within Sony. An internal email had just been received, revealing that the R&D team responsible for the 4DRIII project had experienced an unprecedented loss of staff, with a large number of key technical personnel jumping ship to join competitors.

Yokoi Gunpei covered his face, tears welling up in his eyes. He had so longed for success, so yearned for glory, yet fate had dealt him such a cruel mockery. Perhaps he was simply unworthy of leading a new era.

He remembered the online taunt: "Mr. Yokoi, Mr. Yokoi, you have to wake up from your dream. The Sony of the past is gone forever. The era of Utopia has arrived!"

Yes, it's time to wake up. But this nightmare will last for a long, long time.
But this isn't the end of the story! There are bound to be more clashes between Sony and Taoyuan Township.

……

Major commercial, financial, and management media outlets began to praise Mr. Lu from Taoyuan Township for his various operations in developing the Taoyuan Shenyou VR game console and the somatosensory cabin game "Never Night."

Harvard Business Review - Mr. Lu: The Dream Maker's Outstanding Business Philosophy
In this highly competitive entertainment technology industry, we have witnessed the rise of an extraordinary business leader - Mr. Lu, who has achieved Taoyuan Township's proud achievements with his outstanding business philosophy and wise decision-making.

As the core architect of the Taoyuanxiang Shenyou VR game console and the hit game "Nightless," Mr. Lu demonstrates an unprecedentedly humane management style. He deeply understands that employees are the company's most valuable resource, so he personally visits every department, listens to their voices, and communicates with them sincerely. He encourages innovative thinking, supports bold experimentation, and strives to create a relaxed and flexible working environment for all.

Mr. Lu also maintains a keen sense of market trends and user needs. He closely monitors cutting-edge technology developments and promptly adjusts product design and development strategies. During product testing, he personally participates in the testing phase, experiencing new games firsthand and striving to provide users with a seamless entertainment experience.

Mr. Lu's strategic management skills and ability to navigate complex situations are truly admirable. At one point, Taoyuan Township's VR equipment development encountered a major bottleneck, with disagreements within senior management leading to a difficult situation. Mr. Lu decisively implemented an innovative "dual-track" approach at this critical juncture, ultimately resolving the urgent issue.

It can be said that Mr. Lu has implemented management concepts such as "humanization", "foresight" and "innovation" into every aspect of the product, and ultimately created Taoyuan Township, a top-level entertainment experience that represents the new era.

His achievements not only prove that dreams can be realized, but also set a new business benchmark for the industry. We have reason to believe that under his leadership, Taoyuan Township will create an even more brilliant future!
Bloomberg Businessweek

Title: Experienced, shrewd, and wise: Mr. Lu's humanistic management style
Faced with the rapid development of the entertainment technology industry, Mr. Lu, the chairman of Taoyuanxiang Company, demonstrated his sophisticated, shrewd and wise business acumen, and successfully built the company into a leader in the industry.

His humanistic management style has given us many surprises and inspirations. For example, unlike other entrepreneurs who are harsh and demanding with their employees, Mr. Lu is approachable and calm, often having long conversations with employees and patiently listening to their ideas and concerns. It is this humanistic care that has earned the heartfelt support of all employees, who are eager to give their all and innovate under his leadership. Another astounding aspect is Mr. Lu's forward-thinking market sense. He frequently interacts personally with users, gaining insights into their desires and pursuits for entertainment. Leveraging this firsthand knowledge, he accurately grasps market trends and promptly adjusts the company's strategic layout. The hit game "Nightless" was born out of Mr. Lu's foresight and decisive decision-making.

Mr. Lu also demonstrated a shrewd and strategic vision. Faced with the numerous difficulties in developing a VR gaming console, he cleverly adopted a dual-track approach, maintaining the existing technology while boldly experimenting with disruptive innovation. Ultimately, this "offensive and defensive" strategy paid off, resulting in complete success.

In times of crisis, Mr. Lu always manages to remain calm and composed. Take, for example, the critical moment when the "Nightless" project suffered a setback. Mr. Lu acted decisively, personally rallied the team, and boosted morale, ultimately bringing this groundbreaking masterpiece to a successful release.

……

Pei Shengnan sat in his spacious office, staring at the news scrolling on his computer screen, his brows furrowed. The screen was reporting on Taoyuan Township's newly released VR game console and its flagship title, "Nightless." The atmosphere was incredibly enthusiastic and enthusiastic.

Pei Shengnan subconsciously clenched his fists, veins bulging. He glanced around his dimly lit office, his gaze lingering for a moment on several long-abandoned VR prototypes. These were once the fruits of his long-cherished labor, but now they were outdated and discarded.

"Lu Yu. Lu Yu, you bastard!" Pei Shengnan cursed in a hoarse voice, with a hint of shock and anger in his tone.

He tapped away at the keyboard, switching scenes one by one. Each scene made his blood boil with excitement. They were the faces of enthusiastic young people, thronging the experience area, diligently immersed in the world of VR games. And not long ago, Pei Shengnan had dismissively called Lu Yu's VR game console "just a toy."

Pei Shengnan tugged at his tie irritably, his Adam's apple bobbing beneath his skin. His gaze shifted unconsciously to the row of trophies and certificates on the wall across from his desk, representing his past achievements in the industry. But now, they stood as a taunting reminder of his decline, his transformation from a former industry giant to the pathetic laggard he is today.

"Damn it, what the hell is going on?" Pei Shengnan growled and stood up. He quickly walked to the French window and put his hand on the heavy curtains. With a push, the curtains were suddenly pulled open, and the sunlight came in.

He stared blankly out the window at the skyscraper that towered over the Tokyo skyline. Just a short while ago, he had told a colleague, "That building is Lu Yu's foolish dream. Wait until I destroy it myself."

Now it seemed that he was the one being ridiculed. Pei Shengnan took a deep breath and silently made up his mind. He would make Lu Yu pay for his arrogance and would never just sit there and wait for death!
In the office, the only sounds were the sunlight flickering through the window and Pei Shengnan's angry breathing.
……

Inside the Taoyuan Township villa, rays of sunlight streamed in through the French windows, casting a warm glow on Lu Yu's face. He was sitting upright on the sofa, his hands hanging limply at his sides, his expression somewhat dazed and lost.

The TV was broadcasting live the trial sessions of "No Nights" held around the world.

The entire venue was abuzz with excitement, filled with excited young people. They crowded into the various experience areas, diligently immersing themselves in the virtual world of the game. The audience cheered and applauded, creating an incredibly heated atmosphere.

At the bottom of the live broadcast, a scroll bar displayed the impressive achievements of this game, which had been the product of Lu Yu's years of hard work:
Unprecedented pre-sale volume, unprecedentedly hot sales, and sold-out sales wherever it goes. The numbers are constantly updated, and each one is astonishing.

Lu Yu blinked and looked around the living room of the luxurious villa he was in in a daze.

Rich's rustic wood-carved fireplace, Vittorio's classic floor clock, and Bockley's hand-woven luxury carpets. All of these were once his dream of pursuing a luxurious life, but now they are all boring.

But just a moment ago, he was still doubting and even harboring a dark premonition of the game's final failure.

After all, this road is too bumpy, and the time and money invested are terrifying.

How many times has he woken up laughing in the middle of the night, thinking that his anti-involution plan has finally succeeded!
Lu Yu weakly threw the remote control aside and sighed heavily. He leaned his head weakly on the back of the sofa, his eyes wandering, finally stopping at the swimming pool outside the window, which was bathed in sunlight.

Can you guys just lie down for once?

His eyes became moist without him noticing, and Lu Yu swallowed hard.

Only then did he realize that he had achieved his ambition in the gaming industry, which was considered crazy and a pipe dream by outsiders in his previous life.

Looking around, everything he has now has far exceeded his original dream.
His dream world motion sensing cabin has truly become a technology that leads the revolution in the gaming industry.

On TV, the entire audience began to shout Lu Yu's name, and the atmosphere became increasingly heated. For a moment, Lu Yu felt his mind go blank, and his body felt like electricity was flowing through his body. He was so excited that he could hardly control himself.

This kind of high-spirited atmosphere will sooner or later affect the company's employees.

"No, no, more radical measures must be taken!" He muttered to himself with an almost crazy expression.

(End of this chapter)