Offside game

Both companies are very interested in his game and hope to acquire it. Su Yi, however, is the representative of Pangu Studio.

Su Yi had researched both companies beforehand and knew they were both facing difficulties. Tiandi Software, a relatively large software company in China, didn't just specialize in games; its main business was developing professional software. When they first entered the game industry, they released several successful games that received positive feedback. However, after recently acquiring a small company, their two subsequent games were both box office failures. A game they had invested heavily in was also facing censorship issues and couldn't be released, causing cash flow problems. Furthermore, they were being squeezed out by other domestic game companies, making their situation precarious. They needed a powerful game to reverse their losses, which seemed to be the key reason why they were so eager to acquire "Evolution of History," a game that had recently become a hit online.

As the Chinese branch of gaming giant Yubi International, Yubi China has always been in an awkward position. Calling it a game company doesn't quite fit, as Yubi China doesn't have its own game development department in China. It seems more like a game distribution company, mainly importing games from the parent company and other branches into China. Now, it seems they are not satisfied with simply being a sales agent, and during the talks, they expressed their intention to bring Pangu Studio into the company, offering very attractive terms.

It was because of these circumstances that Su Yi decided to contact them first. Under these circumstances, he might be able to gain the most benefit. He knew that Yubi's parent company was also facing difficulties lately. Under the strong pressure from several excellent games from EA and Vivendi, Yubi International, which had not produced any outstanding titles, was experiencing very poor sales.

Su Yi explained that their Pangu Studio's "Evolution of History" will not be sold, but they could consider distributing it through a third-party agency. He also revealed that the version released online is a simplified demo; the full, official version is already complete and will be even more exciting.

Upon hearing the news, both companies said they needed to consider it. Not long after, they replied, expressing their desire to meet and discuss the agency sales details. They asked for the address of their studio, hoping to send someone to discuss it. Su Yi replied that he would be going to Yanjing soon and hoped to meet with their representatives there to discuss the matter in detail. They then exchanged their contact information, asking Su Yi to contact them upon arrival. At this moment, Su Yi couldn't help but think: perhaps he should buy a new phone.

Suddenly remembering Anjing, Su Yi picked up the phone and dialed her home number. Anjing's mother answered the phone.

"Auntie, is Jingjing at home? I'm her classmate," Su Yi said politely.

"Oh, Xiaojing went to her aunt's house and won't be back for a few days."

"Okay, I'll call back in a few days. Thank you, Auntie."

"Is there something you need from her? I'll tell her when she gets back," the quiet mother asked.

"It's nothing, just saying hello. I'll hang up now, goodbye Auntie."

Su Yi was somewhat disappointed that An Jing wasn't home.

The next day, Su Yi took a car to Yanjing. Since he would be staying there for two days, he first found a hotel to stay in. After circulating the manipulating technique in his room, the fatigue from the journey disappeared.

Without time to explore the sights of Yanjing, Su Yi first found a mobile phone store, chose a phone, and then got a Yanjing SIM card, since he would still be coming back to school after the holidays, so it was quite necessary.

He then contacted Tiandi Software and Yubi China using the phone numbers they had left, informing them that he had arrived in Yanjing. Since Tiandi Software's headquarters were in Yanjing, they agreed to meet that evening. However, Yubi China's headquarters were in Haidu, so it would be best if a representative could arrive the next day.

Su Yi arrived dressed casually in a white T-shirt and blue jeans. Checking the time, he realized there were still a few hours until the agreed-upon 7 PM. He strolled around the area, experiencing the differences between the capital and Dongdu.

Back at the hotel, Su Yi opened his laptop, made some preparations for the meeting, and checked the time; it was almost time.

At 7 p.m., Su Yi arrived at the agreed-upon place, a Starbucks near Century Square, on time. After calling the number he had left, a pleasant female voice said she had arrived and saw Su Yi at a window seat.

Su Yi also saw a woman on the other side holding a phone, gently waving to him.

Walking over and sitting down, Su Yi sized up the woman. She had neat short hair, a pretty face, looked to be in her early twenties, and wore a well-fitting business suit—a typical urban white-collar woman. The woman also looked at Su Yi, a charming smile spreading across her face, and said, "Hello, Mr. Su Yi, is that right? I'm Luo Juan, the sales manager of Tiandi Software Company."

"Hello, Ms. Luo, I am Su Yi."

"Hehe, I seem to be a few years older than you. If you don't mind, you can call me Sister Luo." Luo Juan smiled and said, "I really didn't expect you to be so young. You're really accomplished at such a young age. I've played your game before, and you did a really great job."

"Thank you, Sister Luo. This game was developed by our studio together. They've all been busy with other things, so they asked me to represent them," Su Yi said casually. He had labeled the game as Pangu Studio partly to divert attention, hoping it would be mistaken for a work from multiple studios, thus avoiding appearing too outrageous.

"I'll just call you Su Yi. Judging from your appearance, you're still in school, right?" Luo Juan asked first.

"Yes, I just finished the college entrance exam. I'll be coming to Yanjing to study after the summer vacation," Su Yi said frankly, there was nothing to hide.

"Oh, I wonder which school it is?"

"I just received my admission letter from Peking University."

"Really?" Luo Juan looked surprised, which was quite cute. "Then you should call me senior, hehe."

"Sister Luo also graduated from Peking University?" Su Yi asked with some surprise.

"What, doesn't it seem like it? But I graduated two years ago with a degree in Business Administration," Luo Juan said with a hint of reminiscence.

"To reach the position of manager at Tiandi Software just two years after graduation, Sister Luo is truly remarkable." Su Yi began to look at this girl with new respect. However, seeing the somewhat complicated expression suddenly appear on Luo Juan's face, he couldn't help but think of the fact that the chairman of Tiandi Software also shared the surname Luo, named Luo Ruijun. Could it be...?

Luo Juan had regained her composure and said with a smile, "You're even more amazing! To be involved in the production of such an excellent game at such a young age. I really admire you." She made a cute face and said, "Okay, let's stop praising each other and get to the point. Actually, our company wanted to buy your game 'Evolution of History.' We've already seen it; it's a fantastic game, even surpassing many games from well-known European and American companies in quality. But you're only planning to act as a distributor?"

"Yes, we will only authorize agents to sell it." Seeing that Luo Juan's expression remained calm, it seemed they were well-prepared for this. Su Yi continued, "As you already know, what we've released online is just a trial version. The full version will be much more exciting. Since Sister Luo has played the game, she should know that the trial version has five selectable templates. I can reveal that the full version has ten different templates to choose from, and unlike the trial version which only opens up one continent, the full version will have five unique continents for players to explore. It can be said that the full version is much grander and more playable than the trial version."

Hearing Su Yi say that, Luo Juan's expression became eager, as if she wanted to play the full version immediately. Looking at the laptop bag Su Yi had brought, she said, "You brought the full version of this game, right? Can I try it out?"

“Of course.” Su Yi said, taking out the T20, turning it on, and opening the full version of “Historical Evolution.” He pointed the laptop screen at Luo Juan and said, “Sister Luo, you can take a look at the interface of the full version first.”

Seeing the girl's skillful gameplay, Su Yi knew that her claim of having played the game wasn't just polite talk. While playing, Luo Juan's face was filled with undisguised excitement. After watching the opening animation, she praised its graphics, then chose a newly appeared template and started playing. Su Yi quietly watched her play for ten minutes. Seeing her look up, seemingly resisting the urge to continue, she said to Su Yi, "I must say, your game truly brings a lot of surprises. This game is really great. And the official version, in terms of both graphics and smoothness, seems to be much better than the online demo version. You could say this game is world-class."

Luo Juan praised the game, but her face showed a thoughtful and hesitant expression. Finally, she looked at Su Yi and said firmly, "I agree to your conditions. Our Tiandi Software will act as the distributor for the official version of this game. I wonder how you plan to cooperate? Is it a one-time buyout or revenue sharing?"

Su Yi had anticipated this outcome, so his expression remained largely unchanged. Previously, Tiandi Software might not have cared much about such a collaboration. However, given their current precarious situation, they probably desperately needed a game that could help them regain lost ground. Based on his research, Su Yi knew that the company had a consistently good reputation and had never been known for being domineering towards its partners. Therefore, he said, "We are very confident in our work, so we hope to license it on a revenue-sharing basis. As for the revenue sharing ratio, I'd like to hear Sister Luo's opinion first, since you are professionals."