game trailblazer

Chapter 123 The dawn of video games?

"President Zhao, Tianzhiyuan is currently focusing on the development of the two platforms of Super Nintendo and GameBoy. Some Chinese games are properly developed on Nintendo's red and white machines, and some classic games will be localized. But what will happen in the second half of the year? I don’t know much about the launch of the game.” It’s a bit ashamed to say it, Zhang Lexing is used to being a hands-off shopkeeper, and he is really a bit blind when he is suddenly asked about the game launch plan of Tianzhiyuan.

"Oh," Zhao Haiguang sighed, seemingly disappointed.

"President Zhao, Cai Min, the general manager of Tianzhiyuan (Shanghai), is also here. If you really want to know, you can ask him later."

Zhao Haiguang's eyes lit up all of a sudden, he nodded and said, "Yes, how could I have forgotten him."

"President Zhao, do you know what the original intention of establishing this branch of video game consoles is?" In fact, the leaders on the stage will definitely talk about this matter, but judging by the posture of their speeches, it will be possible at least in the afternoon. Zhang Lexing doesn't want to be so exhausted all the time.

"I'm sorry," Zhao Haiguang blushed slightly, and said, "Actually, I don't know very well. I just like games. I heard that such an organization was established, and I got the position of vice president through some connections. In fact, I just came here yesterday, and it is not very clear what the video game branch will do, why don't you take a look at the charter attached to the information."

Zhang Lexing put a label on Zhao Haiguang in his heart for those who like games. In fact, this is nothing. If the chairman and vice-chairman are interested in games, maybe this video game machine branch can make some achievements Come.Since even the vice president couldn't figure out what the video game console branch actually does, Zhang Lexing had no choice but to try to find some clues from the charter.

Zhang Lexing turned to the attached charter and carefully read each page:

"Articles of Association Electronic Game Machine Branch of China Software Industry Association (Draft for Review)

Chapter 1 General
[-]. The Electronic Game Machine Branch of China Software Industry Association (hereinafter referred to as the branch) is engaged in the development, production, service, dissemination and management of game products (including various types of game machine hardware products and various types of game software products). A national industry organization that units and individuals voluntarily participate in, approved by the Ministry of Electronics Industry and the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

[-]. The purpose of this branch is to implement the will of the country to develop the game industry, strengthen industry exchanges, and accelerate the development of the game industry.

[-]. The branch conducts various activities of the branch in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country. The work of the branch adheres to the principle of democratic consultation. The branch safeguards the legitimate interests of members and provides services for members.

......"

Just looking at the charter, it seems that there is a promising future, but Zhang Lexing has hidden worries in his heart. In his impression, the video game branch seems to have made no achievements. At least the game industry in mainland China has not really developed, and video game hardware is banned. In domestic sales, electronic games have become rootless water without a source (of course, piracy and parallel imports still exist), and computer stand-alone games have disappeared after a short period of glory. If it is not for the rapid development of online games Without development, the mainland's game industry may be wiped out.Zhang Lexing didn't know what efforts the Electronic Game Machine Branch (renamed as the Game Software Branch in the online game era) had done, but the results were obviously not ideal.

Zhang Lexing hopes to change this situation, looking forward to the video game machine branch can really play its own role, instead of waving a hand and not taking away a cloud.Zhang Lexing has some ideas of his own on how to establish an industry organization for the game industry, but for the ideas to become a reality, someone needs to support them. Obviously, the vice president who loves games in front of him is a very good candidate.

"President Zhao, do you know the agenda of this domestic game industry seminar?" Zhang Lexing planned to understand the situation first, and then consider how to put forward some of his own opinions.

"I know a little bit about this. It's actually quite simple. The video game machine branch has just been established. There are only the president, vice president, and secretary-general. In fact, even the basic framework has not yet been established. This seminar The leaders hope that as many game companies as possible can become members, the membership fee is second, the key is to make this branch look decent. Then there is the constitution of the video game branch, although it has been approved by the Ministry of Electronics Industry It was approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but after all, it was only done behind closed doors, and there may be some unreasonable parts. I hope to discuss it during this seminar to see if there is anything that needs to be revised.”

Zhao Haiguang said something this time, and it seems that he has done some homework, not like he said he really came to the meeting without knowing anything.But listening to what he said, recruiting people to join the association and discussing the articles of association, although it is not completely useless, but as an association of the game industry, it does not discuss how to develop the game industry, which is obviously a bit of a waste of money.

Zhang Lexing couldn't help but put forward his own opinion: "President Zhao, will there be discussions on how to develop the game industry during this meeting?"

Zhao Haiguang shook his head and said, "It seems that there is no such arrangement in the agenda, maybe the time is too short."

Zhang Lexing felt very disappointed that he couldn't arrange business for three days. Even if these leaders had to spend a day on the stage to speak, wouldn't it take two days to recruit people into the association and discuss the charter? No wonder they didn't accomplish anything back then.

"Oh," Zhang Lexing sighed, and continued, "President Zhao, what do you think about the development of the domestic game industry?"

Zhao Haiguang thought for a while and said: "Well, I think one is to favor the game companies in policy and support the development of domestic game companies. After all, the strength of these domestic companies is not too strong. Yuan is an exception. There is also the need to crack down on piracy, so that the sales of the game company's products will be better, and it will also bring sustainable development capabilities."

"President Zhao, what you said makes sense." Zhang Lexing nodded and said, "However, these two points alone are not enough to develop the game industry."

"Your company has many years of development experience. I believe that there should be many good opinions on the development of the domestic game industry. Why don't you tell us and let's study together." Zhao Haiguang seemed very enthusiastic about this matter.

Zhang Lexing thought about it for a while, and decided to speak out his thoughts. Anyway, as long as it works: "Well, I think about it this way. First of all, the name of the Electronic Game Machine Branch is relatively limited. It seems to be just a video game branch. On the one hand, in fact, the game can also include games on the computer, but in this case, it is better to change the name of the branch.”

Zhao Haiguang hesitated for a moment and said, "I've played some computer games, but there should be no company engaged in the development of this field in China, so there is no need to change the name of the branch for the time being."

"Who says there is no such thing, Taiwan's Zhiguan company has established a branch in Guangzhou, and there is also a computer game development company called Creative Workshop on BJ's side. I believe that such companies will become more and more popular in the future." many."

"Mr. Zhang, you are quite confident."

"President Zhao, this is not confidence, but an analysis based on market conditions. Is there any prospect for the development of electronic game consoles in China? There should be, but the development is very difficult. The key is that we do not have our own games. Host."

"Mr. Zhang, what you said is not right. There are several companies here that produce game consoles. Isn't this our game console?"

"This is not at all. The so-called our own game console should be a game console that has mastered relevant patents and development technologies, so that it will be easier for our game development company to develop games on it. I will not talk about the basic learning machine. Although many companies have mastered the technology of developing games on it, it is a platform that will be eliminated in the world after all. Take the 16-bit learning machine of Tianjin Xinxing Company as an example , in fact, it was transformed by using Sega's MD console, and it was not authorized by others at all. According to the patent law, it is an infringement. I believe it will not be long before Sega will come to trouble Tianjin Xinxing. At present, the domestic game console The status quo is basically no intellectual property rights of its own, and it can only produce game consoles developed by foreign companies through illegal means. No. But independent research and development requires a huge amount of money, and there is no such powerful company in China at present, so it is difficult to develop domestically produced game consoles in the short term.”

Zhao Haiguang's face darkened, and he said, "Doesn't that mean that domestic game consoles are hopeless?"

Zhang Lexing shook his head: "Isn't that right? It's just that we may not see it in the short term. Maybe some companies are already working on it. It's just that the time has not come yet."

"Oh," Zhao Haiguang sighed, "Actually, from my own heart, I really hope that there will be such a day."

"In fact, game consoles still need to be supported by game software. For example, several popular game consoles produced by RB have won the support of many famous game companies before they can be promoted. If there are really domestic game consoles, how many can there be? The company can support it." Zhang Lexing drew a circle with his hands towards the people listening attentively in front of him: "Can these small companies here be able to do it? If our domestic companies can't support it, how can we persuade those foreign game companies to choose For our game consoles, it is already very difficult for them to develop games on the game consoles, let alone expect them to launch Chinese versions of the games. In this way, what does our game consoles rely on to attract players? Patriotic enthusiasm? The patriotic card is easy to play, but the players’ money does not come from strong winds. If you rely on patriotic slogans instead of the quality of the game, you will be abandoned by the players sooner or later.”

"Then according to what you say, it is impossible for the domestic game industry to develop." Zhao Haiguang looked at Zhang Lexing and said with a dejected expression.

"It's not impossible. If the game industry wants to revitalize, it needs a good game platform, a group of good game development companies, and a large group of players who buy genuine games. There are two options for the game platform, one is very mature However, Nintendo's red and white machines that have begun to fall behind abroad, including the currently popular learning machines in China, also belong to this platform. The advantages are low price, high popularity, and no patent restrictions in China. There are relatively large restrictions and no potential for development. The other is PC computers, an open system that does not have those restrictions on game consoles, and has great potential for future development. Although the current ownership is relatively low, the speed of popularization in the future will be very fast. Faster, because computers are so versatile and more accessible to families, so I think computers are a better platform for development.”

"Then how should the game company develop?" Zhao Haiguang asked humbly.

"The development of game companies is not enough to have enthusiasm. They also need to provide them with a good living environment. One is to reduce the burden on these companies through preferential policies, and the other is to expand the group of genuine users through publicity and other means. Of course, the game The company also needs to continuously improve its own development level, so that the games it launches can truly gain the recognition of the players. Only in this way can a virtuous circle be formed. The company continues to grow and grow, and the size of the player group who buys the original version is also increasing. To a certain extent At that time, the time to launch a domestic game console is also a matter of course.”

"Mr. Zhang, I didn't expect you to have such insights into the game industry." Zhao Haiguang was full of admiration: "Why don't I suggest to the president and the others that you should spare some time on the last day of the meeting and let you come to the stage to talk about this issue."

"Well, if I have time, I'll talk about it." Zhang Lexing originally wanted to decline, but after thinking about it, maybe this is also an opportunity. Although a few words may not change anything, it is at least a good one. start.

Two days later, as Zhao Haiguang said, he arranged a special afternoon for Zhang Lexing. Fortunately, except for the president and vice president, the other leaders did not come today.That being the case, Zhang Lexing also stepped onto the stage with Shi Shiran, and began to speak according to his own ideas.

First, he briefly reviewed the development of electronic games and computer games, and then the topic turned to how the domestic game industry develops. Zhang Lexing talked about the choice of various game platforms based on his own ideas and the actual development of the domestic game industry in the next few years. And their advantages and disadvantages, the different characteristics of video game and computer game development, the challenges faced by the game console and computer market in the next few years, the different attributes of games as commodities and works, etc.Finally, Zhang Lexing also suggested that if it is for the domestic market, it is recommended to choose the computer as the game development platform first, followed by the Nintendo Famicom or Pyramid Learning Machine. If it is for the international market, it is recommended to choose the computer as the game development platform.

Zhang Lexing’s statement caused mixed reactions, and some supported it. For example, Bian Xiaochun of Pioneer Cartoon said that he was very addicted to the Three Kingdoms strategy game on the computer recently, because these games still have shortcomings of one kind or another. Sometimes I will come up with an idea to make up my own, so I am very interested in Zhang Lexing's suggestion that everyone choose a computer as a development platform.Of course, there are also objections. For example, Liang Jianguo of Tianjin Xinxing Electronics Co., Ltd. put forward clear objections, because they have produced a 16-bit learning machine based on the Sega MD host, so they are very impressed with those 8-bit learning machines on the market. I don't like it, and I'm planning to make great efforts to promote it. Naturally, I dismiss Zhang Lexing's suggestion that everyone should play computer games.There are more of those who sit on the fence, such as Fuzhou Waixing Technology and Xi'an Mars Electronics, which belong to the kind that does not offend and is noncommittal.

As a result, after three days, some member units were developed and some membership fees were collected, and some innocuous changes were made to the articles of association of the video game branch, but nothing else.

(End of this chapter)