socalfunplaces Chapter 206, StarCraft, is coming soon.
Chapter 206, StarCraft, is coming soon.
At eight o'clock in the morning, the phone rang in Lingyun's office.
He answered the phone, and on the other end was Mike Morhaime from Blizzard Entertainment. In the background, there were faint game sound effects and discussions.
"Ling, the StarCraft version is ready." Mo Huaimi's voice was tired but clear. "It will be released on December 10th, sharp. Are your distribution channels ready?"
Ling Yun opened the calendar on the table and circled December 10th.
"The distribution channels are not a problem," he said. "Spark Internet Cafes across the US will launch the game simultaneously at all seven locations, with a trial version pre-installed on the computers. The Star Browser homepage will feature it prominently for a week."
"Installation package size?"
"The full version is 1.2GB. We've split it into multiple parts and compressed it, and it supports resuming interrupted downloads." Lingyun opened his laptop. "The demo version is 300MB and includes the first three missions of the Human campaign."
What payment method are you using?
"Pay online by credit card for $39.99. Or purchase the physical version through our partner software store for $44.99 including CD and manual."
The sound of keyboard clicks could be heard from Mo Huaimi's end; he was taking notes.
"The revenue sharing ratio is based on the contract: you get 30%, and we get 70%," Mo Huaimi said. "But if the sales volume in the first month is less than 50,000 units, the revenue sharing ratio will need to be renegotiated."
"It won't be less than 50,000," Ling Yun said. "I'll arrange a promotion plan."
"What promotional plan?"
"An esports tournament," Ling Yun said. "Starting December 15th, we'll be organizing an online StarCraft tournament. The champion will receive a prize of $12."
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.
"Ten thousand dollars? That much?"
"We need to attract attention," Ling Yun said. "The match videos will be played on the official websites of Xingyu and Xingchen, and we will also contact several gaming media outlets for coverage."
"Okay," Mo Huaimi said. "Then we'll cooperate with the promotion. We'll promote it on the official website, forums, and GG magazine."
"There's one more thing," Ling Yun said. "Can save data from the demo version be carried over to the full version?"
"Technically, it's possible," Mo Huaimi thought for a moment, "but we need to create a conversion tool. I'll have the programming team start working on it today, and it'll be ready for you by the 8th at the latest."
"it is good."
After hanging up the phone, Ling Yun pressed the internal call button.
"Tom, come to my office."
Five minutes later, Tom, the game development manager, walked in. He was in his early thirties, wearing a T-shirt with a Quake logo and holding a handheld computer.
"Blizzard has confirmed it," Lingyun said, "StarCraft: Stellar Edition will be released on December 10th."
Tom noted the date on his PDA: "The distribution channels are all set up. The computers in seven internet cafes have already been pre-installed with the trial version, which started last week. User feedback has been good, with an average trial duration of forty-two minutes."
"Do you have conversion rate predictions?"
"Based on current data, 12% of the trial users inquired about how to purchase the game." Tom pulled up some data. "If the official version is launched with promotions, the first month's sales are conservatively estimated at 60,000 copies, and optimistically at 100,000 copies."
"What about organizing the competition?" Lingyun asked.
Tom put down his PDA and took out a printed copy of the proposal from his backpack: "Here's the preliminary proposal. The competition will be held online, divided into three regions: North America, Europe, and Asia. The top four teams from each region will advance to the offline finals, which will be held at the Spark Internet Cafe flagship store in Silicon Valley. The total prize pool is $50,000: $10,000 for the champion, $5,000 for the runner-up, $3,000 for the third place, and $1,000 each for fourth to eighth place."
What competition format will be used?
"Single-elimination, best-of-three (BO3), finals best-of-five," Tom said. "Registration is free, but you need a genuine game serial number. We're using StarCraft's servers for the competition; they've already been tested and support 256 simultaneous matches."
"How are the referees and broadcasting arrangements made?"
"The referees are recruiting twenty volunteers, who will undergo two days of training before starting work. As for the broadcast..." Tom hesitated for a moment, "We don't currently have a professional team. We plan to use screen recording software, along with audio recordings from the commentators."
"We can't do it without a professional team," Ling Yun said. "We need to find a professional team, contact local film production companies, or sports program groups on television stations. The budget... is under $50,000."
"Fifty thousand?" Tom's eyes widened. "That's more than the bonus."
"It's worth it," Ling Yun said. "The match videos will be played repeatedly; it's a long-term promotion. The picture quality, commentary, and editing pacing all need to be professional."
"...Understood." Tom wrote it down.
"Also," Ling Yun took two documents out of the drawer, "the game studio needs to register an independent company called Starlight Entertainment. These are the registration materials; go and get them done today."
Tom took the documents and looked them over. The company structure was simple: it was wholly owned by Star Technology, with a registered capital of US$5000 million. Its business scope included game development, publishing, operation, and tournament organization.
"Two departments." Ling Yun pointed to the organizational chart. "You'll be in charge of the game development department as well. Continue working on 'Plants vs. Zombies,' and release a playable demo before New Year's Day. For the game operations department, hire a new director to specifically oversee the promotion, sales, and tournaments of 'StarCraft.'"
Are there any requirements for the Operations Director?
"They understand games, the market, and online communities," Ling Yun said. "We'll prioritize recruiting from companies like Blizzard, EA, and id Software. The annual salary can be $100,000, plus stock options."
"So tall?"
"This position is worth the price," Ling Yun said. "Game operation is a professional job, not just simply selling CDs. It involves building player communities, organizing online events, handling customer service issues, and analyzing data to improve the product. We need someone who can manage this whole operation."
Tom nodded: "Then I'll start looking for someone today."
"Let's register the company first." Ling Yun glanced at his watch. "I need to see the registration receipt before 2 PM. Then you can focus on development; operations will be handed over to others once they're in place."
"clear."
After Tom left with the documents, Lingyun made a few phone calls.
The first call was to the manager of Xinghuo Internet Cafe to confirm preparations for the StarCraft launch day. Each store needed to reserve twenty machines for a demo area, equipped with large-screen monitors. Staff needed to receive basic training to be able to answer basic questions about the game.
The second call was to the Star Browser team to arrange a Google Play (GG) spot on the homepage. The GG promotion will begin on December 3rd and continue until the end of the month. Clicking the GG will directly redirect to the purchase page.
The third call was to Moritz of Sequoia Capital, asking if he knew any esports production teams. Moritz provided two contact numbers, saying they were both small companies that had done programming for ESPN.
At noon, Tom returned with the registration receipt.
"The company registration is complete, Starlight Entertainment." He placed the receipt on the table. "The bank account will be opened tomorrow, and the company seal can be picked up in three days."
"Okay." Ling Yun picked up the receipt and glanced at it. "Go interview the operations director candidates this afternoon. The headhunter recommended three people; their information is here."
He pushed a folder towards Tom. Tom opened it; the first resume was of a Korean man surnamed Kim, who had previously worked at NCsoft and was involved in the operation of Lineage. The second was of an American man who had worked as a community manager at EA for five years. The third was of Chinese descent who had just left Microsoft's gaming division.
"Which one do you think is more suitable?" Tom asked.
"Meet them all," Ling Yun said. "The key is to ask them one question: If StarCraft only sells 30,000 copies in its first month, what would you do?"
What is the standard answer?
"There's no standard answer," Lingyun said. "I want to hear their thought process. Is it to increase Google Ads spending, hold more competitions, lower prices for promotions, or update content? Different choices reflect different approaches; there's no right or wrong, only what's suitable or unsuitable."
Tom wrote it down.
At 2 PM, the first candidate arrived. Mr. Kim, a Korean, spoke fluent English with an accent. In the meeting room, Tom asked the question.
Mr. Jin's answer was straightforward: "I analyze the data. Which race has the highest usage rate, which map has the lowest win rate, and which time period has the fewest online players. Then I make targeted balance updates, release new maps, and hold events during off-peak hours. Retaining old players is more important than attracting new ones."
Tom wrote on the evaluation form: Data-driven.
The second candidate, an American from EA, gave a completely different answer: "30,000 units is too few, indicating the market hasn't opened up. I will contact hardware manufacturers and implement bundled sales. Buy a Dell computer and get StarCraft free, buy a Logitech mouse and get a trial code. We also need to do campus promotions; universities are the cradle of gamers."
Tom wrote: Channel expansion.
The third candidate, Ms. Lin, of Chinese descent, gave the most unique answer: "I would first check the negative reviews. Why aren't players buying it? Is it because the price is too high, the system requirements are too high, or the game is too difficult? Then I would address those issues accordingly. If the price is high, I would offer installment payments; if the system requirements are high, I would release optimization patches; if the game is too difficult, I would create a tutorial for beginners. The core is to lower the barrier to entry."
Tom wrote: User-centric thinking.
After the interview, Tom handed three evaluation forms to Lingyun.
"What do you think?" Ling Yun asked.
"They're all pretty good," Tom said, "but Ms. Lin's approach is the most to our liking. We're a new company with limited resources, so we need to spend our money wisely. Her problem-solving approach is more pragmatic."
"Then it's her," Ling Yun said. "Salary of 100,000 yuan, plus 1% stock options. Offer sent tomorrow, with a requirement to start within a week."
"it is good."
At 4 PM, Lingyun received a call from an e-sports production company introduced by Moritz. The company was called "Peak Productions," a small operation that had produced content for several television game shows. The boss answered the phone personally.
"We need professional match broadcasting," Ling Yun said. "Starting December 15th, for four weeks. Two days a week, Saturday and Sunday, six hours of live broadcast each day. We require multi-camera setups, professional commentary, real-time data, and post-match interviews. The budget is $12."
"Forty thousand isn't enough." The other party was very direct. "Equipment rental alone costs three thousand a day, so four weeks or eight days would be twenty-four thousand. Personnel costs, post-production, satellite transmission... at least sixty thousand."
"Fifty thousand," Ling Yun said. "But we provide the venue and internet; you only need to provide personnel and equipment. And if the results are satisfactory, there will be further cooperation."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.
"Fifty-five thousand is the lowest I can get."
"Deal," Ling Yun said. "Come sign the contract tomorrow."
By the time I hung up the phone, it was already dark.
Tom knocked and came in: "Mr. Ling, Ms. Lin has accepted the offer. She will start work next Monday."
"Okay." Ling Yun shut down the computer. "How's the Plants vs. Zombies progress?"
"The prototype is done." Tom took a laptop out of his bag, turned it on, and demonstrated. "The basic tower defense gameplay is there, and we've designed twelve types of plants and eight types of zombies. But the art assets are still very rough, and there are no sound effects yet."
On the screen, on a simple green lawn, pixelated sunflowers generate sunlight, while pea shooters attack approaching zombies. The graphics are primitive, but the core gameplay is clear.
"How complete is it?"
"60%," Tom said. "Core gameplay 100%, art 60%, sound effects 0%, level design 40%."
"Continue," Ling Yun said. "I want to see a 90% complete version before New Year's Day."
"clear."