Chapter 1235 Game, Game
Monday, November 3rd, a new week.
Today is Seattle's 4th birthday.
At the beginning, Seattle and her younger brother Nicholas, who was born three days later than her, were registered under the name of Janet as twins. Although the family is now less and less concerned about these things, they still celebrate their birthdays together, and usually choose one on the weekend.
This time is different, November 3rd is Monday, November 6th is Thursday, neither is a weekend.
However, just as the two children's uncle and uncle came to visit relatives in North America, they decided to hold a birthday party tonight to have fun.
The two families deliberately delayed their return to Australia by one day.
Simon still goes to work normally today.
When he arrived at the company, the first document Simon got was the box office data for the Halloween schedule in North America this past weekend.
In the three days of the weekend of April 2, "The Conjuring 3: Blood Moon" reached the top without any suspense due to various breakthrough settings, and it reached the top without any suspense. According to word of mouth, "The Conjuring 3" earned US$46.71 million in one fell swoop, higher than the US$46.13 million in the first seven days of "The Conjuring 2".
For the Conjuring Movie Universe series, Simon has been deliberately guiding the establishment of a complete human-ghost confrontation system in order to form a certain pattern and process, rather than relying on accidents or mouthpieces to defeat evil spirits like many Western horror films.
These years have yielded remarkable results.
And "The Conjuring 3" is a bolder attempt by Simon, directly adding a lot of new settings. Of course, as a certain girl can easily see through, most of the settings, such as ghosts hitting the wall, such as wish power coins, such as newborn baby tears, etc., are actually based on various supernatural legends from the Chinese tradition on the other side of the ocean. The adaptation evolved.
The risks can be imagined.
If Western audiences don't buy it and feel that many settings are nonsense, then "The Conjuring 3" may not be a horror film, but a comedy. Fortunately, not only did this situation not happen, but, judging from the feedback from the media and the public in recent days, more viewers believed it to be true, so all kinds of ironic social news broke out.
Simon was not surprised that "The Blair Witch" was believed to be a real hit.
The elites in the United States are of course very elite, but the middle and lower classes... no matter now or in the future, too many facts have proved that these people are really not very smart.
At the same time, various ghost costumes and other props in "The Conjuring 3" have also become popular during Halloween.
Amy Pascal mentioned in an email to Simon that if he had known this earlier, he should have released "The Conjuring 3" a few days earlier.
In doing so, with the ferment of public opinion on a large scale, related peripherals will sell better.
However, since the painting of "The Conjuring Day and Halloween" started on the same day, many members of the public have already bought their own Halloween-themed props in advance, and it is not easy to change them temporarily. Although the series props of "The Conjuring 3" have been distributed in advance, and the sales volume is not bad, but after all, it lacks a bit of the popularity boost brought by the film, otherwise the sales volume will definitely be better.
Plans never keep up with changes, and no one can do anything about it.
After all, if it is released a week in advance, once the feedback from the reviews is not so good, the next week may not get much of the schedule bonus of the Halloween week.
There is always a trade-off.
What's more, the high box office of 46.71 million U.S. dollars in the first three days of the first weekend did not make people have too many regrets.
"The Conjuring 3", which ranked first on the list, occupied too much market share, which caused a serious impact on the box office of other old and new films.
The second-ranked "Ghost Story" therefore lost the opportunity to hit the 200 million local box office threshold. In the past three days, it has fallen by 35% year-on-year, earning 7.82 million US dollars, and the cumulative box office is 193.78 million US dollars. It is expected to complete a week. There is still at least 4 million US dollars away from the 200 million threshold, and we can only expect a breakthrough next week.
However, "Ghost Story" is not bad, and it still ranked second in the sixth week of its release, which can also be seen from the recent box office performance of other films.
The same ghost-themed film "Dead Possession", which ranked third on the list, was produced by Warner Bros. In order to avoid competition with "The Conjuring 3", the filming started a week earlier. As a result, word-of-mouth failed and the Halloween schedule bonus could not be enjoyed. typical.
With a combined media score of only 4.7 and the reputation of "a parody of the Conjuring movie universe" from "Variety Show", although Hollywood bigwig Al Pacino was invited to participate, it earned $14.93 million in the first week. After the box office, even with the support of Halloween's popularity in the next week and weekend, it still dropped 43% year-on-year, with only US$6.03 million in revenue. In four days, with a budget cost of US$30 million, the cumulative box office was only US$20.96 million.
Although it is not too much of a failure, the local market is estimated to be in the early 30 million, and some overseas sales, including peripheral channels, will definitely be able to recover costs and achieve profitability, but this is obviously far lower than Warner Bros.'s expectations.
You know, during the promotional stage of the film, Warner expressed his ambition to make a trilogy.
Did not dare to mention the universe.
Now, it is estimated that the total local box office is not as much as "The Conjuring 3" in the three-day weekend, and the trilogy must become a joke.
The box office of the second and third places on the weekend list is less than 10 million, and others can be imagined.
Not worth mentioning.
Simon, however, found one of the films to be quite interesting.
This is a sci-fi film that started drawing at the same time as "The Conjuring 3" last Friday. It is produced by Paramount and has a budget of 25 million US dollars. It is called "Gene Code".
", "Love Before Dawn" star Ethan Hawke and this time Uma Thurman, who has been turned from Poison Ivy by Simon to play "Wonder Woman 2" Leopard Girl, starred.
The film's box office revenue in the first three days of the weekend was only 3.17 million US dollars, which was a complete failure. However, the setting of the story is very interesting.
The story tells about a future in which genes determine one's future. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent, who can only live to be 30 years old due to genetic defects. Jerome, a half-paralyzed young man, conspires to switch identities for the chance to become an astronaut.
The subsequent plot is not worth mentioning, just look at this setting, look at this setting... So, this proves once again that Hollywood is a circle.
As with people, so with movies.
After browsing the box office for the past three days of the past weekend, Simon processed some daily documents. At 10 o'clock, there was a tripartite meeting between Daenerys, Ygritte and Tinkber, combining on-site participation and video connection The way. Some executives from the other two companies came from San Francisco in person, and Jeff Bezos from Igret and C-girl from Tinkobel participated through video communication.
About games.
More precisely, it is a game console.
Simon has considered this matter for a long time, even for some years.
Should the Westeros system be the game console itself?
In the early days, I didn't have enough strength, so I didn't think too much about it.
Now, with the right time, place and people, there is no lack of anything. Whether to do it or not is just a question of whether to do it or not.
Simon finally decided to do it anyway.
So, here comes the problem.
Why do you want to be a host?
First of all, from the perspective of users, one is price and the other is experience.
Whether it is now or in the future, if you want to support the top games, personal computers need to invest more money to stack top configurations. The customized and optimized game console can not only perfectly support all kinds of large-scale games, but the price will be much cheaper. As for the experience, no matter whether it is now or in the future, the display effect of the TV is much better than that of the computer screen.
This is the biggest advantage of the game console.
Secondly, from the perspective of game manufacturers.
The game console itself is difficult to make a profit, which is proved by Microsoft's huge losses that have lasted for many years in memory. However, through the host platform, Microsoft has become the world's leading game production and distribution company, and its game business revenue scale has been ranked among the top five in the world, leaving EA and Blizzard behind.
It can be said that Microsoft is losing money on hardware, but the entire game business is not losing money.
Not only Microsoft, but also Sony and Nintendo, which have their own game platforms, have long been among the top game manufacturers in the world in terms of related business revenue. It can be said that among the top five game manufacturers in the world, three of the three with console platforms directly account for three.
This is a testament to the power of the platform.
Due to the game industry environment he was in, Simon has always been more interested in online games. In the same global ranking, besides the three console manufacturers, the other two are basically locked by online game manufacturers. Even if it is a stand-alone game, Simon once preferred PC stand-alone games.
However, after years of understanding, and based on various information in his memory, he can also judge that console games have always occupied a large part of the future global game industry output value of more than 100 billion US dollars.
This is why the Westeros system must be the host.
And, now is the right time.
In terms of hardware, it is not a problem whether it uses Intel or AMD chips, or self-developed powerpc architecture that has been determined to be marginalized after Tinkber acquired Apple. On the operating system, Apple's technical foundation and core patents, coupled with the long-term accumulation of the Westeros system in the Linux system, can all be solved.
Speaking of which, Sony's first-generation Playstation launched three years ago used the Linux system, or the licensed version of Linux from Eaglet. The Westeros system wants to develop game consoles. Not surprisingly, the core of the operating system will also be Linux.
This is conflict.
Since it is imperative, of course this cannot be taken care of.
However, on Sony's side, because it is a permanent authorization of the relevant version, it is impossible to take back the Westeros system. The other side conducts follow-up update research and development based on the linux version it has obtained. Apart from the cost increase, it is not a fatal problem.
Our future is free competition.
When Simon made this decision, it was Microsoft who sniped more.
Over the years, in the face of the overt or covert suppression of the Westeros system, Microsoft is doomed to be unable to become the world's largest market capitalization company in history in 2000. Even if the Internet bubble in this time and space has burst, Microsoft is still Competing with Eaglet in the network business has no intention of expanding into the direction of game consoles.
Simon just took this pit.
In the future, there will still be three pillars. On the US side, the Westeros system will take up the quota. If Microsoft wants to intervene, it will only be more difficult.
The last thing is content.
Simon plans to be directly occupied by him in advance, and the game console named xbox will be developed by Tinkber. In terms of content, Daenerys and Ygritte will be the main ones for the time being, and Tinkball will also participate in the future.
The game is a big cake, and none of the three can finish it, so they just serve it together.
Simon also meant to raise Gu about this.
It's better to compete with each other than outsiders to share the cake.
In order to more closely integrate the interests of the three, the development of this game console will set up a separate subsidiary affiliated to Tinkobel, Tinkobel holds 40% of the shares, and the other two each have 30%.
Although she is the main research and development force, Miss C has no objection.
Simon explained it very clearly.
The mainframe business is not only difficult to make money, it is likely to have to invest for a long time, and actively subsidize it in order to expand market share, which is likely to lead to huge losses, so this is not the other two taking advantage of Tinkerbell, but the future three bear the loss together.
Of course, while bearing losses together, we can also share the benefits brought by the xbox platform in the future.
This is also the reason why Simon let the three companies hold shares together.
Human relationships will never be more stable than direct interest relationships.
If Daenerys and Ygritte do not hold shares and do not have to bear losses, even if Simon has been coordinating with it, in the long run, it will definitely dissatisfy Tinkber, who invested alone. You take advantage of it?
Recommended, the novel app I am using recently supports both Android and Apple phones!
In the final analysis, it is still a kind of sisterly settlement.
Calculate the accounts in advance, and there will be no troubles in the future.
The meeting lasted for two hours. After discussing various aspects, the Westeros system research and development was officially finalized by Simon as the xbox game console's "plan x", and it was planned to be officially launched at the end of 1999, before the arrival of the millennium. The research and development cycle is two years.
This is the deadline set by Simon himself.
Even with the current resource strength of the Westeros system, it is not a problem to rush out and produce a console in a year, but considering that the life cycle of each game console will be very long, if it is messed up, I want to update it It's not that easy, and thinking about the various problems of the first-generation Xbox caused by Microsoft's rush to work, Simon still decided on a more abundant development deadline.
After the meeting, I made an appointment for lunch with Chen Qing at noon.
Simon left the conference room and continued to discuss with Nancy Brill, who had been taking care of the game business by his side, and Larry Probst, who had been promoted all the way from EA and has now become the general manager of Daenerys Entertainment's game business. Some specific projects in the games department.
In the morning, Simon has seen the game adaptation plan of "The Conjuring 3: Blood Moon" given by the game department.
The town of evil spirits, the battle between humans and ghosts, desperate escape, plus various settings in the film that can be developed into game props, it can be said that "The Conjuring 3" is simply tailor-made for game adaptation. Therefore, before the film was released, a R&D team from Daenerys' game department began to prepare the plan after seeing the sample film in advance.
As for whether to invest in development, it still depends on the specific market feedback of the film.
Now, "The Conjuring 3" is more popular than expected, and the development of the game naturally needs to be refined. Simon directly sent back the plan that was actually not bad, and asked Nancy and Larry to let the development team improve it.
Speaking of which, with the current hardware conditions, the effect of making this kind of 3D stand-alone horror game will definitely not be very good. If it can be put in 10 years, or even 20 years later, the quality of the movie can be achieved, and the game will definitely scare people to death like a movie.
The problem is that it is okay to think about it this way, but it is impossible to really press it.
Ten or twenty years later, there are still themes ten or twenty years later.
What's more, just like movies, successful games also rely on creativity and careful design, not picture quality. Therefore, as long as the current hardware conditions are the best, players will buy it.
Chatted a few words about the adaptation of "The Conjuring 3", and talked about an online battle version "Counter-Strike 3.0" that will be released before Thanksgiving. After walking into the restaurant building, Simon wrote an idea at the meeting just now. Handed it to Probst, and said: "Actually, there is another one. I thought of it when I saw "The Conjuring 3" and George Romero defining zombie movies in the comments recently. It is also the idea of a horror game. This time it is a zombie movie. , the mode is an adventure type, you can discuss it yourself, the name is "Resident Evil".
The former "Resident Evil" was supposed to be launched in 1996, but now it is the end of 1997. It was indeed when I checked the comments of "The Conjuring 3" on the weekend. Simon saw that Roger Albert used George Romero to define zombies The movie analogy is "The Conjuring 3", and I temporarily thought of this game and the later movies.
alice!
All right.
For some reason, Simon always felt that this line was too slippery, almost on par with Schwarzenegger's 'back'. Milla Jovovich doesn't know where she is now, but she can give this opportunity to other vases around her in the future.
Let's talk about games.
After thinking about it, Simon searched on the Internet, but couldn't find it, and asked girl A to sort out a list of horror games from Capcom and other mainstream Japanese game manufacturers, but there were none, and even Shinji Mikami also didn't know where , of course there is no need to be polite.
Simon handed the casually written setting to Probst, and Nancy, who was walking on the other side, subconsciously probed, and found that there was a boss in the middle, so she had to give up and asked, "What exactly is it?"
"Zombie games, are you interested?"
Nancy said: "I am interested in every idea of yours."
Simon glanced at him and was still used to wearing very high heels and walking beside him, but they still only reached his shoulders
The little executive said jokingly, "Don't tell me, you also thought about opening my brain to see what's inside?"
Nancy made no secret and nodded firmly: "More than once."
Simon said quietly: "Actually, everything started from that night ten years ago..."
Nancy listened, and even Larry Probst visibly pricked up his ears.
Then, there is no more then.
Larry Probst quickly looked back at the setting in his hand with a smile, and Nancy realized that ten years ago was 1987, and someone had already become famous. The beginning of these words was to tease herself, raising her hand Hit Simon.
In recent years, the petite executives are still single, which has aroused some speculation between her and a certain big boss. However, the fact is that although there have been some small ambiguities over the years, the two have never made any progress. Nancy Brill herself wanted to understand that it was because she was not a vase.
A certain guy will always show a little more patience and respect to a capable woman. What's more, no matter what the rumors are outside, Nancy knows that a certain guy has never been a guy who likes to be strong. Nancy is very satisfied with this, but, occasionally, it is unavoidable to have some disappointments that she is not willing to admit.
Can't you use strong once?
When they came to an executive restaurant in the restaurant building, Chen Qing was already waiting here.
Nancy, who originally thought that she could have a meal together and talk about more topics, took the initiative to join Larry Probst at the table to explore the "Resident Evil" game plan that Simon had just given.
The setting is not new.
The virus leaked, the city fell, looking for an antidote, escaping the city... and so on.
Apparently it's still a matter of padding.
Nancy and Probst read the general setting, and the main discussion was which team should be in charge of this project.
The idea given by my boss will be remembered by the big boss if it is done well, with a lot of credit, and the future is bright. However, screw it up, just like the upcoming "Counter-Strike 3.0", this is actually an idea given by someone three years ago, however, because the first version of the finished product ended in a very disastrous failure, the person in charge directly lost it Work.
very serious consequences.
The upcoming "Counter-Strike 3.0" is the result of someone still insisting on it later. After the failure of the first generation, "Counter-Strike 2.0" at the beginning of last year finally achieved a good response, so this time the online version was directly produced. Not only is it compatible with the stand-alone and LAN gameplay of the previous two versions, but this time, multiplayer battles can also be played on the network platform, and the picture quality and sound effects of the new version have been upgraded again.
In addition, "Counter-Strike 3.0" will still be sold as a stand-alone game, and Daenerys Entertainment will provide an online server battle platform.
Mainly because of the current hardware conditions.
Someone proposed to sell skin props, etc., which is not realistic. After all, with the picture quality, who can tell whether the skin is good or bad? As for firearms and props, apart from the sound setting at this stage, the shape is also not pleasing to the eye, and it is unrealistic for players to spend money to buy them. What's more, it may also affect the balance of the game.
So simply sell it directly as a stand-alone game.
As for the server cost, it will definitely be taken into account in the game pricing process. In addition, if the response of this version of the game is good, maybe next year, at most the year after, "Counter-Strike 4.0" with more gameplay and better graphics will be released. This is not a free update, but you still have to buy it.
Therefore, the 3.0 version of the server only needs to be supported for two years at most, and then it will be marginalized. After all, there is a better version, and it is impossible for players to continue with slag picture quality.
In a word, sellers are always smarter than buyers.
...
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ps: After happily writing two chapters yesterday, I dared to look at the manuscript fee data, and then I was poured a basin of cold water. Sure enough, as expected. In fact, I started to set a very low expectation in my heart, implying that I was almost fine. However, in February, compared with the previous 240,000 words, the total number of updates was twice that of the past, and the subscription was only slightly more than the 120,000 words in January during the anti-theft. At that time, I smiled bitterly for a long time like a fool, and I also smiled bitterly when I wrote this ps. In fact, I don’t want to mention anti-theft. That is my eternal black history. The reason is procrastination, not because I want to make more money. As long as I can write it, I will never prevent theft. In fact, I just want to say that the subscription rate of this book is very low, and everyone who is still following it, as long as you come to subscribe to a few chapters occasionally, the data will be very good, please (ps are added in seconds after the update, it should be able to be read) copied outside, but will not count the money).