In Xu Meng's impression, platform channels were outrageously stubborn.
Whether from the impressions he gained in peer exchanges in the previous world or from the memories of this world's predecessor, platform channels were the kind of super stubborn, unyielding, and extremely difficult-to-get-along-with characters.
--For game developers and development teams catering to mobile users, facing platform channels that could reach users on a massive scale with extremely low costs, they indeed lacked any capital to act tough.
So Xu Meng did not quite understand: all things considered for profit, yielding not an inch for the sake of profit, platform channels that could mercilessly squeeze all game development companies had actually given in so easily?
Given the current popularity and revenue of Frost Snow Project, the revenue share they could get every month couldn't be called a huge sum, but it was still very substantial--not to mention that this revenue was still in its growth period.
So much money, and they gave it up just like that?
Surely they couldn't just pretend it didn't exist because it hadn't reached their hands yet? That wasn't scientific! "When they delisted Frost Snow Project, didn't they say anything else?"
"They only sent a notification email and an in-site message." Song Zhicheng's expression didn't look too good either.
"They demanded that we quickly handle the issues reported by users, make censored modifications to the game, and relist it after passing their review. They won't relist it for us for even a single day if we don't modify it."
Song Zhicheng felt a bit stifled: "I called them just now to communicate, but they said lunch break had arrived and we would talk about things in the afternoon, and then they hung up the phone."
Xu Meng was instantly speechless.
A working stiff's lunch break was indeed precious, but he had genuinely never encountered anyone so arrogant as to directly hang up on a partner company's phone call.
"What is our revenue share ratio with these three channels?" he asked.
Song Zhicheng knew that this aspect of the work was previously handled by the former boss Zhang Yang, while the current boss Xu Meng was more responsible for game development work, so he patiently explained to Xu Meng--
"Three-seven."
"We get seven?" Xu Meng asked.
"We get three, seven parts belong to the channels."
Xu Meng was once again utterly speechless, even feeling the veins on his forehead throbbing.
70%!
This was just too fucking absurd.
Back in his hometown, people always said that mobile channels were inhumane and sucked blood, but over there they only sucked 50%, with channels and developers splitting 50-50.
Yet here it was directly 70%?!
Are they out of their minds?!
"Platform channels don't take 70% for nothing, besides letting the game go live, they must do some other work too, right?" Xu Meng tried to find psychological balance.
"Uh... theoretically, that's how it is."
"When signing the agreement, they were required to assist in completing all launch preparation work, formulate corresponding channel promotion plans during game launches and version updates, help maintain the game display page, discussion area environment, and clear abnormal data..."
"Wait a moment." Xu Meng raised a hand to stop Song Zhicheng from continuing, "When you say theoretically, what do you mean?"
"It means... logically speaking, our game was maliciously review-bombed--those accounts hadn't downloaded the game at all, and they need to deal with this abnormal data to ensure fair ratings, not to mention malicious reporting."
Song Zhicheng looked a bit embarrassed.
Xu Meng then guessed: "But in reality, they didn't care at all, and just let Frost Snow Project keep being maliciously reported and review-bombed, until the number of reports was enough, and then they unhesitatingly delisted our game?"
"Yes." Song Zhicheng lowered his head, feeling somewhat ashamed to face Xu Meng.
"Before the delisting, the user ratings of Frost Snow Project on these three channels had already dropped to the early 2s."
"Yesterday, I started communicating with the channels--not just these three, demanding that they stop this organized behavior of malicious reviews, reports, and low ratings, but the communication was very unsucessful."
"These three channels were the most perfunctory, losing patience just answering the phone, and they made several of our employees quite angry."
Song Zhicheng spoke of his subordinates being quite angry, but Xu Meng could tell at a glance--
He was also quite angry.
Chen Mengling, the little assistant at the side, was also staring angrily with wide eyes.
So after pondering slightly, Xu Meng asked a key question: "Do we have the player data for the channel servers?"
"According to the agreement signed by former Boss Zhang, the player data of the channel servers belongs to both of us. But in reality, the staff of most channels don't care at all."
"So these channels really just put out a channel and a server, and then just lie back to collect money without caring about anything else?"
Song Zhicheng was silent for a few seconds, "Pretty much."
This answer helped Xu Meng make up his mind.
"Then forget it."
"?" Song Zhicheng didn't understand, "Forget what?"
"Didn't they say: if we don't modify and censor, they won't let us relist?" Xu Meng said slowly.
"Then forget it, we won't modify, and if they won't let us relist, we won't go live."
"You go post an announcement stating that Frost Snow Project is permanently delisted from these three channels, and the player data of the corresponding servers will be merged into the official server."
This decision actually had quite a few drawbacks.
However, Xu Meng's personality dictated that he could not be a pure businessman.
When he resigned from the major tech giant back then and ran out alone to develop indie games, it was precisely because he couldn't stand this kind of oppressive grievance.
If he was unhappy, he had to make his opponents unhappy along with him.
If his opponent was even more unhappy than him, then he would be happy.
If this process could make his own people happy along the way, that would be an absolute killing! Song Zhicheng originally wanted to persuade the boss, but looking at Xu Meng's expression, thinking about the grievances suffered at the hands of the channels and the even greater grievances he would suffer if he compromised, and then listening to the joyful chatter and laughter of his colleagues outside the office...
He suddenly didn't want to persuade him anymore.
Just let it be.
"Understood, I'll go write the announcement right now."
"Make it quick, make it quick! Everyone is waiting to go to the dinner party!" Xu Meng urged.
5 minutes later, Song Zhicheng showed Xu Meng the announcement he wrote.
Xu Meng shook his head as he read it: "Too straightlaced, and it lacks punchlines."
"It would be too much of a waste not to take the opportunity to stir up trouble, get on a trending search, and give the players some excitement."
"Ah?" Song Zhicheng was dumbfounded.
"Forget it, I'll modify it." Xu Meng took the tablet from Song Zhicheng's hand and began to edit.
A few minutes later, Frost Snow Project released an urgent announcement personally polished by Xu Meng--
[Statement Regarding the Permanent Delisting of "Frost Snow Project" from Three Channels Including Leshang, Yunzhi, and Bear Paw Phone Assistant] Dear player friends: Hello.
At noon today, three channels including Leshang App Store, Yunzhi App Store, and Bear Paw Phone Assistant suddenly delisted "Frost Snow Project" without any communication.
Without any verification, they credited abnormal complaint data while ignoring the voices of genuine players, demanding that "Frost Snow Project" make crude modifications to some of the character outfits in the game.
And they declared that for every day the modifications are not completed, "Frost Snow Project" will not be allowed to be relisted for a single day.
Dream Builder expresses that this is incomprehensible.
And even more unacceptable.
Every single character is the painstaking effort of concept artists, animators, modelers, and programmers.
We deeply love the characters we create, and cannot accept them being slandered and discredited with malicious language because of how they dress and style themselves.
Game characters also have the freedom to wear what they want! The creative team of "Frost Snow Project" will continue to adhere to this creative philosophy in the future, continuing to bring player friends beautiful, touching, and lovely girls that make people's hearts flutter at first sight.
To realize this philosophy, we have made a difficult decision:
Starting from today, "Frost Snow Project" is permanently delisted from three channels including Leshang, Yunzhi, and Bear Paw Phone Assistant.
Players who play on these three channel servers, please rest assured, Dream Builder has properly saved all your data.
You only need to wait patiently for a few days to directly use the official launcher to enter the game and continue your adventure in Arda.
We sincerely look forward to reuniting with you in the world of Arda.
Zhumeng Game Company June 2, 2025--After publishing the announcement, Xu Meng put this matter aside, took the little assistant and Song Zhicheng to rendezvous with the employees, and set off together for the dinner party.
However, the entire ACG Game circle became completely lively because of this announcement! Seeking monthly passes, seeking active reads, seeking recommendations!
Before you continue