Making Genshin Impact: Elysia Helps Me Endorse

For years, Tencent, relying on its massive traffic, has been constantly hyping and releasing half-finished games, ruthlessly milking players.

Any game that appealed to players would quickly be molded into their image by Tencent's operations.

Meanwhile, domestic online game players had no choice but to grit their teeth and play.

Only players who exclusively played single-player games would buy foreign titles.

This situation left domestic players in despair.

Now, a high-quality game has finally emerged, and it even managed to put Tencent in a tough spot.

Those online game players felt like they had finally vented their frustrations and were incredibly happy.

Even knowing that God's Grace Sonata was an opening-day character and would likely be phased out soon, many players still rushed to get her.

These players had a distinct sense of retaliatory spending.

Compared to being constantly exploited by Tencent in the past, they were willing to be exploited by MiHoYo.

At least MiHoYo was serious about making games.

When even the music and CG animations were done with such dedication, if they weren't making money, who would?

Just as players were eagerly pulling for God's Grace, MiHoYo's official account suddenly posted another announcement.

To the players' surprise, this announcement was actually advising them to consume rationally.

They were pushing money away!

"Recently, we've noticed many players, influenced by my previous videos, have been drawing for God's Grace Sonata in the home pool... At this point, I must advise everyone..."

"God's Grace Sonata is an opening S-rank Valkyrie. In the recent versions, this is her final period of glory. We advise players to consume rationally and it's best to save your Crystals for future Herrscher-class physical support characters."

This news stunned not only the players but also the game developers in the industry.

They were still trying every way to induce players to recharge, yet MiHoYo was actually telling players to back off?

Wasn't that completely nonsensical?

Even Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayaka, who had recently joined the studio, were very confused.

What is the purpose of making games?

Regardless of the purpose, results! Money! These are definitely the most important.

They had a huge opportunity for profit, yet as the boss, you're pushing it away?

But was Mo Li foolish?

Of course, he wasn't.

However... with the Game Development System, he wasn't lacking money or good games!

What he lacked was recognition!

And that announcement would not only make Honkai Impact 3rd's reputation explode but also harvest a wave of popularity points.

With good reputation, popularity points would naturally increase in the future.

Besides, Honkai Impact 3rd was already very profitable, and Mo Li wasn't lacking money now.

And his actions truly drove the players into a frenzy.

Countless players shared it madly.

It even spread overseas.

This move also left foreign game players and producers utterly bewildered.

"Rational consumption? How can you say these words... and expect me to be rational!!"

"Everyone else is inducing consumption... and you, MiHoYo, not only leaked future characters but also pushed money away..."

"If a studio like yours doesn't make money, who else deserves to?"

"I had already stopped, but seeing this message, I impulsively spent another two 648s."

"Foolish... but very cute..."

"I won't curse the MiHoYo boss anymore. I'll only curse Otto (doge)"

As a result... that announcement not only didn't decrease MiHoYo's profits but actually caused them to surge again.

Only then did the game developers realize...

Was it marketing?

Even if it wasn't, they all saw the benefits of good reputation.

Tencent and NetEase were plunged into deep self-doubt.

Meanwhile, many small studios that were diligently making games were moved to tears.

They all posted messages expressing their affirmation of MiHoYo.

They felt... their past efforts were not in vain; diligently making games would eventually be rewarded.

NetEase and Tencent, however, were a bit troubled.

Compared to MiHoYo, their business practices were completely exposed.

Countless players flooded the comments section with angry messages.

"Studios that take their work seriously deserve everyone's love."

"Think about it, you have the best teams, why can't you make games seriously?"

"I have no hope for Tencent, because they are an investment company, not a game company."

"I hope NetEase can wake up."

Setting NetEase aside for now, Tencent truly had no intention of changing.

Although MiHoYo's current player engagement and atmosphere seemed wonderful...

But... creating an original game was, after all, risky.

Tencent's higher-ups would definitely choose their old method of making quick money.

Therefore...

They intended to continue plagiarizing "Maiden Voyage."

However...

Just as they spent money and finished the new version, a single announcement from MiHoYo completely ignited the entire internet.

MiHoYo sues Tencent for plagiarism.

This keyword, with an unstoppable momentum, shot to the top of trending searches.

Countless netizens were shocked.

Then, they silently shook their heads.

Although MiHoYo had risen and gained some strength.

But... Tencent had been plagiarizing for so many years, and had been sued so many times, yet they had never lost a lawsuit.

However, MiHoYo's firm stance still garnered the support of countless players.

Yet, in just a few short days, the final verdict stunned everyone.

Tencent lost!!

And they lost completely!

Not only did they have to cease operations for "Maiden Voyage," but they also had to pay MiHoYo a large sum of money and issue a public apology...

As netizens wondered how MiHoYo managed to win the lawsuit, a mysterious big shot explained the entire story in detail.

MiHoYo's game code contained a large number of MiHoYo logos...

As long as one thoroughly investigated the code of "Maiden Voyage"... the evidence was conclusive.

This outcome made countless players cheer.

It also set an example for countless small studios.

"MiHoYo, you sly dog... Hahahaha... I'm dying of laughter."

"You walk by the river often, you're bound to get your shoes wet... Well done, MiHoYo!"

"Finally, we've brought that thug Tencent to justice, sob sob~ I'm so moved."

"Learn your lesson, next time you plagiarize, remember not to copy the game code (smirk)."

"The person above still doesn't believe Tencent will reform... So true!"

"MiHoYo is quite cunning, not suing early or late, but waiting until his operations were stable before suing, hahaha..."

"I hope MiHoYo can hold on and not be crushed by Tencent."

This outcome also made NetEase tremble.

Fortunately, they weren't as brazen as Tencent and dared to plagiarize so openly.

Otherwise, they would have suffered huge losses this time too.

Meanwhile, at Tencent's TiMi Studio.

The core creative team of "Maiden Voyage" gathered, all of them trembling.

Zhao Wenbo was also extremely nervous.

Because at the head of the table sat a middle-aged man in a suit and tie.

He was one of Tencent's major shareholders – Little Ma.

He quietly flipped through the financial reports, calculating how much money the "Maiden Voyage" game project had lost.

Although "Maiden Voyage" had only updated two versions, they had already developed four versions.

The 5th version is still in development.

If we don't count the massive traffic Tencent funneled over... the development funds alone cost 80 million.

And that's only because they had Honkai Impact 3rd as a foundation, allowing them to develop 4 versions of Maiden Voyage with 80 million.

If they had created Maiden Voyage from scratch and developed 4 versions...

It would probably have cost 200 million to make 4 versions.

However, the two versions that were released, with Honkai Impact 3rd setting such a high bar...

They only profited a little over 100 million. The next two versions were sued before they could even be released...

Total profit was 100 million, but development costs were 80 million, and they had to pay MiHoYo 50 million in damages...

Considering the traffic provided to Maiden Voyage, as well as personnel costs...

Tencent's move was a complete disaster.

In all these years, they had never suffered such a significant loss.

Seeing Little Ma's increasingly grim expression, Zhao Wenbo knew he was completely screwed this time.

Losing his job was the least of his worries; he'd be grateful if Tencent just let him go.

But... he knew Tencent's methods all too well.

Before they kicked him out, they would definitely take a pound of flesh from him.

All in all, his life was over...

Zhao Yi wouldn't escape either!

"Good job..." Little Ma put down the report, his eyes sharp as he stared at Zhao Wenbo. "I told you to imitate, but you directly copied the code!"

"The company's financial loss is minor, but do you know how serious the hidden consequences of this are!"

Zhao Wenbo opened his mouth. "Mr. Ma... I..."