With Silan joining the team, the efficiency of model making has improved significantly, and production volume is no longer an issue.
The next step is to design the gameplay rules to make the game fun, engaging, and attractive.
In George and Fred's words, "If we only think about making money and the game becomes unfun, then it's a substandard product and it goes against our original intention."
Silan wasn't as noble as them, but he agreed with their views.
After all, only if the game is fun will players keep sending money.
In this respect, they have achieved the same goal through different means.
"Another problem is that we need to add some anti-counterfeiting measures to these models to prevent piracy," Silan said.
Making toy models is not complicated; a seasoned Alchemy can figure it out in no time and easily produce counterfeit versions.
For the sake of long-term interests, theft prevention is essential.
George and Fred exchanged a glance, then helplessly shrugged. "I'm afraid this task will have to be left to you."
These models have already been created, but they cannot yet add new Ancient Runes to the existing Ancient Runes structures.
"No problem. You guys go discuss the rules of the game, I'll research the anti-theft measures." Silan clearly assigned the tasks, and George and Fred readily agreed.
Although they were two grades above Silan and were technically his older brothers, they still subconsciously obeyed Silan's commands without thinking there was anything wrong with it.
After that, George and Fred argued for a week before finally settling on the complete set of rules for the game.
While brewing the next batch of Potions to sell, Silan also researched anti-theft measures. In the end, he adopted the simplest and most direct method.
Using his knowledge of Ancient Runes learned from Nicolas Flamel, he designed a simple lock.
Anyone attempting to peek into the model's internal Ancient Runes design or forcibly break through the lock will be triggered to explode, instantly destroying the model. Outsiders will then be unable to ascertain the model's internal Ancient Runes structure.
Silan designed this explosion threshold to be very low, making it difficult even for experienced Alchemy to break through.
Of course, this is not entirely foolproof.
If an Alchemy of Nicolas Flamel's caliber were interested in this model, the lock would be useless.
The problem is, there's only one Nicolas Flamel in the world, and he's Silan's alchemist.
Guess who he's on?
When Silan saw George and Fred again at the Room of Requirement, it was almost the end of November.
"You're here, Silan!" George jumped up, waving his hands in greeting, looking very excited.
As soon as Silan stepped into the Alchemy Workshop, Fred's lips moved as if touching a hot coal. "We've finalized the basic gameplay, and we can start selling it next month!"
"Finally! I've never heard Fred say so much to me in my entire life." George exaggeratedly pinched his earlobe. "My ears are about to fall off."
"Luckily it didn't fall," Fred said with a grin. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to continue our game of pretending to be each other."
George smiled and waved, making room for the large table behind him. "Come and see, Silan. Almost all the finished models are here."
When Silan looked over, he saw that the table was covered with various common Magical Creatures models.
The Flobberworm, one after another, lay side by side on the table, looking like several thick threads. All the Murtlap had their tails pointing like antennae, and there were also some Kneazle, Moke, and Mooncalf...
These are all basic models, totaling about 200 or so.
As for the Hippogriffs made by Silan, they were placed at the very front of the table, and there were only six of them.
George explained to Silan, "We've also added new features to these models. For example, the person who buys it can name the model. Like this."
As he spoke, George tapped the head of the nearest Murtlap with his wand.
A cloud of white smoke instantly emerged from the Murtlap model, slowly condensing into a name in the air.
[Ron]
Silan's expression turned strange. These two really doted on their younger brother; even at a time like this, they were still thinking of him.
"That suits you perfectly. Actually, sometimes I really suspect Ron is a mouse in disguise. Look, he's been sleeping with a mouse for so many years." Fred tried hard to appear serious, but the corners of his mouth stubbornly curled up, as if he had his own ideas.
Why not say that Scabbers slept with him for many years?
The question of who would sleep with whom, Ron or Scabbers, made George laugh until tears streamed down his face. He reached out and patted Fred's shoulder hard.
After a long while, George wiped his eyes and asked, "Silan, how's the anti-theft measure we discussed last time?"
"We can add it now," Silan said.
"Then we'd better stay away." George and Fred stepped back, making room for Silan.
Silan took out her wand and activated her Wizard's Eye.
The Magical Creatures models on the table became blurred, their outlines defined by simple lines, the internal Ancient Runes clearly visible, and the flow of magic readily apparent.
With a gentle wave of her wand, Silan meticulously controlled her magic, condensing a series of Ancient Runes at the tip of the wand and gradually embedding them into the Hippogriff model.
This step was completed smoothly.
After checking everything and finding no problems, Silan nodded and continued to embed Ancient Runes into the other models.
With the experience of the first success, the rest became much easier.
Silan repeatedly nested the anti- Ancient Runes into the model, faster and faster.
George, standing nearby, clicked his tongue in amazement. "Putting everything else aside, how is it possible to nest new Ancient Runes within an already established Ancient Runes structure without affecting its functionality?"
"Maybe Silan can see the Ancient Runes structure inside the model directly, and then he'll know the best way to embed the Ancient Runes," Fred guessed.
"Don't be ridiculous, that's impossible." George shook his head.
While they chatted, Silan added anti-theft measures to all the models.
"That works." Silan nodded in satisfaction.
George and Fred excitedly ran to the table, touching this and picking up that, their faces full of anticipation as they said at the same time, "We can arrange the sale now!"
At this point, George and Fred both turned their heads and looked at Silan with very ambiguous expressions.
Silan realized something and guessed, "It seems you already have a plan?"
"That's right." Fred smiled and moved closer to Silan. "Just like before, let Harry help out."
George chimed in, picking up where Fred left off. "Let him have a match with Ron first, to attract the other students' attention. Once word gets around, we'll start selling."
They're using the famous Harry Potter to advertise, a tactic they've used before when selling maps; it's just repeating the same old trick.
"It'll probably be difficult to provoke Malfoy this time," Silan said, shaking his head. "He doesn't seem interested in these kinds of toys."
"It has nothing to do with him. Harry and Ron are just a prelude. Our real purpose is to gather everyone together and then have a showdown between the Boy Who Lived the ordeal Dragon Rider, the enemy of the Basilisk, and the genius student that the Potions Master is fighting over." Fred said in one breath, stringing together a long and complicated sentence.
"Is there something else about me?" Silan asked in surprise.
"Of course," George and Fred said simultaneously, winking at Silan and laughing. "You're riding high right now, the perfect spokesperson."
In first grade, they rode fire-breathing Dragons into the castle; in second grade, they helped the professors fight Basilisks; Third Year, two Potions Masters vied to be their students...
Whether Silan cared or not, these things certainly earned him a lot of fame.
If he were to have a Magical Creatures Pokémon battle with Harry, their combined reputations alone would be enough to attract attention.
Making money isn't something to be ashamed of.
Silan nodded in agreement.
... Divider Line...
I've been in a really bad state lately, and I'm having a serious writer's block. I'll post one update this morning, and the other one might be later tonight.
This situation is unavoidable during long-term serializations. Under high-intensity updates, the author's state of mind will inevitably fluctuate. Moreover, under the pressure of daily updates, no matter how well the writing is done, updates are still required, which can sometimes cause fluctuations in quality.
Hopefully things will get back on track soon.
I hope everyone will continue to support me. Thank you.