357: Chapter 357 Idealists

Following Pan Shali's suggestion, Shen Yan clicked on the other map locations and realized that Pan Shali's technical skill was genuinely formidable.

Whether it was the map models, the equipment within, or the in-game character models, everything was exquisitely detailed.

If he hadn't known this game was developed by this makeshift team, he would have assumed it was created by a top-tier game company.

"Sure!"

"What was your budget for developing this game?"

Hearing the question, Pan Shali picked at his fingers.

"A few hundred million, maybe..."

Shen Yan nodded, then asked again, "What about your previous investors?"

Pan Shali shook his head and replied, "We don't have any investors."

Shen Yan was surprised once more.

"You don't have investors?"

"Then where did your money come from?!"

Pan Shali honestly replied, "That was all my own money. I was funding the game myself. Originally, I thought once the game was done, I'd make some money, but unexpectedly, not only did I not earn much, I ended up pouring in all the remaining cash I had."

As his words faded.

Shen Yan let out a chuckle.

"Isn't that stating the obvious?"

"If you want a game to make money, first you need to ensure you have enough players, and enough paying players."

"Although I haven't played your game, I can tell that this game itself is not designed to be a pay-to-win game."

Hearing this, Pan Shali's eyes widened, "How can a pay-to-win game be called a game?!"

"The game I want to make is one that you can play excellently without having to spend money!"

Shen Yan offered no immediate opinion on this.

He was a businessman, not a technician in the gaming industry.

From a businessman's perspective, he felt Pan Shali's idea was too fanciful. Without paying customers, where would the money come from for them to earn?

But from a user's perspective, he thought Pan Shali's idea was excellent.

A game without pay-to-win elements was equivalent to having no cheating.

Everyone could compete for top rankings based on skill.

Thinking this, he asked Pan Shali again, "How many users does this game have in total right now?"

Pan Shali replied, "A total of six thousand, four hundred and eighty-two users."

Shen Yan: "... You remember that quite clearly."

Pan Shali proudly lifted his head.

"Of course! Every single esteemed game user is our treasure!"

Shen Yan let out a few low chuckles.

Long before asking this question, he had already guessed that the game wouldn't have many users.

After all, how could a company that had spent all its money on initial research and development possibly have extra funds left for promotion?

"Alright, I get it. Let's talk. At what price are you willing to sell your game company?"

Hearing Shen Yan's question, Pan Shali's expression instantly changed. He stammered to Shen Yan, "Well... actually, I don't need much money. As long as you can keep this game running, I can sell it to you cheaply, for just a few hundred thousand."

Shen Yan asked him expressionlessly, "I don't believe in a free lunch. What are your conditions?"

Pan Shali swallowed hard and replied, "I want to continue working here on development. This game is the result of all my effort and research; I cannot leave it!"

As he finished speaking.

Shen Yan did not immediately answer.

In fact, even if Pan Shali hadn't made this request, Shen Yan would have asked him to stay on for development at the game company.

Judging by the game models and map models, Pan Shali's skill was beyond doubt.

If Pan Shali could continue developing, this game would surely bring him unparalleled returns.

However, returns were one thing, and investment was another.

If Pan Shali still held the current belief that a game without pay-to-win elements wasn't a real game, then no matter how good their game was or how widely it was promoted, it wouldn't bring him returns multiple times over.

While thinking, he said to Pan Shali, "If I really acquire your game company, I will inevitably make some changes to the game. Can you accept that?"

Pan Shali hesitantly asked in return, "How are you planning to change it?"

Shen Yan answered very honestly, "I am a businessman. The reason for acquiring your company is the rate of return."

"If I acquire your game company, the first thing I'll do is turn your game into a pay-to-win game."

Hearing this, Pan Shali's eyes widened in horror.

"How can that be?!"

"All the background dungeons and settings in my game were designed for players who don't pay."

"If you change the nature of the game, the entire game has to change along with it."

Shen Yan: "..."

What a pure idealist.

Although he was speechless, he had to admit that Pan Shali's words did change his thinking.

If things were truly as Pan Shali described—that the entire game structure was built for non-paying users—then he would have to consider finding another avenue for users to spend money.

"What if I let you continue making some game models, and then sell those as paid items?"

Pan Shali blinked, asking somewhat confusedly, "You just want them to buy clothes and equipment with real money?"

Shen Yan nodded.

"That's roughly the idea. We'll modify some minor details while changing the core game as little as possible."

This time, Pan Shali wasn't as resistant.

Although he was still an idealist, the reality was staring him in the face: if he didn't adjust his thinking even slightly, he would starve along with his game.

"I think... it might not be impossible to try."

"But I must ask my Employees about this first."

As he finished speaking.

Shen Yan finally remembered that Pan Shali still had two Employees.

"Fine, I'll give you some time to discuss it with them. When you have reached a decision, give me your answer then."

Saying that, Shen Yan prepared to stand up and leave.

Seeing him prepare to leave so quickly, Pan Shali quickly stopped him.

"Don't bother with all that trouble. We'll just discuss it briefly; wait here for me."

Saying that, Pan Shali pulled out his phone and called his Employees.

"Hello, where are you right now? Get back here immediately!"

"What? No! Get back here right now, someone is trying to acquire our company!"

Pan Shali's efficiency in handling matters was extremely high.

Not long after he finished the call.

His Employees rushed back to the studio without delay.

"This is the sucker who wants to buy our company?!"