Game Making: Start By Healing the Player

Hearing Ruan Ningxue’s words, Chen Xu couldn’t help but blush.

But after a moment, he composed himself. Coughing slightly to dispel the awkward atmosphere, he began to think of excuses.

“Well, there’s actually a lot of reasons why I’m trying to do this…”

Ruan Ningxue, who was sitting across the table, couldn’t help but curl her lips. Obviously thinking that men can’t be trusted.

She looked at Chen Xu with a smile and said, “I can accept all the conditions you’ve mentioned, but only if you accept my condition as well!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu was stunned for a moment.

He was still thinking about how to convince her.

Truth be told, coming here, meeting her and trying to convince her, it was all a shot in the dark. He just wanted to give it a try without expectations.

After all, he knows the situation all too well. What money does he have?

It’s definitely not something he can produce now. If he does, there’s no need to think about making games anymore.

After all, there are still some much-needed resources to be paid for.

What about relying on the relationship between junior and senior?

The other party is not one of yours and has no obligation to help you.

Besides, it looks like you are trying to promise some unrealistic fantasy.

But now, there’s a chance?

“What do you want, elder sister?” Chen Xu asked Ruan Ningxue.

“One month, if your game sales sells poorly within one month of launching, you must come and work for me!”

“Sign at least two contracts! Of course, in terms of payment, I will definitely not be like you, my lovely junior, who wants to use my labour for free.”

Ruan Ningxue said with a smile.

Hearing Ruan Ningxue’s words, Chen Xu was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses.

Chen Xu didn’t have any reservations about erotic art. After all, there were quite a few female artists specializing in erotic artwork in his previous life.

For example, “Yuzuki N” and ” 5milli Nishizawa”

Ahem… In fact, Chen Xu doesn’t know any of these artists or their works, let alone seen them. He has only heard about them from his friends…

“Then what kind of sales volume is considered poor?” Chen Xu asked.

If the other party is talking about sales of several million copies, then Chen Xu really doesn’t have much confidence.

After all, this is a parallel world that is very different from the gaming environment in the previous life.

Although the piracy factor is gone, the market itself is different.

Without capital for promotion, it is difficult to rely solely on player recommendations.

This includes independent games that were well received in previous generations and sold millions or even tens of millions of copies.

But if you look closely, you will find that many of these games only became popular after six months or a year.

They were all unknown at the beginning.

Even fantastic works like ‘The Binding of Isaac’ were basically unknown in the early days.

After all, fragrant wine does not fear deep alleys, a good product will speak for itself, but it can take time.

So, if Ruan Ningxue talks about selling a million copies, Chen Xu thinks it’s better to go at it alone.

After all, if he agrees, based on the game he is currently planning to produce, there is a high probability that he will soon specialise in erotic fanart.

Ruan Ningxue took out her mobile phone and seemed to be sending a message.

After about a minute, Ruan Ningxue raised her head and said a number.

“Uh… 100,000, um, 50,000 is enough!”

“If the sales volume does not exceed 50,000 within 1 month after the release, you will lose!”

Hearing Ruan Ningxue’s words, Chen Xu couldn’t help but smile confidently.

50,000 sales per month?

Even though the game environment is a bit different from the previous life, and there is not a lot of start-up capital.

But Chen Xu can only say that this number is completely free.

“No problem.” Chen Xu directly agreed.

“Then, Elder Sister, let’s officially start tomorrow! I’ll go back and make preparations first. See you tomorrow morning!”

Having said that, he waved goodbye, turned around and left the café in a rush, not giving her time to react.

Only Ruan Ningxue, who was still a bit dazed, remained.

Did I… lowball it?

Thinking about it, Ruan Ningxue quickly dialled a number.

After two seconds, the other party connected.

“Sister Xin, did you just lie to me? Is 50,000 sales per month really a high sales volume?” Ruan Ningxue was a little confused when she thought about Chen Xu’s confident look just now.

A clear female voice came from the mobile phone: “It’s not high, but it’s relative. Didn’t you ask if a newcomer with no funding makes a game for the first time, how many sales would be considered high?”

“No funding, very first video game, and with none of the high-quality resources available to experienced game designers? That is a hell of a hard start. 50,000 sales would be considered S-level difficulty, in fact, having 1000 copies sold in the first month would be an accomplishment.”

“Really?” Ruan Ningxue was doubtful.

“Yes, really! Take my word for it as a professional game designer!”

“By the way, Xiaoxue, are you planning to make a game? Have you thought about it? I just need you to help me with the character concepts and the design portraits. We will definitely be able to make it big!”

Yang Xin on the other end of the phone was very excited.

“Sister Xin, Sister Xin? What did you say? The signal here is not good. Let’s talk later!”

Hearing the excited voice on the other end of the phone, Ruan Ningxue’s expression changed slightly, she moved the phone further away, hung up after saying a few words, and then let out a sigh of relief.

Then, thinking about what Yang Xin said on the phone, Ruan Ningxue couldn’t help but smile.

First time making a game, no funding, a hellishly difficult challenge, and Chen Xu had already signed his name on the dotted line.

So, my issue of finding an assistant is as good as gone!

The only downside is that it will take two months for this assistant to officially take up his post.

…………..

After saying goodbye to Ruan Ningxue, Chen Xu returned to his apartment.

He tidied up the room and sat down at his computer.

As a tool for game design, the computer’s specs are acceptable, at least it’s enough for the ‘Mirror’ project.

Of course, anything bigger is out of the question.

Because there is basically no funding, and the resource permissions of the official engine are not sufficient.

There are two ways to improve the permission situation.

The first is for game designers to get official certification and have their professional titles promoted.

How to accomplish that?

Game sales and awards received are all factors that can be included in the evaluation.

The second is much simpler and more direct. Buy it. The amounts of resources you can use depends on how strong your finances are.

However, these things are completely irrelevant to Chen Xu at the moment.

And games like ‘Mirror’ won’t use much.

At least for now, Chen Xu was in the clear.

Sitting in front of the computer, he wrote the first draft of ‘Mirror’, the game’s design document.

There is only one developer, Chen Xu. Ruan Ningxue will only be responsible for illustrations. But this does not mean that a design document is not needed.

Just like writing an outline, it can greatly improve efficiency.