Starting as a Manga Editor

Chapter 193: Stubborn Denial

Bluffing?

The staff member gave Ji Fuliang a peculiar look after hearing his words.

What was this man thinking?

What major company would create such a promotional video just for bluffing?

Wait.

That actually might be possible.

Just as this thought emerged... the staff reconsidered and found some merit in his words.

The main point was...

Recently, "Dark Night Decree" had been relentlessly using FGO for promotion, acting like a rabid dog. If FGO truly was as this CEO claimed - just slapping "Into the Night" character skins onto old card pool models to quickly cash in - then seeing "Dark Night Decree"'s aggressive stance might indeed make them panic. To cover this up and lure players in like pigs to slaughter, creating an elaborate promotional video... to deceive players...

Hmm.This possibility did exist.

Because the CEO before him had done exactly that...

While "Dark Night Decree"'s promotional materials weren't as exquisite as FGO's, they were... embellished. Not quite fraudulent, but certainly different from the actual game.

Judging others by oneself.

Putting oneself in others' shoes.

If "Dark Night Decree" could do this.

Why couldn't FGO?

However.

This thought hadn't lingered long before the staff remembered the promotional video he'd just seen.

...While possible, would Avalon really do this?

Avalon wasn't Season Technology - they were practically trendsetters in the 2D mobile game industry.

Moreover, they'd never done anything so unethical before. Whether at game launch or subsequent year-end event card pools, they'd shown utmost sincerity, going so far as to create special storylines for every character appearing in the card pool, even introducing the concept of Subspecies Singularities.

Additionally, for every character appearing in the card pool, even 3-star ones, they'd never cut corners - with exquisite illustrations and flawless in-game models, let alone those famous Craft Essences and important 5-star characters.

This was precisely why players spent so much.

2D mobile games sell characters, true.

But if players don't like the characters... they'd still hesitate.

Both illustrations and character appeal are indispensable.

FGO had always been like the most savvy salesperson, striving to show characters' best aspects to players through storylines, illustrations, and even voice acting - all exceptionally appealing.

They'd never cut corners before.

Would they really start now for a single collaboration?

Speaking of which...

The notion that FGO was cutting corners this time... seemed to have been implanted by this very CEO to both staff and players, didn't it?

As he pondered, the staff member couldn't help glancing at Ji Fuliang again.

Meanwhile.

Unaware of the staff's strange looks, Ji Fuliang, having recovered from his initial panic, arrived at the same possibility the staff had considered.

But his thinking wasn't as thorough.

He actually believed Avalon might indeed be bluffing.

After all, with success within reach, who would give up?

And judging others by himself, he believed if he would do this, Avalon certainly would too!

Before?

Hadn't he thrown himself passionately into the gaming industry before, only to fall flat on his face? Who fucking cared what players thought! Everyone treated players like pigs! Wasn't it all about the money in their pockets?

Right.

It must be so.

Thinking this.

His trembling legs gradually steadied as he convinced himself first: "Don't worry, they must have seen the bad reviews and made emergency fixes... No matter how good the promotional video is, the actual game might be completely different."

"...?"

The staff slowly formed a question mark in his mind.

He'd thought his boss was trying to boost morale.

But this sounded like... he genuinely believed it?

While possible, the chances were minuscule.

Just think about the exquisitely crafted characters in the video - if they could make the promotional material this good, would they really neglect the actual game?

"Actually, boss..."

He hesitated before speaking.

But Ji Fuliang waved him off irritably: "Questioning my judgment? Go call Xiao Li from marketing now! We'll fan the flames! Expose their hypocrisy! Warn players not to be fooled!"

"......"

The staff fell silent, understanding from Ji Fuliang's expression.

There was no turning back now.

To admit being wrong? That the other side was actually sincere? How could "Dark Night Decree"'s quality possibly compete then?

Season Technology's game only gained such popularity by riding FGO's coattails.

If FGO hadn't collaborated with "Into the Night"... honestly, "Dark Night Decree" wouldn't even have an angle to leech popularity.

It would never have attracted so many players.

The current reservation numbers came precisely from Ji Fuliang's strategy of tying "Dark Night Decree" to FGO's promotion, emphasizing how FGO collaborated with "Into the Night" while his game was the authentic adaptation.

These players subconsciously placed "Dark Night Decree" on par with FGO.

That's why they showed interest.

Besides Rumi readers who never played FGO, would other players abandon FGO after making reservations?

Absolutely not.

Most simply thought "Dark Night Decree"... might be as good as FGO.

So why not try both?

But if they admitted FGO's collaboration wasn't some lazy reskin now?

Every player would see through it.

Then "Dark Night Decree" would become a complete joke.

Better to stubbornly deny everything. Since "Dark Night Decree" had been claiming FGO's collaboration was subpar, surely some players still believed it.

Those would still come when "Dark Night Decree" launched.

Get players in first!

However...

The staff couldn't help shaking his head.

Stubborn denial might avoid becoming a joke now, but wouldn't the game become an even bigger joke after launch?

Clearly.

Ji Fuliang couldn't care less now, perhaps genuinely clinging to the hope that Avalon was just like him - engaging in false advertising...

Thinking this.

The staff couldn't be bothered arguing further, simply picking up his notebook: "I'll go call him then."

"Mm."

Ji Fuliang nodded, appearing calm, though perhaps... was that a trace of anxiety?

The staff didn't notice, walking away with his computer while muttering: "What we think doesn't matter. What matters is what players think."

Hearing this.

Ji Fuliang stiffened but said nothing.

The staff left.

Ji Fuliang immediately grabbed his mouse, waking his computer to check comments under the promotional video on ANF.

Soon.

He saw them.

Instantly, his face darkened like a burnt pot.