Starting as a Manga Editor-Chapter 211: Pay-to-Play Model

"Yun?"
Li Xue took the list, looking curiously at Tang Yao.
Tang Yao nodded and said, "Yes, this game is quite interesting, but I can see room for improvement. I'd like you to contact the developers—I want to talk with them."
"What game has caught your attention so much?"
On the other side.
Si Jinliang, who was also present, couldn't contain his curiosity and asked the question.
Li Xue looked equally intrigued.
Originally, Li Xue had come regarding Hearthstone... That's right, Dou Pai had ultimately been renamed Hearthstone. It wasn't that Tang Yao didn't want to come up with a new name, but she suddenly remembered something.
Although Dou Pai had been revamped with fragmented storytelling, the core narrative framework remained rooted in Warcraft lore.
This meant the foundational story wouldn't change. If Avalon developed games in the same universe later, many settings could be reused.
Under these circumstances, Tang Yao felt it might as well be called Hearthstone outright.
As for what Hearthstone actually meant, they could flesh that out through comic shorts or in-game lore later.
Often, having players accept something from the start is far easier than changing established settings midway.
With Dou Pai now transformed into Hearthstone's format, keeping the original name allowed them to safely reuse many game terms and settings.
As for the backstory... that would depend on whether Avalon developed more games in this universe, or how players pieced together the fragmented narrative.
"This one."
Hearing Kang Ming's question, Tang Yao raised the phone she'd been holding and showed it to him.
Si Jinliang looked over curiously.
Seeing his evident interest, Tang Yao handed him the phone so he could try it himself.
Without ceremony, Si Jinliang lowered his head and began playing.
Li Xue wasn't in any hurry either, peering curiously at the phone in Si Jinliang's hands—this was the first time she'd seen Tang Yao so enthusiastic about a game.
Since the demo was limited in scope, the wait wasn't long.
After a few minutes.
Si Jinliang looked up, somewhat bewildered. "This game... is it really that good? It feels flashy but hollow, hard to grasp. And can it even be profitable? How would you design monetization points for this gameplay?"
"Your reaction makes sense."
Tang Yao paused thoughtfully before giving Si Jinliang a deep look. "But you must understand—games aren't just about addiction or dopamine hits. They can be poetic, meditative... Yes, we're making mobile games now, and your focus on profitability and monetization design isn't wrong.
But don't forget why you started making games in the first place. Was it to rack your brains over monetization points? When you created Dou Pai, were you solely thinking about making big money?"
"..."
Si Jinliang froze momentarily, then suddenly seemed at a loss.
Right.
When he first made Dou Pai... was he only thinking about big profits?
Probably not.
He'd wanted to create a fun card game that would let players experience the joy of TCGs.
So why now...
"Don't stress—this is normal. You need to fill your stomach before chasing dreams."
Seeing his expression, Tang Yao spoke softly. "After all, if you can't even survive, how can you think about anything else? I just hope you don't lose sight of your original intentions... Also, if this game lacks stable monetization points, why can't we adopt a pay-to-play model?"
To be honest.
Tang Yao was quite accustomed to situations like Si Jinliang's.
Many game developers plunge into the industry full of passion, only to be assimilated quickly... gradually forgetting their original aspirations.
Often, it's not really their fault.
Because as the saying goes, you need to eat before you can pursue dreams.
Not to mention.
Even the renowned developers behind Black Myth had made mobile games during their dream-chasing journey.
It's just that many individuals and companies, in their struggle to survive, gradually forget their initial dreams...
And deep down, Tang Yao genuinely hoped Avalon could earn money while standing tall—where staff could think about profits while also creating games that brought joy and sparked interest.
"..."
Si Jinliang remained silent for a long while after Tang Yao's words.
In that moment, he reflected deeply before finally saying, "I understand."
"Don't feel too pressured. I'm just reminding you—though saying this as Avalon's current owner might sound a bit pretentious."
Tang Yao scratched her cheek sheepishly. "But a game being genuinely fun is truly important to me."
"I understand."
Si Jinliang gazed at Tang Yao's fair, captivating face. "I'll carefully consider what you've said."
Tang Yao shook her head. "That's putting it too strongly."
Si Jinliang didn't respond, just looked back at the game on the phone before asking, "If it's pay-to-play... would the other company agree?"
Tang Yao replied, "Not sure, which is why I wanted Ms. Li to contact them."
"I see. Then let me try it again."
Si Jinliang nodded as if reaching some realization and picked up the phone once more.
But just as he did, Li Xue snatched it away. "Hold on, let me try first."
Si Jinliang: "..."
Tang Yao chuckled softly.
Li Xue began playing, spending considerably more time than Si Jinliang had.
After about ten minutes, she finally looked up, eyes brightening as she met Tang Yao's gaze. "It really is interesting, quite innovative... but is this type of game suitable?"
If Si Jinliang had approached it from a developer's perspective, Li Xue was purely a player.
"Suitable."
Tang Yao nodded firmly. "Could you contact them?"
"Sure, I'll go right away."
Choosing to trust Tang Yao completely, Li Xue handed back the phone while murmuring the game's name—Yun—before hurrying off with the list.
Watching Li Xue depart, recalling her final assessment of the game, Si Jinliang silently turned his gaze back to Tang Yao's phone.
"Want to try again?"
Noticing his look, Tang Yao raised the phone slightly.
Si Jinliang nodded and took it to play once more.
This time, having set aside thoughts of profitability and monetization design.
He found the game... offered a rather unique experience. Its visual style was rare among mobile games—minimalist, geometric, low-poly, with distinctive characteristics.
The music and atmosphere were quite good too.
This was actually pretty interesting...
At this realization.
Si Jinliang couldn't help shaking his head before looking sincerely at Tang Yao. "You've taught me a lesson."
"It's not that dramatic..."
"No, perhaps it's the aftermath of Mingyu Technology's failure—I've genuinely been too narrow-minded..."
Si Jinliang didn't agree, staring at the phone. "Thankfully you reminded me. After Hearthstone launches, I shouldn't continue as producer..."
"Huh? That's going too far."
Tang Yao was taken aback and quickly reassured him. "I'll oversee Hearthstone's card pool design post-launch too, don't worry."
Wait.
Had her few words just cost them a project lead?
"Better not. To be honest..."
Si Jinliang showed an embarrassed expression. "After hearing you, I suddenly fear becoming the type of game developer I used to despise. Once Hearthstone launches, my wish will be fulfilled. If all goes well, I'd like to rediscover my former self."
Tang Yao paused before asking, "A break?"
"I want to properly play some games."
"Mmm... have you considered another approach?"
"Another approach? Like what?"
Tang Yao proposed, "How about... you lead a small team to try developing a modest-scale pay-to-play game? Avalon's very own pay-to-play title."
"...Avalon's pay-to-play game."
Si Jinliang seemed startled before asking, "Do you have good ideas?"
Tang Yao nodded. "Yes."
She truly did.
Ideally, FGO's gaming division wouldn't be limited to online games or even the anime aesthetic—that would be best.
Of course.
Not feasible now.
But that didn't mean never.