I Have a Mansion in the Post-apocalyptic World (Web Novel)
Chapter 79: Game Online

<…Artificial Intelligence will be the prevailing trend in the progression of modern society. For the growing tech industry, authorities expressed their high regards. On the other hand, for the artificial intelligence program available on the market, authorities are in the process of completing the necessary regulations to protect the interest of the people and corporations…>

Renren news report.

The government media authority did not report extensively on the details of Future 1.0 as they focused on the bigger picture in regards to the current state of artificial intelligence. They reported mainly on the regulatory environment. However, CTV did praise highly about the outstanding performance of Future 1.0.

The local media was all over the place with their reporting, so Jiang Chen didn’t place too much emphasis on it. Besides, he cared more about the government media’s stance because it often hinted on the perspective the authorities would take.

But now, after the conversation with Wang Dehai, there was no need to pay attention to it.

Jiang Chen, lying on the bed, turned off the domestic news and commanded Little White to pull up the current foreign news.

<Dictator – the next Steve Jobs in the Tech Industry?> (BBC)

[Mhmm, that was what I had planned.]

<Artifical Intelligence and privacy, Truth or Lie?> (CNN)

[The truth was presented to you, it’s up to you to believe it or not.]

<2014 Most Attractive Men> (Mode)

[Did something weird just appear.]

Jiang Chen judged each headline as he continued to scroll through each one before throwing his phone to the side. Just as he was about to go back to the apocalypse, his phone suddenly vibrated.

He picked up his phone. It was Robert who had sent him an email.

<Hi! Buddy, you really transitioned?>

Jiang Chen smiled as he could imagine his shocked look. That guy’s jaw probably dropped to the ground when he saw the guy he knew on the news.

<Of course, please call me the president of Future Technology now. You? Are you still doing the same thing?>

<No, no, no. The FBA invited me twice to chat already. After finishing the Baton guy, I stopped. Please call me producer now :P>

The Baton guy was probably the insider who sold him out. But Jiang Chen didn’t bother with Robert’s business as he would just ask Robert to take him around when he does go to Los Santos. For now, he had no reason to leave the country.

[Of course, who could predict the future.]

Just as Jiang Chen was about to put his phone down again, the phone rang.

Xia Shiyu?

"Hello? Do you miss me?" Lazily, Jiang Chen picked up the phone.

"Are you not coming to work today?"

She cunningly reacted to her superior’s harassment.

Jiang Chen nodded, pleased with the reaction, and continued.

"I have already given you the permission on the specific tasks, can you not let me be a relaxed billionaire?"

"Mhmm. If you have time today, drop by. I had a feeling that you were about the leave for a long time. I still have some things that I need you to decide on."

Jiang Chen was shocked.

[This girl is psychic, how did she know I was about to leave.]

Jiang Chen sat up from the comfort of his bed.

"Wait, I’ll be there soon."

－

Different from the usual emptiness, Future Technology’s headquarters already began to feel busy. Because of the need for people, training was halted and people learned on the job.

The employees apparently recognized the president as they cheerfully greeted him.

Jiang Chen smiled and didn’t interrupt their work. Instead, he walked directly towards Xia Shiyu’s office.

"Eh, what do you think is the relationship between the president and Miss Xia?" The cute girl at the front desk poked at her colleague.

"What. If Miss Xia heard you, she'd cut your bonus. Hehe, but if I would guess, it’s not that simple."

He had knocked before he was given permission to come in with "Please come in."

"Hmmm? You are here?" Xia Shiyu’s tone was rather stiff as she dodged his eyes.

A forced smiled appeared on Jiang Chen’s face. [Is it because of yesterday? If it is awkward from now on, it will be problematic…]

He didn’t know why he asked that question.

But business first. If he didn’t take care of things now in the modern world, it would be hard to take care of the issues after he comes back from the apocalypse.

He cleared his throat to break the awkwardness and then spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Mhmm, what is the current user base of Future 1.0?"

Xia Shiyu saw that he didn’t bring up yesterday’s topic, so she secretly felt relieved. Then she picked up a report on the table.

"Future 1.0’s user base already broke through the two hundred million mark, but the growth speed is slowing down," She pushed up her glasses as she reported to Jiang Chen with professionalism.

"Not bad. Then we can go to the next step. Is the application procedure for the game finished? Is the operations team familiar with the game now?"

Jiang Chen asked as he flipped through the document Xia Shiyu passed over.

"The application procedure finished awhile ago. As to the operations team, they are familiarizing themselves with the game. Because they only started yesterday, it is still being completed. However, the game you provided has a perfect backend, so the task is almost complete."

[Looks like Yao Yao did an excellent job.] Jiang Chen smiled with the cute girl in mind and continued.

"What about marketing?"

"It’s been ongoing, we have done advertisements and cinematics. Based on the feedback from our official site, the users have high hopes for the landmark mobile game. The post with the highest upvote even said that he is waiting for us to create virtual reality helmets that come from fictional novels," Xia Shiyu said half-jokingly, but it scared Jiang Chen.

[What, did I say I was going to develop virtual reality? Was this person reborn?]

"Based on this, users have extremely positive opinion about our company’s technology. President, are you okay?" Xia Shiyu looked Jiang Chen’s puzzled expression, confused. She had a trace of worriedness in her tone.

"Ahem, nothing. I just think I should control how much I show off." Jiang Chen forced a laugh.

[Maybe I am being too sensitive.]

Xia Shiyu ignored his nonsense words and continued.

"Then should we introduce the game now?"

Jiang Chen thought for a moment.

"Mhmm, I think it’s about time. Start the registration and pre-download tonight. The official release will be within this month. You can decide the exact strategy. The bug system in the game is also advanced, so the employees only need to troubleshoot based on the description provided by the system. The operation of the game should have no problems. This is the decision then. <New Era> will come online!"

Jiang Chen was confident about this game. The introduction of Future 1.0 freed the hardware limitations of the mobile plant which would foster a series of the high-quality mobile games. This would fundamentally change the mobile game industry. The original popular masterpieces would not necessarily get replaced by the new generation of games, but they would definitely be impacted and forced to make adjustments.

It was the perfect opportunity for Future Technology to enter the mobile gaming market.

Xia Shiyu nodded as she also believed it was time. The release of the game would also turn the company’s current income statement around, which was now in the red.

"Another key aspect. Do you have any recommendations for the direction of the game?" Xia Shiyu had to ask Jiang Chen about the macro development strategy of the company.

"You can make your own decision. I know you are a lot more knowledgeable than me in regards to operational strategy." Jiang Chen smiled.

"No, I mean the bigger picture. It is extremely difficult for a mobile game to balance KPI and ACU…"

"Wait, what is KPI?" Jiang Chen was at a loss.

Xia Shiyu was at a loss too.

"KPI, key performance indicators."

Jiang Chen embarrassedly scratched his head as he realized he was an amatuer in business.

However…

"What about ACU?" He gulped as he shamelessly asked.

"Average concurrent user… President, maybe it would be a good idea to learn some fundamentals?" Xia Shiyu said sounding worried.

Jiang Chen’s face flushed, but it would be impossible for him to admit his small fault in this. "Ahem, why didn’t you just put it in simpler terms? Profit and user base right?"

Xia Shiyu’s eyes twitched as she sighed, "Mhmm, you could interpret it that way."

He gave it a thought. "You don’t have to worry about profit, for now, we don’t lack cash. Compared to short-term profits, I care more about long term sustainable growth. If we have to sacrifice the lifespan of the game for profit, it will undermine the quality of our game."

"Understood. President and I share the same thought. Since we already have the advantage in technology, no company can copy our game. Therefore, we don’t have to worry about the lifespan of <New Era> for now. Once we establish the first group of users, we can then consider the profit," Xia Shiyu agreed as she took out another piece of documentation.

Jiang Chen scanned it as it revolved around the details of the game's operation. For example the purchase method and game model. It had nothing to do with the game content.

[Should be okay then.]

"Now that everything is cleared up, I need to go somewhere far away in the next few days." Jiang Chen put the document aside as he was getting ready to leave.

"Where are you going now?" Xia Shiyu sighed as she rubbed her head.

"Maybe I will tell you one day?" Jiang Chen laughed as he walked out of the door, leaving a bewildered Xia Shiyu.

[How long till that one day comes?

Probably when I am powerful enough to go head to head with the forces of an entire nation.]