Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

Chapter 1282: We Can Cross Over!

Pei Qian smiled. “Technology accumulation… cannot be forced.”

“Since we don’t have any technical accumulation, we can also choose not to learn from traditional animation workspaces. We can use new methods to do it.”

Wu Chuan was a little confused. “A new way?”

There were many ways to classify comics. Simply put, they could be directly divided into 2D and 3D. Traditional 2D animations were mainly Japanese, while most domestic animation workspaces were made into 3D.

The core difference between these two comics was that the former was a hand-drawn picture, the latter was a model, tied up the movements, and the animator would adjust the movements of each scene, create special effects in the later stages, and so on.

2D was more expensive than 3D but it still depended on the genre.

2D was purely hand-drawn. The artist’s manpower expenditure was huge. However, if 3D wanted to be particularly detailed, they would also have to spend a lot of money to render it. It was just like the CG in the game. If it was really done well, the expenses would not be limited.

3D was only referring to it being cheaper because it could be reduced in quality. Even if it was bad, it would be average and not so easy to be discovered.

2D animation had to be done one by one after all. It was easy to collapse if they cut corners. 3D rarely had such a serious collapse that was intolerable.

It was also for this reason that domestic animation workspaces were still mainly 3D. On one hand, there were not enough talents in 2D animation. On the other hand, 3D animations were relatively easy to control. Many low-cost 3D animations could also ensure the most basic quality and become popular under the premise that the script was not bad.

It was definitely not possible for Tengda to make 2D because there were not many talents related to it in the entire domestic circle. They could not possibly spend money to poach people overseas, right?

On the whole, 3D would be easier. Wu Chuan had originally wanted to buy domestic 3D animation workspaces, but Boss Pei was not satisfied with these workspaces.

What was the new method?

After a moment of silence, Pei Qian said, “We can use the game’s immediate calculation method to make comics. It’s similar anyway.”

“After all, technology is developing so quickly now. There’s no need to keep holding onto the past.”

“‘Mission and Choice’ is a good attempt.”

Wu Chuan was stunned. “This…”

It sounded feasible, but on further thought, it did not seem feasible.

However, it did not seem completely impossible.

It was almost equivalent to a cell phone manufacturer making electric scooters. They had similarities, but the connection was not that strong.

Wu Chuan hesitated for a moment before saying, “Boss Pei, the game’s immediate calculation of CG is still significantly different from anime. I’m afraid it won’t be very effective to force it.”

“Our game’s model is very precise now. It cannot be compared to the precision of those animated films that cost more than a hundred million yuan. However, it is more than enough to compare with ordinary 3D animations.”

“However, relatively speaking, the CGs in the game are very fragmented. The time is very short, and there are very few lines. It mainly plays the role of connecting the game plot. Therefore, it is actually a state of playing to one’s strengths and avoiding one’s shortcomings.”

“If we really want to use this method to make comics, it doesn’t seem like… there’s such a precedent.”

Wu Chuan did not have a clear idea of whether this method would work.

In theory, it was definitely possible to do it. Tengda had accumulated talent in this area. It would not be a big problem to transfer a portion of people from the games department to form an animation studio.

However, the main problem was the details.

For example, the investment and output ratio of this workspace, the cost of production was proportional to the income it would generate after production.

Tengda’s games could invest a huge sum of money because there were enough players to support the game. Once the sales volume increased, they could recoup their costs.

However, not many people would be willing to pay for anime.

Another example was how to handle some details during the production process.

‘Executer Academy’ was a relatively relaxed and humorous script. It was directly related to the heroes in GOG. Wu Chuan’s original idea was to let the domestic 3D animation workspaces do it.

However, if they were to use the game’s transition method, would these hero characters have to be remodeled? Would they have to find motion capture actors to act? What if they did not act well?

On one hand, it would not be easy to control the cost if he were to do it himself. On the other hand, it would not be easy to grasp the revision of the script and some details.

Wu Chuan briefly explained these questions.

It was not that he felt that Boss Pei knew nothing about this. The main reason was that no matter how erudite a person was, there would always be things that they were not good at. Wu Chuan felt that as a subordinate, he had to remind him a little. After all, this was a huge matter. It was the most expensive plan for him to build an animation studio.

Whether it was spending money to hire others to do it or spending money to buy over an animation studio, it might be less difficult than building it himself.

Pei Qian could not help but smile slightly.

Difficult? That’s great!

I love such difficult games!

After a moment of silence, he asked, “Let me ask you this. If you build your own studio, can you guarantee that at least one episode will be released in four months? The time for this episode can be long or short. Even fifteen minutes would be considered an episode.”

‘Executer Academy’ was more like a light comedy. An episode should not be too long or it would look draggy. What’s more, it would make the audience tired of watching it.

Fifteen to twenty minutes would be enough. A few updates might make the audience feel better.

The reason why Pei Qian asked this was to confirm if this thing would affect the settlement cycle. Everything would not be a problem if it did not affect it.

Wu Chuan pondered for a moment. “Boss Pei, are there no restrictions? For example, in terms of quality and plot content…”

“Of course, it would not be a problem if there were no restrictions. In fact, it would be more than enough to create the finished product with the transfer of some people from the games department and some outsourced work.”

“The only thing to worry about is the cost, final effect, and profits.”

Pei Qian had a rough idea now. “Don’t worry about that!”

“Don’t save on the cost. Since we’re trying a new path, we should be bold and make mistakes. If you don’t have enough money, ask me.”

“It’s expected that the initial effect would not be good. We can adjust it slowly. As the saying goes, one learns from one’s mistakes. It will slowly get better.”

“As for the profit problem, there is no need to worry. As long as the quality is high, we will be able to find a way to make profits.”

“As for the difference between the game’s CG and 3D animation, that is indeed a problem.”

“However, I feel that at the end of the day, this is a question of perspective.”

“Why are many game companies doing very well in CG but not making animations? Why are many animation companies so capable but not making games?”

“At the end of the day, it’s because they’re used to the original field. It’s the safest, and crossing over means uncertainty and risk. They’re unwilling to take this risk.”

“However, I feel that different art forms are interconnected. There’s nothing bad about trying to cross over. Even if you don’t succeed, you can always get some inspiration from it. It might be helpful for your future work.”

“That’s why we have to do this even more because no one else does!”

Wu Chuan was a little dumbfounded and his expression froze.

Why did it feel like what Boss Pei said was ridiculous but reasonable?

Most companies would indeed choose the safest way to earn money for themselves. That was right.

It was just like how many people asked why there were huge investments and high risks in AAA games. Domestic game manufacturers were not willing to do it, but foreign manufacturers were producing it as frequently as if it was annual produce?

Was it because foreign game manufacturers were more noble than domestic games?

Of course, this was very one-sided.

That was because, compared to games with paywalls that charged props, 3A games were the most familiar and easiest way to earn money. Forcefully making games with paywalls might ruin their reputation and incur losses.

On the other hand, for domestic producers, a 3A masterpiece was a high-risk model, while games with paywalls were a low-risk model because their target group and market were more inclined to games with paywalls.

After tasting the sweetness of games with paywalls, some foreign manufacturers were very ruthless. They were not worse off than domestic manufacturers. This meant that many manufacturers wanted to earn this money. They simply had evil intentions but did not have the courage to do so.

It was not that many manufacturers could not do it, but they could avoid risks.

Since making games made a lot of money and already had a relatively mature profit model, why should he invest a huge sum of money into animation? Wouldn’t it be good to have the money to continue producing games?

Even if they were to cross over, they would definitely play around and not invest huge sums of money rashly.

However, Boss Pei obviously did not think so.

Boss Pei was a person who loved taking risks. He always liked to try to make a breakthrough in art while constantly crossing over.

Perhaps the reason why he emphasized using the game’s method to create comics this time was because he did not want to follow along with the existing experience. Instead, he hoped to use this cross-border method to find some new inspiration.

After all, if he handed this script to the animation studio, the things that they produced would definitely be relatively traditional and conservative. There would not be so many unconstrained changes.

However, the problem was that Wu Chuan did not think he had the ability…

He was not even the person-in-charge. He was just an ordinary employee in Fei Huang Workspace. He felt that he had endured too much pressure that he should not have.

However, the first thing that had to be clear in Tengda’s work was that Boss Pei’s requirements had to be fulfilled at all costs. This was the core of the Tengda spirit that every employee had to understand.

At last, Wu Chuan reluctantly nodded. “Alright, Boss Pei. I’ll do my best.”

Pei Qian was very satisfied. “Yes, very good. Don’t be afraid of spending money. If you need anything, let me know at any time!”