I Just Want Players to Save Money, They Insist on Giving Me!
Chapter 526 - 171: We Don’t Sell Cartridges, We’re Just Cartridge Movers!_5

Chapter 526: Chapter 171: We Don’t Sell Cartridges, We’re Just Cartridge Movers!_5

It must be said that the game "Odyssey" truly has a magical allure.

After more than an hour of an intoxicating gaming journey, the child was nearly in tears before Cai Xing finally, reluctantly, handed the controller back to the child.

He approached the front desk and struck up a casual conversation with Ma Yang.

Through their dialogue, Ma Yang learned that

Cai Xing was a member of the middle class, owning a small company worth tens of millions, and his wife was also from a middle-class family.

The couple was not short on money.

But recently, they had some idle funds and were looking for channels to invest.

After looking around, they hadn’t found an appropriate investment opportunity.

Rather, it was today’s outing with his child to relax that led Cai Xing to discover this unassuming little industry.

It wasn’t until after talking to Ma Yang that Cai Xing realized that there had never been a handheld console experience store like this before.

In the past, either the consoles themselves were too expensive, or the game prices were too high, making it impossible for such stores to operate.

After all, to break even, the cost passed on to players could easily end up being around 50 to 60 yuan per hour to play offline.

Therefore, Ma Yang’s store was, in truth, the very first offline gaming experience hall.

And after trying it out himself, Cai Xing became even more interested in the industry.

Firstly, the quality of the games was impressive.

Secondly, the market demand was clear.

In the time that Cai Xing and Ma Yang chatted, the store began to steadily fill up with customers.

And keep in mind, it wasn’t even 10 o’clock in the morning yet.

What would it be like in the afternoon?

Moreover, it’s important to note

that the store only served the surrounding residential area, yet there was already such a dense flow of people.

If the business were to expand...

This was an industry that hadn’t caught the attention of many investors yet.

By the time most people become aware of a trend, it’s no longer a trend.

"Young brother Ma, I’ll just come out and say it, would you be interested in expanding your store?" Cai Xing asked with a smile, genuine sincerity in his voice, "If you allow me to join as a partner, I promise that within half a month, I can triple the size of your store. And in the following three months, I will gradually open branches in various locations across Jianglin City. As for expanding beyond the province or even nationwide... it’s too early to discuss such ambitious plans."

Ma Yang was quite moved by this proposal.

However, as an adult, he knew that there were no such things as free pies falling from the sky.

Truth be told, this kind of store could be opened by anyone.

And the cost was not high at all.

If Cai Xing really intended to invest, there was no reason for him to talk about partnership.

If he opened a store secretly, what could Ma Yang possibly do to stop him?

But soon, Cai Xing offered a reason that Ma Yang couldn’t refuse.

First, Cai Xing already had his own company and didn’t have the energy to manage a store, so he could only invest as an investor.

If he was looking for a partner anyway, it made more sense to go with Ma Yang who was the insightful first mover rather than someone else who was less familiar with the industry.

Secondly, Ma Yang was very genuine.

From their recent conversation, Cai Xing felt that Ma Yang was a down-to-earth and straightforward person.

In his years of doing business, although he was not at the level of Designer Ke, the big shot mentioned by Ma Yang, Cai Xing himself had seen many people.

Having managed a company with over a hundred employees, he was well-acquainted with all sorts of people.

Compared to partnering with shrewd businessmen, with whom one might be outwitted at any turn,

if this money was going to be made by someone,

then why not find a more honest and solid partner?

Perhaps to show his sincerity,

Cai Xing even made a call to have the legal counsel of his company come over.

They drafted a contract on the spot for Ma Yang.

Just by signing, Ma Yang could immediately receive an investment of one million yuan.

And acquire 50% of the "Game Fun" gaming experience hall shares.

Ma Yang was not overwhelmed by this incredible surprise,

instead, he still chose to take some time to consider it.

After returning home, Ma Yang consulted with a business lawyer friend from college and found that the contract was sound.

After considering everything, Ma Yang made a personal visit to Cai Xing’s company and readily signed his name on the contract.

The two then had a lengthy discussion in the office about the future development of the gaming experience hall.

Ma Yang’s original idea was simple.

It was to expand around the concept of "game experience" and establish a service-oriented industry.

But Cai Xing pointed out the disadvantage of this approach with keen insight.

Space occupancy rate.

The capacity of a single experience store was limited.

And it’s difficult to reach the scale of internet cafes.

It’s not that it’s impossible, but that it should not be done.

Cai Xing believed that places like the Switch Experience Store were accepted by players,

more for the chance to enjoy the fun of offline multiplayer games, or to find a comfortable environment to relive their childhood.

The 15 yuan per hour price point was often for the environment.

If it turned into the kind of dim, endless rows of machines, like a prison setting seen in internet cafes, it would be hard for players to embrace it.

With these limitations, the revenue potential of a store was limited.

"Then, what does General Cai think we should do to develop?" Ma Yang asked humbly, seeking advice from the benefactor who could be considered a major influence on his success.

Cai Xing spoke with a determined gaze.

"Sell game cartridges."

Compared to the space occupancy rate of one customer,

the space occupied by a game cartridge was practically negligible.