The World Has Slightly Changed
1050 Words
"So, the next question is which field to choose."
After careful consideration, Adam decides to first understand the world's broader environment.
He opens his laptop, launches the Qiandu search engine, and starts browsing recent news, especially technology news.
"Some changes, but not significant," Adam concludes.
...
This world, compared to the one Adam knew in his previous life, hasn't changed much, except for the pace of technological
development being faster.
Communication and information technology have advanced rapidly, with computer chips, graphics cards, and other digital hardware evolving significantly.
Many technologies that Adam remembers not appearing until 2015 or later have already begun to emerge.
For example, the smartphone boom, which was supposed to start around 2012, had almost become widespread by 2008 in this world, and high-quality games on mobile phones have already appeared.
Moreover, this world has a much stronger awareness of copyright protection, with a comprehensive crackdown on pirated resources across all fields, and the threshold for criminal copyright infringement has been lowered.
As for other aspects, there isn't much change.
The main opportunities still lie in the internet, technology, gaming, and cultural industries, much like in Adam's previous life.
Adam can choose to enter any industry, as the system imposes no restrictions.
However, to start a company and create value without violating the system's rules, Adam also needs to hire some professionals related to the field.
For industries Adam is unfamiliar with, it's hard for him to control the direction, and what if the professionals he hires are so competent that they make the business too successful?
After much thought, Adam decides to focus on the gaming industry.
Although Adam has never worked in the gaming industry, his extensive gaming experience has given him some understanding of the field.
Compared to other industries, Adam feels he has a better grasp of the gaming industry.
A slight change in gameplay could lead to a game's failure, which is a significant advantage!
Moreover, the gaming industry burns through money quickly.
Physical industries can sell off fixed assets if they incur losses, preventing a complete loss; in contrast, losses in the gaming industry are pure losses, with a bunch of worthless code.
With memories from ten years later, Adam plans to deliberately avoid potential money-making games.
The first step, create a game!
The second step, lose money, converting all system funds into personal assets!
The third step, spend freely!
Yes, perfect.
Adam feels like a genius!
...
After deciding on a direction, Adam searches for the official website of the Business Administration, downloads the company management portal, and successfully logs in using his ID number and initial password.
He already owns a company, "Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.," with 50,000 in company funds.
This must be the system's advanced technology registering for him.
In this world, to encourage entrepreneurship, the barriers to starting a company are low, and most of the company processes have become automated and can be completed online or through the client.
This is even more advanced than the real world ten years later, very friendly to individual entrepreneurs.
Similar changes include, thanks to the rapid development of communication and cloud technologies, many industries' networking resources have been integrated, significantly improving the efficiency of online work.
For example, in the gaming industry, there's a unified official organization called the "Entertainment Software Rating Organization" (ESRO), responsible for the regulation and review of various games.
ESRO has also launched an official resource site for entrepreneurs.
The ESRO official resource site can be seen as a collection of gaming resources in the domestic market, where one can buy common art assets, programming templates, design drafts, and even customize their games by hiring professionals.
These art assets and templates are shared by other companies or individuals in the industry for a fee.
Of course, these are more basic, common resources.
It's also possible to contact top industry professionals, like leading artists, directly through the resource site.
Additionally, ESRO has launched an official game editor that integrates and simplifies the use of common game editors, making it accessible even to those without programming skills after some learning.
These changes occurred within two or three years of rapid technological breakthroughs, around 2007 to 2009.
It's precisely because of ESRO's strong support that such changes have taken place in the gaming industry.
Of course, other industries, like film and animation, have seen similar changes, but Adam doesn't need to explore these for now.
...
"Let's see the system requirements for this resource site client and editor..."
"Hmm, okay, my laptop can barely handle it. But there's still a limit to what my computer can do; can't make a large-scale game."
"No matter, I wasn't planning on making a big game anyway."
Adam's laptop, bought just a few months after starting university, can run the resource site client and ESRO editor.
However, since Adam's laptop is of mid-to-low range, it's not very powerful, suitable for smaller games but not for large-scale projects.
That's fine, as Adam never intended to make a big game. Lacking manpower and funds, and without the intention to make a profit, creating a passable indie game would be an achievement.
Adam first opens the editor and seriously studies the tutorial.
An hour later, Adam feels drowsy.
"So much for no programming needed! Ugh!"
Adam is frustrated.
While the editor's learning curve is significantly lower compared to programming languages or traditional game editors, it's still challenging for someone with absolutely no programming background like Adam.
However, he does manage to learn how to use pre-made game templates and modify art assets, which are relatively simple tasks.
"Let's check out the resource site and analyze the games on the market."
Adam enters the resource site and reviews the available resources.
There's a wide variety of game types, like simulation driving, fighting, shooting, RPG, etc., with basic templates available.
These templates are basic and not too expensive.
For instance, a shooting game template can be easily implemented into the editor to achieve basic functions like walking, shooting, reloading, with default ballistic settings for firearms.
Just adding some art assets can result in a very simple, single-gameplay shooting game.
To make something more complex would require learning the editor's advanced features.
For particularly difficult features, one would need to hire specialists from the resource site.
- Writer
