Chapter 73: Accepting the Bet

After "I Am MT" secured its position in the top five on the official app store's bestseller list, everyone had to admit that this "free game" was indeed very profitable.

It even made more money than most high-priced buy-to-play games!

Half in amazement, half in confusion.

Many designers couldn't understand how such a small game, just over 100MB, with average quality and player reviews, could outperform "Holy Spring Guardians" by almost double the monthly revenue, despite having an anime for promotion. Even with an anime, it couldn't possibly crush the powerful channel of Generation Entertainment, right?

Yet "I Am MT" did exactly that, crushing "Holy Spring Guardians" with nearly double the monthly revenue.

Designers who initially looked down on the game downloaded it to study its success.

And game media, once again, had to work overtime because of Alex Parker's game.

On the last day of the month, the bet deadline arrived.

The final sales for "Holy Spring Guardians" were 890,000 copies, with a monthly revenue of 8.9 million. Meanwhile, the monthly revenue for "I Am MT," as Alex Parker revealed, was 23 million!

More than double, nearly triple!

Soon, articles from various game media were published.

"Bet Results: Alex Parker's Complete Victory over Generation Entertainment!"

"'I Am MT' Mobile Game Earns 23 Million in Monthly Revenue, Firmly in Top Five of Bestseller List!"

"Revealing the Profits of 'I Am MT': The Secret of 'Free Games'"

"Wealthy Players Spend Thousands in This Game"

"2000 Yuan for a Card? You Read That Right, It's a Free Game"

"Even with Generation Entertainment's Platform, They Lost! Where Did 'Holy Spring Guardians' Go Wrong?"

"Ben Quinn Remains Silent; Will He Fulfill the Recommended Slot?"

"Alex Parker's X Flooded with Criticism, Yet to Respond to Player Complaints"

"An 'Unfair' Game?"

"Explainer: How Much Revenue Does 'I Am MT' Generate for Its Creator?"

"Expert Opinion: A Game That Creates Joy Through Spending Is Not a Good Game!"

Various angles were covered, much like player reviews, with mixed opinions. Some were amazed at the download numbers and monthly revenue of "I Am MT," while others questioned its profit model.

If this monthly revenue were in Alex Parker's previous world, it wouldn't be a big deal. Back then, "I Am MT" had a monthly revenue of 55 million, not to mention the 200 million of "Dota Legends" and 3 billion of "Honor of Kings."

But in this parallel world, the mainstream profit model for mobile games was still sales. To reach 20 million in monthly revenue, a game had to sell 2 million copies a month. Even if the price were raised to 20 yuan, it would still need to sell 1 million copies.

Selling that many in a month was no easy task!

So, after "I Am MT" secured a top-five spot on the bestseller list, many game media outlets were shocked at its revenue. Reaching the top five in its first month with a low rating of around 7 was unprecedented!

A game that earned money while being criticized was unique!

As the popularity of "I Am MT" continued to rise, the name Alex Parker became increasingly well-known.

Previously, "Plants vs. Zombies" was also very popular, with high quality and great reviews, but it wasn't as typical. It was still a buy-to-play game. Its creativity was excellent, but for people in this world, it wasn't as surprising as "I Am MT."

Free game.

Unfair, selling power.

Earning money while being criticized.

The three characteristics of "I Am MT" marked it as an outlier, making industry professionals and players study it repeatedly.

...

The two people at the center of the storm didn't come out to fight as some had predicted.

After the monthly revenue data for "I Am MT" was released, Ben Quinn immediately posted a simple message on X: "Accept the bet."

Alex Parker also posted a message.

"Thank you all for your continued support. No need to send any more razor blades. I understand you want me to shave and stay handsome, but my store is running out of space for them."

Players couldn't help but laugh in anger. They had never seen someone so shameless! Was that a request for you to shave?

"Never seen such a shameless designer!"

"Where's the store? I'm coming with a knife!"

"Like my post if you want to draw a purple card every time."

"Where's the update? When is Season 3 of the anime coming out!!"

"How do you have time to post on X? Go update the Azeroth Universe!"

"Trash game ruined my youth, wasted my money, refund!"

"Add me if you play 'MT.' Account: XXXXXX..."

Comments varied, but most were "sincere and friendly" blessings.

Surprisingly, Alex Parker and Ben Quinn didn't fight. Alex Parker didn't press his advantage, and Ben Quinn didn't refuse to admit defeat. Both seemed to let it go lightly.

This disappointed many onlookers who had brought their chairs and snacks, expecting drama.

They thought there would be a good show, but it ended just like that?

However, dissatisfaction aside, with both main characters stepping back, fans couldn't stir up much trouble, so the matter on X came to a temporary end.

What the onlookers didn't know was that an undercurrent was slowly sweeping through the entire gaming industry.

...

At the headquarters of Generation Entertainment.

Ben Quinn handed his resignation letter to Natalie Hughes's desk with both hands.

Natalie Hughes looked up at Ben Quinn, then pressed the resignation letter back.

Ben Quinn was stunned, "President Hughes, this..."

Natalie Hughes said, "It's just a recommended slot. Give it to him."

Ben Quinn felt ashamed, "I'm sorry, President Hughes, I..."

Natalie Hughes waved her hand, indicating he didn't need to say more.

"This matter isn't entirely a bad thing. At least you helped Generation discover a potential threat."

Natalie Hughes stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window beside her desk, and looked at the scenery outside. "If not for this matter, it might have taken us six months or even a year to discover the immense potential of Alex Parker. Now, we've gained this knowledge a year early in exchange for a recommended slot. It's worth it."

Ben Quinn felt a warmth in his heart. He had thought Natalie Hughes would be furious and had even prepared to resign, but Natalie Hughes wasn't angry at all.

Indeed, someone who could create a behemoth like Generation Entertainment had exceptional magnanimity and foresight.

Natalie Hughes said, "You don't need to worry about the recommended slot. I'll have someone contact Alex Parker."

Ben Quinn lowered his head, "Yes."

Natalie Hughes came to Ben Quinn, "However, there's one more thing you need to do."

Ben Quinn asked, "What is it?"

Natalie Hughes said seriously, "Make another game like 'I Am MT.'"

Ben Quinn was stunned, "Another one?"

Natalie Hughes nodded, "Yes. If you're worried about public opinion, you don't have to release it under your name. Just find a C-level designer to put their name on it. But this new game must be personally overseen by you. I want its gameplay to perfectly replicate the quality of 'I Am MT.'"

Ben Quinn hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, I understand."

Ben Quinn put away his resignation letter and left Natalie Hughes's office.