The Test is Over! Prepare for Release! Glamoth Iron Cavalry PV is Here!

[ T / N ] Chapter 311 is not released, Author is making some changes in the chapter.

I'll post Chapter 311 once the author updates it~ ]

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"How do you feel about the experience of this new game this time?"

Seeing the bustling crowd in the hall, Xia Wen asked with a smile.

"The mechanic is very interesting, and the idea of catching pets itself is quite good."

Welt, who had been petrified beside him, immediately recovered upon hearing the question. He pushed up his glasses and, with a seasoned expert's assurance, offered his thoughts.

"Even more interesting is that, boss, you chose to bind the in‑game regions to real‑world locations."

"Players need to take their phones to different places, refresh the area, and capture the monsters."

"This will probably spark an extraordinary reaction and experience in real life."

After he finished speaking, Himeko, March 7th, and the others beside him all nodded in agreement.

"Boss, how did you come up with these ideas?" March 7th asked curiously.

"A flash of inspiration," Xia Wen said mysteriously.

Of course, this was just the memories from his last life. Taking Pokémon Go, and then molding it to the Honkai Star Rail IP. Name changed to Aetherium Wars, and content modified to fit the new app.

Honkai Star Rail's influence is massive, with a huge fanbase. If he only made the original Aetherium Wars, the volume would not be enough. Add a few elements, turn it into a long‑term operational project, and perhaps it'll be even better.

Not for the money, but to explore a new medium, if the game response is good, he can add some more some content through it, like the Simulated Universe Expansion's if possible.

"This project has a lot of potential. It's probably the most valuable project I've ever handled," Aventurine interjected at this moment. He flipped through pages on his phone, looking at the expected gains, his face brimming with satisfaction.

Xia Wen's gaze swept over Aventurine then to Topaz and Jade, who had just arrived behind him.

These three, as the business talents in MiHoYo, were truly being underutilized by just filming.

They needed something to do to unleash their value, like handing Aetherium Wars over to them to operate.

"Any suggestions?" Xia Wen sat down opposite Aventurine, leisurely awaiting the commercial insights.

Welt, Himeko, and the others all pricked up their ears to listen.

"No suggestions, boss, your idea, including the final product, is perfect. I just have a tiny thought about operations," Aventurine said sincerely.

To him, the concept and product were flawless existences. Looking at Xia Wen, who appeared several years younger than him, Aventurine was full of admiration.

So young, yet able to lead MiHoYo to the top and display astonishing talent in other industries, it was as if God had opened a window for him and even nudged the door open.

Compared to his own life… tsk.

But precisely because of this, Aventurine didn't want to let down the boss's great creation. Today, besides exchanging pets, he had been thinking about how to operate it.

"Drop rate," he began. "Or rather, probability. The charm of gambling, and I see amazing potential in Aetherium Wars."

Aventurine sat up straight, put away his cynical smile, and said earnestly, "We must make fans feel something different when they play…"

"'Just a little more effort and I can get a rare pet.' But at that 'little more effort' point, we need to limit the resources fans can obtain. Thirty attempts per day is still too many."

"Compress it, control the tuning attempts. Better to limit it to a very extreme number, just to create that tense, edge‑of‑your‑seat feeling! You might end up with nothing today, but you could also, with one tuning, gain returns far beyond expectations."

Aventurine's idea fit his character perfectly, and he deeply understood human weaknesses.

Reducing the daily tuning attempts from thirty would make each day's, each attempt's opportunity extremely precious. This scarcity would make people subconsciously craft elaborate strategies around every tuning.

Those like March 7th, who purely gambled on luck to get two full pets, would be reduced to the minimum, or even disappear.

"Wouldn't that give fans a huge sense of frustration?" Topaz frowned and raised his objection.

"What if today their luck is bad and they get nothing at all?"

"I thought of that too," Aventurine replied, prepared. "We raise the drop rate of ordinary monsters, I mean, those truly common pets." He pulled out a plan for mass‑spawn monsters.

"Even if they flood the market, it doesn't matter, pets can evolve to increase star levels, right? We'll design an ultimate evolution for these monsters that specifically consume fans' tuning attempts. Ordinary monsters, even elites and legendaries, top out at three stars; the mass‑spawn monsters can go straight to five stars."

"Moreover, after three stars, each additional star upgrade requires exponentially more of the same monster. Most importantly, pushing for those higher stars will consume even more of those identical monsters.

Even if fodder monsters reach five stars, they're still fodder, but many will chase that unique 'five‑star' and spend their time collecting those mass‑spawn monsters. Ordinary players will also use their excess mass‑spawn monsters to 'feed' star levels."

Xia Wen clicked his tongue to himself after listening.

Regarding this suggestion, Xia Wen thought it could be adopted, but not taken to extremes.

"By limiting resources, players can gain a slight sense of 'reward', which highlights the excitement and joy of capturing higher-level pets."

"Someone might spend ten days catching only normal monsters, but on the tenth day, even if they catch just a strong monster, they'll feel emotionally moved."

"It's like a gambler finally winning once, this kind of experience really can get people addicted."

Xia Wen gave his assessment but calmly shook his head and said:

"But it can't be taken to extremes. Aetherium Wars is a gift for the fans, not something we intend to profit from. Of course, this suggestion meets the condition of prolonging the game's lifespan, so it can be moderately adopted."

Elite monsters are very rare, and even higher-quality ones are even more so. That's not a problem.

Reducing the tuning frequency is also possible, but it can't be too little, we need to give players enough sense of involvement. Normal monsters, strong monsters, and minor elites should follow standard probabilities.

"You forgot, Aetherium Wars has so many unique designs. The more monsters there are, the more engaging the gameplay."

"Because we also have a battle phase."

"Anything that involves PvP is bound to be 'fun and huge'. All we need to do is provide a stage. The number and variety of pets are also part of that stage."

Seeing Aventurine's stunned expression, Xia Wen explained further.

After hearing this, Aventurine finally realized and held his forehead in frustration.

He actually forgot about that part. Capturing pets in Aetherium Wars is PvE, but there's also PvP content. The more complete the index, the more fun the battles become, and that extends the game's lifespan.

"Understood, I was a bit careless. I'll go back and refine the general probabilities to ensure the boss's task is completed." Aventurine immediately adjusted his thinking.

"I also have a suggestion, which is to add a official game trading system." Jade, who had been silent, also spoke up elegantly.

"Once the player base grows, pet trading will inevitably happen. Rather than leaving it uncontrolled, we should guide it ourselves."

"Of course, it's not without cost, some scarcity and rarity will be taken as a price." Xia Wen nodded.

That's a good idea.

Having an official trading platform isn't a bad thing, at least it reduces the possibility of fraudulent trades among players.

Once the discussion opened up, the lobby instantly became as lively as a vegetable market.

Everyone enthusiastically started giving suggestions.

But compared to Aventurine and Jade, the suggestions from the others were all over the place.

Stelle: Can you put me in the game? Just make me an elite monster and call me "Galactic Baseball Bat Demon King"!

March 7th: Huh? Then, then I want one too! Just make it random with a camera!

Dan Heng: ...

Seele: Hahaha, you two are hilarious.

Stelle: Don't laugh, you try too. Just make it with a sense of wish and destiny.

Seele: ?

Welt: Boss, can we add more mecha monsters? Ones that are shiny, glowing, and tall.

Fu Xuan: Ahem, I actually think, aside from monsters, if we can add some content like background stories for the monsters, fans could continue exploring the world from another angle.

Furina: Buff the Doomsday Beast!

Amidst the chaos, Xia Wen's head throbbed.

Especially after Furina's comment about buffing the Doomsday Beast.

Good grief, can't catch it, cry that it's too strong; catch it, cry that it's too weak. Furina, you really...

But in all the noise, there were still some worthwhile suggestions...

"In any case, everyone jot them down and send them all to Silver Wolf." Xia Wen's head buzzed as he waved his hand.

"?" Silver Wolf looked confused.

Why did she suddenly get another job? Is there any overtime pay?

"Oh right, boss, when is the game officially launching?"

At that moment, Furina suddenly came to her senses and eagerly asked.

"The trailer has long been ready. Now that this test has ended perfectly, let's launch as soon as possible, today is fine."

Xia Wen looked playfully at Furina and teased: "Can't wait to show off your Doomsday Beast to the fans?"

Having been seen through her little plan, Furina turned her head away in a panic: "Am I really such a shallow person?"

Even though she said that, the hair sticking up on her head had already betrayed her thoughts.

Xia Wen smiled and didn't press further.

"The trailer will be released tonight, along with Firefly's PV and the The Embers of Glammoth, setting up the next phase of content."

After giving a clear answer, Xia Wen rubbed his chin and said, "But you probably won't have much time to play anymore, Furina. I've got a tough task for you."

"Eh? Why me?"

Hearing that she couldn't play the game, Furina's ahoge drooped down limply.

"Are there any famous theaters back in your hometown?"

"Uh, or perhaps something that's still relatively well-known?"

Xia Wen asked.

"Theater?"

"I do know a theater, but… but that theater has already gone out of business..."

Furina said in a daze.

"Hiss..." Xia Wen drew in a sharp breath.

This was going to be tough.

During previous shoots, it always felt like divine intervention helped him, as fate brought opportunities through various guest connections, bringing him all the cast members till Penacony.

But now that Penacony had basically entered the epilogue, there was no news at all about the cast of Amphoreus.

He had tried to search for them by himself, but no luck. Hence the idea to search for them overseas like Europe or other places.

And currently, the only person in MiHoYo with any connection to Europe was Furina.

Unwilling to give up, Xia Wen asked again: "Then do you know, no, have you ever heard of people like these?"

"A blonde tailor, a real beauty!"

"White-haired, possibly some village guy, obsessed with yellow tops and purple pants."

[ T / N : I think this is Phainon, but not sure that he is obsessed with yellow tops and purple pants. Is that true? ]

"Pink-haired, curled twin tails, short in height, possibly a nurse or doctor."

Listening to Xia Wen's descriptions, Furina was full of question marks.

"Yellow top and purple pants?"

"What kind of disaster combo is that..."

She couldn't even imagine what someone dressed in those colors would look like.

"Don't know them, never heard of them, Xia Wen you're so weird." Furina shook her head hard.

"Hmm... alright then, have you ever thought about going back to your hometown for a bit?" Xia Wen suddenly asked.

Right now, Furina was his only chance, he had to try his luck with her. If nothing came of it, he might have to issue a "wanted notice-", ahem "hiring notice."

"Home..." Furina lowered her head, her eyes filled with distant memories.

Her cousin Neuvillette, once hailed as the "Emperor Water Cleaner," and Clorinde, who had always protected her.

She hadn't seen them in a long time. And she hadn't contacted her hometown for quite a while.

She wondered if those people who once mocked her knew she was now a deputy director at MiHoYo.

She was no longer that nobody whose opera performances went unheard.

"I... also want to go back for a bit." Furina came out of her memories and nodded firmly.

"Alright, but it's best to leave the day after tomorrow, because tomorrow we still have to help Blade make an appearance."

Xia Wen put away his smile and looked toward Blade.

Furina quickly caught on, her face filled with adorable anger.

It was finally time to resolve that poor fan's situation with Blade!

In response, the grateful Blade had already prepared the plan!

"Hmph! Tomorrow, we'll definitely give those bullies a big surprise!" Furina raised her tiny fist.

...

That night.

MiHoYo group chat.

Discussion about Aetherium Wars was completely overtaken by the topic of tomorrow and Blade's little fan.

But online, the fans, still reeling from the aftershocks of Penacony and the other PV's, were suddenly kept wide awake by MiHoYo's back-to-back bombshell announcements.

Aetherium Wars! 

Two PV previews about Firefly and The Embers of Glamoth!