News about the release of Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain was also announced across the three major platforms. Beyond PixelPioneers Games, works from numerous second- and third-tier developers in the industry had likewise been delivered to these platforms, signaling a broad shift in distribution.
During this period, Ansoft had actually reached out to PixelPioneers Games. However, after careful consideration, John ultimately chose to cooperate with the three major platforms. The reasoning was simple: this path would bring greater overall benefits to PixelPioneers Games at its current stage.
To John, there was no fundamental difference between the three and Ansoft in terms of partnership. If PixelPioneers Games intended to step into the distribution platform arena, then joining forces with Ansoft and UEGame to challenge the dominance of the three majors would not have been a bad strategy.
But at least for now, PixelPioneers Games neither had the ambition nor the strength to compete in that field. Ansoft, backed by the power of UEGame, had already secured agency rights for many overseas games. Except for a few flagship titles, it was often third-party developers who truly captivated players. Among them, Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain and Resident Evil 2 were clearly top priorities.
Of course, Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain still had no confirmed release date. Judging from the current allocation of resources, it lagged significantly behind Resident Evil 2. Not only PixelPioneers Games, but even the three majors had poured considerable promotional resources into these titles.
However, just before the launch of Resident Evil 2, the latest generation of VR devices and three accompanying VR games were released. The moment he got his hands on one of the newly launched VR devices, John purchased all three games at once.
"The immersion isn't as strong as I imagined," John said after a brief experience. He removed the headset and gently shook his head.
In terms of gameplay, he found the titles competent, some even impressive. The issue wasn't with the games themselves, but with the hardware. The limitations of the VR device prevented the games from fully showcasing their potential.
"It works as an entry-level novelty," John added, setting the device aside. "But if we're talking about becoming mainstream and widely adopted, it still falls far short."
"The current mainstream is still VR experience stores, just like internet cafés back in the day," Armani said with a smile, removing his own headset.
Before joining PixelPioneers Games, Armani had rarely played games. But after becoming part of the company, he forced himself to start from scratch, learning, playing, and understanding the medium. While he couldn't yet call himself a hardcore player, he was undoubtedly competent now.
Hearing Armani's words, John nodded. At present, VR devices have yet to truly enter households. Instead, they were concentrated in specialized experience stores, much like the internet cafés of the past.
Most VR games were fast-paced and primarily designed for standalone or local network play. On one hand, this was due to network limitations; on the other, it stemmed from the limited adoption of home VR equipment. Even if developers created VR titles, the number of potential buyers remained small. In fact, the largest consumers of VR games were not individual players but VR flagship stores.
Each device came with built-in accounts used to purchase games in bulk. These businesses, rather than players themselves, formed the primary revenue base for VR game developers.
"You know," John said casually as a thought crossed his mind, "what if we opened our own VR experience stores and developed exclusive VR titles for them? Wouldn't that be interesting?"
"Sir, what do you mean?" Armani froze for a moment, clearly puzzled. He fell silent for a few seconds, as if processing the idea. Then, suddenly, his expression lit up with realization. "I understand, you're saying VR could become our future battlefield."
Armani straightened up instantly, his tone filled with excitement. "On the PC platform, the three majors dominate with overwhelming resources. Excluding distribution channels, they control nearly 65% of player access points. Combined with their massive financial power, if we try to enter that space, they'll suppress us just like they did with Ansoft."
"But VR is different; it's a new frontier. Even though they have already made moves, it's still an emerging platform. And for a new platform, content is everything. Offline VR experience stores already attract a huge portion of users. If we can launch a truly explosive VR title and combine it with exclusivity, we could draw in massive traffic and build a strong user base."
"Traditional platforms like PC are already saturated. The established people hold too much advantage. If we want to succeed, we need to find another path!" Although his reasoning still had gaps and rough edges, that didn't stop Armani from growing increasingly excited.
Breaking through the blockade… becoming the giant alongside them, it was an exhilarating thought. If John's greatest goal was to create games players loved, then Armani's ambition was clear: to elevate PixelPioneers Games to new heights.
Was it about money? Partially, but not entirely. The returns he already received were more than sufficient. What drove him was something else.
Watching Armani suddenly spring to his feet in excitement, John, still seated, was momentarily stunned. His expression turned complicated. He had originally wanted to tell Armani that he hadn't thought that far ahead… that it was just a casual remark. But seeing Armani so fired up, John wisely chose to remain silent.
"But this is a long-term project," Armani continued seriously. "In the early stages, it will definitely operate at a loss. We'll need thorough research and careful planning. And if we want to execute it, we'll need strong, profitable game projects to support it. A single game won't be enough. Every game has its lifecycle."
After discussing the current state of PixelPioneers Games and outlining his thoughts, Armani turned and left the office. He needed to conduct a deeper feasibility study and prepare a complete project proposal.
Left alone in the office, John sat there, still slightly dazed.