Chapter 104. We're Making a Free Game! (1/22)
"I want to play Pokémon right now!!"
Within just one hour of the trailer's release, this trending tag had already rocketed to the top of almost every social platform's hot search list.
Whether they liked gaming or not, users were deeply shocked by what the trailer showed—interaction, exploration, raising, battles, and even fishing.
It practically included everything people care about.
Even if you're usually not interested, keeping a cute Pikachu by your side every day feels great!
Is Pokémon just there to escort Anti-Entropy's AR glasses?
Wrong.
We're launching a dedicated pair of AR glasses specifically for Pokémon!
Those basic services were essentially ignored by everyone, and all interest converged on Pokémon.
At this time in North America, Xander had already switched off his phone and was leisurely enjoying the warmth of three people together on the sofa.
Seele was in his arms.
Bronya and Kaguya took one side each.
Both of his hands were being held by Seele and placed on her chest, where she gently kneaded them.
The trailer had been played again and again on the TV, and each time it brought the group fresh amazement.
"Big bro, can AR glasses alone really do what's in the trailer?"
Leaning farther back, Seele tilted her head and asked.
"Most of it won't be a problem."
Lowering his head to kiss Seele's little noggin, Xander replied, "Features like capturing, fishing, raising, and farming can all be achieved directly via the sensing gloves.
But scenes of Legendary Pokémon appearing will need some special equipment to assist."
Tightening his arms, he sank both hands into that softness.
Feeling Seele's body suddenly soften, he cracked a joke with a smile, "Otherwise, with Groudon and Kyogre, we can't really have them fill in the seas or destroy the land, right?
That'd be way too over the top."
"Mhm."
Just as Xander was about to say something more, Bronya's phone rang again.
By now, since the trailer's release, who knew how many calls this had been.
With a helpless sigh, she released Xander's arm and took out her phone.
"I reminded you to turn off your phone.
Aren't you just asking for trouble?"
Xander looked at Bronya in amusement.
She immediately shot back with a white-eyed glare and a snark, "Who do you think those previous calls were for?
I helped you deal with them."
"Aiya, we don't need to care about those people.
They were silent before, and now that they've seen something good, they instantly want to rush in and bite off a piece.
Is that happening?
We've got Anti-Entropy—we're not lacking anything."
"But those people are Anti-Entropy's partners.
They might end up doing business with Gensokyo Company too."
Pulling one hand out of Seele's softness, he flicked Bronya lightly on the forehead.
"Bronya, you need to remember they're the ones asking us right now.
If they don't want to cooperate later, plenty of companies will be fighting to work with us.
And behind us we have Anti-Entropy."
Cocolia was their greatest backing.
And thanks to Pokémon, Cocolia's clout within the conglomerate had deepened even further.
That previously shaky second-in-command seat was now firmly hers.
Even Welt Yang had no way to influence her anymore.
What can we say—when it comes to internal struggles, Cocolia is really quite skilled.
"Got it."
Dissatisfied, she twisted his waist with a pinch.
When Xander, hugging Seele and pulling Kaguya along, exaggeratedly denounced Bronya's violence, she froze for a moment as she glanced at the message on her phone.
"It's Kiana."
"Her?"
Bronya's surprised voice drew the other three's attention.
Xander stopped fooling around and said, puzzled, "Isn't it the middle of the night over there?
Why is she calling you?"
"Who knows."
Shaking her head, Bronya answered the call and turned on speaker.
"Kiana, it's this late…"
"I want to play Pokémon right now.
Please, please let me play.
I'll do anything!!!"
"?"
"Pff~"
The three onlookers immediately stifled their laughs.
Bronya, wearing a speechless expression, answered, "No."
"Eh?
Why not?
Bronya, can't you just make an exception?
Pretty please?
I really will do anything.
I'll even go warm Xander's bed!!"
Xander: "?"
Hold on, how did that drag me into this??
Feeling the sudden stares converge on him, Xander frantically raised both hands and shook his head.
Shooting Xander a glare, Bronya turned back and said, "It's really not possible.
It's not that we won't let you play.
Anti-Entropy and the various regions haven't fully finalized everything yet.
Some installations aren't finished.
Even if you put on the glasses, you won't see anything."
"Ah?
So that's how it is…"
Hearing the disappointment in Kiana's voice, Bronya paused and comforted her, "The specific release date here in North America will be one week earlier than the rest of the world—on January 1.
How about this: the day before launch, I'll mail you a few pairs of glasses with Pokémon bonus content.
Then you can start right away."
"Really?
Thank you, Bronya!!"
Besides Kiana's happy shout, there was also Mei's soft voice.
"Come to think of it, we haven't seen each other in over half a year.
When are you all coming back?
I miss you~"
Kiana's unpretentious sincerity filled everyone's hearts with warmth.
Bronya thought for a moment, then looked to Xander and held up the phone to him.
"Head back?
We should be going back early next year.
After Pokémon launches alongside the AR glasses, we'll still need to stay at the company to handle some follow-up minutiae.
Estimated return to the Far East by the end of January."
After thinking it over, Xander spoke up.
"Yah, it's Xander .
Xander , you're there too!"
"Of course.
With the game trailer releasing, of course we'd gather to watch it together.
By the way, about what you just said—was the 'warming the bed' for real?"
"!!!! Cough, cough—wait, you heard that?"
"Bronya has the speaker on."
"…I was obviously joking.
Just joking, hehe.
Xander , don't take it so seriously."
"That's really a shame."
No sooner had he finished than Xander felt three small hands pinch him at once, making him bare his teeth in pain.
On the other side, Kiana hurriedly changed the subject.
"Right, is everyone together now?"
"Yep."
Hearing that, Seele and Kaguya also said hello.
"In that case, how about a group video chat?
It's been so long.
Mei's right next to me.
Sirin is streaming at home right now, so let's not call her."
Soon, a video invite from Kiana popped up on the phone.
Casting the phone screen to the big TV in the living room, the pajama-clad Kiana and Mei quickly appeared in the center of the picture.
One with a goofy grin, one gentle, both smiling and waving this way.
As for a certain Miss Pufferfish who was excitedly chatting with her stream's viewers, she unfortunately lost the chance to talk face-to-face with a certain someone.
...
After turning down all social engagements and getting through the weekend, Xander buried himself in the company again, starting to improve and optimize the bugs found in closed testing, determined to make it as perfect as possible before launch.
"By the way, how are we charging for the base game?"
In the office, having just fixed a bug, Bronya stood and stretched.
Her full chest made the shirt buttons feel a bit overburdened.
She walked behind Xander, bent down, and set that weight on his head.
"Charging?
Why charge?
Of course it's free."
"Free?"
A giant question mark popped up over Bronya's head.
Still, the words "free game" made her feel something was off.
"Yeah.
Not only will the base game be free, but users bound to Anti-Entropy's AR glasses will also receive one free Pokémon as a starter partner.
For example, in the Far East there will be three choices—Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.
Those are all pretty good Pokémon.
How about it—conscientious, right~"
Isn't this a bit too conscientious?
Bending down, Bronya pinched his cheeks.
"Then how do we monetize?
We can't make nothing, right?
Will Anti-Entropy even agree?"
"Of course not.
There are in-game purchases."
"How do you charge?"
"That's easy—Poké Balls are paid."
"Ah???"
Bronya was stunned, at a loss for words as she looked at Xander's smiling face.
She had thought this guy had grown a conscience, but it turned out he was the real capitalist here.
Charging for Poké Balls—does that sound like something a human would say?
The catch rate of the most ordinary red-and-white Poké Ball is actually pretty low.
Against higher-level Pokémon it's not even five percent.
Even after chipping away some HP, the rate tops out at around fifty percent.
This will definitely be the biggest consumable in the whole game.
"Don't look at me like that~"
Spinning his chair around once, Xander caught the off-balance Bronya in his arms and, pinching the soft flesh at her back, said, "Users can claim ten free red-and-white Poké Balls every day.
Only beyond that will it cost money.
Of course, for higher-catch-rate balls like the Ultra Ball, you can only claim one for free per week.
Buying them will cost more.
Anti-Entropy's dedicated team will calculate the appropriate pricing.
We don't need to worry."
"What about the Master Ball?"
"That's a tournament reward for the Masters Eight.
It won't be sold.
And it's ineffective against Legendary Pokémon."
Watching Kaguya still working diligently, Bronya relaxed a little, her cheeks faintly flushed as she shrank back.
"Are you ready?"
Xander suddenly asked with a smile.
"Ready for what?" Bronya murmured, half-lidded.
"To become a little rich lady who'll never lack R&D funds again, of course~"
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