Top of the big era

Musk is indeed an avid game enthusiast. He burst into tears when talking about family matters. He went to Changyou to play games and immediately became active.

I feel like my whole body has regained its strength.

For some games that are still under development, he gives random instructions.

He is confident in his judgment.

As early as the 1980s, when video games first became popular around the world, Musk was not yet ten years old and became obsessed with them.

Then, he spent three days learning programming languages ​​by himself, developed a set of games, sold them to gaming magazines, and earned $500.

Later, he developed many games one after another, and also worked as an intern at a game company, giving him rich experience in this area.

However, these people in Changyou smiled and said nothing.

The left ear goes in and the right ear comes out.

Don't listen to him at all.

Zhou Buqi originally wanted to learn more about the positive role of artificial intelligence in game development from Don Mattrick. Seeing Musk's cold reception, he walked over and asked what was going on.

Only then did I discover that this game team was developing a thrilling game - a mobile version of "The Lord of the Rings", a level-breaking game.

Musk provided suggestions that more strategic elements should be added, so that multiple people can cooperate to complete levels, and there can also be a competitive mode.

As soon as Zhou Buqi heard this, he knew that he didn't understand the situation, so he quickly took him to the office and asked the team to bring him a new game "Captain America" ​​that was under internal testing for him to play.

While playing, Musk also made suggestions, "There are already too many "Lord of the Rings" games, and fantasy games are not fun. Everyone likes science fiction. I suggest you buy the copyright of "Dune". Developed into a game.”

"Dune" is a classic science fiction masterpiece. Its status in the field of science fiction is similar to that of "The Lord of the Rings" in the field of fantasy. They are both existences that stand tall.

""dune"?"

Zhou Buqi raised his eyebrows.

Musk said: "Yes, "Dune". Is there any greater science fiction story than "Dune"? Compared with "Dune", your "Star Wars" is like a child's play house."

Mattrick smiled and said: "Elon, Changyou's core strategy now is the development of mobile games. But limited by the configuration and performance of mobile phones, you can't have too much ambition when developing mobile games. "Lord of the Rings" is also good. , "Dune", if you want to develop it into a game, you have to exercise enough restraint. On the mobile phone platform, it is difficult to show their huge world view."

Musk raised his head and asked: "Will you develop "Dune" in the future?"

"This..." Mattrick couldn't say for sure, "If we have the opportunity, we will try this. Currently, Changyou's 17 studios are developing 19 new games, and the workload is huge. Heavy."

Musk waved his hand and showed no interest in the new mobile game "Captain America" ​​in closed beta. He said coldly: "If it is all such rubbish, I suggest you stop it as soon as possible!"

Mattrick felt helpless and looked at the big boss.

Zhou Buqi took out his cell phone unhurriedly and called Michael Moore, the president of Ziweixing's Universal Film Business, "Mike, it's me. I have something to ask you."

"Okay, you say."

Michael Moore was holding a preparatory meeting for the new movie "Fast and Furious 7". When he received a call from the big boss, he immediately pressed his hands to signal everyone to be quiet.

Zhou Buqi said: "Do you know "Dune"?"

Michael Moore smiled and said: "Of course, it is a great science fiction work. However, if you want to adapt it into a movie, I'm afraid it will be a little difficult."

"Difficulty? Why?"

"The background of the story is too big, and it is difficult to show it through the length of the movie."

"Then make it into a big series, tell it step by step, and tell it slowly, just like "The Avengers", using a longer length to express the story."

"This story is too complicated. It requires going to the desert for filming, and it is too difficult to shoot." Michael Moore is an old man in Hollywood. He knows it all too well. "In the 1980s, because of the huge success of "Star Wars", Hollywood also emerged. There was a sci-fi craze. A film company invited David Lynch to film "Dune." However, the film failed and the film company also went bankrupt."

Hollywood is superstitious too.

It has become a routine.

Don't touch failed actors, failed directors, failed producers, or failed projects. We must resolutely chase the rise and the fall.

If it succeeds, we should increase the stakes and continue to cooperate; if it fails, we should retreat as far as possible.

Even the great director Nolan is like this.

Nolan has been making films for Warner for more than ten years, and can be said to be Warner's most profitable director. Until "Tenet" suffered a huge failure. Warner stopped giving him a chance, and the cooperation was terminated.

Universal Pictures took a risk and gave Nolan a medium-sized feature film with an artistic side, "Oppenheimer."

Unexpectedly, a literary and artistic drama film not only became the biggest winner at the Oscars, but also created a box office miracle, with the global box office reaching 1 billion US dollars.

"Dune" as a movie has had a very painful experience before.

I once bankrupted a film company. Under such circumstances, who would dare to take over "Dune" and take huge risks to make it into a movie?

Zhou Buqi doesn't care about this. He rarely directly participates in business like this, but if he participates, it means he must do it. "Ten years ago, the trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed and shocked the world. Movie fans, who believed that this project could be done at the time? Now, special effects technology has developed better, and giant screens, 3D and Dolby have all greatly improved the viewing experience."

As a Hollywood boss, Michael Moore's flattering mentality was obvious, and he immediately changed his mind, "Well, that's true. The previous technical means were insufficient, and it was difficult to present the grand story of "Dune". It's different now, We have what it takes to develop such a great series.”

Zhou Buqi asked: "Is copyright complicated?"

Michael Moore said: "No, it's very simple. It's in the hands of the author's son. His son is also a writer. Based on the manuscript left by his father, he has continued to write many stories around "Dune". It is easy to convince him. In the past In recent years, it is true that no "Dune" movie has been made, but several "Dune" mini-series have been made, and they all have good reputations."

Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "Then we must get it. The copyright contract must be bolder. We want to make a big series. In addition to movies, we also need to develop prequels, postquels, and spin-offs around this huge story." It can be a movie or a TV series."

Michael Moore followed him, "It is true. Now we have entered the era of series. Whether it is movies or TV series, there is such a general trend."

Zhou Buqi said: "Then it's settled. You work hard and get this thing started. Try to have the first movie come out within five years."

After ending the call, I found Musk looking at me blankly, with his eyes wide open, and said in disbelief: "Is this enough? Instead of making games, go make movies?"

Zhou Buqi smiled and said: "A story like "Dune" is still too complicated for a game. Make a movie first, and when the movie is finished and this big IP is brought up, it will not be too late to develop a game." "

Musk said: "Then you have to act as soon as possible. You can form a team to negotiate with the copyright owner and get the rights to adapt movies, TV series and games. Don't let your side make the movie, IP is becoming more popular, and the game Let others snatch it and develop it.”

Zhou Buqi thinks this is true.

I called Michael Moore again and told him this, asking him to cooperate with Changyou and form a team to negotiate copyright.

Next, let’s talk about the application of artificial intelligence in the game field.

Musk seems to be more interested in artificial intelligence than games. He also said that he would like to meet the team leaders of the big Rokid project and talk to them.