Chapter 2528 Promotion

After the meeting, Zhou Buqi expressed a friendly attitude and said he regretted the hype surrounding Ballmer's resignation.

As long as it is appropriate, he is willing to provide some help within his ability.

Ballmer was not polite at all, "That would be great. If you are willing, please come and support Surface."

"Ah?" Zhou Buqi didn't quite understand, "How can I support it?"

Ballmer sighed, "After the launch of Surface, the market response was not very good, which caused a big blow to Microsoft. However, we have not given up on this product. On the contrary, we will further vigorously promote it. Last year, it was only Surface It is not an exaggeration to say that the first version has some flaws in the software and hardware.”

Zhou Buqi asked: "Do you need my help at the software level?"

Ballmer said: "Yes, I hope you can develop some mobile applications for the new version of Surface's Win8 system, especially Helo and Yahoo."

"This..." Zhou Buqi was a little embarrassed, "You know, Ziweixing International has not been listed yet, and it relies on debt issuance to survive. After supporting the Apple and Android ecosystems, it will fully develop for the Microsoft ecosystem. products, which would place a huge burden on our operating costs.”

Ballmer said firmly: "No, Surface will definitely succeed! I promise you!"

Zhou Buqi sneered inwardly.

My heart says you are guaranteed to be of no use.

He has no interest in participating in this matter unless there are some tangible benefits.

Perhaps many outside institutions may still have high expectations for Microsoft's mobile business, believing that as long as Microsoft integrates the acquired Nokia and improves its Surface products, it can be completely transformed, just like Apple's closed iPhone and iPad. Similarly, Microsoft can also create a "Nokia + Surface" software and hardware collaborative product ecosystem.

But this can't fool Zhou Buqi.

"this……"

Zhou Buqi looked melancholy, seeming to be struggling with this decision.

Ballmer gave his own preferential conditions, saying: "Microsoft can extend the contract for all Office products on Ziwei Cloud."

This guy is very controlling.

Relying on the core position of Office products in the office market, it has secured many industry resources for Microsoft. Whoever is qualified to cooperate with Office products seems to have a certain industry status.

But this is just Ballmer.

After he stepped down, the new CEO changed his strategy, gave up this monopoly-level competition strategy, and began to become more open.

Most cloud platforms can provide various product components of Microsoft.

Zhou Buqi was not too interested in this and said with a smile: "I just participated in Changyou's online board meeting a few days ago. The annual shareholders' meeting will be held next month."

"Well, congratulations, Changyou did a great job!"

Ballmer congratulated enthusiastically.

In the past few months, Changyou's stock price has been soaring. Its current market value has reached 58 billion U.S. dollars, and it is already in a far leading position in the gaming industry.

The stock price has soared during this period and it has been sought after by the capital market. It is really not a mobile game that Boss Zhou has planned for a long time.

It's a football game - "Fifa2K Live Football".

When the game was launched, it immediately aroused players' carnival.

The reason for its great success is not only that the game itself is excellent, but also integrates the engine technology of "2K" sports games and some operating concepts of traditional live football.

A more important reason is channels.

This is a big game.

If you want to play it, you can only play it on a computer or a home game console. (A home game console is a game console that is connected to a TV and then played with a controller.)

On the computer side, Purple Star International owns Steam, the world's largest game platform, which directly provides the best recommended resources for "Fifa2K Live Football" and provides the greatest promotion support.

On home consoles…

Currently, there are three main companies in the world engaged in this business in this field, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

Sony and Nintendo have already finalized it.

"Fifa2K Pro Evolution Soccer" was originally adapted from "Pro Evolution Soccer". It has the genes of Japanese games and continues many of the past cooperation agreements between "Pro Evolution Soccer" and Sony and Nintendo.

Therefore, when competing in the market, Sony's game console PS4 and Nintendo's game console Wii will focus on recommending "Fifa2K Live Football" to players instead of their main competitor, EA's football game "EA_SPORTS_FC_13".

The only exception is Microsoft.

Microsoft has been cooperating with EA for so many years.

In the US market, Microsoft's Xbox is the main home game console in the market.

If Zhou Buqi can also win over Xbox, he will be able to completely crush EA on the channel side and provide the greatest market-level support for Changyou's "Fifa2K Live Football".

However, this is not easy.

Changyou's co-CEO Don Mattrick has contacted Microsoft many times, but has not received a positive response. You know, Mattrick is the hero of Microsoft's game business!

The current Xbox game console is mainly the Xbox 360 model, which is a home game console launched in 2005. This game console completely revitalized Microsoft's home game console business.

The Xbox 360 game console is a product created by Don Mattrick when he was in charge of the game business at Microsoft.

Microsoft doesn't show any mercy to senior executives who have resigned.

Zhou Buqi suggested: "Xbox's commission ratio to game manufacturers is too high. The 30% ratio is very detrimental to the development of the game industry."

Ballmer was greatly surprised, "Isn't the commission rate of Ziweixing International's Steam 30%?"

Zhou Buqi coughed and said, "Computer games and console games are not the same concept after all. The former is mainly based on online downloads, while the latter is mainly based on the sale of discs, and the cost is higher. Changyou has several As for console games, there is a need to establish broader cooperation."

It is impossible for Ballmer to make this opening for Changyou. "This is Microsoft's system and cannot be changed."

Zhou Buqi said: "Then make some adjustments to the sales strategy."

"Oh?" Ballmer was very interested in this. He is an expert in marketing. "How to adjust it?"

Zhou Buqi said: "Changyou has launched a new 2K series of football games. This game can be bundled with Microsoft's Xbox game console. In terms of the price of the game, Changyou is willing to make a relatively large profit concession."

"oh?"

Ballmer's eyes lit up when he heard there was money to be made.

There is no loss to Microsoft, why not do it?

As for the life and death of EA, its competitor in sports games... that is not Ballmer's concern at all.

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "I have a proposal. Xbox and Changyou can jointly launch a summer promotion, such as... an additional purchase activity of US$9.9."

"How to say?"

"When players purchase an Xbox, they only need to pay an additional $9.9 to purchase the game "Fifa2K Live Football"... Well, they can also add another game, including "NBA2K13". Players only need to pay an additional fee. For $9.9, you can get these two football and basketball game masterpieces at the same time!”

"What about the cost?"

Ballmer was very excited.

Zhou Buqi said: "Chanyou only costs $9.9, and all other promotional benefits belong to Microsoft."