Genshin impact : Elysia endroses me!!!

The girls eagerly awaited Mo Li's response after hearing the question about pricing.

Instead of answering immediately, Mo Li turned the question back to them. "Let's hear your thoughts first."

The girls exchanged glances, and Bronya was the first to speak up.

"In terms of quality, Honkai III is definitely on par with Penguin's Otherworld. There's no issue matching its pricing standard."

Mo Li nodded internally.

Otherworld was Penguin's most profitable game, relying on a point card system — the most expensive pricing model in the industry. That these girls believed Honkai III could compete with it reflected the game's potential.

However, Mo Li shook his head slightly. "I don't plan to use the point card system."

This stunned the group.

"Huh?" Bronya asked, confused.

Mo Li explained, "Compared to Otherworld, our current content volume is smaller. However, in terms of gameplay and unique selling points, Honkai III stands far above it. Even the story alone could qualify as a top-tier anime."

From version 1.0 to version 7.0, the game offered an immersive experience that even the most dedicated player might struggle to finish in 24 hours.

"But..." Mo Li trailed off, studying their faces.

The girls still seemed puzzled. Bronya voiced what everyone was thinking: "Then are you planning to use a buyout model? But the game's not complete yet, and its gameplay doesn't seem suited for that model."

Rita frowned in agreement. "Yes, if you go for a buyout system, the price will likely limit your player base."

Mei chimed in softly, "Boss, the game is so good that even if the price isn't high, players would be willing to pay for it."

Seeing the growing skepticism, Mo Li raised his hand to calm them.

"Listen to me first," he said with a confident smile. "I plan to make the game free!"

The room fell silent as the girls processed this bombshell.

"Free?!"

Rita broke the silence, looking incredulous. "Boss, even though we all want to create a game everyone can enjoy, we can't run a charity here!"

Mei agreed. "Yes, this game is exceptional, but surely there's a way to charge without overburdening players?"

Mo Li smiled, clearly prepared for their objections. "It's not entirely free," he explained. "The base game will be free, but there will be additional elements players can pay for."

He leaned forward, his tone growing more animated. "You all know the Valkyrie armors in Honkai III—each has unique effects and abilities. We'll monetize through these."

He began detailing his planned profit model.

It was a system revolving around gacha mechanics: players could draw for character cards, weapons, and stigmata. Unlike the point card or buyout systems, Honkai III would entice players through its exquisite character designs and engaging storylines, making them emotionally invested in the characters and willing to spend money.

The girls quickly understood.

"This…" Rita blinked in surprise.

Ji Zi leaned back, laughing. "You really have the mind of a profiteer."

"It's genius," Bronya admitted. "Making the base game free attracts more players, including those who wouldn't normally spend money. And even so-called 'free-to-play' players might not be able to resist buying a monthly card."

She paused, shaking her head in amusement. "With a few monthly cards, they'll spend as much as a buyout game anyway."

Mo Li smiled, enjoying the recognition. "Exactly. I'm no philanthropist—I still have to make a living, after all."

He leaned back, letting the team digest the plan. "That's settled, then. Take the next two days to rest. Once the game goes live, things will get busy."

As Mo Li prepared to leave, Youlander suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.

"What's wrong, Youlander?"

Mo Li found the scene amusing. Despite her mature and graceful demeanor, Youlander often displayed a surprisingly innocent side.

When she didn't respond immediately, Mo Li teased her: "What's the matter, dumb goose?"

Youlander froze, clearly surprised by the nickname. "Boss... My name is Youlander," she corrected hesitantly.

Mo Li chuckled. "I know. But don't you think 'dumb goose' is a cute nickname? It suits you."

"Does it?" Youlander tilted her head, genuinely pondering the question.

The sight of her so deep in thought made Rita laugh. "I agree; it suits her perfectly."

Ji Zi nodded. "It's adorable, honestly."

"Alright, let's stop teasing her," Mo Li said, bringing the conversation back on track. "What were you going to say, Youlander?"

Youlander snapped out of her thoughts, looking serious again. "Boss, earlier you mentioned selling character cards… Does that mean the characters in Honkai III are based on us?"

Her words hit the team like a bombshell.

The girls' eyes turned to Mo Li, their expressions a mix of shock and suspicion.

"Boss," Rita said sweetly, though her narrowed eyes betrayed her intentions, "I think you owe us an explanation."

The others nodded in agreement.

Mo Li hesitated for a moment before laughing nervously. "Uh... Let's just say I took a bit of inspiration…"

As the discussions continued, Honkai III was already generating massive buzz online. On platforms like Douyin and Station B, its official accounts had amassed over two million followers, thanks to a steady stream of game previews and character videos.

Mo Li planned to capitalize on this momentum by releasing more gameplay footage and promotional content over the next few days.

While the team's teasing didn't let up, Mo Li left the office in high spirits, confident that Honkai III would be a success.