Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 234 - 233: Ghost Fire Boy Challenge!

Clearly, popularity and show effect are the most important!

While earning money is their ultimate goal, maintaining popularity can lead to making even more money. This simple truth is not lost on any streamer.

For Heilong, if he could extend this kind of popularity at this moment, or even further, reverse the current public opinion, he would be perfectly willing to spend some money on it.

Of course, it all depends on how much money needs to be spent and to what extent public opinion can be swayed.

Chen Tingquan confidently said, "How about this, we both chip in, not too much, one hundred thousand each, totaling two hundred thousand.

"Let’s organize a ’Ghost Rider Youth Challenge’! What do you think?"

Heilong was somewhat puzzled, "Ghost Rider Youth Challenge? That sounds a bit... unorthodox..."

One hundred thousand each might be a bit painful for streamers at their level, but it wasn’t particularly a lot, and was definitely within an affordable range.

After all, they often get big sponsorships, and they regularly give away thousands in their live streams. Calculating monthly expenses, the amount spent to increase the live stream’s popularity often reaches tens of thousands.

But spending so much on something called a "Ghost Rider Youth Challenge"? What for?

Ting Quan continued to explain, "The competition is actually quite simple, it’s about inviting ghost riders from across the country to participate in a motorcycle racing battle royale!

"Of course, it will be carried out in the game ’Road Rage Simulator’.

"Contestants pay for the game themselves, of course, but for some seeded players, such as motorcycle celebrities on short video platforms, we can also invite them officially, reimburse them for the game—after all, it’s less than a hundred yuan, no big deal.

"After they enter the game, they’ll choose the internet celebrity profession and start with a motorcycle.

"The contest rules are the same as my previous live streams, racing! We’ll have timed, scheduled races every day, and periodically eliminate competitors based on their results. The last one laughing is the winner.

"I am thinking of setting this for the challenge’s prizes.

"One grand prize. How about a motorcycle worth around fifty thousand Yuan, Brother Long, do you have any good options?"

Heilong thought for a moment, "Then how about the Ninja 400? Its price is just about fifty thousand."

The Ninja 400 is a model from the same series as the Ninja H2, but it’s incomparable to the H2, which is like a land missile. Its price is much cheaper, with a standard selling price of 49,800, making it very popular among novices.

Of course, the depreciation of second-hand motorcycles is quite severe. If one is willing to buy a second-hand one, it’s possible to get more expensive models. But since this is a prize draw, it might not look good to give away a second-hand motorcycle; a new one has more prestige.

Ting Quan went on to say, "Three first prizes, we could give away three entry-level bikes worth up to twenty thousand each."

Heilong, familiar with these matters, quickly responded, "How about the Zontes 250SR? It’s quite a representative national celebrity bike, looks good, and the selling price is 16,880. Three bikes together would also be about fifty thousand."

Ting Quan nodded, "That works, the bikes Brother Long picks are definitely without question.

"Then there are second and third prizes, and a participation prize.

"Ten second prizes, motorcycle accessories like riding gear and helmets; twenty third prizes, some cheaper accessories like gloves and ornaments.

"We could give more participation prizes, maybe 50, and we could give away ’Road Rage Simulator’ games, or even do cash equivalencies.

"Overall, the total amount for prizes should be controlled at two hundred thousand, just right.

"I believe these rewards will definitely be very attractive to the ghost riders."

Heilong found it hard to contain himself, "It’s definitely attractive, but the problem is... aren’t we flying in the face of criticism?"

Their live streaming content was already controversial, facing significant public scrutiny. Instead of stopping, they planned to hold a contest for the heat?

One careless move, and they could turn their live stream into a disaster!

Ting Quan shook his head, "No, if this competition is well run, it can certainly reverse public opinion!

"You could even say it would be a tremendously good deed."

Heilong roughly guessed Ting Quan’s thoughts. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but since Ting Quan insisted, they’d try it.

"Alright, let’s quickly finalize a competition plan and announce it to everyone during the live stream later!"

...

At 8 p.m., Heilong’s live stream was still a black screen.

The die-hard fans who had been waiting to watch were becoming impatient.

"Knock knock knock, open the door!"

"I’m so sorry, big streamer!"

"Did Brother Long get into an accident racing, when does the feast begin?"

"Damn, he’s not streaming today to dodge the heat, is he? If you stop streaming, who’s going to fill the gap in my binge-watching?"

Many viewers could sense the uproar in public opinion at the time, but obviously, they couldn’t possibly be as sensitive as Heilong. They were all a crowd that loved to see a spectacle and didn’t mind if things got worse, as they wouldn’t be involved even if something really happened. When that time comes, it would be "the streamer flies carefree, face the consequences on your own."

Finally, nearly ten minutes passed, and Heilong arrived fashionably late.

And as soon as he started his live stream, he brought with him a blockbuster announcement.

"Brothers, I’ve decided to work with Ting Quan to organize a ’Ghost Rider Youth Challenge’!"

"Do I have any viewers out there who are particularly confident in their riding skills? Hurry up and join this competition, the prizes are very attractive!"

"Please take a close look at the prize list."

Heilong was clearly well-prepared; he immediately posted the detailed rules and prizes on the live-streaming room’s screen.

At first, the viewers didn’t really care and showed little interest.

Ghost Rider Youth Challenge? What a weird name. Let alone the question of whether you’re breaking the law here, who would admit to being a ’Ghost Rider Youth’?

But the moment they saw the prizes, they couldn’t hold back their excitement.

"Damn! The grand prize is a motorcycle! That thing’s worth Fifty Thousand Yuan!"

"The first prize is also a motorcycle, and there are three of them!"

"There are other prizes too, and even participants get their game fees reimbursed? Man, I’m tempted, how do I join?"

"I admit it, I’m a Ghost Rider Youth!"

"Competing in the game? Don’t stop me, I’m going to beat ten of them! Quick, where do I sign up?"

If it were in real life, certainly not many people would participate. Mainly because there aren’t many people who ride motorcycles now, and having a driver’s license and a bike is a problem.

Moreover, one would also have to consider safety and whether the competition is legitimate.

But if it’s in a game, as long as you have a controller, you can compete, which is much simpler.

Heilong began to explain the detailed rules, "The conditions for participation are simple, you at least need to get the ’Moto Killer’ achievement in ’Road Rage Simulator.’

"Anyone who has this achievement, send your gamer tag and a screenshot of the achievement to this competition email I’m providing. There will be personnel dedicated to screening and grouping, and to verify your eligibility to compete.

"During the competition, I will select a venue in ’Road Rage Simulator’ to establish the race course. When the time comes, everyone can bring their bikes over, and we’ll organize it on site..."

In ’Road Rage Simulator,’ there are many odd achievements, and one known as the ’Moto Killer’ is among them.

The condition to unlock it is: the player must ride a motorcycle for a cumulative total of 5 hours and have been involved in more than ten traffic accidents.

Actually, if it’s to be a selection criterion, this achievement is a bit odd, to say the least; shouldn’t the fewer traffic accidents, the better?

But since there are no more apt achievements in the game, this one will have to do as the selection requirement.

At least it can be confirmed that contestants have ridden a motorcycle in the game for 5 hours.

This competition will start today and continue daily for a week.

As for the participants, initially it will mainly involve the fans of Heilong and Chen Tingquan, the two hosts. But as the event heats up, it’s inevitable that other contestants will join in.

The most important thing is that Heilong and Chen Tingquan will also reach out to some motorcycle influencers on short video platforms to invite them to participate in the race.

For these specially invited contestants, there won’t be the entry threshold of the ’Moto Killer’ achievement, of course.

The event is definitely rocking, but the question is... isn’t this really flying in the face of the storm?

The viewers in the live room were starting to get excited—who cares if it’s defying the authorities, as long as there’s something cool happening! After all, if something goes wrong later, it’s the streamers who’ll take the fall.

Soon, people began to sign up with enthusiasm!

The first batch of screened contestants were mostly fans of the two hosts and, coincidentally, they had played five hours of motorcycle riding in the game and earned the achievement.

Live streaming platforms are never short of people passing messages, and after Heilong and Chen Tingquan announced the ’Ghost Rider Youth Challenge,’ viewers spread the word to various live streams.

"Heilong is throwing money around!"

"Join the Ghost Rider Youth Challenge and get a motorcycle!"

Similar messages quickly swept through those live-streaming ’Road Rage Simulator,’ and then quickly spread, even reaching the edges of other live rooms like female streamers’ dance broadcasts.

And just like that, many viewers, out of curiosity, flocked into Heilong’s live room to watch.

They were mainly curious about two things.

The first was, what would this Ghost Rider Youth Challenge turn out to be?

The second was, where did Heilong and Chen Tingquan get the courage to court danger? Were they looking to be scolded even more fiercely?