RNP Chapter 63 Simple Materials
Chapter 63 Simple Materials
Chapter 63 Simple Materials (Cutting Back on Materials)
"Academy Killer?"
George and Fred exchanged a glance, and for some reason felt a chill run down their spines.
"Yes, it's a very disheartening game. I'll explain the design concept to you." Ryan said seriously, "Perfect timing..."
I also have ideas for another game, and we'll work on it together then.
The two felt something was off, but couldn't pinpoint the problem, so they could only sit back down and wait for Ryan to share his ideas on game development with them later.
"Does anyone have any other suggestions?" Ryan asked.
"Can the cameras be added too?" Hermione asked, raising her hand.
"Miss Granger's suggestion is excellent. That would certainly work. We need to make room for the camera and the image-revealing magic."
With Hermione's example, everyone began to think about everyday objects and whether their functions could be incorporated into their communication devices.
A large forest has all kinds of birds, just as a large number of students will produce all sorts of eccentric characters.
Ryan could barely understand the heating function that appeared later.
Someone claimed they wanted to add an automatic homework completion feature, which Ryan found abstract, but he knew of similar homework tutoring software.
Finally, a truly talented player spoke up: "Senior Ryan, I think we should add a clothes rack feature!"
He explained, "By adding the clothes drying rack function and combining it with the heating function, we can dry clothes anytime, anywhere! That way, everyone can wash their clothes and shower at the same time! And then dry them all afterward!"
Everyone looked at this person with strange eyes, thinking that he was too whimsical and should not sit at the same table as them, but should sit at the same table as the madman, and even have the seat of honor.
"That's a great suggestion, I'll consider it, I'll consider it. Please have a seat, please have a seat." Ryan quickly gestured for such a talented person to sit down.
Among various abstract suggestions, the group agreed on the functions of the first communication device: in addition to basic call functions, it would also have game functions, camera functions, learning functions, note storage, and alarm reminder functions.
"In my design, the communication function involves projecting a miniature image of the other person in front of the caller, but carrying the corresponding spell requires silver and some gems. Adding the features we later agreed upon, the final product might cost several dozen gallons."
"This price is too high; it doesn't meet my expectations," Ryan said.
"Just a few dozen Galleons for this kind of magical item that's never existed before?" Malfoy objected. "Senior Ryan, if I may be so bold, this is practically a fire sale! I think the price should be raised!"
"Draco, we developed this product to promote it throughout the entire wizarding world, so that all wizards can afford it," Ryan said. "I don't want to wake up one day to find a news item in the Daily Prophet saying that a lecture was held at the Leaky Cauldron, and the topic of the lecture was 'The Communicator of 500,000 Nats.'"
Draco could understand, but he couldn't quite accept it; he didn't want to use the same tools as some wizards whose lives were extremely unsatisfactory.
"Of course, we can also launch some luxury models, selling them for hundreds of gallons to those who need them to display their status." Ryan didn't expect a child raised in luxury to understand the hardships of ordinary people or what the importance of people's livelihood meant.
The foundation of the nation. This is unrealistic.
Malfoy has changed a lot. He can greet and communicate normally with friends from all walks of life, and he has gradually become more respectful of his teachers and elders. This is something to be praised for.
So, in response to his question, Ryan suggested a money-making scheme: a luxury model with increased prices but no added features.
As expected, Malfoy nodded reservedly, indicating that he had no further questions.
Pablo, who was writing and drawing on the side, pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "I just calculated the cost. Since this is a product of Ryan's experiment, it uses the best materials. The material cost alone has reached fifty Galleons, not including labor."
"This kind of cost is hard to accept," he said. "My idea is to replace replaceable materials with cheaper materials, and to use self-processed materials instead of replaceable ones."
Materials processed in-house!
Ryan's eyes lit up as he realized the problem he had overlooked: as long as the desired effect could be achieved, anything was acceptable, and it didn't necessarily have to be a rare, natural magical material.
It can even use micro-alchemy matrices and magic solidification to provide the corresponding functions, allowing a blank sheet of paper to exhibit mithril properties for a certain period of time!
He asked, "That's a novel idea, Pablo. In your opinion, what can be replaced by cheaper materials, and what can be processed later?"
Pablo projected the various materials he had written into the air and explained them one by one: "The rubies used to help stabilize magic can be replaced with glass beads that have been soaked in magical potions. Although the usage time is shortened, the cost is reduced by four Galleons."
"The Gomerwell Crystal that carries the projection spell can also be replaced with ordinary synthetic white crystal. The clarity of the image will be reduced to some extent, but the cost will be reduced by three Galleons."
"Furthermore, I think the unicorn fur that plays a stabilizing role can be completely replaced by the Guardian Tree. The Guardian Tree also has the elements of protection, stabilization, and dispelling darkness. It would save ten Galleons at once."
"This also includes the use of carriers for spells like the Freezing Charm, the Extrasensory Charm, and the Recording Charm, all of which can be replaced with similar materials. For example, the Freezing Charm carrier can be treated by soaking it in a low-temperature agent of similar properties..."
Pablo took a quill and made some edits on the parchment, then said, "These items can save a total of forty gallons. As for post-processing, I don't know much about it, so I dare not make any conclusions."
Vio chimed in, "Although the cost is that the lifespan has been reduced from hundreds of years to five years, it's still acceptable. As long as we produce more, especially with the luxury version costing hundreds of gallons, buyers will feel like they've gotten a good deal."
"However, the material cost of 10 Galleons is still insufficient. Even if Ryan builds a production workshop later, production costs will still exist. To break even, the selling price will need to be at least 15 Galleons."
Ryan knew Vio meant assembly line factories, but he was afraid that mentioning such ordinary factories would irritate the hyenas of the Ministry of Magic.
He also agreed with Vio's calculations, stating that even if an unmanned magical production line were established, the costs of production, maintenance, monitoring, and sales would still be considerable.
He estimated the selling price to be fifteen gallons. He wouldn't say he was losing money, but he would make very little, not even a gallon.
Moreover, fifteen Galleons is not cheap, and many wizarding families may not be willing to spend such a sum of money, and may need to further cut corners to reduce costs and increase efficiency.