Huang Shengjie nodded, "Yeah, I think so too. So, Brother Lu, do you have any thoughts? About the group strategy for this game."
Lu Bingjun explained, "First of all, the two of us can form a fixed game duo.
"In this game, the number of machines is limited, only about one-third of the players can use them, others can only queue up and wait.
"So, a single machine can only be used by 2 to 3 people in rotation. Even considering that later on players may become part of the Anti-Smuggling Team, it should still be a rotation of at least 2 people.
"The notice board says each player gets a 20-minute fatigue period after playing 2 games, but there’s no major restriction on how long these 2 games last.
"The two people using the same machine count as a game duo.
"If the two do not know each other and are unwilling to cooperate, then both their times are wasted, and the queueing players dare not leave, they can only wait, because once they leave the machine, it might get snatched by other players in line.
"Conversely, if the two agree on a rough timing, the other player can return at the right moment to take over.
"Or they can ensure seamless transitions by ’selling matches’, preventing others from interfering.
"When one person is playing, the other can use the 20-minute fatigue time to sell gold sand in the trading area or execute other strategies, without worrying about losing their spot.
"Similarly, if we can speed up our game, we could rotate with 3 or 4 people, ensuring the overall benefits.
"After all, as long as you play fast enough, you can arrange for 2 to 3 more people during a 20-minute fatigue period.
"Moreover, we could merge Community 2 and Community 32 for close cooperation.
"In this game, players from the same community can’t freely communicate, so I can’t speak with others from Community 32.
"The same goes for you.
"We both need to find players from other communities to act as messengers, so the two communities need to establish deep cooperation.
"After we discuss our strategy, I’ll communicate with other players from Community 2, and you with Community 32, perfectly bypassing the restrictions of the rules.
"As for how exactly we’ll cooperate, I’m not entirely sure yet, but establishing such cooperation would grant us significant advantages in prospecting, trading, auctions, inspections, and more."
Lu Bingjun proposed an attractive cooperation plan, which is indeed the group strategy most players are considering.
He paused slightly, then continued:
"Frankly speaking, I don’t intend to let Qin Cheng off. Once I find an opportunity, I will definitely exact revenge on him.
"But I know you’re not involved in this, so I’m willing to work with you honestly.
"Of course, if Qin Cheng enters this game and becomes a core player... then just forget what I said.
"In that case, our two communities would have to be hostile to each other.
"How about it? Think it over."
Huang Shengjie took a long breath and looked back at the screen.
During their conversation, he was still very slowly examining the squares on the screen, revealing ’5’, ’500’, and ’1000’ in succession.
After considering for a moment, Huang Shengjie said, "Qin Cheng didn’t get into this game."
This satisfied Lu Bingjun very much, "Hmm, then we can cooperate."
But Huang Shengjie didn’t immediately accept the olive branch he offered; instead, he repeated his earlier analysis.
"So according to what you said, the ’observation’ function is just a trap, created to give players the illusion of choosing squares, thus delaying game time.
"Since the expected returns are the same no matter how you choose, the most rational decision would be to stop ’observing’ the squares, just buy one at random, and use all remaining funds for refinement and increase the returns."
Lu Bingjun nodded, "Yes, because every two ’observations’ lose you a round of ’refinement’ funds, and each missed refinement results in a 5% expected return loss, which is about 120 minutes of visa time."
Huang Shengjie continued to observe the new squares, "I’ll complete the game as soon as possible, after which I can go check the trading area and hand over this machine to you.
"Then you continue the game, and when I come back, we’ll rotate, always holding on to this machine.
"Or, if we find more allies, we could arrange a sequence to maximize the machine’s utilization rate."
Lu Bingjun nodded, "Right, exactly that."
However, Huang Shengjie shifted the conversation.
"But... you’re deceiving me."
Lu Bingjun frowned, "I’m deceiving you? Why would you think that?
"I should’ve made it clear, the expected returns are fixed, they don’t change because you observe the squares.
"We’ve both minimized time to maximize the ’turnover rate’ of this gold mining machine, that’s simply the most profitable way to play."
Huang Shengjie shook his head, "Really? But Brother Lu, it seems like you intentionally omitted some key information.
"This game does have an ’Enrichment Effect’, meaning squares with large numbers are more likely to be adjacent, so the same goes for squares with small numbers.
"’Observation’ isn’t a meaningless action."
Lu Bingjun furrowed his brow, seemingly angered by Huang Shengjie’s distrust, but still patiently explained, "You should take a closer look at the rules.
"This so-called Enrichment Effect is also a trap.
"The rules subtly say: this is not absolute.
"This is a common tactic used by the Imitator: creating a false illusion, luring players into traps.
"You discovered it yourself, ’10’ and ’30’ were next to a ’5000’.
"You might think finding small numbered squares would increase your expected returns, but think conversely, finding large numbered squares like this would decrease it.
"So, although it’s counterintuitive, the result is ultimately the same.
"Or consider it another way: randomly select a square, use all funds for refinement, the expected return is over 3300. To surpass this, you’d have to find one among 5000, 10,000, or 20,000.
"The chance of picking correctly is 3/16, not even 20%.
"Do you think this unreliable ’Enrichment Effect’ can change that?"
Huang Shengjie shook his head silently, "But Brother Lu, the expected returns shouldn’t be calculated like that.
"When calculating the first approach, you clearly defined the expected returns’ specific number.
"But for the second approach, you didn’t calculate it, instead, using the number from the first approach calculation, you calculated backwards, showing that the probability of drawing a higher number is under 20%, creating the illusion to me that ’the second approach isn’t worthwhile.’
"But what if we really calculate the second approach’s expected returns? Is it really lower than the first?"
Lu Bingjun shook his head a bit helplessly, "That’s because the second approach can’t be calculated. This ’Enrichment Effect’ probability isn’t given any data in the game’s rules."
Huang Shengjie said, "Without data, a hypothetical data for calculation can be made. Asserting the second approach isn’t good is also assuming data, isn’t it?"