Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 456 Half a Small Goal

"Can I see your newly developed game?"

Both sides had a pleasant conversation, but there was still business to be done.

A moment later, Shinji Kikuno coughed twice and then looked up at Tatsumi Kaneshiro.

He looked at this passionate middle-aged man who had persuaded Song Jae-kyung to start a game company with him through his persuasive skills.

Yes, if we only consider their love for games, Kim Taek-jin is far superior to Kim Jung-soo, who previously co-founded Nexon with Song Jae-kyung.

Kim Jung-soo is less interested in games and more interested in making money.

It was precisely his attitude towards games that led Song Jae-kyung, a man with strong idealistic tendencies, to choose to leave.

Not everyone in this world is an extreme egoist; there are still many people who uphold their ideals and hope to create a better world.

Song Zaijing is one, and John Carmack of StarCraft Games' San Francisco studio is another.

He not only open-sourced the world's leading 3D engine technology, but also open-sourced the entire game development process, making a great contribution to the advancement of 3D technology worldwide.

Masato Takeshita is very fortunate that his company has many idealists.

Because this proves that he has always been on the right track.

When faced with Kikuno Shinji's question, Jin Zechen, who was more like a passionate young man, showed a straightforward attitude.

"Of course, it would be our honor. We also hope that President Kikuno and President Kalinsky can help us find some faults."

“I might not be able to do it; I don’t know much about the gaming industry. Karin-san should be able to; he was the head of Sega North America before.”

Shinji Kikuno shook his head frankly, choosing to leave the matter to the professionals.

His limited knowledge of games mainly came from the game rooms he worked at Xinghai Investment.

"I don't know much about online games either, but I'm willing to give it a try."

Kalinsky was quite curious about the new game that NCsoft was developing.

He wanted to know if Song Jae-kyung lived up to the president's evaluation of him.

The value of Song Jae-kyung alone can surpass that of the entire Nexon.

"It's okay, it's just a trial, anything goes."

Soon, the group arrived at the small R&D department and tried out the game under the guidance of NCsoft employees.

"Huh, is this a game based on Diablo?"

Kalinsky felt a strong sense of familiarity as soon as he started using it.

This game seems to be the same old Diablo-style monster-hunting and loot-collecting gameplay.

"That's right, our game is indeed based on Diablo, and it mainly focuses on leveling up, fighting monsters, and obtaining items."

"But our game also adds many experiences that Diablo games don't have."

"For example, players can fight each other, and the loser will drop items."

"For example, we have large-scale events every week and every month, with team battles involving hundreds or thousands of people."

When the topic turned to the battle system, Song Zaijing, who was in charge of its development, immediately became animated.

What he likes most is the passionate PK battles between countless people, which gives him a dreamlike feeling of going to the battlefield.

This was also his proudest innovation, and he was certain it would become a hit.

"Oh, multiplayer battles between players?"

Kalinsky then remembered Blizzard Entertainment, which his company had just acquired.

This company has recently solidified its position in the North American gaming market with its player-versus-player game, StarCraft.

With its player-versus-player mode, StarCraft not only surpassed many established PC game developers, but also many console game giants.

All I can say is that fighting with others is always the most exciting thing.

This is why the most popular games in arcades are always fighting games, and the most popular console games also need to have basic online multiplayer functionality.

Playing alone is never as fun as playing with two or more people.

Of course, the dominance of multiplayer modes in the console gaming market has not yet been confirmed, and single-player modes remain the primary mode for now.

However, Kalinsky had already identified this trend through information gathered by Starsea Games about the gaming industry.

Multiplayer modes will also become mainstream in the console gaming industry.

I just don't know how long this will take.

Yes, it's multiplayer battles between players.

"Then I can give it a try. I think this mode has a lot of potential. Blizzard's StarCraft recently became a hit in North America and Europe thanks to this mode."

Thanks to the support of StarCraft, StarCraft is far more popular in this life than it was in the previous life.

Xinghai Internet Cafe alone purchased several million sets.

Of course, due to the large number of purchases, Xinghai Internet Cafe offers very cheap prices for games.

While others need $60, Xinghai Internet Cafe only needs $15.

That's the advantage of being a major customer; you can get the lowest price on anything you buy.

Of course, Blizzard also benefited.

Because half of the game's cost is spent in the game store on the terminal.

The majority of the remaining half is spent on game publishing. Pure game companies typically only have a profit margin of 15%.

Of course, this ratio is not fixed.

Powerful companies can negotiate a revenue share of over 30%.

The small and weak, even less than 10%.

Starsea Games' percentage is slightly lower than Blizzard's percentage with the publisher, but it still leaves ample profit margin. This allows them to recoup the game's costs while making a small profit on top of that.

This is why, whenever Xinghai Internet Cafe takes a liking to a game, the game's developer holds a celebration meeting.

Who wouldn't want to recoup costs as soon as the game is released?
It's important to understand that a company's cash flow rate is always the most crucial factor.

Xinghai Internet Cafe is a guarantee that allows game companies to maximize their cash flow.

Therefore, countless game companies even try every means to curry favor with the executives of Xinghai Internet Cafe to get them to try out their new games.

This is a place where you can instantly recoup your investment once it's adopted; no game company can ignore it.

"StarCraft is really awesome. In the past month, almost all teenagers in our country have been playing this game."

When StarCraft was mentioned, Song Jae-kyung looked on with envy and admiration.

This game is incredibly popular in South Korea right now.

If an internet cafe doesn't have this game, people will leave without even thinking.

It's safe to say that no country is as fanatical about StarCraft as the South Koreans.

The Japanese aren't good enough, the Europeans aren't good enough, and even the American players, where Blizzard is located, aren't good enough.

StarCraft is showing signs of becoming a national game in South Korea.

Its dominant position in South Korea is even highly likely to surpass that of Pokémon and Mario in Japan.

"Really? That would be our honor."

Kalinsky immediately wore a proud expression, very proud of his game company.

"Oh, is Blizzard also part of your company?"

Jin Zechen and Song Zaijing were stunned, never expecting that the company of their dreams also belonged to Xinghai Games.

If your own company gets invested in, wouldn't that mean you're now a sister company to Blizzard?

"That's right, this acquisition was only completed at the beginning of this year." "I see. I'm sorry, I was ignorant."

"No, this news isn't that noteworthy, it's normal that President Kim doesn't know about it."

The deal involving Blizzard Entertainment could trigger a major earthquake in the capital markets in later generations.

But at the moment, especially before the release of StarCraft, Blizzard was only a company with some reputation.

It's not even comparable to giants like Sega and Nintendo from Japan, and it falls short even compared to American companies like EA and Activision.

Therefore, even if it is acquired, it will only be briefly reported.

Furthermore, the internet is still in its early stages, and information flow is very slow.

Let alone a single gaming company, even if many giants were acquired, other countries might not even know.

The most typical examples are the stock markets in China and Yahoo.

In 1996, Yahoo's IPO caused a sensation throughout the United States.

However, in China, across the sea, people didn't know the name Yahoo until Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang visited China in 1997.

Yes, information flow in the world today is indeed very poor.

Without reaching a certain social class or becoming proficient in using the internet, it's difficult to understand the world beyond the news broadcast.

Even Pony Ma, a computer science graduate, learned about Huiduo.com, a website that allows communication with netizens from all over the world, a few years ago due to an accident.

These days, it's incredibly difficult to get information about other countries or even your own.

After learning that Starsea Games had acquired Blizzard Entertainment, Jin Zechen and Song Zaijing immediately became even more respectful towards the Starsea Games group.

This is the idol company's superior; we must treat them with even greater respect.

After about an hour and a half, Kalinsky finally finished the trial.

"A fantastic game. I think it could even be considered a milestone in online gaming. It's definitely going to be a huge hit."

Kalinsky now has a better view of the game, which is basically finished, because he himself had just become engrossed in it.

Killing monsters and collecting treasures, and then the real-person battles, is so much fun!

"I'm glad President Kalinsky likes it; we also think the new game is fantastic."

Song Jae-kyung looked proud, convinced that the game he developed would once again lead South Korea.

This time, countless game companies will once again imitate the new game, just like after the development of "Kingdom of the Winds".

The two chatted happily for more than ten minutes until they were interrupted by Shinji Kikuno, at which point they reluctantly ended the conversation.

"Sorry, I've come across a really good game, and I ended up talking a bit too much."

"Now, let's talk about investing."

After saying that, Kalinsky told the two of them the same conditions as Nexon.

“We have no problem with either of these points, but I hope Xinghai Games can complete the payment as soon as possible.”

Jin Zechen and Song Zaijing had already agreed to accept the investment when Xinghai Games made the initial investment visit.

As for the bottom line, it's even lower than what Starsea Games requires.

A 40% stake is their bottom line.

Of course, shares are negotiable, but the money can't be less.

The two hope that the new game can be published by their own company to maximize profits while avoiding the game being heavily modified by the publishing company.

"No problem, as long as your company signs an agreement with us, I can make the decision directly and pay 50% immediately. As for the remaining 50%, I will pay as soon as possible, provided the request is reasonable."

Kalinsky was even willing to pay 100% of the funds on the spot, so he readily agreed to the payment.

He was even willing to spend more money to reduce the time required for negotiations.

Soon, the two sides reached a preliminary agreement.

Starsea Games paid $1000 million to acquire a 30% stake in NCsoft, as well as the overseas distribution rights for all of its future games.

Of course, NCsotf will still enjoy a certain percentage of the revenue after the game is successfully released overseas.

The base share is 10% of the game's revenue, and then fluctuates based on the game's total revenue.

It will not exceed 15% at most, and will not be less than 8% at least.

News of NCsoft's agreement to invest in Starsea Games quickly spread in South Korea, prompting Nexon to react immediately.

Kim Jung-soo readily agreed to Starsea Games' conditions, only asking for more money.

NCsoft was valued at approximately $3333 million, while Nexon was valued at $5000 million.

This is very much in line with the positions of both parties, as well as the potential that can be seen at present.

Both companies were very satisfied, even feeling that it exceeded their expectations.

After the two major South Korean game companies were dealt with, the rest of the companies were easy to handle.

Kalinsky and Shinji Kikuno swiftly and decisively completed their strategic deployment of game companies of all sizes in South Korea.

The projects range from several million to as few as a few hundred thousand.

Anyway, it's not a lot of money, what if it works out?

Because they acted quickly, the two completed their entire layout of the South Korean game market in just over two weeks.

"So fast?"

When Takeshita Masato received the call from Kikuno Shinji, he was immediately startled to hear that the two were coming back.

"Yes, all investments have been completed. Including Nexon and NCsoft, we have invested in a total of 25 game companies."

"Very good, I'll throw a celebration banquet for everyone when we get back."

Masato Takeshita was very happy because acquiring the Korean game company was almost equivalent to capturing the East Asian online game market in the first decade of the 21st century.

Now, Starsea Games' position is even more secure.

"okay."

Kalinsky happily agreed with a smile, planning to relax and unwind when he got back.

As for the funds needed for the investment, neither of them discussed it.

The amount was too small, less than half a dollar's worth of "small goal" (a Chinese idiom for a small financial target). For the large and powerful Xinghai Group, it was simply insignificant.

Kalinsky hung up the phone, and Kikuno Shinji immediately dialed the young man's number.

The two had a lot to talk about, so he chose to continue later.

"President, I have a general understanding of the basic situation in South Korea."

"I don't think the market is as bad as people think. The crash here is more due to blind capital appreciation."

"If the government persists, things will improve soon."

Whether a country's economy can recover quickly,
First, we need to look at its location, and then we need to look at the spirit and morale of the people.

South Korea is currently united, and its morale and spirit are certainly not a problem.

As for location, South Korea is also in a very advantageous position.

Many electronic semiconductor products can only be manufactured on a large scale in countries with an average economy greater than or equal to that of South Korea.

As a result, South Korean products are very cost-effective, making them products that many people can't help but buy.

In the semiconductor and electronics field, it is somewhat similar to the "Made in China" phenomenon of later generations, something the whole world cannot do without.

The South Korean economy will definitely recover quickly.

(End of this chapter)