Investor That Can See The Future

Chapter 461

It’s not uncommon for gamers to complain when a new game doesn’t live up to expectations.

Icestorm thought it would calm down over time, so they worked hard to delete negative comments. 300,000 comments were reduced to 10,000 in one day.

The company’s actions made the gamers’ animosity even greater, so the OTK Company’s vice president’s remarks that he would produce Mephisto 5 after cutting out the people who said that they should acquire Icestorm and develop Mephisto Infinity received a great response rather than criticism.

This has spread not only in the game world but also as an internet meme, thanks to which the popularity of Lost Fantasy soared not only in North America but also worldwide.

In fact, the number of concurrent users in the United States has increased by nearly 10% since StormCon. It is the result of a combination of antipathy towards Ice Storm and favorable feelings towards Taekkyu.

Icestorm, which expressed displeasure over the takeover remarks several times, sent a letter to OTK Company requesting an official apology. However, instead of an apology, the deputy representative released the answer to the media saying, “The apology should be made by Ice Storm, who betrayed the fans’ expectations.

Under the direction of the vice president, OTK Games added new characters and campaigns in North America, and attracted users by holding large-scale promotions and events.

– You don’t have a phone?

-Huh. You don’t have a job anymore. Because I will take over and cut it lol

-From today, we will switch to Lost Fantasy!

– Trust only the Vice President and go!

-Close all other accounts and register Lost Fantasy~

* * *

In the game industry, hostile M&As, share exchanges, and transfers of developers are common occurrences. Not long ago, there was a lot of talk about the sale of Rexon. It is not uncommon for an acquisition to end after a short period of time.

Therefore, Taek-gyu’s remarks can be treated as one of them, but… … The industry evaluated the possibility of OTK Company’s acquisition of Icestorm highly.

As the acquisition of listed companies has to be approached strategically, OTK Company has no plans to acquire it right away.

Then, the stock price of Actus Icestorm Entertainment immediately plummeted. Not only did the increase rise on expectations of a struggle for control, but it also fell more than 10 percent from before the start of StormCon.

Despite denying the acquisition, gamers still strongly supported OTK Company’s acquisition of Icestorm.

Taegyu said.

“Actually, there is a more complicated reason behind this. This is a problem with Chinese capital.”

In the process of selling Icestorm by the parent company in the past, a private equity fund called CASA provided capital, and the largest shareholder of the fund is Witchant.

“I think it would be better to be eaten by the OTK company if it is going to be swayed by Chinese capital.”

Like other industries, mergers and acquisitions are actively taking place in the game industry, and China Money stands out the most among them.

Mergers and acquisitions are the best way to raise competitiveness in a short period of time.

Chinese companies mobilized huge capital to buy game companies from all over the world, including the US, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Japan, and Korea, and have them under their umbrellas.

There are quite a few cases where a well-known developer takes over a start-up company founded by a well-known developer right away.

“It’s similar to the way we did it.”

“right.”

Come to think of it, if we hadn’t invested in Shigeru Ichikawa, the Chinese capital might have invested. So, is Lost Fantasy a Chinese game by now?

Witchant, a Chinese general internet company, has risen to become the world’s largest game company, followed by EasyNet.

It is a thing of the past that Chinese games were childish and crude. In the meantime, like automobiles and IT, Chinese companies have grown by leaps and bounds. Now, if you don’t say it’s a Chinese game, you won’t know.

The game industry, which had been suffering for a while, has been able to breathe thanks to China, but where there is light, there is also darkness. Now, game companies around the world were looking only at China.

“It’s a speculative problem. Even so, it is a serious problem to have to change everything to suit local Chinese tastes. If you go to Rome, you have to follow Roman law, but this is too much.”

According to Taek-gyu, the game world is full of dissatisfaction with China’s tyranny. Well, what industry doesn’t?

When it comes to acquiring a 10 trillion-dollar company, you don’t necessarily need 10 trillion won.

You can form a fund or consortium, receive an investment from a financial investor (FI), or get a loan using the assets of the acquiring company as collateral.

There are a lot of things that will cost you money, but it’s not something you can’t afford.

If OTK Company really takes over, it will have another game company after OTK Games.

Considering the current sales and market share of OTK Games, there is no risk of getting caught in the anti-monopoly law.

“Once Serana, the VRMMORPG in development, is released, other MMORPGs will be wiped out. But not all games meet the same fate. There are many different genres of games, and people have different tastes. In that sense, the IP that Icestorm has is coveted.”

“Hmm, that’s right.”

OTK Company’s market cap and financial power are both greater than Witchant and EasyNet combined.

Which company would spend $10 billion on a game? However, this is a pure development cost, and the cost of the data center must be invested separately.

For this reason, the game industry chose OTK Company as a company that can contain Chinese capital. Of course, the reputation of the vice president played a part in this.

* * *

As the controversy gradually spread, the Ice Storm developers, who had not been able to speak up for a while, began to voice their dissatisfaction. It looks like there is a conflict between Actus and Icestorm, and between the development team and the business team.

Some developers left the company, and Cesar Hidalgo, a founding member of Icestorm, also left the company.

Most people don’t know, but he’s a famous developer that anyone who plays games knows about it.

For some reason, he came to OTK Company, and Taek-gyu welcomed him.

“Welcome to OTK!”

“I am very happy to have met the Vice President.”

He was 190 centimeters tall and weighed over 200 kilos. His face was covered with a red beard, and his cool bald head had a tattoo of an unusual pattern. Is it because his skin is pure white because he doesn’t get out of the house?

“It is an honor for me. I really enjoyed Mephisto with this friend since I was in middle school. Is that right, Jinhoo?”

Cesar Hidalgo’s eyes widened at those words.

“Mephisto is an adult game.”

“… … .”

Thinking about it, I think it was. Somehow, there was a lot of blood.

We drank coffee and chatted in a relaxed atmosphere.

He talked about why he came out of Ice Storm.

“We developed games together in the Dankan office, and even when we were struggling to pay for the server, we always took pride in making the best games. But right now, the company is only focused on increasing sales and profits. To reduce costs, we are reducing manpower and increasing outsourcing, while also partially paying for items that affect play. The business team doesn’t even listen to the development team. So, how is Icestorm different from Chinese game companies?”

Taek-gyu nodded his head as if sympathizing with him.

“right. That is very wrong.”

“Actually, as soon as I left the company, I got a call from Witchant. He offered to invest.”

“Oh, that’s great. But why did you come to me?”

He said with a grim face.

“When I heard the reputation of the vice president, I deeply admired it in my heart. If I receive an investment, I would like to receive it from an OTK company rather than a Chinese capital.”

Taehyung was happy.

“If that’s the reason, you came to me very well. We will let you develop the game you want to make as much as you want.”

“Boo, deputy chief!”

Taek-gyu grabbed his hand with all his might, and Cesar Hidalgo was so moved that he shed tears.

No, what makes a person who looks like he’s going to beat a bear?

“Wow! It is only regrettable that I did not visit the vice president sooner.”

“What do you mean? I’m really glad we’re still together. Let’s work together to make the best game that won’t be defeated by Chinese capital!”

“… … .”

Anyone who sees it would know that he is a monarch who defected to the enemy commander. For a moment, Taek-gyu Oh’s body seemed to glow… … Maybe I’m mistaken?

Anyway, Cesar Hidalgo decided to establish a new game company with an investment from OTK Company. Upon this news, some of the developers who remained at Icestorm also submitted their resignations and decided to transfer.

The stock price of Actus Icestorm Entertainment, which had suffered from bad news, plummeted again, and the co-CEO of Logic Ienga contacted OTK Company and protested fiercely.

[How could this be? It’s against the industry’s morals to take away developers in this way!]

Taehyung said calmly.

“Did someone who likes morality like that put out Mephisto Infinity in front of the fans? Wait a minute. I will definitely take over Icestorm and cut you off first.”

[…] … .]

* * *

Halloween is approaching as time goes by.

Cafes and franchises decorated their interiors in a Halloween style, and businesses also held Halloween events. The game industry also joined the event by adding limited edition Halloween costumes and skins.

For Halloween, we decided to invite our acquaintances to a party at our house. The concept of the party was decided as a cosplay based on the opinion of the organizer Taek-gyu.

When Ellie returned home, she expressed anticipation.

“Are my clothes ready?”

“Yes. Fortunately, it came on time.”

“what? Are you a lost fantasy character?”

“Well, not a game character.”

Ellie rolled her eyes.

“Is it true that you said it wasn’t naughty?”

“of course.”

“Are you a bunny girl? grid girl? Hmm, it’s a bit embarrassing, but if Jinhoo wants it, I’ll wear it.

“… … .”

It looks like something you want to wear.

I took out the Halloween costume I had hidden. When Ellie saw the dress, she screamed in surprise.

“Damn!”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Hey, how do you do this… … ?”

Her voice trembled in surprise.

What I came up with was not a cosplay costume, but a waitress suit that you can easily find in family restaurants in the US or Europe.

The color is light pink. The skirt is a little short enough to go above the knee, but it’s not too bad.

Still, the reason Ellie is so surprised is because this waitress suit was the uniform of the Royal Fish and Chips store.(Read more @ wuxiax.com)

“No, that’s absurd! How did you get this?”

Royal Fish and Chips was destroyed long ago and disappeared into the shadows of history. However, I searched hard and found the company that made the uniforms for Royal Fish & Chips at the time. And I ordered it to be the same.

It was a very difficult process, easy to say. Without Taek-gyu’s passion and dedication, I would never have been able to do it.

“Come on, try on.”

Ellie firmly shook her head.

“This is not possible! never! never!”

“I can become a bunny girl, but can’t this?”

“Absolutely! How do you wear this?”

“uh? You promised to wear it unconditionally. Can a lawyer break his promise?”

“What kind of cosplay is this!?”

After nearly an hour of persuasion, Ellie kept her promise as a lawyer.

After a while, Ellie changed her clothes and went out into her living room. She grew her hair again, so she looked almost exactly like her in the video.

You look really young when you wear it like this.

Taehyung clapped.

“Five! It suits you very well.”

Ellie pouted her lips, but she doesn’t seem to hate the compliment.

I raised my thumb.

“Can I be an advertising model?”

Ellie stared at me.

“Stop playing. If you tease me more, I will get angry.”

Then she let out her sigh and said,

“Sigh. Now that I’m wearing this outfit, I won’t be ashamed any more.”

I said carefully.

“Can’t you just dance once with what you’re already wearing?”