Anneke and Yang Hanna's cosplay was a huge hit.
People flocked to take pictures, and the official StormCon press team proposed an interview. Offers to join famous cosplay teams also followed.
Excited, Anneke suggested trying on other costumes, but Yang Hanna firmly shook her head. Although it was a short time, she felt like she had endured a lifetime of humiliation.
The two went to change their clothes again, and Taekgyu muttered with his arms crossed.
"OTK Games should start hosting events like this soon."
Ice Storm is the only game company in the world that can draw such a crowd while selling paid tickets.
But couldn't OTK Games do it?
The number of Lost Fantasy fans worldwide is gradually increasing. In particular, their success in the North American market, which was considered a barren wasteland, is encouraging.
It was a positive sign for the VRMMORPG currently in development, as it confirmed that the Lost Fantasy series was content that could be successful globally.
Team Leader Jung Gi-hong exclaimed in admiration.
"You didn't just come here to play!"
It was a misunderstanding. He just came to play.
A little later, Anneke and Yang Hanna, changed back into their original clothes, returned. Taekgyu gave them a thumbs-up.
"Good job. It looked great on you."
At Taekgyu's compliment, Yang Hanna smiled.
"Ah, thank you."
Still, receiving a compliment made her feel a little better. Having barely recovered her mental state, Yang Hanna asked Taekgyu.
"Why is Ice Storm so loved by gamers?"
To that question, Taekgyu answered simply.
"They are faithful to the basics."
"The basics?"
"The basics of a game company is to make good games."
"Ah!"
It was a statement that was both obvious and pierced through to the core.
Usually, when a game becomes popular, other game companies are busy copying it to release a similar game. And if most of them succeed, they become hell-bent on making money through any means of in-game purchases. 'Maple Tales' and 'Dungeon & Magicians' are representative examples.
On the other hand, Ice Storm's games had original creativity. In particular, they were famous for their tightly woven worldviews. When playing their games, it was enough to make you feel as if you had entered another world.
The user-friendly interface and rich content were also major strengths.
Because of this, every game they released caused a sensation in the game market, and among gamers, they were called a 'god-tier developer'. They were also considered the most desirable game company for game developers to work for.
Although they have been showing some signs of wavering due to various problems recently, no one doubted that they would soon find their center again and release a game that would excite fans around the world.
"This trust is the greatest value that Ice Storm has built up over the years."
"I see."
"That's why, despite having created the all-time disasterpiece that is Mephisto 4, everyone is looking forward to 5 like this. Because they believe that Ice Storm will overcome their mistakes and create an even better game."
After various events ended, it was finally the highlight of the event.
The new game announcement time began. Everyone already knew that the game was from the Mephisto series.
As expected, the Mephisto logo appeared on the screen, and Steve Wang, the lead designer of Mephisto, came on stage.
A Taiwanese-American with a portly impression, he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with the Mephisto logo on it.
Steve Wang raised both hands and greeted the crowd loudly and cheerfully.
"Hello, StormCon! Everyone, we love Mephisto! We are all very proud that millions of players from all over the world have come together to defeat the devil."
At those words, the fans cheered in response.
So far, so good. But the remarks that followed were completely different from what was expected.
"Today's world is connected through mobile devices. We know. The best platform to play the new Mephisto is the mobile device. What could be more fun than gathering with family and friends to defeat the devil? First, let's watch the cinematic."
Then, a cinematic video filled the screen.
Anneke asked Taekgyu in bewilderment.
"What's going on, oppa? He just said mobile, not online, right?"
"..."
Taekgyu couldn't say anything. He felt like he had been hit hard on the back of the head with a hammer.
A little later, after the cinematic video ended, Steve Wang shouted.
"The new mobile game, Mephisto Infinity! I'm so excited!"
He looked like he was the only one having fun.
Taekgyu denied reality.
'No! This can't be real. There must be a twist! Like an online announcement after the mobile announcement!'
Far from a twist, the remarks that followed were even more shocking.
"This game was produced by the Chinese game company, EasyNet. Without their passion and dedication, Mephisto Infinity would never have been possible. What do you think, everyone? Aren't you surprised?"
I was really surprised.
The back of my head, which was just hit, is still throbbing, and I feel like I've been hit again.
Usually, when a new game is unveiled, cheers should erupt. But everyone was so surprised that they didn't say anything.
"I know what you're all thinking. You want to see the gameplay video right away, don't you?"
'No, I don't want to see anything like that!'
When no one responded, he looked flustered and played the gameplay video anyway.
Instead of focusing on the video, the people in the announcement hall began to murmur.
"Hey, what is that?"
"It should be Mephisto 5, what's Infinity?"
"That's Mephisto? It's just a generic mobile game!"
"They outsourced it to a Chinese game company? Then what is Ice Storm doing?"
"I'm Chinese too, but why entrust this to EasyNet? If they just lent the name, isn't this just a Chinese game?"
"Do you think I came all the way here from Germany to see this?"
Yang Hanna asked as if she didn't understand.
"Is... is this that big of a deal?"
It is that big of a deal.
Taekgyu shouted in anger.
"Are these bastards kidding me right now? Where is Mephisto 5?"
It wasn't that he couldn't guess why this situation had occurred.
Unlike OTK Games, which relies on a single IP called Lost Fantasy, Ice Storm has had success with several games besides Mephisto. It has also been a huge hit not only in the North American and Chinese markets but also around the world.
However, despite this worldwide popularity, Ice Storm's sales volume is not that large. Last year's sales were only $2.3 billion. And the operating profit margin was 30 percent, or $690 million.
It's a large amount if you think about it, but it's shabby for a world-class game company. The reason for this is that they mainly sold games as packages or with a monthly subscription.
The advancement of technology has significantly increased game development costs. For a blockbuster MMORPG, the development period has increased several times, and development costs have also increased significantly.
In a word, sales have not changed much, but the cost has increased.
On the other hand, mobile games have a lower development difficulty and lower development costs. Nevertheless, the sales are much larger than online games.
That's why Ichikawa Shigeru also produced Lost Fantasy Mobile first and then developed the online version again with the profits from it.
The human psychology is such that a $100 package game seems too expensive, and if the monthly subscription is raised by just $10, people curse at the game company for being greedy, but they easily buy various items and random boxes sold in mobile games.
Just as a light rain soaks your clothes, if you keep paying like that, it's only a matter of time before you spend hundreds of thousands or even millions of won.
Development costs are low, and since they induce payment through various methods, the operating profit margin of mobile games often exceeds 50 percent. In severe cases, it even exceeded 90 percent.
'So in the end, they also plan to make a lot of money by selling random boxes with mobile games?'
In a way, Ice Storm is just doing what other game companies have been doing all along, and you can't necessarily say this is a bad thing. After all, a game company is also a business, and the purpose of a business is to generate profit.
Thinking this way, I can also understand why they outsourced to a Chinese game company.
Since Ice Storm has mainly made PC online games, they lack mobile game production personnel. Outsourcing is a reasonable way to save development costs and time.
If they have decided to make money, China is a market that cannot be missed. However, currently, the approval of game licenses (panho) is blocked in China. If they entrust the production to a Chinese game company, it becomes relatively easier to get through this approval process.
Looked at coolly, Mephisto Infinity is not a bad game. The graphics and interface seemed not much different from other mobile action RPGs. If it had been a completely different game, I would have thought it was a pretty decent game.
The problem is that this is the Mephisto series!
The people gathered here are die-hard fans who have flown in from all over the world, spending their own money and time in anticipation of Mephisto 5.
What they want is a PC online game, not a mobile game made to make a quick buck. They wanted a new story that would erase the dark history of the disastrous 4 and make their hearts race again.
But out of the blue, a generic pay-to-win mobile game was presented before them.
And it wasn't even made by Ice Storm themselves, but outsourced to a Chinese game company!
This was nothing short of a betrayal of the expectations of countless fans. To use an analogy, it's like waiting for a long time at a famous restaurant, only to be served cup ramen with hot water poured in after you finally get a table.
"New characters, new skills, a new story, and more await you. We have prepared a playable demo version in Hall E, so please enjoy it after the announcement."
There was still no reaction, and Steve Wang looked embarrassed. A few more explanations followed, and then the Q&A session began.
An American man who looked to be in his 30s asked into the microphone.
"I'm really curious, are there no plans to release it on PC at all? Is it really going to end with just that mobile game?"
Steve Wang said bluntly.
"As announced, it's only for mobile, that is, Andromeda and NOS. Currently, there are no plans to release it on PC at all."
At those words, boos erupted from all over the place.
"Booo!"
"Booooo!"
Steve Wang tried to change the atmosphere somehow by speaking jokingly.
"Don't you guys have phones?"
The other presenter next to him quickly chimed in.
"That's right. You all have phones. Or tablets."
This remark made the atmosphere irretrievable.
Unable to take it anymore, Taekgyu said to Team Leader Jung Gi-hong.
"Go out and tell them exactly what I say."
"Yes?"
Pushed out to the front of the microphone, Team Leader Jung Gi-hong cleared his throat and said.
"Ahem! Ah, hello. I am Jung Gi-hong, the head of the PR team at OTK Company."
At those words, everyone, including Steve Wang, was surprised.
A few people in the vicinity recognized Team Leader Jung Gi-hong's face.
"Oh! I think I've seen that person on TV."
"I think he's the guy who came out during the OTK Company announcement."
"Huh? Is he really from OTK Company?"
"Why is he here?"
Steve Wang asked.
"Do you have something to say?"
Team Leader Jung Gi-hong held the microphone and said.
"It's not that I have something to say, but the Vice President of OTK Company asked me to deliver a message."
Everyone was surprised and began to murmur.
"The Vice President of OTK Company!"
"Was he watching StormCon from home?"
"Could he be here?"
"No way."
Who among gamers wouldn't know the Vice President of OTK Company?
He invested in Ichikawa Shigeru to establish OTK Games and protected the Korean game industry by standing up to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in Korea. (The video of the debate with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the time was translated into several languages and watched by gamers all over the world.)
He also supported the development of a VRMMORPG with a development cost of over $10 billion and established the OTK Awards.
Due to this series of events, the Vice President of OTK Company was regarded as a legendary and mythical figure in the game industry.
Team Leader Jung Gi-hong was surprised to see the message he received on his smartphone.
'Do I really read this as it is?'
...When he looked back with that gaze, Taekgyu nodded his head as if to say, "Hurry up and read it."
Team Leader Jung Gi-hong closed his eyes tightly and did as he was told.
"He said... he will immediately acquire Ice Storm, fire all the bastards who proposed developing this, and have them make Mephisto 5."
There was a long silence for a while. Then, a loud cheer erupted as if it would bring down the announcement hall.
"Waaaaah!"
"E-everyone! Please calm down!"
The organizers tried to handle the unexpected situation, but people raised their hands in unison and shouted.
"OTK! OTK!"