It's common for gamers to complain when a new game doesn't meet their expectations.
Ice Storm, thinking it would quiet down over time, diligently deleted negative comments. 300,000 comments were reduced to 10,000 overnight.
This action by the company further increased the gamers' animosity, and as a result, the statement by the Vice President of OTK Company to acquire Ice Storm, fire all the people who proposed developing Mephisto Infinity, and produce Mephisto 5, received tremendous support instead of criticism.
This spread not only in the gaming world but also became an internet meme, and thanks to this, the popularity of Lost Fantasy soared not only in North America but also globally.
In fact, after StormCon, the number of concurrent users in the United States increased by nearly 10 percent. This was the result of the combined antipathy towards Ice Storm and the favorable impression of Taekgyu.
Ice Storm, which had expressed its displeasure with the acquisition remarks on several occasions, sent a letter to OTK Company demanding a formal apology. However, instead of an apology, the Vice President released a response to the media stating that "the apology should be made by Ice Storm, which betrayed the expectations of the fans."
Under the Vice President's direction, OTK Games added new characters and campaigns in the North American region and attracted users by holding large-scale promotions and events.
-Don't you have a phone?
-Yeah. You don't have a job now. Because I'm going to acquire you and fire you LOL
-I'm only trusting the Vice President!
-Canceled all other accounts, registered for Lost Fantasy~
***
In the game industry, hostile M&As, stock swaps, and the movement of development teams are everyday occurrences. Until recently, there was a lot of talk about the sale of Rexxon. It's also common for things to end after just testing the waters of an acquisition.
Therefore, Taekgyu's remarks could be treated as one of them... but the industry rated the possibility of OTK Company acquiring Ice Storm highly.
As the issue of acquiring a listed company requires a strategic approach, OTK Company cautiously stepped back, stating that it had no immediate plans to acquire.
As a result, the stock price of Actus-IceStorm Entertainment plummeted. Not only did the gains from the expectation of a management rights dispute disappear, but it also fell by more than 10 percent from before the start of StormCon.
Despite denying the acquisition, gamers still strongly supported OTK Company's acquisition of Ice Storm.
Taekgyu said.
"Actually, there's a more complicated reason hidden here. It's related to Chinese capital."
In the past, when the parent company was selling Ice Storm, a private equity fund called CASA provided the capital, and the largest shareholder of that fund is WeChant.
"The thinking is that it's better to be eaten by OTK Company than to be swayed by Chinese capital."
As in other industries, mergers and acquisitions are actively taking place in the game industry, and among them, the most prominent is, of course, China money.
The best way to raise lagging competitiveness in a short period of time is through mergers and acquisitions.
Chinese companies have mobilized huge amounts of capital to buy up game companies all over the world, including the United States, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Japan, and Korea, and bring them under their umbrella.
It's also quite common for them to acquire a new company founded by a famous developer for a large sum of money right away.
"That's similar to the way we did it."
"Right."
Come to think of it, if we hadn't invested in Ichikawa Shigeru, Chinese capital might have invested. Then would Lost Fantasy be a Chinese game by now?
The Chinese integrated internet company WeChant has become the world's largest game company, followed by EasyNet.
The days when Chinese games were childish and crude are long gone. Just like in the automotive and IT industries, Chinese companies have grown explosively in the meantime. Now, you wouldn't know it's a Chinese game unless they told you.
The game industry, which had been struggling for a long time, was able to catch its breath thanks to China, but where there is light, there is also darkness. Now, game companies around the world were in a situation where they had to watch China's mood.
"The issue of gambling is one thing, but having to change everything to suit the local tastes in China is a serious problem. They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do, but this is going too far."
According to Taekgyu, the gaming industry is full of complaints due to China's tyranny. Well, which industry isn't?
When you say you're acquiring a 10 trillion won company, you don't necessarily need 10 trillion won.
You can form a fund or a consortium, receive investment from a financial investor (FI), or you can get a loan using the assets of the company being acquired as collateral.
There are many things that require money, but it's not impossible to raise it.
If OTK Company really does acquire it, it will have another game company in addition to OTK Games.
Considering the current sales and market share of OTK Games, there would be no risk of violating antitrust laws.
"When the VRMMORPG Seruana, which is currently in development, is released, other MMORPGs will be wiped out. But not all games will meet the same fate. There are various genres of games, and people's tastes are diverse. In that sense, the IP that Ice Storm has is covetable."
"Hmm, that's true."
OTK Company is larger than WeChant and EasyNet combined in both market capitalization and financial power.
Which company would pour 10 billion dollars into making a single game? And that's just the pure development cost; the cost of data centers and other things has to be invested separately.
For these reasons, the gaming industry has identified OTK Company as a company that can keep Chinese capital in check. Of course, the Vice President's reputation played a part in this.
***
As the controversy gradually spread, the Ice Storm development team, which had been unable to speak out, began to voice their dissatisfaction. It seems that a dispute is brewing between Actus and Ice Storm, and between the development team and the business team.
Some developers left the company, and Cesar Hidalgo, a founding member of Ice Storm, also left the company.
Most people don't know, but he's a famous developer that anyone who plays games a little knows.
For some reason, he came to OTK Company, and Taekgyu greeted him warmly.
"Welcome to OTK!"
"I am very happy to meet you, Mr. Vice President."
He was a giant of a man, 190 centimeters tall and weighing over 200 kilograms. His face was covered with a red beard, and a unique tattoo was engraved on his smoothly shaved head. Is his skin so white because he doesn't go outside much?
"The honor is all mine. This friend and I really enjoyed playing Mephisto when we were in middle school. Right, Jinhu?"
At those words, Cesar Hidalgo's eyes widened.
"Mephisto is a game for adults."
"..."
Come to think of it, I think it was. No wonder there was so much blood.
We talked in a comfortable atmosphere while drinking coffee.
He talked about why he left Ice Storm.
"Even when we were developing games together in a single-room office and struggling to pay for server costs, we always had the pride of making the best games. But now, the company is only focused on increasing sales and profits. In order to cut costs, they are reducing personnel and increasing outsourcing, while also implementing partial monetization for items that affect gameplay. The business team doesn't even listen to the development team. How is Ice Storm any different from Chinese game companies at this rate?"
Taekgyu nodded his head as if in sympathy.
"That's right. That's very wrong."
"Actually, I received a call from WeChant as soon as I left the company. They offered to invest."
"Oh, that's great. But why did you come to see me?"
He leaned in with his fierce face and said.
"I have long admired you from afar after hearing of your reputation, Mr. Vice President. If I am to receive an investment, I would like to receive it from OTK Company, not from Chinese capital."
Taekgyu was delighted.
"If that's the reason, you've come to the right place. We will let you develop the games you want to your heart's content."
"M-Mr. Vice President!"
Taekgyu grabbed his hand tightly, and Cesar Hidalgo was so moved that he shed tears.
Hey, a guy who looks like he could take down a bear is crying over something like this?
"Sob! I only regret not coming to see you sooner, Mr. Vice President."
"What are you talking about? I'm so glad we can be together now. Let's join forces and make the best games that won't lose to Chinese capital!"
"..."
Anyone would think he's a lord persuading an enemy general to surrender. For a moment, it seemed like a light was shining from Oh Taekgyu's body... it must be a trick of the light, right?
Anyway, Cesar Hidalgo decided to establish a new game company with the investment from OTK Company. At this news, several developers who had remained at Ice Storm also submitted their resignations and decided to transfer.
The stock price of Actus-IceStorm Entertainment, which had been plagued by bad news, plummeted again, and co-CEO Logic Aienga contacted OTK Company and protested vehemently.
[How could you do this? Stealing developers like this is an act that ignores industry ethics!]
Taekgyu said nonchalantly.
"A person who loves business ethics so much presented Mephisto Infinity to the fans? Just wait a little longer. I will definitely acquire Ice Storm and fire you first."
[...]
***
As time passed with these various events, Halloween approached.
Cafes and franchises decorated their interiors in a Halloween style, and companies also held Halloween events. The game industry also joined in the events, adding limited-edition Halloween costumes and skins.
We decided to have a party at home with our acquaintances to celebrate Halloween. The theme of the party was decided to be cosplay, according to the opinion of the host, Taekgyu.
Ellie, who had returned home, expressed her anticipation.
"Is my costume ready?"
"Yes. Fortunately, it arrived on time."
"What is it? Is it a Lost Fantasy character?"
"Um, it's not a game character."
Ellie narrowed her eyes.
"You weren't lying when you said it wasn't revealing, right?"
"Of course not."
"Don't tell me it's a bunny girl? A grid girl? Hmm, it's a little embarrassing, but if you want me to, I'll try it on."
"..."
It kind of looks like she wants to wear it.
I took out the Halloween costume I had hidden. When she saw the clothes, Ellie screamed in surprise.
"Aack!"
"Why are you so surprised?"
"H-how could you...?"
She was so surprised that her voice trembled.
What I presented was less of a cosplay costume and more of a waitress uniform that you could easily see in a family restaurant in the US or Europe.
The color is a bright pink. The skirt is a little short, coming up above the knee, but not too much.
Nevertheless, the reason Ellie is so surprised is because this waitress uniform was the uniform of the Royal Fish & Chips store.
"N-no way! How did you get this?"
Royal Fish & Chips went out of business a long time ago and disappeared into the back alley of history. But after a lot of searching, I found the company that produced the uniforms for Royal Fish & Chips at the time. And I ordered them to make the same one.
It's easier said than done, it was a really difficult process. It would never have been possible without Taekgyu's passion and dedication.
"Hurry up and try it on."
Ellie shook her head firmly.
"I can't do this! Absolutely not! Absolutely!"
"A bunny girl is okay, but this isn't?"
"Of course! How can I wear this?"
"Huh? You promised you would wear whatever. Is it okay for a lawyer to break a promise?"
"What kind of cosplay is this!?"
After nearly an hour of persuasion, Ellie kept her promise as a lawyer.
A little later, Ellie changed her clothes and came out to the living room. Since she had grown her hair long again, she looked almost the same as she did in the video.
She looks really young dressed like this.
Taekgyu clapped.
"Oh! It looks great on you."
Ellie pouted her lips, but she didn't seem to dislike the compliment.
I gave a thumbs up.
"You could be an advertising model."
Ellie glared at me.
"Stop teasing me. I'll get angry if you tease me any more."
Then she sighed and said.
"Haa. Now that I've worn this, there's nothing left to be embarrassed about."
I said cautiously.
"Since you're already wearing it, can't you just dance for me once?"
"Dance?"
Taekgyu, as if he had been waiting, turned on the audio. Then, the Royal Fish & Chips commercial song from the ad video began to play.
"Whole family together! Everyone loves Fish & Chips! Royal Fish & Chips! Royal Royal~ FiChip FiChip~ Royal FiChip~ Royal FiChip~."
Ellie, who was blushing furiously, couldn't hold it in any longer and shouted.
"That's it! I'm not wearing this!"