The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 101



Only Krnovel

Episode 101 Jamryong (4)

A week has passed since the platform was launched.

In that short period of time, President Woo Seong-il, who was unsure about the game platform, changed his mind.

“The number of subscribers to the platform is growing exponentially. In particular, Lindsey of MC Soft, in which the general manager invested, is enjoying tremendous popularity and sales. “More than tens of millions of won per day comes in from commissions alone.”

“Now is the start. To continue growth, sequels must continue to emerge. To do that, we need policies for small and medium-sized game developers.”

The amount of money spent on game development varied greatly.

There were games that required production costs of tens of billions of won, and there were games that could be made with just a few million won.

In order to include all those games on our platform, we needed an attractive policy.

“When you say policy, do you mean investment support projects?”

“There are limits to investment support. “If we introduce an early access system and a sponsorship system, we can go beyond the limits.”

“I don’t know what early access is. If you translate it literally, it means ‘connect quickly.’ I don’t know what that means.”

“If translated into Korean, it would be something like ‘Early Access.’ This is a policy that allows unfinished games to be released on the platform and receive donations. “It can solve game companies’ lack of funds, and users can enjoy the game before its release.”

It’s like that in all businesses.

Game development was ultimately intended to make money.

If so, it should be emphasized that registering games on the platform can make more money than signing a contract with another distributor.

“If you release an unfinished game, won’t there be complaints from users?”

“That part should be clearly announced. “If we say that we will create an unfinished game together with users, there will be quite a few users who will like it.”

“We will send official documents regarding early access to companies that have joined the platform.”

“And we will also be entering the US market starting next month.”

“The Korean market has not yet stabilized. “We don’t have enough manpower and time to enter the U.S. market.”

The IT industry was actually a business that needed to replace people.

Therefore, although the number of IT department employees was increased to 250, it was still insufficient because the existing IT business had to be managed.

“We need to hire new IT staff. “Please post job postings for experienced workers as well.”

“How many people can we hire?”

“Wouldn’t it be about 500 people? Recruit in a variety of fields, from IT experts to music, art, business, and mathematics.”

“The planning office is in charge of management. Is there a need to hire people in the management field?”

“It is necessary not to manage the IT department but to create a profit model within the game.”

The planning office and secretary office were responsible for managing the company.

However, management areas were also needed within the game.

Everything from managing game currency to creating probability items was a part of management.

“I also heard that Lindsey’s game currency is being traded for real money.”

“It is said to be a game currency, but if done incorrectly, inflation or deflation may occur.”

“Now I understand why the field of management is necessary.”

“And the IT department will also support the revenue model of games registered on the platform. “Wouldn’t that increase the fees we receive?”

The platform was structured to make money through commission trading.

When you purchase a game, you receive a 5-10% commission.

The same fee was charged when paying for in-game items with cash.

“I was truly impressed by the director’s insight.”

“And start a discount event to celebrate the launch. “Sell older games or classic games at a 50% to 75% discount.”

“Would you pay for a classic game just because it was on sale?”

“Why would a department store hold a sale event? Consumers open their wallets just by seeing the word ‘sale’. “Especially in the case of classic games, the prices are low, so it will be easier to open your wallet.”

Recycling games definitely makes money.

Until now, users only open their wallets when a new game is released.

When an event like a bomb sale was held, people tended to turn to classic games as well.

“We will proceed like that. But a problem arose.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It is said that there are several places that illegally copy and sell games released through the platform.”

Pirated CDs.

Since Korea still has a weak concept of copyright, there was an atmosphere of reluctance to buy games at full price.

There was a time when if you bought a computer, pirated games were installed on it.

“There needs to be strong regulation. “This problem will be solved if the government strictly regulates illegal reproduction.”

“Not only games, but also music piracy is becoming a problem.”

“I guess I should talk to my grandfather. Since the government is trying to foster the IT industry, all we have to do is make them aware of the problems in the pirate market and they will start regulating it on their own.”

“Will consumers listen to the government just because it regulates it?”

If you pay money to buy a game, you’re a fool.

This atmosphere was prevalent now.

It was difficult for this atmosphere to change immediately even if the government imposed regulations.

“Then I guess I’ll have to make things bigger. Let’s make the gaming, music, comics, and film industries all stand up together. “Wouldn’t it have some effect if famous singers and movie stars appeared in public service announcements to stop piracy?”

“These are places that are losing money due to the illegal market, so it seems highly likely that they will take action.”

“And please have Taewoo Electronics support a portion of the public service advertisement production costs. “Only then will we be able to recruit more famous celebrities.”

It was impossible to eradicate the pirated copy market all at once.

However, only by moving quickly from now on can we create an atmosphere that gradually discourages piracy.

“And even if you lose money, sell the game at a cheaper price than a pirated CD.”

“Are you talking about the game of chicken?”

“We have to kill the illegal copy market, even if it means printing money. We are also giving out coupons for purchasing three platform games to Taewoo Communications subscribers. “It is not a loss-making business if we use the platform to make people aware of the fun of buying games.”

It was also a way to increase the number of users of the platform and Taewoong Communications at the same time.

Taewoong Communications was conducting not only mobile phone but also internet business, and was able to attract subscribers in their teens and 20s by giving away platform games for free.

“It’s going to be a pretty bloody game of chicken.”

“It’s okay if you don’t make a profit for a year or two. So, you have to come to the field with great momentum.”

“We will take the lead at Taewoo Electronics.”

Even if you pour in the money right now, it won’t be a big loss.

This could be made up just by the profits earned from internet games such as MMORPGs.

***

There are only two months left in 1998.

It was going to be the best year for the Taewoo Group, but due to a sudden incident, my grandfather called me urgently.

“You know because you saw the news, but in the end, Hyunjae Group Chairman Jang drove a herd of cattle to North Korea.”

“It seems that the current group has moved in line with the Sunshine Policy being promoted by the government.”

“I think the current group and the government will become more connected.”

Hyeonjae Group was still maintaining its No. 1 position in the business world.

My grandfather was always looking for opportunities to surpass his current group.

That’s why he was a grandfather who was sensitively watching the current group’s support projects for North Korea.

“Hyunjae Group is expected to carry out various projects with North Korea, starting with support for projects with North Korea. Touring Mt. Geumgang will be the beginning.”

“Tsk, tsk, I’ve been putting a lot of effort into North Korea, but it looks like the wrong person ended up getting the fruit.”

My grandfather also had good relations with North Korea.

He has already visited North Korea several times and served as a bridge for inter-Korean summits.

However, that role was taken away by Hyunjae Group Chairman Jang Young-joo.

It didn’t seem like a big deal to me, but many large companies saw North Korea as a land of opportunity.

Of course, it would be a great opportunity if we could do business properly with North Korea, but that didn’t happen, at least until I returned.

Although I started a business.

It never went to the end, and companies that invested in North Korean projects suffered significant losses.

“I think it went rather well. Doing business with North Korea has too many variables. “From the perspective of running a business, there is nothing more dangerous than unpredictable business.”

“Looking at the government’s mood, it seemed like it would be different this time. “Will there not come a day when we can interact freely like East Germany and West Germany?”

Should I call it hope torture?

Even though the atmosphere between the two Koreas seemed to be improving, it was North Korea that fired the missiles, and the same was true even when Chairman Jang led the herd of cattle.

“North Korea is unpredictable. “Please leave such business to Hyunjae Group.”

“Even if it is an inter-Korean project, won’t it be a headache if the government starts to favor the current group? “I even think that the current group’s acquisition of CL Semiconductor is related to this incident.”

“Don’t be too concerned about North Korea. “While the current group is focusing on North Korea, we can expand to the world.”

“Hehe, yes, the most important thing is globalization.”

Around the time I finally consoled my grandfather.

The chief secretary hurriedly entered the president’s office.

“They say Chairman Lee Seon-il has passed away.”

“Gwanghwamun Bear, do you mean Chairman Lee?”

“That’s right. “They say he was found dead in the mansion and the funeral will be held today.”

“Are you really dead? “Why did the person who corrected me like that suddenly?”

I only corrected this when I saw it a few months ago.

Rather, Chairman Lee seemed to be getting younger every time I saw him.

At least before he became the owner of Myeong-dong, it was hard to believe that the person who seemed like he would chase him away even if the Grim Reaper came to him suddenly passed away.

“The cause of death is unknown, but I heard that he passed away at an old age. And it is said that his funeral will be held at the temple he often visited.”

“I guess I should go. Even though I got into a lot of fights with that person, wasn’t he the person who helped Taewoo Group grow so much? Minjae, get ready too. “Let’s go together.”

My grandfather and I dressed up in black suits and headed to the funeral home.

The funeral home was already crowded, as if Chairman Lee’s popularity was stronger than I knew.

People who recognized us moved out of the way.

My grandfather and I looked at the portrait of Chairman Lee, bowed, and burned incense.

And when I turned around, a young man in his 30s was waiting for us at the resident’s seat.

“Thank you for visiting. “My grandfather often talked about Chairman Kim.”

“I guess you are Chairman Lee’s grandson. “I don’t know why they kept such a tall young man so tightly hidden.”

The grandfather shook hands with Chairman Lee’s grandson and left.

Afterwards, I also bowed my head to Chairman Lee’s grandson.

However, the mood of Chairman Lee’s grandson changed at once.

“Are you the crown prince of Taewoo Group? I heard that your grandfather helped you a lot? “Let’s get along well.”

“I pray for the soul of the deceased.”

I shook hands with Chairman Lee’s grandson.

But even though his hands were cold, they were too cold.

I even felt like I had touched a cold-blooded animal.