Chapter 370: Outside the Game

"It's just the beginning."

Wang Zhicheng said this sentence, thinking about the naughty cat's actions in recent years, and suddenly laughed out loud.

"Okay, okay, just go ahead and do it. Just remember that you have someone behind you to support you."

Lin Mo also nodded.

Although it is not of much use for the time being, my mother-in-law's family is thinking about it and is ready to help at any time.

This feeling is still good.

Wang Zhicheng took a sip of the coffee that was already at the right temperature and asked again: "But I'm still a little curious. What's your next step? Juhard Company and Baofeng Entertainment are the big names today. They say they want Baofeng Entertainment to make ends meet. But is it really that simple? This is the only game like "Thunder Heroes" that goes beyond Baofeng Entertainment's comfort zone."

Lin Mo knew what Lao Wang wanted to say.

really.

The original failure of "War Zone" highlighted a lack of care, but it was only compared to previous works in the series.

In terms of sales, it can still beat the competition.

If Baofeng Entertainment learns from the mistakes it makes, it will not engage in things that would destroy the Great Wall.

If you continue to work hard in areas that you are good at and familiar with, the quality of your works will definitely not be bad, and it is not that easy to deal with.

If there are no problems with the subsequent works, there will be holes in the gambling agreement, but they are not holes that are too big to be filled.

It is not an easy matter to make Baofeng Entertainment suffer a big loss.

Once the next few projects are successful, the acquisition is well underway.

At that time, with the support of Baofeng Entertainment, Juhard will comprehensively promote the subscription system and enter the Chinese market. With Juhard, a major financial financier, frantically throwing away money, coupled with the pressure from XGame and Playsquare, Naughty Cat’s living space will be will be squeezed further.

Then life will be even more difficult.

In response, Lin Mo smiled mysteriously.

"But it's not just giant hard companies that can engage in acquisitions. Although my Naughty Cat's cash flow is not as scary as giant hard companies, I still have no problem acquiring one or two companies."

Wang Zhicheng frowned deeply when he heard this.

"It's just that there is no use in acquiring a small company. As for a large company, even if it is not as good as Baofeng Entertainment, it still has to go through antitrust review. Our country runs official business, so there is no problem. But whether it is the Federal Trade Commission of the lighthouse country, the competition in the corrupt country The Market Authority is not that easy to deal with. ”

Lin Mo had a smile on his face and said leisurely: "Yes. But similarly, if Ju Hard wants to make a successful acquisition, these anti-monopoly agencies will not be able to deal with it easily. Even if they throw money, it will be the same."

Wang Zhicheng raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile: "We all know that you, Lin Mo, are a genius in making games. It seems that this time you have to solve the problem not only from the perspective of works?"

"After all, in addition to being a game designer, I am also a businessman. I have never said that I can only make games. It just so happens that I also know a little bit about the policies and national conditions there."

"What's the meaning?"

"There is a small studio called Northern Star in the Fu Kingdom. It is not large in scale, but it is an old company that has been in business for more than ten years. Did you know?"

After thinking for a while, Wang Zhicheng asked in disbelief: "That small workshop that makes top-down action RPGs? Why did you acquire that thing? You don't want to rely on that thing to make a comeback, do you?"

"Since it's an outside move, as long as you use the force in the right way, you can make a huge difference. Moreover, you won't forget about Baofeng Entertainment's next product, right?"

Wang Zhicheng will naturally not forget it.

The name of the game is "Road to Paradise 4", which is also a top-down action RPG.

"I can generally think of what you want to do, but why do you have to acquire such a small studio? What's the point? Besides, "Road to Paradise 4" was released on May 15. With Naughty Cat's production capacity, it took such a short time It’s too late, right?”

"I can only tell you that in order to cope with the antitrust review, Baofeng Entertainment will personally put a layer of shackles on itself."

Wang Zhicheng was still confused.

From the words antitrust, you can roughly guess the idea of ​​​​solving the problem.

But how to implement it and how to use it is really hard to imagine.

If you can't think of it, then don't think about it.

"Okay. I wish you good luck. If you need help, let me know as soon as possible. I will take my daughter home first. Really, if such a good girl wants you to stay and work overtime all day, either you two Talk to someone? It will save me the whole day of worrying."

"Old Wang. Don't force me to call security."

"calm down."

After this meeting is over.

The May Day holiday is coming soon.

At that time, most people in the Naughty Cat company will take a break.

But Lin Mo, the boss, had no choice but to work overtime.

no way.

We need to take the team to Europe and the Northern Star Studio to meet and discuss some things.

It stands to reason that Lin Mo does not need to personally take part in this matter, and there are not many small studios that would refuse.

But the acquisition is a small matter, and the specific content of the negotiations is the focus.

In this regard, no one in this company really understands how to use the acquired small studios to bring big trouble to Baofeng Entertainment.

Northern Star is a small game studio in a corrupt country, located in the foggy capital of the country where there are many football teams.

Its works are all top-down action RPGs.

The genre spans meat pigeons, real-time tactics games, etc.

The reputation is acceptable, but it has never produced a hit work.

The owner of the studio is named Philford, a middle-aged man in his forties who is somewhat bald.

"Hello. I like Dark Souls and Monster Hunter."

"Hello."

Lin Mo shook hands with the other party.

Downstairs in the studio, it can be seen that Philfu attaches great importance to this meeting.

Not only is he dressed very formally, even the door lintel has been simply renovated, and you can smell some smell when you enter the door.

After all, it is an old studio for more than ten years.

Next, the boss personally led the way in front and led Naughty Cat and his party to visit his studio.

However, it was different from Lin Mo's leisurely state as if he was on vacation.

Philfu was obviously a little nervous and sometimes stuttered when he spoke.

The studio is not big, with 37 people at most, which is the level of Naughty Cat when it was just established.

There is even no special meeting room.

The negotiation process was all in Philfu's office.

This time, it was an acquisition, not an investment.

The specific process was handled by a dedicated person in the company.

Where has Philfu seen such a scene?

He was defeated quickly.

The details were finalized one by one, and the progress was fast.

However, they could not reach an agreement on the final price.

Philford said with some embarrassment: "Unreserved technical support is indeed valuable, but isn't the price of 8 million dollars a bit too little?"

"Not much, Mr. Philford. EA previously acquired 75% of the shares of SpaceGames, a game studio in the same foggy city, for only 47 million dollars. You should know that although the scale of SpaceGames studio is less than 100 people, its work "Beatstar", a music game, has been downloaded 38 million times, and the revenue of a single project is 75 million dollars, and the copyright fee paid alone is 18 million dollars. In comparison, do you really think this price is expensive?"

Philford was speechless for a while after hearing this.

It seemed that he had let out a breath, or it might be because he had no more confidence.

He asked tentatively: "12 million dollars, how about it?"

Lin Mo did not participate in the negotiation throughout the whole process. He specialized in his profession, so he left these things to the company's professionals.

But at this time, it can be seen that Philford has been completely controlled in this negotiation.

Even in his heart, he admitted that his studio had been acquired by Naughty Cat, which was more like bargaining under established facts.

Once this situation came, not only could he not name the price, but it was not a problem to lower it.

Obviously, the person in charge of the negotiation had this idea.

Lin Mo winked at him, and swallowed the words that were about to continue bargaining.

He coughed lightly and slowly said, "Mr. Philford, business behavior is most important for interests, I think you understand."

Philford nodded quickly.

I am not afraid of the boss from the mysterious East speaking, but I am afraid of not saying a word.

So far, Philford still can't figure out one thing.

How can his North Star Studio be favored by Naughty Cat and attract this important person who dominates the future development trend of the game industry.

Lin Mo continued, "So, you have to prove your value to me."

Philford frowned.

This is also something he has not figured out for a long time.

Is his studio worth so much money?

Obviously, it is not worth it.

IP is not valuable, and his boss is not a top talent in the industry.

What did Naughty Cat fancy?

Or, what is the most lacking? What needs to be solved most?

Suddenly, an idea popped into his head.

The current situation of being surrounded by enemies.

The century acquisition case of Juying Company and Baofeng Entertainment is currently under antitrust investigation.

Once all countries pass it, the two will merge into one, and the subscription system will be used as a pioneer. At that time, the foundation of Naughty Cat, the Chinese market, will be the first to be impacted.

But if it is to solve this problem, why acquire a small studio far away in the UK that makes a top-down action RPG?

Recently, the studio has also avoided the same type of masterpiece "Road to Heaven 4", and the work has not yet announced the release time.

Wait, top-down action RPG? "Road to Heaven 4"? Baofeng Entertainment? Antitrust investigation?

This type of game is relatively niche compared to the current game market. Only one big IP of the "Road to Heaven" series is still alive, occupying at least more than half of the players of this type.

Is it a monopoly?

Barely.

If a company that specializes in top-down action RPGs and is more than a decade old is afraid that after the acquisition, Baofeng Entertainment, which is already a big name in this field, will completely monopolize this type of game.

Is it reasonable and justified to write a letter of protest to CMA (the Competition and Markets Authority of the United Kingdom) to explain the situation?

At that time, Baofeng Entertainment and Juying Company must submit materials to CMA based on this matter to prove that their games will not affect local practitioners and the game ecology and form a monopoly.

According to the administrative efficiency of the United Kingdom, this will go back and forth several times.

How long can it be delayed?

Presumably, it will not be short.

If Baofeng Entertainment does not hang these directly released games, the new works of the Northern Star Studio can also be released at the same time.

As long as the game dies suddenly, it is like mud stuck in the crotch, it is not x or x.

I, Philfu, a game producer who has been engaged in this type of game for more than ten years, have suffered greatly.

In the past, it didn’t matter if you said that your monopoly caused immeasurable losses to the local game industry, and everyone would care.

But now if you say you are a monopoly, you are.

The officials of CMA must be happy to see that North Star Studio has handed a knife to Juying and Baofeng Entertainment.

In the end, even if the antitrust is passed, a layer of skin will be plucked.

If it is not passed, CMA will prove its value and successfully prevent a monopoly acquisition case, and it can strive for more budget in the meeting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords next year.

In any case, it is a blood profit for Naughty Cat.

Thinking of this, Philford smiled.

Suddenly he was full of confidence in the acquisition of Naughty Cat, and even sold a little more than expected.

Value, isn't it here?

"Mr. Lin Mo, please believe that North Star Studio is a company worthy of your investment. Our company has some advantages that you don't know."

Seeing Philford, a middle-aged man who didn't show much talent in making games, suddenly became confident, Lin Mo also raised his eyebrows.

"Oh? I'm all ears."

"First, our company has a long history. Although it is small in scale, it is an old member of the game industry union and is familiar with local policies and laws."

Lin Mo raised the corner of his mouth slightly, changed to a more comfortable sitting position, and said softly: "Continue."

"Second, our company's latest work is about to be launched, and I am full of confidence in it. If we reach a cooperation with Naughty Cat, with financial and technical support, it will surely not affect the sales of the work when it is released in July at the same time as "Road to Heaven 4."

After these words were spoken, the office was silent.

The employee who was in charge of the negotiations looked at the boss who was a little timid just now across the table with some surprise.

Is this a politician who was delayed by the game industry?

You don't even need to click, you will understand naturally.

And the words are flawless.

At this time, he knew that he should be a fool, and this kind of personality cannot be played by the big boss Lin Mo.

Pretending to know nothing, he said, "Mr. Philford is really forgetful. Isn't the release date of "Road to Heaven 4" in August? Right, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Mo's smile became brighter and brighter, and he said leisurely, "Road to Heaven 4? It's May 15th. The new work of Northern Star Studio can be released in August to "avoid" this main competitor."

"Yes, yes, look at my memory."

"August is indeed a good time, what do you think, Mr. Philford?"

Philford was sighing in his heart at this time.

Nationality, race and culture are different, and cunning old foxes can always understand each other's meaning in seconds.

This matter, it's done.

I have a big brother in the future.

I can live without worries, and don't have to worry about whether the studio will go bankrupt if the new work dies suddenly.

As for the time in August.

It can't be said to be a hint, it can be said to be an explicit statement.

It means that at least the new work of Baofeng Entertainment, "Road to Heaven 4", should be delayed until August before it is released.

Is this a problem?

As for those CMA bosses, it is possible to delay it until the end of the year or next year.

So he nodded.

"Yes, August is indeed a good time."

Lin Mo smiled and nodded, saying: "It's not easy to come here once, I must go to the scene to feel the football atmosphere, I leave it to you."

The employee in charge of the negotiation patted his chest and said in Chinese: "Boss Lin, just leave it to me, I know what to do." (End of this chapter)