Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Recruitment (1)
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In the current era of AAA console game development, entering the console market is an indispensable element.
After all, the 'packaged game' format is the one that consumers are most willing to spend a premium price on.
There was one country where this tendency was particularly pronounced.
Japan.
The nation that produced two of the world's top three consoles. A nation that had once ushered in an era of console wars, expanding the game industry.
In that country, one name was already renowned and would only become more so in the future: Sona.
To be precise, Sona's PlayStation.
What would be the point of further explaining the prestige of the PlayStation?
It would only be a waste of breath, a mere recitation of well-known facts.
So, let's look at the current situation.
“My name is Ayado Goro.”
The owner of the business card from the email had come to the office.
He was a middle-aged Japanese man from Sona.
His bright smile and restrained courtesy were impressive.
“...I'm Cheon Yeon-ho.”
“It's a relief that you can speak English. The language barrier is always a problem on international business trips.”
“You can speak Japanese if you'd like. I know enough to get by.”
“English is comfortable for both of us, so it's better.”
He was a man who drew clear lines.
Does he enjoy a certain level of discomfort and tension?
It didn't matter.
We weren't here to socialize, after all.
I said.
“Shall we get straight to the point, then?”
If we were here to talk business, that should come first.
Ayado's gaze shifted. A smile soon spread across his face.
“Just as Mr. Russo said, you're very straightforward. Excellent. Then, let's get right to it...”
Ayado handed over a document.
“...As I mentioned, we would like to distribute the console version of Hellic 2. That is why I've come.”
“Yes, I must admit, I was surprised. It was a rather unexpected request.”
I examined the document as I spoke.
Just as I'd expected.
“The console is the PS3?”
“Yes, it's the latest console we're operating for the current generation.”
Bullshit.
Considering the PS4 was slated for release late next year, calling it the 'latest' was a stretch. But more important than that was their intention.
'They're trying to boost sales.'
Even a child knows the correlation between console sales and good titles.
And the PS3 was a console in desperate need of good titles.
It couldn't be helped.
'Because its initial launch was a disaster.'
Among all the PlayStation consoles, none had faced a crisis quite like the PS3.
Putting aside external issues like the price controversy at launch, the PS3 was fundamentally a very difficult console to develop for by the standards of the time.
It took developers of that era about three to four years just to get used to it.
After that, it took even longer to develop and distribute games in earnest.
It eventually managed to bounce back, but was its success worthy of the Sona name? The answer was questionable.
That was the inside story of the PS3.
Now, let's talk about us.
“A release alongside the PS3 Super Slim model. Is that what you're aiming for?”
Ayado's eyes widened.
As if I'd hit the nail on the head.
“The Super Slim is scheduled for release around the end of this year, right?”
The Super Slim, the final model of the PS3, would coincide with the final price drop for the console in North America.
Sona's current strategy must be to make up for its sluggish performance with sales volume.
And to increase those sales, they needed to supply quality titles.
By the public's judgment, not just my own, Hellic 2 had that kind of value.
Ayado didn't bother to deny it.
“...Hellic is a title well-suited for a console port.”
His smile deepened.
“Simple controls, mechanics based on interaction, and growth through item builds. It's perfectly configured for a console. Add to that a complete narrative delivered through excellent cinematics, and there's no need to discuss the game's quality any further.”
He was right.
Hellic 2 was a console-friendly game.
The optimization work for the port probably wouldn't take too long.
Though there would be some effort required to adapt it to the PS3's environment.
“One of the main titles that will make the last PS3 model shine. Although it's classified as an indie game, we have no doubt that Hellic 2 is that kind of game.”
Translating his excessive praise, it meant:
—We need to boost our sales, so let us borrow your name and fanbase.
Corporations aren't stupid.
Optimizing and porting a pre-existing game is easy.
Our role is to handle the conversion, and all they have to do is sell the finished package. It's clearly a beneficial proposal for them.
So, is it a detrimental proposal for me?
If asked, I could answer firmly.
'It's a huge gain.'
It was an opportunity.
An opportunity I hadn't dared to imagine, one so good it was hard to believe it was real.
I could gain so much from this.
A benefit so great it would make the problem of securing development funds seem trivial.
'Entering the console market.'
Studio Rewind was aiming to enter the AAA market.
And the AAA market is one where console sales hold a massive share.
That fact wouldn't change even in the future, as the PC platform's status grew.
There was one country where this pattern was even more pronounced.
Japan.
Studio Rewind's weak point.
'I can get Hellic into the Japanese market.'
Hellic's current performance in Japan was poor.
Despite Japan being the home of packaged games, the limitations of a PC-only release meant Hellic was only enjoyed by a niche group of enthusiasts there.
This was the chance to turn that around.
But was that all?
Of course not. Looking further into the future, there was another advantage to be gained besides entering the Japanese market.
'Console development experience.'
Experience can't be bought with money.
Console development experience, in particular, was an incredibly difficult thing to acquire in Korea.
Korea, a wasteland for packaged games.
Especially in this deformed Galapagos of a market.
Back to the original problem.
'I have to make a AAA game.'
But we don't have the manpower.
We'll be hiring more people, but they won't have much console development experience.
This would be a critical weakness for the upcoming development of Hellic 3.
Try to make a AAA game with inexperienced developers, and we'd just be branded as a flash-in-the-pan studio whose "god-tier" game was only good by indie standards.
The solution was right in front of me.
So I looked at Ayado.
And considered a more practical concern.
“What do you think?”
Their goal was to boost PS3 sales with Hellic 2.
My goal was to secure development funds, expand our market, and gain practical experience through this deal.
But does the deal end there?
Aren't the terms a little too favorable for me?
'Absolutely not.'
Ayado hadn't said everything yet.
And there was something I hadn't mentioned either.
Yes, this was a topic that required caution.
“...I'm sure you didn't come all this way just for this.”
I opened the subject.
“I appreciate honesty.”
“You're just like Mr. Russo. Very well. Go on.”
“What you're really after is Hellic 3, isn't it?”
Ayado's smile deepened.
After all, it didn't make sense for a man in his high position to go through Alid Russo and come all the way to Korea just for one game to put on a dying console.
His true objective had to lie beyond that.
“The PS4. I understand you're now preparing for its official launch.”
The launch of the PS4, which would be hailed as the most successful PlayStation of all time, was about 700 days away.
From their perspective, having one more IP under their belt was an undeniable advantage.
“You want the exclusive rights to Hellic 3. That's how I see it.”
It wouldn't be an acquisition to make us a first-party studio.
Their initial approach would have been different if that were the case.
The likely scenario was a second-party, timed-exclusive contract.
A contract where the hardware distributor invests in the developer, and in return, the developer grants them exclusive distribution rights for a certain period.
“You are quite direct.”
The reply was an affirmation.
“That's correct. We rate the potential of the Hellic IP very highly. We are determined to make the PS4 a success. To do that, we need as many cards in our hand as possible.”
A simple enough story.
And one more thing.
'I couldn't be more grateful that they came to me first.'
Sona, my number one choice for a console partner, was offering to pave the way with better conditions than I could have anticipated.
There was no reason to hesitate.
And certainly no reason to refuse.
So I answered.
“I have a question.”
“Yes?”
“How much can you advance us?”
“Excuse me?”
“I need to know how much funding you can provide upfront.”
Once mutual interests align, negotiation begins.
It was the basic order of business.
***
Ayado Goro, senior director of Sona's sales department, thought to himself.
These damn game directors were all lacking in social skills.
—So, did the kid agree? Huh?
A gruff male voice came from the other end of the line.
It was Alid Russo of Valhalla.
Ayado forced a laugh and replied.
“...Yes, we managed to meet his terms. It meant taking a hit on our end, but yes.”
—Khaha! He screwed you over? What a fighter! I really like that about him!
“Haha...”
—Ah, and the poison pill clause...!
“Of course not.”
What kind of madman would pull a stunt like that, knowing the consequences?
It was always important to stay on this man's good side, but now more than ever.
Because Valhalla's new title was set to release alongside the PS4.
Valhalla's titles were masterpieces that swept the GOTY awards every time. Even if a new game fell short of expectations, its initial sales alone would generate overwhelming profits.
If he were to give up those profits just to get a better deal with a fledgling studio, he'd have to quit his sales job.
Ayado considered a hypothetical.
The situation where he'd insert a poison pill clause to acquire Hellic more cheaply.
'The outcome is obvious.'
The PS4 exclusive deal was already signed, but knowing Alid Russo's personality, he would tear up the contract the moment he was crossed.
He couldn't use the investment money as a leash, either.
In terms of both manpower and funds, the publisher's contribution to the next title's development was practically nil, and the penalty for breaking the contract wouldn't faze Alid Russo in the slightest.
At a time when the console war with MS was heating up...
If Valhalla's title went over to their side...
'...Yikes, I'd be forced into retirement.'
Ayado sighed.
His voice carried a hint of complaint.
“But why are you so concerned with this studio, Rewind?”
It was a natural question to ask.
He had known Alid Russo for 20 years, and he could say with certainty that this was the first time he'd ever seen him support someone like this.
An indie GOTY?
Impressive, sure. But was it impressive enough to pique Alid Russo's interest? He had his doubts.
What potential did that man see in the young Korean?
The answer that came back was vague.
—He's worth cultivating.
Alid's insidious laugh came through the receiver.
—You see, I believe in picking fruit when it's perfectly ripe. So, I'm creating the right environment for it to ripen.
Incomprehensible words.
Finally, Alid added one more thing.
—Anyway, you've worked hard. While you're at it, give him a generous amount of development funds so the kid can make something great!
“I'll handle that part, so please just focus on your next title. About the new game...”
—Needless to say. I'm always the best. Even if you don't say it.
*Click—*
The line suddenly went dead.
He let out another deep sigh at the man's selfish behavior, his social skills seemingly thrown in the trash.
Ayado looked up at the sky.
The sky in Seoul wasn't much different from Tokyo's.
'Damn directors.'
The word 'social skills' clearly wasn't in their vocabulary.
Would the stress from dealing with them shorten his life?
He at least wanted to live long enough to see his daughter get married.
Ayado's weary figure, as he trudged away, was the very picture of a worn-out professional.
Yet, his mind was still buzzing with sharp calculations.
'Cheon Yeon-ho. I'll have to remember that name.'
Whatever the reason, anyone who could stir Alid's intuition was a rising star bound to make waves in the industry.
The senior director of sales for the number one console company.
He hadn't earned that title by playing tiddlywinks.
***
The specific details of the contract still needed discussion, but we had cleared the biggest hurdle.
The console port for Hellic 2 was practically confirmed.
The deadline was the end of this year, in about 330 days.
“So, are we starting work right away?”
Myeong-gyu seemed particularly tense.
It was natural, since he'd be the one suffering the most with the console port.
However, there was still another hurdle to clear before we could begin in earnest.
“No.”
“Huh?”
“There's something we have to do first.”
We found an investor.
We settled on the console for the port.
In other words, we had a plan for the future. Now, we needed to build the foundation to make it a reality.
“We're expanding the studio. We're going to hire more staff.”
Recruitment.
And,
“We're moving offices.”
Finding a bigger office.
We'd grown fond of our current office, but it was ridiculously small considering the number of people we'd be hiring.
I'd already decided on a location.
“We're moving to Pangyo.”
Pangyo Techno Valley.
The heart of Korea's IT industry, known as the Korean Silicon Valley.
And companies would begin moving in this year, 2012.
Recruitment (1)