The God of Coding, Becoming an IT Conglomerate

51. A company where one is all

Game Freak is a small company that started out of a club that produced game magazines for coterie events such as Comic Con.

Currently, it is a very insignificant company with only eight employees and sales of only 10 million yen (about 100 million won).

Soon after, a game called Quinty made a living by raising moderate sales, and a few years later it became a legendary game.

It develops ‘Pokemon’ and grows rapidly as one of the game companies with the highest net profit in the world.

In particular, it stays close to Nintendo as a second party and becomes a company that can be called Nintendo’s right hand.

Although the size of the right arm is larger than the torso is a trap.

“Game Freak… I’ve never heard of it. How did you find out about the company at H&H?”

“haha. I was interested in hearing rumors from people I know in the industry.”

Hoyoung was vague about how he found out about Game Freak.

Then he lowered his voice slightly and spoke.

“In fact, this case did not come as a director of H&H.”

“then···?”

“I came because I was personally interested.”

Hoyoung thought that from now on, he should take care of himself, not H&H.

H&H was also a late entry of Hoyeong to the computer research club, which was originally making word processors, and when making Cronos, it was something he could never do alone in a short period of time, so when Hoyoung was concentrating on other things, he needed key personnel to safely entrust development. .

That is why H&H was established by dividing the shares.

‘The company is important, but my individual competence must be so strong that it cannot be easily touched.’

(It was still a long way off), but when the growth period passed and I thought it was worth doing, it was the beginning of a bloody war.

When H&H becomes a huge group, the company will become a strong shield for Ho-young, and Ho-young’s personal assets and abilities will become a sharp spear that can penetrate the niche.

So, Game Freak wanted to invest in the name of Hoyoung, not in the name of H&H.

“It’s really interesting to see a company that Hoyeong is interested in.”

“yes. Rumor has it that the company is making some really interesting software. And this company may also have a deep connection with Shigeru.”

“Are you talking to me? Are you related to Nintendo by any chance?”

Hoyeong smiled slightly at Shigeru’s words about Nintendo and nodded.

“I thought I knew everything about Nintendo, but there are so many things I don’t know. Starting with what H&H had proposed…”

“ah! I didn’t mean it that way. Currently, Game Freak is making Famicom games through Namco. And the game that is currently in the planning stage is a game targeting the Game Boy.”

“Aha. Did you mean that?”

The Game Boy was a handheld game console released by Nintendo in 1989.

The 2.6-inch black-and-white LCD screen with the latest technology boasted 256X256 pixel performance, a whopping (?) 16KB of RAM, and four AA-size batteries were able to play for about 20 hours, making it a model that brought about a revolution in portable game consoles.

“But I don’t think I’ve seen a proper game production proposal yet. You haven’t submitted your proposal yet?”

All proposals and opinions related to the game were brought to him by Shigeru.

He questioned something he had never heard of.

“Perhaps. It’s because I came to Japan after hearing rumors that I was also planning it.”

“okay. It’s really interesting what kind of company it is.”

Shigeru’s eyes showed a slight desire.

He was already full of desire to know about Game Freak, which Ho-yeong, who he recognized, took an interest in and flew to Japan.

‘He is a person who genuinely likes games.’

Seeing Shigeru like that, Hoyoung admired inwardly.

Although I am already in my late 30s, I could feel that I like games.

Did you say that those who enjoy are the scariest in the world?

I thought that the secret to Shigeru’s becoming the best planner in the game industry was to have fun.

“So, I’m going to Game Freak tomorrow. I already made an appointment. If you have time, join us…”

“Is that okay?”

Shigeru agreed before Hoyoung could say anything.

Hoyoung almost burst into laughter at Shigeru’s reaction.

And on the other hand, I also felt like a prick in one side of my chest.

‘I feel a little sorry for this.’

Looking at Shigeru with a bright expression, Hoyoung remembered Game Freak from his previous life.

Game Freak is currently in a tight budget to pay for the monthly rent of the office, but it was a company that would run to Nintendo with a plan for Pokemon in three months.

Impressed by the Pokémon plan, Shigeru agrees to support development costs to some extent and promises to complete and deliver the game by next year.

However, due to Game Freak’s president and main developer Satoshi Tajiri’s stubbornness, the game development took longer and longer, and the development schedule was gradually extended, such as outsourcing production of Nintendo games to meet the funds due to falling development costs. Get caught and develop the game.

While making the game, when there was a blockage in the idea, there were many cases where a word thrown by Shigeru often served as a hint, and in the end, the masterpiece called Pokemon was born.

‘Here, Shigeru should add ideas from time to time, and keep Nintendo interested…’

Not even dreaming of Hoyoung’s thoughts, Shigeru was just curious about what the new game would be like.

“I think this game is probably a work that will make a mark in the gaming world.”

“okay? What kind of game is this?”

“haha···. You will know the details when you see it for yourself tomorrow.”

Shigeru made a curious expression because Hoyoung didn’t tell him.

He was impatient with his curiosity.

“Thank you for waiting. Shall we go eat?”

Yoichi and Kim Joo-jung, who had been away at that time, returned to the conference room.

“By the way, Shigeru-san, is it okay if you don’t separately deliver the details of today’s meeting to Nintendo? Why don’t you give me a call right now?”

“I am okay.”

“okay?”

Yoichi made a suspicious expression at Shigeru’s words.

“I want things to go as quickly as possible…wouldn’t it be better to deliver it a little sooner?”

“haha. You don’t have to worry about that. It won’t start until I get back to Nintendo anyway. Employees who follow me will do what I tell them to do, and I will have to fight those who oppose my words.”

Looking at Shigeru, who spoke casually with a small smile, Yoichi nodded slightly.

It was a feeling that Yoichi was also inspired by his tremendous confidence that he would push forward with what he wanted to do.

“Shigeru-san. It won’t be easy to beat us this time.”

“I look forward to it anytime.”

The two met each other’s eyes and burned their will to fight.

If Yoichi’s eyes before the meeting were of hostility towards the enemy, the eyes of the present are of a challenger looking at the champion.

Shigeru seemed to admit that he liked Yoichi as well.

“now. Stop now and leave immediately. hungry. Didn’t Mr. Yoichi take you to a really good restaurant? Please take the lead.”

Kim Joo-jung intervened between the two and changed the atmosphere.

“All right. Come follow me. We will show you the taste that cannot be tasted in Kyoto or Korea.”

Everyone left the conference room laughing haha at Yoichi’s joke.

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the next morning.

Hoyoung waited for Shigeru in front of Kamata Station in Ota Ward, where Sega Games is located.

Shigeru was known for his strict sense of time, but he didn’t come until 10 minutes passed the appointed time.

After waiting for another 10 minutes, I could see Shigeru walking towards me in the distance.

“Shigeru-san? Where are you sick?”

At Hoyoung’s words, Shigeru looked at Hoyeong like a monster.

“No, is Ho Young-sang okay? Even after drinking that much until dawn?”

“You didn’t drink that much yesterday, did you?”

“From now on, I will never have a drinking party with a Korean.”

Shigeru still smelled like alcohol.

After the discussion yesterday, the four people who really got along better than expected at dinner decided to have a drink after dinner.

In particular, Yoichi and Shigeru were in the same industry, held similar positions, and were similar in age, so the atmosphere at the drinking party yesterday was so good that they ended up drinking until dawn.

“Shigeru-san was late on the first day we met, and he is late again today. I think the rumor that he is thorough on time commitments is false.”

“It is very sorry. By the way, do you know how many bottles of sake we emptied yesterday?”

Shigeru shook his head at the alcohol consumption of Hoyoung and Jung.

“Puhaha. I don’t know because I’ve never drank while counting.”

Hoyoung smiled happily and entered the subway station.

It took about an hour by public transportation to Setagaya, where Game Freak is located.

Despite being an executive at a large corporation, Shigeru enjoyed taking public transportation.

Hoyoung did not even bring Miru with him on his trip to Japan.

Because Japan is a country where international driver’s licenses are not allowed, Miru couldn’t even drive a car anyway, and Hoyoung’s awareness in Japan was still very small, so he judged that there would be no big deal.

‘I had a hard time separating Miru from following me.’

Hoyoung smiled at the thought of Miru who would follow him.

Still, sometimes I thought it would be nice to take public transportation like this.

After taking the subway for about an hour, Hoyeong was able to get closer to her destination.

“Shigeru-san, wake up. Everything has arrived.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Shigeru opened his eyes awkwardly.

He slept through the hour until the subway arrived.

Yesterday’s dinner party must have been quite tiring.

Still, it was because he had slept for an hour, but he had a refreshing look on his face.

“This is true. You are committing rudeness.”

“haha. it’s okay. Maybe. What. Would you like to stop by the bathroom for a moment?”

“yes. thank you.”

After getting off the subway, Shigeru went into the bathroom to wash his face.

Hoyoung found this situation genuinely interesting.

These days, it was Ho-young who had fun getting to know people he didn’t know, getting to know them, and seeing a new side of him.

After a while, Shigeru came out of the bathroom looking clean, and they stepped towards Game Freak with bright faces.

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Satoshi Tajiri, president of Game Freak, was dumbfounded when he saw the person sitting at the desk across from him.

“I… over there maybe.”

“Tell me.”

“Is it Shigeru Miyamoto-san?”

At Satoshi’s words, Shigeru laughed humorously.

“Right?”

“Hie?”

Satoshi was surprised by Shigeru’s answer, giving off a Japanese-style voice.

Then, he glanced at Hoyoung next to him.

“I am Yoon Ho-young from Korea, whom I made an appointment with today. I am really sorry for bringing guests without telling you.”

Hoyeong bowed her head and said something she didn’t ask.

It was only natural that Satoshi was a little more surprised by his words.

“So, why did you visit our company…”

Satoshi said while looking at the fax that Hoyeong sent in advance.

“yes. As you can see, we want to acquire Game Freak. Acquisition amount is 500 million yen. I will own 100% of the shares. I would like to hire all of the current Game Freak employees as they are, and I will give them a 50% increase from their current wages. And my participation in management will be minimal, and I will invest unlimited amounts of game development costs under the premise that the evidence is 100% transparent.”

Hoyoung spat out words like a rapid-fire cannon.

When I was lost in my spirit seeing Shigeru, I thought of ending the negotiations quickly.

However, Satoshi was not as easygoing as one might think.

Hearing Hoyoung’s words, Satoshi’s eyes changed.

“I’m really sorry, but I have no desire to hand over the company. This is because this company is not just a game company, it is different from the club itself to which we belong. I know the conditions are incredibly good, but…”

Hoyoung looked at Satoshi and thought it was unexpected.

It was a company that had a hard time paying the rent for an office right away, so I thought it would be a quick bite under these conditions.

‘Did I underestimate Game Freak too much? not. The identity that the club was made by people with the same will is the most important thing to them. This is something I hadn’t considered.’

Since H&H also started in a club called the Computer Research Club, Hoyoung understood Satoshi’s feelings to some extent.

As Hoyoung was thinking, Satoshi blurted out the words.

“It’s a bit shameless to say this when you’ve already rejected the offer, but…”

He pulled out some paperwork from the desk.

“Would you please take a look at this? This is a game we are planning. The name of the game is Pokémon…”

Hoyoung’s eyes flashed.

“Why are you showing me this proposal?”

“I know it’s a very shameless statement. You can refuse, so just listen. We want to make this game, but we don’t have the development budget. Would you like to invest in this game? If you invest 20 million yen, I will hand over 30% of the rights to ‘Pokémon’.”

Hoyeong barely restrained herself from bursting into laughter at Satoshi’s words.

“No, now that you’ve rejected my suggestion that you want to take over the company like that, you want me to invest in the game?”

Instead of laughing, he deliberately pretended to be angry.

Shigeru was reading the Pokémon proposal next to him with a very interesting expression.

“That’s why I said twice that I was shameless…”

“I only got one game right. It’s not that I flew to Japan only to buy 30% of it.”

“sorry.”

Satoshi involuntarily lowered his head.

The Pokémon he wanted to make since he was a child was being delayed because he couldn’t find a sponsor.

I thought I had a good chance this time too, but I thought I had crossed the water this time too.

“80%”

“yes?”

“Then I will give you 100 million yen as an advance payment. Instead, give me 80% of the rights to Pokémon. Of course, I will not interfere in the direction of game development at all.”

“You mean 80%?”

“The choice is made by the CEO. But I don’t care how long the game I invested in takes or how much money it costs. As I said before, if you provide proof, I will support you with unlimited development costs other than 500 million yen. It’s okay to include all the personnel costs of Game Freak’s employees in the development cost.”

Having said this, Satoshi raised his head with determination and looked at Hoyoung.

“All right. If you refuse these conditions, you may come out of your dreams for the rest of your life. Then we’ll make it over 80%. Thank you very much.”

Satoshi bowed his head to Hoyoung and said thank you.

‘In fact, it is I who am truly grateful.’

Hoyeong tried to lower the corner of her mouth that was trying to rise gently.

“Please make sure of one thing. This investment is an investment in the ‘Pokémon’ that we are making now, not an investment in our company’s shares.”

“yes. Okay. Instead, please make sure Satoshi too. The right to 80% of Pokémon applies equally to both derivatives and related copyrights, as well as revenue from selling the game.”

“That is nagging, to say the least.”

To Satoshi now, Pokemon was just one of many games made by Game Freak.

But he hadn’t even dreamed of it.

The fact that Game Freak becomes a company of a level of insignificance except for Pokemon.

A company where Pokemon is everything.

The fact that Hoyoung bought 80% of the rights to Pokemon was the same as taking control of 80% of Game Freak.