A real cheat was blocked, and the game industry was rectified with a backhand

“It’s just the beginning.”

Wang Zhicheng recited this sentence, thinking about the actions of Naughty Cat in recent years, and suddenly laughed out loud.

"Okay, okay, go for it. Just remember that you have someone to support you."

Lin Mo also nodded.

Although it may not be of much use at the moment, my family members are thinking about me and are ready to help at any time.

This feeling is still good.

Wang Zhicheng took a sip of the coffee, which was now at the perfect temperature, and asked again, "But I'm still a little curious. What's your next move? Today, Juying Company and Baofeng Entertainment have made their cards clear. They said they want to make Baofeng Entertainment unable to make ends meet, but is it really that simple? Raiden Heroes is the only game that has stepped out of Baofeng Entertainment's comfort zone."

Lin Mo knew what Lao Wang wanted to say.

indeed.

The failure of "Warzone" highlighted its lack of sincerity, but that was only relative to previous works in the series.

In terms of sales, it is still competitive.

If Baofeng Entertainment learns from its mistakes, it will not do things that will destroy itself.

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

If there are no problems with the subsequent works, there will be a hole in the gambling agreement, but it is not the kind of hole that is so big that it cannot be filled.

It is not an easy task to make Baofeng Entertainment suffer a major setback.

Once the next few projects are successful, the acquisition will proceed smoothly.

By then, with the support of Baofeng Entertainment, Juying will fully promote the subscription system and enter the Chinese market. With Juying, a big sponsor, spending money like crazy, and with the pressure from XGame and Playsquare, Naughty Cat's living space will be further squeezed.

Life will be even more difficult then.

In response, Lin Mo smiled mysteriously.

"It's not just Juying that can play the acquisition game. Although my Naughty Cat's cash flow is not as terrifying as Juying's, it is still no problem for me to acquire one or two companies."

Wang Zhicheng frowned deeply when he heard this.

"It's just that it's useless to acquire a small company. As for a large company, even if it's not as good as Baofeng Entertainment, it still has to go through antitrust review. Our country handles things impartially, so there's no problem. But whether it's the Federal Trade Commission of the Lighthouse Country or the Competition and Markets Administration of the United States, it's not so easy to deal with them."

Lin Mo had a smile on his face and said leisurely, "Yes. But at the same time, if Juying wants to make a successful acquisition, these antitrust agencies will not be so easy to deal with. Even if they just spend money."

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

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

"What do you mean?"

"There is a small studio called Northern Star in the UK. It's not big, but it's also an old company with more than ten years of history. Do you know about it?"

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 turn the tables with that thing, do you?"

"Since it's an outside trick, as long as the force is used in the right way, it can be very effective. Besides, you won't forget the next product of Baofeng Entertainment, right?"

Wang Zhicheng would naturally not forget.

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

"I can roughly imagine what you want to do, but why do you have to acquire such a small studio? What's the point? Besides, Road to Heaven 4 will be released on May 5th. Even with Naughty Cat's production capacity, it's too late to make it in such a short time, right?"

"I can only tell you that in order to cope with antitrust scrutiny, Baofeng Entertainment will put itself in shackles."

Wang Zhicheng was still confused.

From the few words "anti-monopoly", you can roughly guess the solution to the problem.

But I really can’t imagine how to implement it and how to use it.

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

"Okay. I wish you good luck. If you need any help, please let me know right away. I'll take my daughter home first. Really, such a good girl makes you stay to work overtime all day, why don't you two start a relationship? That way I don't have to worry about her all day."

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

"calm down."

After this meeting.

The May Day holiday is coming soon.

By then, 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.

I'm going to lead the team to Europe to meet with Northern Star Studio to discuss some things.

Logically speaking, Lin Mo doesn't have to do this personally, and not many small studios would refuse.

But the acquisition is a small matter, the specific content of the discussion is the key.

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

Northern Star is a small game studio in the UK, located in the capital city of Fog, where there are numerous football teams.

All of its works are top-down action RPGs.

The types span roguelikes, real-time tactical games, and more.

The reputation is decent, but there has never been any hit work.

The owner of the studio is named Philfor, a middle-aged man in his forties with a slightly bald head.

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

"Hello."

Lin Mo shook hands with the other party.

Downstairs in the studio, it was clear that Philford took this meeting very seriously.

Not only was he dressed very formally, even the door lintel had been simply refurbished, and one could smell something when entering.

After all, it is an old studio with more than ten years of history.

Next, the boss personally led the Naughty Cats and their group to visit his studio.

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

Philfor was visibly nervous and sometimes stuttered when he spoke.

The studio is not that big, with a total of 37 people, which is the same level as when Naughty Cat was first established.

There isn't even a dedicated meeting room.

The negotiations were all conducted in Philford's office.

This time, we are here to acquire, not to invest.

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

Where had Philfu ever seen such a scene?

He was quickly defeated.

Details were finalized one by one and progress was rapid.

However, we could not agree on the final price.

Philford said with some embarrassment: "Unreserved technical support is indeed valuable, but isn't the price of 800 million dollars a bit too little?"

"Not a small amount, Mr. Filford. EA previously spent only $4700 million to acquire 75% of the shares of SpaceGames, a game studio also in Fog City. You should know that although SpaceGames has less than 3800 people, its work "Beatstar", a music game, has been downloaded 7500 million times, with a total revenue of $1800 million for a single project, and $ million in copyright fees alone. In comparison, do you really think this price is expensive?"

This left Philford speechless.

It seemed as if all the energy had been released, or perhaps it was because he no longer had the confidence.

He asked tentatively: "How about 1200 million dollars?"

Lin Mo did not get involved in the negotiations throughout the process. Everyone has their own expertise, so it is better to leave these matters to the company's professionals.

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

He even tacitly accepted in his heart that his studio had been acquired by Naughty Cat, which was more like bargaining under an established fact.

Once this happens, not only can the price not be called out, but it is no problem to lower it further.

Obviously, the people in charge of the negotiations had this idea.

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

He coughed lightly and said slowly: "Mr. Philford, interests are the most important thing in business. I think you understand that."

Philfor nodded quickly.

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

Until now, Philford still couldn't figure out one thing.

How could his Northern Star Studio be noticed by Naughty Cat and recruit this important figure who would dominate the future development trend of the gaming industry?

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

Philford frowned.

This was something he hadn't figured out for a long time.

Is your own studio worth so much money?

Obviously, not worth it.

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

What did Naughty Cat fancy?

In other words, what is lacking the most? What needs to be solved the most?

Suddenly, an idea popped into his head.

The current situation of being besieged on all sides.

The century-long acquisition case between Giant Internet Company and Baofeng Entertainment is currently under antitrust investigation.

Once all countries pass it, the two will be combined into one, with the subscription system being the pioneer. At that time, the Chinese market, the foundation of Naughty Cat, will be the first to be impacted.

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

Recently, the studio has been trying to avoid similar blockbusters such as "Road to Heaven 4", and the release date of the work has not yet been announced.

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, the "Road to Heaven" series, is still alive, occupying at least half of the players in this type.

Is it a monopoly?

Just barely.

If a company that is only a dozen years old and specializes in top-down action RPGs is afraid that after the acquisition is completed, Storm Entertainment, which is already a big name in this field, will completely monopolize this type of game.

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

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

According to the administrative efficiency of the British country, this will happen several times.

How long can it last?

I guess it won’t be short.

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

As long as the game dies violently, it's like mud stuck in the crotch, it's either x or x.

I, Philford, a game producer who has been working in this type of game for more than ten years, have suffered greatly from it.

In the past, people said that your monopoly caused immeasurable losses to the local gaming industry, but it doesn’t matter. No one cares.

But now if you are said to have a monopoly, then you are.

CMA officials must have been happy to see Northern Star Studios handing a knife to the necks of Juying and Baofeng Entertainment.

In the end, even if the antitrust approval is passed, you will still have to pay a heavy price.

If it fails, the CMA will have proved its worth by successfully blocking a monopoly-type acquisition and will be able to secure more budget in next year's sessions of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Anyway, it’s a win-win for Naughty Cat.

Thinking of this, Philford smiled.

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

Value, isn’t that it?

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

Seeing that Philfor, a middle-aged man who had not shown 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, we are an old member of the game industry union and are 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."

"Secondly, our newest work will be released soon, and I have great confidence in it. If we can reach a cooperation with Naughty Cat, with financial and technical support, I believe that releasing it in July at the same time as Road to Heaven 7 will not affect the sales of the work."

After these words were spoken, the office fell silent.

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

Is this a politician who has been held back by the gaming industry?

You don't even have to click, you'll understand it naturally.

And his words were flawless.

At this point, he knew that it was time for him to be a fool, a role that could not be played by the big boss Lin Mo.

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

Lin Mo's smile grew brighter, and he said leisurely, "Road to Heaven 4? It's on May 5th. The new work of Northern Star Studio can be released in August to 'avoid' this main competitor."

"That's right, look at my memory."

"August is a good time, don't you think, Mr. Filford?"

Philford was feeling emotional at this moment.

Although they have different nationalities, races and cultures, these cunning old foxes can always understand each other's meaning in seconds.

It’s done.

I'll have thighs later.

You can have food and clothing without having to worry about whether the studio will go bankrupt if the new work fails.

As for this time in August.

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

That is to say, the release of Baofeng Entertainment's new work "Road to Heaven 4" should be delayed until August at least.

Is this a problem?

With those guys at CMA, it's possible that it will be delayed until the end of the year, or even next year.

So he nodded.

“Yes, August is indeed a good time.”

Lin Mo smiled and nodded, saying, "It's a rare opportunity to come here, so we have to go there and feel the football atmosphere. I'll leave it to you."

The employee in charge of the negotiations patted his chest and said in Chinese: "Boss Lin, leave this to me. I know what to do."