Reborn as a tycoon in Hong Kong

On the second day after arriving in Tokyo, Lin Baicheng took Chiba Nanako, Higurori Mori and the bodyguards to the golf course where he had an appointment with Mikhail Kogan. Higurashi Rison, manager of Xingyue Electronics Japan Branch.

Mikhail Kogan did not go to the appointment alone, he brought along several management personnel such as Tomohiro Nishikkaku and Akio Nakanishi.

"Mr. Cogan!" "Mr. Lin!"

Lin Baicheng and Mikhail Kogan shook hands with each other.

Lin Baicheng then greeted his old acquaintances Tomohiro Nisikado and Akio Nakanishi.

At first, the two parties did not talk about work matters, but chatted while playing golf.

"Mr. Lin, congratulations to Galaxy Games for its successful listing and its stock price has soared."

Although Mikhail Kogan called to congratulate Lin Baicheng after Galaxy Games was successfully listed, but it was a phone call, and the two of them had no chance to meet after that. This meeting was rare, Mikhail Kogan Of course I have to say congratulations in person.

Although Mikhail Kogan himself does not like restraint and likes freedom, as a businessman, he certainly knows that the successful listing of Galaxy Games has greatly increased Lin Baicheng's net worth, not to mention that the stock price of Galaxy Games has continued to rise since its listing, so he has For Lin Baicheng, this is definitely a good thing and deserves congratulations.

"Thanks."

Lin Baicheng said with a smile: "If Mr. Cogan is willing, he can list Taitung at any time. At that time, Taitung's stock price will definitely not be low."

Mikhail Kogan shook his head when he heard this: "I'll forget it. The company is subject to a lot of restrictions after it goes public. It needs to fully disclose its financial affairs, and its business projects also need to be reviewed by the shareholder board of directors, etc. It's too troublesome. ,I do not like."

Lin Baicheng said: "Mr. Cogan is right. In fact, I don't like it either, but the company's net worth will increase a lot after it goes public, and the company's business in the United States will also save a lot of trouble. There are mixed pros and cons, and there is nothing we can do about it. .”

"It actually doesn't matter whether a company goes public or not. There are pros and cons to going public. It mainly depends on the company's operations."

Although he doesn't like listing his company, Mikhail Kogan does not unilaterally think that listing a company is bad. In fact, he knows that the benefits of listing a company are greater, otherwise there would not be so many companies competing for it. Want to go public.

"Taitong is now the leader in Japan's video game industry, and I believe the company will maintain its leading position under the leadership of Mr. Kogan."

Lin Baicheng gave a polite compliment. This kind of hypocrisy and subterfuge in the shopping mall could be said to come out of his mouth, and he didn't feel there was anything wrong with lying at all.

Of course Lin Baicheng knew he was lying. In the history before his rebirth, Taito Co., Ltd. ended up being acquired. The leader of the Japanese video game industry was Nintendo, and Taito Co., Ltd. had nothing to do with it.

If the business development of Taitung Co., Ltd. does not change much, it is likely that it will gradually decline in the future, but Lin Baicheng will not remind it at all. Putting aside the question of whether the other party believes it or not, Taitung Co., Ltd. also makes games after all and competes with Galaxy Games.

Even Xingyue Electronic Game Company may compete with Taito Co., Ltd. in the future. It is true that Taito Co., Ltd. does not make consoles now, but it does not mean that Taito will not make consoles in the future.

Once Taidong chooses to be a host, it will inevitably compete with Xingyue Electronics, so there is the possibility of potential competition between the two companies.

The two chatted politely, and sometimes Tomohiro Nisikado and others would interrupt, but most of the time it was Lin Baicheng and Mikhail Kogan who were chatting. After all, their status was equal.

In Japanese culture, status hierarchies are very strict, and people of lower status usually do not interrupt conversations between people of higher status.

After the meeting, Lin Baicheng and Mikhail Kogan went to rest and let the others play ball.

This time, Xingyue Electronic Game Company hopes that Taitung Co., Ltd. can cooperate with the company. Therefore, it can be said that Xingyue Electronics wants Taitong, so it is Lin Baicheng who takes the initiative to bring up related topics.

"Mr. Kogan, I wonder what you think of the console market?"

"There is still potential, but if the price of consoles or people's living conditions are not improved, then it will be difficult for the console market to make big strides in the future."

Mikhail Kogan’s words are easy to understand. Compared with arcade machines, people have to spend too much money to play consoles at the beginning. The price of a console plus a game cartridge exceeds 200 US dollars, and arcade machines only require one token to be purchased. People with poor family conditions simply cannot afford to play.

"As time goes by and technology advances, I believe that the cost of consoles will decrease and their performance will improve, lowering the purchase threshold for players. Most importantly, I am optimistic about the development of the world economy. I do not think that the wider The war will break out again, and today’s society has no basis for a large-scale war.”

Lin Baicheng expressed his opinion.

"I basically agree that a large-scale war will not break out. However, the situation of the Cold War between the East and the West will not be easily changed. The world economy will inevitably be affected by this. No one is sure when the economies of various countries will become better. better."

Mikhail Kogan shook his head as he spoke. Except for those businessmen in the arms business, no businessman hopes for war. World peace is the vision of businessmen.

Lin Baicheng did not discuss the world structure with Mikhail Kogan, but only talked about business: "Mr. Kogan, Xingyue console has sold more than 200,000 consoles since its launch, and it is expected that the number of consoles will be sold throughout the year. The sales volume is about 400,000 units. This is less than the sales volume this year. By next year, the sales volume of Xingyue console is very likely to reach one million units."

"Generally speaking, the sales volume of cartridges for a game is higher than the sales volume of consoles. For example, the game "Mario Brothers" currently released by Xingyue Electronic Game Company not only sold more than 200,000 cartridges with the same sales volume as the console, but Nearly 300,000 additional cassette copies were sold.”

"If Taidong's games are converted into console games and sold on the Xingyue console platform, taking "Space Invaders" as an example, I believe it can achieve results no less than "Mario Brothers". One million consoles can sell two million of game cartridges.”

"Currently, our company's game cartridges are sold for US$40, of which the cost price is only US$25, resulting in a profit of US$15."

"Taitung is the industry leader and has many cooperations with the Galaxy Game Company under my name. Therefore, in terms of profits from the games Taitung sells on the Xingyue console, Xingyue Electronics only takes 20%, and the remaining 80% of the profits belong to Taitung.”

"If two million copies of the cassette are sold, Taitung can get a profit share of US$20 million."

"This is still the case when the sales volume of Xingyue console is only one million units. The market is constantly expanding. I believe that the sales volume of Xingyue console will continue to increase. When the time comes, the sales of cartridges of games sold on the console will naturally increase accordingly. ”

Lin Baicheng had a big picture, but he seemed to give up 80% of the profits. In fact, he increased the production cost of cassettes, so Xingyue Electronic Game Company actually made a lot of money.

"Mr. Lin, classic games like "Space Invaders" and "Mario Brothers" are not available every year, not to mention whether the sales of the Star and Moon console will reach one million units next year is just a prediction."

"The most important thing is, Mr. Lin, you should know that the leader of the console market is Atari in the United States. Atari sells more consoles than Xingyue consoles. If I want to cooperate, I should cooperate with Atari." right."

Mikhail Kogan said differently.

Lin Baicheng laughed when he heard this, as long as he wanted to talk, he immediately said: "Mr. Kogan, I don't deny that the current sales of Atari's consoles are higher than those of Xingyue consoles, and its market is larger. But I think it’s impossible for Atari to give Taidong such a high profit share of 28 cents.”

"As long as the sales volume of the Xingyue console is not very different from that of the Atari console, then every 1% profit share is not a small amount, let alone a profit share of 10% or more."

"How is the Xingyue console market? We still have to give it a try."

Mikhail Kogan said: "Mr. Lin, what do you think of this? I asked the company to develop a game first and sell it on the Xingyue console. After I confirmed the profit this game can bring to the company, How about we talk about closer cooperation on an exclusive basis?”

"Mr. Cogan, Taitung's "Space Invaders" is a good game. We can just sell this game on the Xingyue console. Why spend money to develop a new game?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Baicheng immediately said that with the current influence of "Space Invaders" in the arcade market, it will definitely be a big hit if sold on the console platform, and it can even increase the sales of the console.

A good game can increase console sales, and "Mario Brothers" is the best proof.

"Mr. Lin, forget about "Space Invaders" for now. I don't want sales in the arcade market to be affected."

Mikhail Kogan immediately declined. If the game's console sales affected the arcade market, which is now a big hit, he would have to vomit blood. You know, if nothing unexpected happens, in a few years, "Space Invaders" can bring Taitong Co., Ltd. a profit of at least 200 million US dollars in the arcade market.

On the one hand, there is a profit of no less than 200 million US dollars in a few years, but on the other hand, there are unknown prospects. Everyone knows how to choose.

"That would be a shame."

Lin Baicheng couldn't force it and expressed regret, then said: "Since Mr. Cogan has already made a decision, I won't say more. However, if Mr. Cogan is going to sell "Space Invaders" on the console platform, I also hope to consider cooperating with my company instead of Atari."

"I will definitely give priority to your company, Mr. Lin."

Mikhail Kogan immediately said that Galaxy Game Company and Taitung Co., Ltd. have a lot of cooperation, and Taitung needs Galaxy Game Company’s anti-piracy software, so Mikhail Kogan will not be easily offended. Lin Baicheng's.

"Then I'd like to thank Mr. Cogan first."

Lin Baicheng was actually a little disappointed that he could not convince Mikhail Kogan, but it is normal to think about it. They are all masters who will not let go of the rabbit before they see the rabbit. When the benefits are not big enough, Mikhail Kogan will be disappointed. It’s normal to hold your breath.

"Mr. Lin, you're welcome."

Mikhail Kogan changed the subject: "Regarding the anti-piracy software of Galaxy Games Company, can your company provide certain discounts on the price? If the licensing fee for each arcade machine can be reduced, then Taitong will More games will buy anti-piracy software.”

Lin Baicheng heard this and said: "As for the anti-piracy software business, Galaxy Games will make certain adjustments next year, and the price will change by then."

"Mr. Lin, the price of the licensing fee shouldn't be increased, right?"

Mikhail Kogan immediately asked with concern. He hoped that the price of the license fee could be lowered, instead of Starship Games raising the price of the license fee.

"At that time, the licensing fee will be linked to the purchase quantity. The minimum purchase limit of 10,000 sets of a game will be adjusted. It may become 1,000 sets or even lower. However, the purchase quantity is low, and the license fee for each set will be adjusted. Prices will naturally increase.”

"If the purchase volume is still large, then the licensing fee price should not be increased. The details will depend on how the company management decides at that time."

Lin Baicheng didn't say anything too specific. After all, these things haven't been finalized yet. To say something too specific now would be like putting shackles on the company.

"That's not bad."

Mikhail Kogan couldn't help but feel moved after hearing this. Some of the games developed by Taidong were not so confident at the beginning, so spending seven million US dollars to purchase 10,000 sets of licensing fees seemed too much investment.

But if you don't buy it, if the game sells well but the arcade machine does not use anti-piracy software, pirated arcade machines will appear on the market, and the company will make a lot less money.

For a game that is not very confident in itself and has an uncertain future, there are pros and cons that make people hesitate whether to buy anti-piracy software or not.

But if, as Lin Baicheng said, the quantity of software purchased at the beginning is reduced, the investment of less than one million US dollars for one thousand sets is not too much and is acceptable. What's more, the number of one thousand sets may be reduced, and the initial investment may be even less.

Without convincing Mikhail Kogan, Lin Baicheng stopped talking to him about work matters. The two then went to play golf, and when they did chat, they talked about other things.

At noon, the group ate together and separated after dinner.

Lin Baicheng talked with Higurashi Rison and told him that he had not convinced Taitong and asked him to contact other game companies in Japan. He could acquire shares of some small game companies, support small game companies to develop console games, and get the games to Xingyue Console. Platform sales.

Although the investment is small and the results are slow, in the long run, this strategy is actually better and less likely to cause problems.

If Xingyue Electronic Game Company has a certain shareholding in each game company on the platform, then these game companies will not be easily poached by other console companies, reducing the risks of the platform.