Game development begins with destroying Girls' Frontline.

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Their financial difficulties were not completely alleviated until 22 years later when "Victory Goddess: NIKKE" was released.

Chapter 260 The Frog in the Well

In 19, Kim Hyung-tae had no choice but to seek help from outside.

Before today, he had contacted Tencent, because Tencent had provided funding to Shift Up when it was first established and was considered a shareholder of Shift Up.

Unfortunately, this time, although the penguin was willing to pay, it was the same as in the previous life.

They offered too little money, but asked for too many shares.

Kim Hyung-tae ultimately did not contact Penguin.

However, unlike his previous life, this time when Kim Hyung-tae failed to secure funding from Tencent, he turned directly to Spark.

By signing a cooperation agreement with Xinghuo, they obtained an interest-free loan from Xinghuo.

Later, it secured investment from Spark by selling 15% of its shares.

Therefore, Kim Hyung-tae's feelings toward penguins at this time were somewhat complicated.

If I had to describe it, it would probably feel a bit like an ex-girlfriend.

After all, this was when Kim Heung Tai needed funds the most.

Penguin did not agree to make additional investment, but instead obtained funding from Spark.

Except money.

Kim Hyung-tae himself is also more optimistic about the development of the Spark platform.

Of course, no matter what, Penguin still owns Shift Up 10% of the shares.

Even if the penguin wants to hold a banquet in South Korea, he still has to give it face.

Kim Hyung-tae and Yoo Hyung-seok walked into the banquet hall of the Marriott Hotel together.

Many heavyweight figures from the industry have already gathered in the hall.

Under the magnificent crystal chandelier, people dressed in formal attire, holding champagne glasses, chatted in small groups.

Kim Hyung-tae looked around and saw some familiar faces, including representatives from NEXON and executives from other game companies.

He could also hear the surrounding conversations.

"Brother Xiangtai! Over here, over here."

Someone greeted them.

Kim Hyung-tae glanced at it and saw it was Ahn Ning-wook, the representative of NEXON.

This kid is NEXON's new generation producer.

He is a bit younger than Kim Hyung-tae in terms of seniority. In fact, the two are not very familiar with each other, having only chatted a few times at some developer meetings.

Since someone invited him, Kim Hyung-tae went over.

An Ningxu was sitting in a large sofa area, where many other people were chatting.

Kim Hyung-tae's arrival did not attract much attention.

After sitting down, Kim Hyung-tae didn't say much, intending to close his eyes and rest, quietly waiting for the banquet to begin.

However, since he had already sat down...

You will inevitably hear the voices of those around you.

Since the person who invited the banquet was Li Weixi, who represented the penguins of China, the discussion naturally included this element.

"It's been so many years, and we can finally re-enter the Chinese market."

"I've always heard older people talk about that time, and it sounds like a legend, like you can make money just by lying down."

"Haha, you started too late and missed the boat. Those Chinese pigs would snatch food as soon as you served it."

"Yes, back then, as long as you made something, you didn't even need to go public; you could earn back your investment through agency fees."

"That was truly a golden age."

"I wonder if Penguin's arrival this time will be able to open up the Chinese market."

"It definitely will. The golden age of the Korean gaming industry is about to return."

"Yes, as long as we can get into the Chinese market, money will roll in."

Listening to these discussions.

Kim Hyung-tae frowned.

Their voices represent the mainstream voice in the South Korean game market.

This is also why Lee Wee-hee was able to gain so much support after arriving in South Korea.

They viewed the arrival of the penguins as an opening up of the Chinese market.

And in their eyes.

The Huaxia Market seems to be like pork on a chopping board; as long as you let them in, you can get a piece of meat out of them.

This optimistic mindset is prevalent throughout the entire South Korean gaming industry.

"Don't underestimate the market."

As a game producer with a global perspective, Kim Hyung-tae has a clearer understanding of global changes compared to most South Korean game developers.

In his view, these chattering fellows were no different from frogs in a well.

Kim Hyung-tae's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake.

The lively discussion gradually quieted down, and everyone sitting on the sofa focused their attention on Kim Hyung-tae.

As soon as he spoke.

Someone immediately scoffed.

He then replied.

"Oh? Who is this? Isn't this our Kim Hyung-tae, the great artist Kim? Is he reprimanding us? Hmm?"

At this time, Kim Hyung-tae had not yet achieved his later success.

He's well-known in the South Korean gaming industry, but not for a good reason.

Because he "defected" from NCsoft.

He left a large company to work independently.

This is normal in other countries, but in South Korea, it doesn't bring them any good reputation.

If you go it alone and achieve success, that's fine.

If one goes independent and fails to achieve anything, one will inevitably be branded as arrogant and conceited.

Kim Hyung-tae knew this too.

That's why he doesn't like coming to these kinds of gatherings.

"This is not a reprimand, but a matter of respect and understanding. The Chinese market is already very mature, and players are becoming increasingly discerning." "Furthermore, global companies like Spark are emerging. If you continue to treat the Chinese market with outdated thinking, failure is all that awaits you."

Although he didn't like the atmosphere, Kim Hyung-tae still voiced his thoughts.

He is, after all, a South Korean producer.

If you can enlighten even one person, that's one good thing.

pity.

To this group of people, at least, what Kim Hyung-tae said sounded more like a joke.

"Haha, are you kidding me? Aren't Chinese players just stupid and rich?"

"The reason why Xinghuo was able to rise up is because of the ban on Korean entertainment, isn't it?"

"Exactly, if it weren't for the ban on Korean entertainment, would Xinghuo even exist?"

The group's views are not unfounded.

South Korean media naturally report on global game developments, and as long as they report on developments, they can't avoid mentioning Spark in the past two years.

However, in South Korean media narratives...

They linked Xinghuo's rapid development to the 16-year ban on Korean entertainment.

In their narrative theory.

The reason why Xinghuo was able to develop rapidly after 16 years was because the withdrawal of Korean games from China left a market gap.

Xinghuo just happened to get a bargain.

If it weren't for the ban on Korean entertainment, Xinghuo wouldn't have entered a period of rapid development.

Such words, at the beginning.

This is just a claim forced upon the South Korean media to appease public sentiment.

The overall logic is actually quite absurd.

This is just like...

After a football match, a player who was a substitute throughout the game, upon seeing the MPV (Most Valuable Player) selection, said, "It's because I didn't play. If I had played, I would have been the MPV."

However, it is precisely this bizarre logic.

As Spark Program continues to develop and improve.

This idea, however, has become popular.

At this point, South Koreans inexplicably became proud again.

It's common to see South Koreans saying things like this on international forums, and even on the Spark Forum.

"Do you know why Xinghuo rose to prominence in 16? It's because we withdrew from the Chinese market in 16."

Many people think that Koreans are telling jokes.

But only when you're in the Korean gaming industry can you realize that some people actually believe this kind of argument.

Chapter 261 Insects and Summer

Kim Hyung-tae's brows furrowed even more after hearing this.

"Whatever the reason, the Chinese market today is not what it used to be; their game industry is developing rapidly. You've seen Xinghuo Games in South Korea. If we can't provide high-quality games, how can we compete?"

"Hmph, does that mean Korean games are inferior to Chinese games?"

Someone is deliberately stirring up trouble.

Kim Hyung-tae remained calm.

“I didn’t say that. I just think that we should treat every market, including China, with equality and respect. We shouldn’t just look at their wallets, but also at their needs and expectations as players.”

"What a show-off! You're bragging so much, but I haven't seen your game succeed in China. Oh? I remember, Mr. Jin, your game was also on the Spark platform, right?"

"you.."

There's a saying: "Don't hit someone in the face."

Kim Hyung-tae's "Destiny Child" was indeed launched on the Spark platform last year, and was among the first batch of Korean games to be launched on the Spark platform.

It even made the news.

However, since Destiny Child is an older game, it didn't achieve the same success in the Korean market as it did back then.

And because of this.

Many people regard Kim Hyung-tae as a loser.

Just as the argument was about to escalate, a commotion arose from beside the gate.

"President Li!! Over here, over here!"

"Mr. Pei!"

"Brother Xian!"