NOVEL NEXT Chapter 91
The repercussions of the discussion were massive.
Well beyond what I had anticipated.
It all began when the full video of the discussion was uploaded to WyTube.
Since I hadn’t been separately notified before participating in the discussion, I assumed it to be a private session, but that clearly wasn’t the case.
The day after the discussion ended, the video was uploaded to WyTube, and unsurprisingly, it went viral in the community.
The users who watched the video posted on community forums exploded in reaction.
It was understandable; every statement made by the industry relations members from the opposing side during that day’s discussion was a gem of absurdity.
Statements like, “The harm to the industry outweighs the effect of regulation,” or “We’re establishing a policy organization unprecedented worldwide and making efforts for self-regulation.”
These absurdities were soon immortalized on the internet, and users took it a step further by synthesizing them into songs.
There were countless instances that crossed the line, but considering the immense karma of the gaming industry, no one said anything.
Amidst all this, while some cases suffered from a sudden drop in image due to this discussion, there was another case of someone who saw a sudden rise in popularity—me.
Even without this, my image among community users was good due to our consistently user-friendly game operation and transparent gacha probability disclosure.
However, my harsh words directed towards game industry relations personnel during this discussion from the supportive side seemed to be quite shocking to the users.
Considering the inter-game rivalry among mobile game users, it was a rare feat that I started receiving compliments on forums that were typically critical of other games, even up to those that used to show indifference.
Only those deeply entrenched in the gaming world would know how rare it was for users to praise operators from competing games.
Thus, the game user unity achieved by the industry relations personnel was nothing short of extraordinary.
As the public opinion ignited by this discussion gained momentum, it began to strongly advocate for the introduction of the probability-based item regulation bill.
News outlets, who were silently observing, jumped on the bait, and it quickly gained steam.
The most crucial factor for journalists is ‘views.’
With this issue of regulating probability-based items, it was a drool-worthy subject that they couldn’t help but dive deeply into.
It was a trending issue that attracted views readily, and being an online matter, there was no need to go out and sweat it on the ground for firsthand coverage!
Thus, the discussion surrounding the probability-based item regulation bill, which began online, rapidly escalated into a major offline issue, starting a snowball effect.
***
Inside Age of Odin team’s meeting room located in Enson Korea’s headquarters.
An otherwise lively morning meeting time turned completely quiet, with only heavy silence in the room.
The reason was none other than the controversial probability-based item regulation bill.
Age of Odin, Enson Korea’s bread and butter and a cornerstone 2D RPG game running for over a decade, relied heavily on probability-based items for its business model.
Should the regulation bill pass, it would inevitably take a massive hit.
For instance, just from the paid goods, awakening stones that add potential abilities to equipment when attached, and distant item acquisition skills to reduce drop fatigue in Ancient Return Draws.
Additionally, even the free items, like the Flames of the Ancient Gods which bestow additional stats on equipment, were part of the primary business models.
It meant that essentially, all business models were under possible regulation, hence the palpable storm within the meeting room.
Age of Odin’s director, Kang Han-sung, frowned deeply and asked the Project Manager Jo Hyung-seop.
“Hyungseop, is there any new talk on the probability-based item regulation bill?”
“Not yet. I’ve asked everyone I could get in touch with, but public opinion is too strong. It seems the political arena is just waiting to see how things pan out…”
“Damn it!”
Frustration got the better of Kang Han-sung as he slammed his fist on the desk.
The table wobbled dangerously under the force from Kang Han-sung’s large build, but he seemed unfazed by such trivial matters.
A mere year since becoming the director—a time usually ample enough for adaptation—wasn’t enough for the position he held.
Age of Odin wasn’t a new game but one condensed over twelve years.
This meant that there was an overwhelming amount of content to oversee.
And without the handover and integration process having completed, entering regulations meant that there were unknowns lurking everywhere.
“Why did Jihojin approve the regulations?! Or rather, does he think there won’t be an issue if he does it by himself and everyone else in the company suffers?!”
As Kang Han-sung grumbled, the team members in the meeting room slowly began to chime in.
“My acquaintance working at Enson GT says Jihojin rules like a despot. There’s no one who can stop him.”
“In addition, his personality is terrible. There’s no one above or below him who can argue.”
“Jihee, you’ve heard the same thing? I’ve heard he just goes around causing trouble.”
Thus began the gossip about Jihojin.
But as effective as these talks may feel, they were of no help in solving the issue.
After much thought, Kang Han-sung gave an order to the team for a thorough investigation of probability-based BMs and adjustments to the probability of the Flames of the Ancient Gods item.
After all, among various contents, the Flames of the Ancient Gods were a content filled with pranks by past directors and was highly likely to cause problems.
Unaware of the consequences their order may bring.
***
While Kang Han-sung was repeatedly worried about the probability-based items regulation bill,
I too was trapped in a difficult situation.
I was currently in the President’s Room located at the top floor of Enson GT’s headquarters.
The reason I was called to the President’s Room was, as expected, regarding the recent discussion about probability-based item regulation.
After a phone call, Su-yeon sat on the couch opposite me with a rather bothered expression as the call ended.
Sighing deeply as she looked at me, Su-yeon began.
“Mr. Ho-jin.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been worried that you’d cause trouble, but…”
“…”
“Now our department head has caused a massive issue.”
Honestly, even with ten mouths, I had no defense, so I only nodded.
“There are many things I want to ask, but to begin with, why did you take such a harsh stance in the discussion? You could have toned it down a bit. Was there any hidden resentment against Enson Korea?”
“No, it wasn’t that… truthfully, thinking it was a private discussion, I went in too aggressively.”
At my explanation, Su-yeon let out another sigh.
“I don’t intend to criticize you for this situation, but complaints are pouring in from my side.”
“I apologize…”
“So, what do you plan to do now?”
Su-yeon asked me, genuinely curious, leaning forward.
Interestingly, despite her words, her expression was a mix of both expectation and intrigue.
“I’m planning not to make any formal response.”
“…Really? Then the complaints will keep coming in, won’t they?”
“That… I kindly ask for your consideration.”
My apologetic expression must have amused her because Su-yeon burst into laughter.
Shaking her head with a smile, she said lightly,
“I was joking, Mr. Ho-jin. Don’t worry about it too much; it’s just a bit annoying. But one question: if Enson Korea’s dissatisfaction doesn’t subside, what do you plan to do?”
Su-yeon’s voice now became serious.
And at her serious tone, I had no choice but to reveal my planned strategy.
“Well… actually.”
Su-yeon’s expression of surprise upon hearing my plan made me realize she wasn’t fully against it.
Truth be told, I even expected her to refuse outright, but her response was surprisingly not bad.
“So, if Enson Korea keeps being a nuisance, you’re considering discarding the subsidiary badge and taking them head-on?”
“It’s not quite put that way…”
My lukewarm response seemed to please Su-yeon as she smiled and nodded.
She hesitated for a moment, then looked at me with a suspicious expression.
“To confirm, this plan of yours isn’t out of a hidden resentment against Enson Korea?”
“Absolutely, I have no such feeling towards Enson Korea. It’s just that if relations with them worsen, I’m contemplating cutting ties.”
“If that’s Mr. Ho-jin’s plan, then I’ll consider it positively.”
“That’s more than enough.”
As our conversation wrapped up and I rose to leave the office,
Su-yeon said with a tired expression,
“Mr. Ho-jin, I won’t tell you not to cause trouble… but at least warn me before you do. Understood?”
With a firm promise twice over in response to Su-yeon’s earnest request, I managed to step out of the president’s office.
***
As time flowed, about two weeks after the year turned to 2017,
Despite the gaming industry’s desperate attempts, the probability-based item regulation bill finally passed in the National Assembly.
It’s said that the gaming industry spent an amount comparable to a decent game’s revenue just trying to block this regulation.
But despite those efforts, the regulation bill passed.
As a result, the Korean gaming industry’s long-hidden dark business models began to surface.