My Calling Is Profiler [EN]: Chapter 27

It wasn’t that Bae Chang-in was desperate because his family was poor. That wasn’t the case, which is why he didn’t quite fit in.

“You made it so he couldn’t associate with ordinary people, he didn’t want to associate with guys he thought were stupid, and he didn’t associate with other family heirs because they weren’t up to his standards. It’s no wonder he became a *hikikomori* [a Japanese term for a social recluse].”

At least in the game world, you don’t know what kind of person the other person is, so you can say whatever you want.

It just boils down to the problem of parental overreach.

“Ah….”

Bae Man-seong looked shocked at those words.

He’d assumed his son was like that because he was incompetent, but that wasn’t the reason.

“The person in the middle is rather awkwardly tormented.”

Bae Chang-in fit that description perfectly.

“Then it’s Chairman Bae Deok-gi’s turn. Chairman Bae, you were trying to take him on and give him a job, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Without even asking his opinion? The most important thing when it comes to work is knowing how to use people effectively. You know the saying ‘the right person in the right place,’ right?”

Bae Deok-gi was slightly taken aback by those words.

“But weren’t you the one who said Chang-in would be suitable for that position?”

“That’s right. But you have to explain the situation and listen to his thoughts on the plan. Who can suddenly do something that’s not even on their radar?”

“Do what?”

“Actually….”

Park Do-joon explained the current situation.

Hyunseong Group’s potential entry into the game industry, and the plan to purchase Jiwoonsoft, etc.

“Jiwoon… is not a good idea.”

As expected, Bae Chang-in immediately shook his head, saying it wouldn’t work.

“That’s just a place that leeches money from players with gambling-style games….”

“Then please recommend a suitable company.”

It was just as Park Do-joon expected.

In fact, anyone who knows the game industry even a little bit knows that Jiwoonsoft isn’t worth 1.7 trillion won [approximately $1.3 billion USD].

“Really? Then what do you think? A suitable and promising company.”

“Console or PC-oriented games?”

“Yes.”

“There isn’t one.”

Bae Chang-in said firmly. When the conversation turned to the industry he knew well, the world he understood, he seemed quite animated, unlike before.

“There isn’t?”

“It’s safe to say that there are no companies in Korea that can make console games. In the first place, the industry isn’t structured to produce such things.”

Bae Chang-in explained that Korea is primarily focused on PC and mobile games, and even those are often structured around gambling mechanics that require constant in-app purchases.

“Of course, it doesn’t mean there are no talented programmers. But the people in charge only want to make gambling games.”

In fact, the golden age of online, non-console games ended more than 20 years ago. As a result, the development expertise has largely disappeared.

“I think it’s the same no matter which company you buy. Of course, there are some small studios, but there’s no real reason to buy them, right? You might as well build one….”

“Build one? But what about the equipment?”

“With 1.7 trillion won, you’ll have more than enough to buy all the equipment. How many game developers go bankrupt every year? If you buy their used equipment, it won’t even cost 200 billion won [approximately $150 million USD]….”

“But it’s not just about filling it with programmers, is it?”

Bae Deok-gi was curious after seeing this unexpected side of Bae Chang-in.

He’d thought his grandson was just a *hikikomori* stuck at home, but he seemed surprisingly knowledgeable about the industry.

“The executives say IP [Intellectual Property] is important, right?”

In fact, the greatest value of a successful game company isn’t land or buildings, but its IP, meaning the game’s franchise.

“Jiwoonsoft’s IP is meaningless unless you’re going to make *pachinko* [a type of Japanese arcade game resembling a vertical pinball machine].”

Bae Chang-in, excited that his grandfather was listening to his story, began to suggest a completely different approach.

“In that case, you should just buy overseas IP. That will cost even less. There are IPs more famous than Jiwoon’s, and cheaper than you can imagine.”

“Buy overseas IP? What are you talking about?”

“Ah, you don’t know much about it, Grandpa. Well, game companies aren’t forever. Surprisingly, game companies are created and go bankrupt quickly.”

“So?”

“So, sometimes a company with a great IP goes bankrupt, and that IP becomes available.”

There are globally famous and successful games.

For example, the game ‘Command Warriors’ was a huge hit up to the third installment, but the production company went bankrupt, and another company acquired the Command Warriors IP.

However, that company, which was just a typical large corporation, made Command Warriors 4 so badly that it went completely bankrupt, and the game IP was abandoned.

It’s not like the company didn’t have other IPs; they had many successful ones, so there was no reason to cling to the Command Warriors IP.

“Large corporations have things like that.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Since there are many ways to make money anyway, they don’t bother to pay attention to smaller opportunities and leave them unattended.

“But if you buy that Command Warriors IP and remake it, you’ll probably sell millions of copies as a base, assuming you properly capture the original feel.”

“Hmm?”

Chairman Bae Deok-gi had many thoughts about those words.

The report stated that Jiwoonsoft’s game IP is only effective in Korea and China.

But he doesn’t know what that Command Warriors game is; however, it’s a global IP.

“Even if the original developers have given up on it… well, they won’t give it away cheaply, but I don’t think it’s comparable to Jiwoonsoft?”

“Then what about the building? What about the development environment?”

“There’s no reason to develop games in Seoul, is there? There’s no neighborhood in Korea without internet.”

If there’s internet, you can develop games anywhere.

However, having a headquarters in Seoul is a symbolic act of success.

“It doesn’t seem like you need that Jiwoonsoft building….”

“What am I going to do with such a small thing?”

Of course, it’s an expensive building because it’s a 7-story building located in Seoul. But from Hyunseong Group’s point of view, such a building is dispensable.

“Then you might as well set up a production company in the provinces, save money, and invest in good equipment.”

“Will the programmers come?”

“There are surprisingly many people who will come. To be honest, talented people are getting tired of this game development environment.”

There are plenty of programmers who are tired of developing so-called mass-produced gambling games, but they’re just holding on because there’s nowhere else to go.

“Well… there are many apartments left over in the provinces anyway….”

Bae Chang-in hesitated for a moment while speaking.

Because it felt like revealing a company weakness.

“Are you talking about Seosan?”

“Yes….”

The apartment complex built in Seosan. However, it’s a failed complex with a higher vacancy rate than occupancy rate due to a market prediction failure.

“I think you can build a building next to it and gather developers.”

“But there are no convenience facilities and no infrastructure?”

Bae Chang-in scratched his head at those words.

“Programmers are even more *hikikomori* than me.”

Of course, unless they’re married. If they’re unmarried or have young children, they’ll follow.

“And if the company supports children’s education, they’ll be even happier to come.”

The reason why people avoid the provinces is because the educational infrastructure is weak.

But what if Hyunseong provides educational infrastructure?

There will probably be many people who want to come.

“Even if you do all that, will it cost about 700 billion won [approximately $525 million USD]?”

That’s the maximum estimate.

That’s if you’re being extravagant.

“It’s better than buying a failed IP while giving money to shareholders.”

“Hmm?”

Bae Deok-gi looked at Bae Chang-in with strange eyes. Until now, he just thought he was a *hikikomori* grandson. But he never thought he would know so much about this.

“If I entrust that to you, what would you do?”

“Yes?”

“Becoming independent isn’t just about moving out. I’m giving you a chance to prove yourself.”

Unlike before, the conversation began to flow smoothly, and Bae Chang-in, who had been a little dazed at those words, seemed to have made some kind of decision.

“If it were me, I would start with advertising.”

“Start with advertising?”

“You’re going to entrust it to me anyway. If that’s the case, I have to go straight to the point to run it.”

“Look at this guy?”

It was an enthusiasm he had never shown before.

“I’m going to gather talented people through advertising.”

“Advertising to find people.”

Anyway, if you put out an announcement to find people, they’ll flock to you. Of course, it’s an incomprehensible act from Bae Deok-gi’s point of view, who values efficiency.

But Bae Chang-in thought differently.

“That’s not it. As I said before, there are no console or computer game companies in Korea, and the companies that exist now are being criticized.”

“So?”

“If we promote ourselves and enter that field, we can rise to become a game developer representing Korea itself.”

“Hoo?”

That was something he had never thought of. If that succeeds, you can naturally promote the company’s name.

Of course, talented planners will flock to see that advertisement.

“And as I said before, Command Warriors is an old game.”

Of course, most of the people who are currently developing games are people who enjoyed that game.

“It’s easy to find someone who properly understands that sensibility.”

A company to make games, not gambling.

“That’s what it is?”

Bae Deok-gi liked Bae Chang-in’s plan. It was a promising, hastily made plan. Decisively, it was a much better choice than buying Jiwoonsoft at an inflated price.

Of course, Jiwoonsoft has current profits, but as Park Do-joon said, if the profits decrease, it will only lose money as a result.

“First, pack your bags. I’ll get you an *officetel* [a studio apartment], so live there and calmly formulate a plan.”

“Yes.”

Bae Chang-in headed to his room giggling, unlike when he came out of the room, and Bae Deok-gi got up from his seat.

“You guys heard it, so I won’t talk long.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Let’s talk about the detailed plan when Chang-in brings the plan proposal. It’s something you’ve never done before, so Man-seong, help him a little.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Go.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Park Do-joon followed Bae Deok-gi out, and Bae Deok-gi’s face was full of smiles.

Just because he liked the plan?

No.

‘It’s fun to have a proper conversation with family.’

He simply orders and someone does it. That’s the way Bae Deok-gi has lived.

But he discovered new possibilities by exchanging ideas with his family, and it would be strange if he wasn’t happy as a grandfather.

“Thanks to you, work has become enjoyable.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’ll keep my promise. I’ll give your company work. If you need money for expansion, I’ll look into a loan.”

“Thank you, Chairman.”

Park Do-joon did not refuse. No, he couldn’t refuse.

‘I have to have power.’

That’s how you can survive. I don’t have detailed memories of the incident.

But one thing is certain. He died because he had no power.

‘In the long term, I have to grow Haneul Industries to the level of a large corporation.’

That’s how Haneul Industries can protect him.

‘My life starts now.’

Park Do-joon made a firm decision that this life would be definitely different from the last life.