N-M Chapter 256 Sakura Game Strategy
Chapter 256 Sakura Game Strategy
After reading it, the dog looked up, its expression turning grim.
"Mr. Lu," his voice trembled slightly, "are you... joking?"
Lu Ran looked at him seriously: "Mr. Dog, I never joke in business negotiations."
The dog took a deep breath, struggling to control its emotions: "Mr. Lu, your terms are worse than robbery. One hundred million US dollars for 5% of the shares, plus we have to open up our core technology, have exclusive distribution rights, and split the profits 70/30—this isn't cooperation, this is..."
He paused, as if searching for the right word.
The other two accompanying personnel also stood up, their expressions angry.
"Lu Sang!" a dog's voice rose eight octaves. "You're insulting us!"
Lu Ran remained calm: "Mr. Dog, do you consider this an insult?"
"Isn't that right?!"
"If you consider these insults, then there will be even more insults to come."
The dog paused for a moment, pondering Lu Ran's meaning.
Lu Ran continued, "Compared to the pain that your Japan once inflicted on China, what I've given you is far from enough."
"Not only your Sakura Games, but also Nintendo, and the entire Japanese industry, are trash in my eyes. Sooner or later, I, Lu Ran, will acquire all of Japan's entertainment industry."
He stood up, looked at a homing dog, and said, word by word:
"Don't think that just because we're a small game company now, or that I'm just bragging." Lu Ran's tone became more serious: "In three years, I will wipe out the entire Japanese entertainment industry."
A dog stood still, its face alternating between pale and flushed.
The other two accompanying personnel clenched their fists, wishing they could rush forward.
The other customers in the coffee shop started to stare, and the waiters stood at a distance, not daring to approach.
The dog took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that the situation between the dragons and the Japanese was at a critical juncture, and even if he was angry, he shouldn't act recklessly.
"Mr. Lu," his voice was a little hoarse, "I've remembered what you said today."
"Then I'll remember that."
The dog, its face dark, took a deep breath, bent down to pick up the documents thrown on the table, and stuffed them into its briefcase.
Then he raised his head, stared at Lu Ran, and said, word by word:
"Mr. Lu, you will regret your choice today."
Lu Ran laughed: "Regret? Mr. Trust Dog, I've heard that a lot. But none of them make me regret anything now."
A dog stared at him for a few seconds, then turned and walked away without looking back.
The other two entourage members glared at Lu Ran and then left.
The coffee shop quieted down.
Zhou Mingzhe let out a long breath and plopped back down in his chair.
"Lu Ran," he asked doubtfully, "were your conditions just now sincere?"
"Of course I mean it." Lu Ran sat down, picked up his now-cold coffee and took a sip. "If they really agree, I wouldn't mind cooperating."
"Will they agree? What are their conditions..."
"No, that's why I opened it." Lu Ran put down his cup.
Zhou Mingzhe was taken aback for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "Are you... doing this on purpose to provoke them?"
"I guess so." Lu Ran leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window. "Brother Zhou, there are some things I just can't get over."
Zhou Mingzhe was silent for a few seconds, then patted him on the shoulder.
"Fine, if we can't get through, we can't get through. Anyway, we don't need their money."
Lu Ran smiled: "I like hearing that."
Tutu Technology is not short of money now, at least not right now.
The pace of development is not that fast, there are not that many projects, and there are not that many places where money is needed.
Xiao Chen asked timidly from the side, "Mr. Lu, shall we... go back now?"
"Go back." Lu Ran stood up. "Go back and have dinner. Let's pretend today's events never happened."
The three of them walked out of the hotel.
Outside, the sun is setting perfectly.
Lu Ran glanced back at the hotel, a hint of relief in his eyes.
There are some things that need to be done.
...
After the people from Sakura Games left, Lu Ran knew that this matter wouldn't just end like that, but he didn't expect them to act so quickly.
The next morning, Zhou Mingzhe brought new news.
"Lu Ran, something's happened." He pushed the door open and came in, his expression serious. "Sakura Games is making a big move."
Lu Ran put down the steamed bun in her hand and asked, "What are you doing?"
"They issued an announcement overnight," Zhou Mingzhe said, handing over the tablet. "They announced the establishment of the 'Dragon Kingdom Market Strategy Fund,' with an initial capital of two hundred million US dollars, specifically for investing in and acquiring small and medium-sized game companies in Dragon Kingdom."
Lu Ran took the tablet and read through the messages one by one.
The announcement was written in a very official style, with phrases like "optimistic about the development prospects of the Chinese game market," "hoping to achieve win-win results through capital cooperation," and "committed to promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries."
But Lu Ran immediately saw through the underlying meaning—Sakura Games was about to buy at rock-bottom prices.
Because they were operating under the guise of investment rather than acquisition, the authorities couldn't stop their actions.
"Look at this again." Zhou Mingzhe swiped the screen a few more times.
This is a news push notification: [Sakura Games announces investment of $60 million in three Chinese game companies]
Lu Ran clicked on it, and the names of three companies popped up—
Xinghui Interactive Entertainment is a mid-sized game company that mainly focuses on card-based mobile games, ranking in the middle of the industry.
Ledoo Technology is a mid-sized game company that specializes in music games and has been established for five years.
Tianxing Games is also a medium-sized company that mainly focuses on MMORPGs and has several competitive products.
"The three companies combined amount to $60 million," Zhou Mingzhe said. "That's an average of $20 million per company, representing between 15% and 20% of the shares. The price isn't high, but it's not low either. The key point is—"
He paused, his tone becoming serious: "This is only the first wave."
Lu Ran nodded.
He certainly understood what this meant.
The $200 million strategic fund, with $60 million just the beginning. Next, Sakura Games will devour every small and medium-sized game company in the Chinese market that catches its eye, like a shark smelling blood.
"What are they trying to do?" Zhou Mingzhe frowned. "What's the point of acquiring so many small companies? They're not going to amount to anything."
Lu Ran shook his head: "Brother Zhou, you underestimate them."
"What do you mean?"
"They're not acquiring companies." Lu Ran stood up and walked to the whiteboard. "They're buying out distribution channels."
Zhou Mingzhe was stunned for a moment, not understanding.
Lu Ran picked up a marker and drew a few circles on the whiteboard.
"Look at the landscape of China's gaming market. Big companies eat the meat, small companies drink the soup. Tencent, NetEase, Perfect World, and the top companies are the ones eating the meat. The remaining hundreds of small and medium-sized companies are drinking the soup. Although each of them may not be strong individually, their sheer number makes up for it."
"What Sakura Games is doing now is acquiring these small companies that are only getting by one by one. After acquiring them, they will have shares in dozens, or even hundreds, of companies. The combined user base, channel resources, and marketing capabilities of these companies are not insignificant."
Zhou Mingzhe asked thoughtfully, "And then?"
"And then?" Lu Ran laughed. "Then they can use these companies to negotiate collaborations with industry leaders like Tencent, NetEase, and Perfect World. Imagine, dozens of companies standing together saying, 'We want to do joint marketing with you,' would you agree?"
Zhou Mingzhe thought for a moment, then his expression changed.
"you mean……"
"That's right." Lu Ran put down his marker. "Their target has never been these small companies. Their target is the top players in the Chinese gaming market. Acquiring small companies is just the first step. The second step is to use these small companies as a springboard to negotiate with the big companies."
"Once they bring in the big companies, the Chinese game market will become Sakura Games' backyard. At that point, they can release whatever games they want and set whatever rules they want. Those of us who don't cooperate with them will only be marginalized."
...