Rustling sound.
At this moment, there was a lot of whispering in the Konami conference room.
There are seven people, including Kamikoshi Keimasa, making a total of eight people.
These eight people today are the top level of Konami, the shareholders' meeting that holds the power of life and death.
Just as Tetsuya Moritani said before.
In Japan, so-called "managing directors" like him usually have no equity and at best participate in dividends.
The one that truly holds the power to make major decisions about the company is the shareholders' meeting composed of shareholders, which is the real board of directors.
And today!
The reason why Konami announced the convening of a top-level shareholder meeting on such an inappropriate day is that
The main reason is that the losses of "Tori-i" ​​are too serious!
About half a month ago, with the release of the official trailer, "Tori-Gi" started pre-sales.
This 3S-level masterpiece, with a total investment of $245 million, is priced at $78 per copy. The overall response during the pre-sale stage was good. As of the start of the Video Game Festival, a total of more than 800,000 copies were pre-sold.
Pre-sale sales of more than 800,000 copies are definitely great news for any game.
Konami is no exception.
A quarter of the cost was recovered during the pre-sale stage.
It can be said that the success of "Tori-i" ​​is almost a foregone conclusion.
However!
As the saying goes, heaven does not always fulfill one’s wishes.
Konami's nightmare began when the video game festival opened.
First, they were crushed by Golden Wind in terms of numbers, and then the reputation of the actual game demo plummeted!
Launched in just two days!
The pre-sale of Torii gate has come to a near standstill.
But that’s not all.
Starting from the third day!
As the reputation of "Tori-i" ​​became worse and worse online, the pre-sale sales of the game also began to gradually decline, and there were even cases of refunds during the pre-sale stage!
"This is quite different from the trailer..."
"I feel like it's not as good as Sekiro. I'll wait and see."
"If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Sekiro."
"Is this actual gameplay demonstration really not meant to be funny? How on earth did they come up with such a monotonous game content?"
'Oh my god, this is a gaming disaster'
'I regret pre-ordering and have already canceled it. I'd better wait a little longer and decide whether to buy it after the official version comes out...'
"……"
There are many such comments.
Under the influence of such reputation, the pre-sale sales of "Tori-i" ​​plummeted from 800,000 copies to less than 600,000 copies in just four days after the opening of the video game exhibition!
A full 200,000 pre-order players were refunded!
The surprising data almost instantly turned into an unprecedented disaster!
And at that time!
Moritani has already resigned as head coach, and Koizumi is in the hospital again and does not have the authority to mobilize large-scale public relations.
Therefore, since the Video Game Festival, the promotion of the Torii project has almost come to a standstill.
And at this time!
Keimasa Kamikoshi already realized that things were going to go wrong!
No.
It's not going to be bad!
It's already a bad thing!
After all, whether it is $65 per copy for Sekiro or $78 per copy for Torii, it is by no means a small amount for most players.
That is to say, in this competition, most players can only choose one of the 3S-level masterpieces.
And the situation at this time is so unfavorable for Torii!
The situation took a turn for the worse, and Yue Jingzheng was just about to have the word "finished" slapped on his face!
Seeing that the situation is not good!
Joetsu Keijō made a prompt decision!
We must be prepared to sacrifice pawns to save the king!
As soon as the game was released, the actual sales situation so far was just as he had expected, full of the bitter taste of failure.
Pre-sales and official sales totaled 720,000 units.
Almost a month!
720,000 sets.
Sales volume was $56.16 million.
Only 22% of the total cost was recovered.
Moreover, their sales speed is decreasing every day, and it is estimated that in about another month, it will stagnate.
what to do?
There are strong enemies outside and no commander inside!
Under this heavy pressure, Shangyue Jingzheng couldn't help but feel angry and angry.
Without any hesitation, he decided to go all out and simply stopped all publicity for "Tori-i"!
Keimasa Joetsu is indeed a ruthless businessman.
Since we can't turn the tide of the battle, we might as well make the mess bigger, and it would be best if we alert the shareholders' meeting!
Because in this way!
The "pawns" he discarded in order to "protect the king" will be more easily accepted by the shareholders' meeting!
And the situation.
Just as he expected!
Less than two weeks after the game was released, it came to a standstill, with less than one-third of the total cost recovered, causing an uproar at the shareholders' meeting!
And today's meeting is naturally the shareholders' meeting to find Yue Jingzheng and question him!
"Then President Joetsu,"
After a round of discussion, a slightly overweight man with white hair in the shareholders' meeting asked:
"Since we were so well prepared, why is this the result? Huh?!"
These people at the shareholders' meeting don't care about your preparations or your projects.
For them, making money is good, not making money is bad, and losing money is even worse!
There must be an explanation for Joetsu Keimasa!
“…because plans can’t keep up with changes.”
For this, Keizo Jyouetsu was well prepared!
"In fact, during the promotion and marketing phase of the game, we have always been in a favorable position,"
Joetsu Jingzheng Road:
"However! Due to the poor choice of the actual machine demonstration by Kazuo Koizumi, the game features were not fully demonstrated, and a relatively bland scene was chosen for demonstration,"
"This has a very negative impact on us,"
"It also directly led to our poor reputation."
“This put us at a disadvantage in the subsequent word-of-mouth game.”
Speaking of this.
Then, Shangyue Jingzheng groaned, lowered his head, and made an apologetic expression:
“…I have a responsibility, too.”
"I didn't have the ability to control and finalize the project in detail,"
“Private Marseille!!!”
Avoid the important and focus on the trivial! Confusing right and wrong!
Joetsu Keizheng stood up and bowed 90 degrees, then buried his face deeply.
No one could see the coldness in the corner of his mouth.
In fact, if there was anyone in the shareholders' meeting who had played their own game for a little bit, he would be able to expose Shangyue Jingzheng's excuse in an instant.
Is it just that part of Torii that is repetitive? Is it only the part of the actual gameplay demo that is boring?
In response, the shareholders on the real board of directors looked at each other and exchanged glances.
Obviously, he neither disbelieved nor believed completely what Jyoukoshi Kagemasa said.
This was obviously within the expectations of Shangyue Jingzheng.
Then he paused for a moment and continued:
"Of course, in addition to that, there was no one available internally...which was also a major problem for our later promotion and distribution."
Speaking of.
Then I saw Shangyue Jingzheng frowning slightly and making a worried expression:
"Originally, the promotion and marketing lead for Torii and other projects was Tetsuya Moriya, the managing director of the game division,"
"but,"
"Because Koizumi Kazuo's impulsive behavior almost caused a serious diplomatic incident, coupled with the overall unfavorable situation,"
"Moriya... chose to resign as head coach..."
Diverting trouble to others! Aggravating the responsibility!
Although what Jyoukoshi Keimasa said was still neutral.
But anyone with a normal brain would easily realize that this seemingly "objective statement of facts" is actually a reference to Toru Moritani's desertion from the battlefield!
In an instant!
The conference room fell into silence.
All the shareholders frowned!
They had some understanding of what Shangyue Jingzheng said, but before that, they only had a vague understanding of it.
But now, hearing what Shangyue Jingzheng said, everyone couldn't help but feel depressed.
Tetsuya Moritani, he’s the managing director!
That's the top of Konami's management!
It is almost a position second only to one person and above everyone else!
Standing in such a position, yet making such a move?
This is no longer inappropriate.
This is dereliction of duty.
Very serious dereliction of duty!
Seeing the dissatisfaction on the faces of all the shareholders!
A cold light flashed across Shangyue Jingzheng's eyes.
The time has come.
Just a cough!
"Hmm - actually -"
Joetsu Keisha opened his mouth:
"In fact, there is another situation, which I only recently investigated clearly."
"It can be said that... this is the key to the serious losses..."
Hearing this!
Swish——!
In an instant, all eyes turned to Kamikoshi Keimasa!
Shangyue Jingzheng paused slightly, as if he was making a difficult decision that went against his ancestors.
Then, he stretched out his hand and motioned for everyone to look at the large screen at the back of the conference room.
Click.
A photo appeared on the projection.
In the photo, an older man and a younger man were sitting in a small restaurant, seemingly talking about something, with smiles on their faces.
As the photos flipped.
The two of them were chatting more and more happily.
Until the last photo.
The two men shook hands cordially and laughed at each other.
A moment!
You could hear a pin drop in the entire conference room!
And the voice of Kamikoshi Keimaro seemed particularly clear in this dead silence!
"The older person, I won't introduce him to you, is our managing director, Mr. Moriya."
Just listen to Kamikoshi Keimichi:
"And the man who shook his hand,"
"He is the executive vice president of Golden Wind and also the chief game director of Golden Wind,"
"SamGu."
Buzz——!!!
Although Keimasa Joetsu hasn't said anything yet, the fact that these photos were ordered to be released is obviously targeted!
"President Joetsu"
The fat shareholder with gray hair frowned coldly and looked up at Yue Jingzheng, his eyes trembling slightly:
"Some things are not to be said casually."
What a joke!
Tetsuya Moritani is the managing director!
It’s no exaggeration to say that he is Konami’s second-in-command!
And now, the photo that Joetsu Keimasa posted clearly implies that Toru Moritani has a close relationship with the vice president of Golden Wind, and has even betrayed Konami, secretly surrendered to Golden Wind, and secretly transferred business secrets!
You can't say this casually!
Especially a comprehensive super manufacturer like Konami!
The second-in-command defected . What a huge impact that would have!
Seeing the shocked expressions of many shareholders, Shangyue Jingzheng also knew how much impact such news would have on the entire company and even the company's stock price!
But things have come to this.
In order to prevent himself from leaving early , he could only pull out another one...
Oh no.
It was a pair of heavyweight senior executives who took the blame for him and died for him!
Kazuo Koizumi, a fool and a waste, is of no use!
Tetsuya Moritani is harboring two hearts, get rid of him as soon as possible!
Two for one!
Anyway, I’m not the only one affected by the company’s falling stock price!
I have you two to take the blame for me, and the entire shareholders' association will help me share the burden.
This deal is worth it!
Make up your mind!
Snap! Snap! Snap!
On the projection screen, evidence investigated by many private detectives flashed!
And Kamikoshi Keima's voice became more resolute and vicious:
"External aspects——"
"Three months ago, Gu Sheng, vice president of Golden Wind, called Tetsuya Moriya and told him many details about the Sekiro project, but Moriya never reported it,"
"After that, Golden Wind encountered motion capture problems when developing the Sekiro project and contacted Tetsuya Moriya. After verification, Tetsuya Moriya helped Golden Wind contact the MOSIA motion capture team and secretly facilitated the cooperation between Golden Wind and Kenji Tanigaki's motion capture team."
"At the exhibition, when the Golden Wind booth encountered provocations, Moriya Tetsuya took the initiative to step forward and use his special status in Kansai District to help Golden Wind calm the situation."
"Internally—"
"In the face of the Golden Wind's publicity, the policy of avoidance has been chosen again and again,"
"I tacitly approved the release of Torii and Sekiro at the same time,"
"During the exhibition, he maliciously injured the project manager and resigned from his position at the last minute."
"If this is not enough to prove that Mr. Moriya is collaborating with the enemy, everyone, please listen to this——"
Like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube, Shang Yue swung his cloak hammer techniques in a dazzling array!
And this last hammer was even more earth-shattering—
[Gu Sang, is there anything I can help you with? ]
[Actually, this matter, uh, logically speaking, I shouldn’t tell Moriya-san, but I think Moriya-san is one of the few true friends I can confide in Japan, so I shouldn’t hide it…]
[… We are currently preparing a motion-sensing cabin action game… and we also need motion capture actors to provide action model data…]
[Hey——Okay, let’s meet and talk in detail…]
Phone recording!
The two voices inside were clearly Gu Sheng and Tetsuya Moritani!
certainly!
This phone recording was obtained by Keizo Kamikoshi through not-so-legal means.
But for someone at his level, this is not a particularly serious problem.
after all.
The weight of this phone recording is much heavier than the stolen recording!
this--!
this--!
For a moment, all the shareholders in the conference room looked shocked!
Shocked, annoyed, angry, and unbelievable!
Layer upon layer of expressions are like colorful masks, overlapping on the faces of the seven major shareholders!
And seeing this!
Jyouetsu Keimasa also took a deep breath!
Everything is ready.
Now, all that’s left is my final step!
Bang!
Suddenly, there was a noise from the chair under Kamikoshi Keikoshi!
In front of the seven major shareholders, Shangyue Jingzheng stood up again and bowed deeply to the shareholders, a standard 90-degree bow:
"Private Masai shareholders!"
"Now, this situation has happened. On the one hand, I failed to supervise the project well, and on the other hand, I trusted the senior executives around me too much."
"I must bear the main responsibility for causing such serious losses,"
"so,"
"I formally submit my resignation application to the shareholders ' meeting and implore the shareholders' meeting to approve my request,"
"Let more capable people,"
"Take over the position of president!!!"
Retreat to advance!
The decisive blow!