As everyone knows, Seosung Electronics is a hardware manufacturer that produces and sells semiconductors, smartphones, computers, and more.
One might wonder what this has to do with game development, but in reality, the connection is immense.
"To run software properly, you need hardware that's up to the task."
At Chairman Im Jin-yong's words, Taekgyu nodded.
"That's right. If the computer or console performance can't keep up, you can't properly enjoy the game."
Software and hardware have influenced each other and evolved together. Games have had a significant impact on this.
To develop high-spec CPUs, GPUs, semiconductors, etc., there needs to be sufficient demand. No matter how much people talk about CPU performance, GPU speed, or RAM capacity, the average consumer, unlike experts such as programmers, rarely utilizes the full potential of their hardware.
But there is a moment when the performance of all components is pushed to the limit: when playing games!
High-spec games require high-spec hardware. Therefore, when a major online game is released, the demand for computer replacements or upgrades suddenly increases.
Taekgyu added an explanation.
"This is where the game developers' dilemma begins: Should they create a game tailored to the average hardware specifications of the time, or should they intentionally develop a high-spec game?"
The Lost Fantasy series is famous for its graphics, which always push hardware performance to the limit. The world's first 3D RPG was also Lost Fantasy.
Unlike consoles, which have uniform performance, computer specifications vary from home to home. Although the goal is to let as many people as possible enjoy the game, graphics that push the boundaries of the era are the very identity of the Lost Fantasy series.
"The compromise they reached was allowing players to choose between low-spec and high-spec versions depending on their PC performance. But human nature being what it is, if you know there's something better, you naturally want to go for that."
Chairman Im Jin-yong said.
"Recently, the demand for computer replacements and upgrades has been increasing. You could say the success of Lost Fantasy Online has breathed new life into the stagnant PC market."
"DRAM prices have gone up again. Gamers are freaking out because of it."
It was unavoidable.
Not just Seosung Electronics, but also SSK Hynix, Micron, and others are running their factories at full capacity, yet supply still can't keep up with demand.
Since early last year, many experts worried that the semiconductor boom would end and prices would plummet. However, due to chronic supply shortages, semiconductor prices continue to soar.
Semiconductor companies, including Seosung Electronics, are determinedly pouring tens of trillions of Won into expanding their factories, but a substantial increase in supply isn't expected until around the end of this year.
As this happened, experts subtly changed their tune, saying the semiconductor supercycle was just beginning.
The biggest reason the forecast was wrong was the explosive increase in semiconductor demand due to the advent of autonomous vehicles. Previously, Seosung Electronics' largest customer was Npple, which ordered displays and semiconductors. However, it has now changed to Karos, which orders automotive electronic equipment.
Seosung Electronics is reaping substantial rewards as a first mover in this market. American, Chinese, and Japanese electronics companies have also partnered with finished car manufacturers to enter the automotive electronics business, but they haven't been able to compete with Seosung Electronics in terms of performance and price.
"A VRMMORPG is a completely new type of game, unlike anything seen before. To properly implement the game, it will require high-spec hardware incomparable to existing computers or consoles."
I nodded.
"Internally, we've already decided to produce a dedicated console."
Ichikawa Shigeru announced they would finish development and release it within three years. Even considering that computer specs will improve by then, running it on a computer will be impossible.
Many game consoles have come to market so far. However, creating a dedicated console for just one game is uncommon.
There are concerns about the risk being too high, but if the game succeeds, there's no problem.
"After watching the concert and playing the game, I became even more convinced it will succeed. If OTK Games succeeds, a new VR console market will surely emerge. Seosung Electronics wants to challenge this market in cooperation with OTK Games."
According to Yeji, the concurrent user count for the VRMMORPG Seruana will be 100 million. The actual number of players enjoying the game will likely be four or five times that.
Seosung Electronics' hardware manufacturing technology is world-class. What's more impressive than selling 100 million smartphones annually is that they produce those 100 million smartphones in-house. This is because they have a well-established vertical integration, from components to finished products.
From Seosung Electronics' perspective, the VR console has a high potential to become their next cash cow after automotive electronic equipment.
From our perspective as well, there's no better partner than Seosung Electronics. We already have experience working well together, and collaborating from the development stage can significantly shorten the development period.
That's why I had also been considering cooperation with Seosung Electronics. Chairman Im Jin-yong probably knows I'm thinking the same thing.
Instead of playing games or unnecessary back-and-forth, I readily agreed.
"I look forward to working with you."
We discussed the general outline regarding the contract.
When the discussion ended, Chairman Im Jin-yong stood up from his seat.
"I have a presidents' meeting, so I should get going now."
"Yes. Take care on your way out."
Before leaving, as if remembering something, Chairman Im Jin-yong asked Taekgyu.
"By the way, I have one question... At the same level, why is the Paladin's attack power weaker than the Warrior's? Shouldn't a Paladin actually be stronger?"
"Well, that's because the Warrior's skills are concentrated on attack and defense. Instead, as the Paladin levels up, they can also use buffs and heals. They also deal more damage against Undead and Demons, who have different affinities. Try raising one well as a Heal-Tank."
Chairman Im Jin-yong asked with a serious expression.
"What's a Heal-Tank?"
"Healer plus Tank. What's your current level?"
"It's 7."
"Ah, then this is where it gets important."
Oh Taekgyu's character-building lecture continued for about 30 minutes, and Chairman Im Jin-yong listened attentively, like a civil service exam student pushed to the brink.
Listening from the side, I cautiously asked.
"Didn't you say you had a presidents' meeting?"
"Ah! Right, I did."
At that, Chairman Im Jin-yong looked up with a surprised expression and immediately made a phone call.
"Cancel today's presidents' meeting."
Then he immediately turned to Taekgyu and asked.
"So, what did you say a Paladin needs to do to advance to a hidden class?"
"…"
Just go to the meeting, (I thought).
***
[(Breaking News) Seosung Electronics to Collaborate with OTK Games on VR Console Production]
[Chairman Im Jin-yong Declares VR Console Will Be Cultivated as Seosung Electronics' New Growth Engine!]
[Global IT Companies Also Focusing on VR Games]
[Npple, Gooble, MS Announce Increased Investment in VR Game Content!]
[Game Companies Leaving Korea. Will Even the MMORPG Market, Once a Strength, Be Lost to Foreign Competitors?]
[Government Standing By? What is the Future of the Korean Game Industry, Blocked by Regulations?]
When Seosung Electronics announced it would partner with OTK Games to create a VR console, the related industry was startled.
Discussion about the news also took place on the Lost Fantasy forums and within the game.
[CanYouFeelMyHeart: Wow! Seeing Seosung Electronics jump in, it looks like Lost Fantasy really might become a VRMMORPG.]
[Samjab: Seeing it in VR instead of on a monitor would be seriously awesome.]
[RedFairyTale: Isn't Im Jin-yong maybe an otaku too? He even went to the Lost Fantasy concert.]
[Samjab: Keke, he probably just went because he's close with Kang Jin-hoo.]
[Jonjalmino: Alright, alright, let's focus on the raid for now!]
Seong Min-ho was a fairly well-known skilled player in the game and the leader of this raid party. It was a boss monster raid mobilizing a whopping 15 people.
Depending on the raid, there are certain conditions. In this case, five users below level 10 had to be included.
'I don't want to play with low-levels, but I have no choice,' thought Seong Min-ho.
A boss monster raid isn't just users swarming and ganging up on the boss. It's a sophisticated brain game and mental labor where numerous people cooperate, matching job classes, levels, skills, and affinities to defeat the enemy.
Before starting, Seong Min-ho gathered the low-level users and held a separate briefing session. Specialized terms poured out: tanker, healer, ranged DPS, melee DPS, buff, debuff, regen, last hit, etc.
And finally, the boss mob raid began. When a giant beast-type boss named Ogotu appeared, the characters began attacking all at once.
The raid, lasting about an hour, unfortunately ended in defeat. What was truly regrettable was that they lost by a hair's breadth.
Ogotu's HP was almost completely depleted.
'If we had just hit it three more times, we would have won!'
They could have won if the low-level users had done just a little better. Unlike the other users who quickly logged out, the level 8 Paladin stayed behind and individually said goodbye to the raid members.
'Argh! If only this guy had done a little better!'
He wasn't happy with the other low-levels either, but this Paladin, in particular, was especially clumsy.
Angry, Seong Min-ho sent him a message.
[Jonjalmino: Tsk, you really suck at this game. Do you even know you're the weak link?]
[JinDragon: I'm sorry.]
[Jonjalmino: Is sorry good enough? Haven't you raided before?]
[JinDragon: Yes. This is my first raid.]
[Jonjalmino: Are you maybe in middle school? High school?]
[JinDragon: No. I work at a company.]
[Jonjalmino: Where do you work?]
[JinDragon: I work at Seosung.]
[Jonjalmino: Oh! I work at Seosung SB. Where do you work, mister?]
[JinDragon: I work at the Gangnam headquarters.]
[Jonjalmino: Electronics side? Then have you seen the Chairman? Heard he's an attention seeker and sometimes eats with employees in the cafeteria.]
[JinDragon: Hmm, I am that attention-seeking Chairman.]
[Jonjalmino: ㅡ,.ㅡ Mister, are you crazy?]
[JinDragon: It might be hard to believe, but it's true. I'm very happy to meet an employee of our company here. Let's get along well.]
[Jonjalmino: LOL, are you kidding me? This is totally absurd. If you're Im Jin-yong, then I'm Kang Jin-hoo.]
[JinDragon: It's true. Why would I lie? I don't lie, except when I'm summoned before the National Assembly.]
[Jonjalmino: I'm Manager Seong Min-ho from Seosung SB. If you're Im Jin-yong, come find me sometime. I'll buy you a meal and teach you a thing or two about raiding.]
[JinDragon: Understood. I will visit you tomorrow.]
[Jonjalmino: Haah, I really shouldn't even bother talking to you.]
The next day.
Seong Min-ho of Seosung SB came to work and was diligently working. But just before lunchtime, the office suddenly erupted into chaos.
"What's going on?"
"The Chairman has arrived."
"What!?"
The Seosung SB headquarters is located in Yongin. For the already busy Chairman to come all the way down here in person was something that happened only once or twice a year.
But today, he had suddenly arrived without any prior notice!
Furthermore, the President (of SB) was even out of the office.
'He couldn't possibly not know the President is on a business trip. So, what brings him here?' thought Seong Min-ho.
While he was thinking, Chairman Im Jin-yong entered the office, guided by Executive Director Kim Cheol-myeong. The employees all rose from their seats at once to greet him.
Looking around the office, Chairman Im Jin-yong stopped in front of one male employee.
"Are you perhaps Manager Seong Min-ho?"
Seong Min-ho was startled and replied.
"Yes. I am Seong Min-ho. It's an honor to meet you, Chairman."
"Nice to meet you. We meet again here. I apologize about yesterday."
He was flustered by Chairman Im Jin-yong's words.
"Yes? What do you mean...?"
"Didn't you tell me to come find you?"
"M-Me?"
Chairman Im Jin-yong smiled and said in a playful tone.
"Have you forgotten already? That's disappointing. Think carefully. We talked yesterday."
Manager Seong Min-ho thought desperately.
'No, we've never even met, what is this nonsense?'
At that moment, something clicked in his mind.
"N-No way... That Paladin!?"
Even as he spoke, he thought to himself.
'Ah, no. It can't be. The 'low-level Paladin from the game turns out to be our Chairman' scenario absolutely does not happen in real life!'
But that very thing had actually happened!
"That's right, Jonjalmino-nim."
"Gasp!"
'So that's why his ID was JinDragon! Why on earth is the Chairman of Seosung Group playing Lost Fantasy!?'
Chairman Im Jin-yong put his arm around the shoulder of the soul-departed-looking Seong Min-ho and said friendly.
"Now, since Manager Seong Min-ho said he'd buy the meal, shall we enjoy a delicious meal while I receive some raid tutoring?"