novelraw Chapter 156 : The Perfect DLC
Chapter 156 : The Perfect DLC
The Perfect DLC
Recently, a recurring phenomenon emerged within the MetaGamer community.
[Real-Time Meta Community Rank]
[1. Mystic League]
[2. Gunner Ground]
[3. Lost Arcana]
The community's top ranks, which were almost always fixed, would be abruptly overturned at a certain point.
[Real-Time Meta Community Rank]
[1. Mystic League]
[2. Demon Must Cry]
[3. Gunner Ground]
This rapid shuffling wasn't due to system errors or intentional spikes in traffic like DDoS attacks.
Surprisingly, it all stemmed from one streamer ending their broadcast.
[If you're happy with double the Purple supplement, hit the upvote (999+)]
[A collection of TruRepenter Lightidasunim's famous sayings (914)]
[Uncle Godple playing with kid viewers clip (879)]
[Perfect Maximum – Wrath Road release (857)]
[Let's look at the Trojan War that inspired the Realm of Wrath (831)]
Night had deepened, but viewers were still buzzing with energy. As soon as Lee Gyeongbok's broadcast ended, they flocked to the community to chat.
However, tonight, a new post appeared that, for once, wasn't about in-game topics.
[My little sister's asking me to pre-order Demerc]
[I've never pre-ordered anything in my life, but this time, I'm seriously tempted to buy, lol.
But then, after watching the stream, even my little sister asked me to buy it, lol.
So I told her she has to be an adult to play this, but she started bawling (she's a senior in high school now, lol)
She threw a fit about missing out on the pre-order bonuses, but when I asked if she even knew what they were, she just looked dumbfounded.
I couldn't take her whining when she doesn't even know, so I gave her a light flick on the forehead—but oh my,
Turns out the one in the mirror was me all along, hawawa.
Was I just cute even when I was curious about it myself, ekkyun!
(Demerc topic) What kind of bonus would make you pre-order?]
[-Does Purple withdrawal syndrome come with dissociative identity disorder too, damn, lol]
[Reply: Every day there's a new crazy person, lol]
[Reply: The way they ask questions is so Community-style, lol]
[Reply: That aggro pulling skill, what the heck!]
[-I'm a legend for actually reading this seriously]
[Reply: The foreshadowing was when the little sister watched the stream, lol]
[Reply: Seriously, how does a senior in high school watch streams]
[Reply: Learned foreshadowing just by watching Demerc, huh]
[Reply: This is why you need to read the beginning and end of community posts, lol]
The reveal of pre-orders during the broadcast had become a major talking point.
[-Damn, respect for the effort, check the replies, lol]
[Reply: Gotta check the quality of the merch or artbook first, so pass]
[Reply: The real issue is in-game bonuses. Watching the stream, the designs so far look great, so maybe skip the skin?]
[Reply: Yeah yeah this time is really good]
[Reply: If we're talking about the console-version, it used to be mostly pistol, greatsword, and costumes, but looks like devil transformation skins will be added this time.]
[Reply: Probably the top-rank one will include merch, and the basic bonus will be the skins? I'm guessing the price will be under 150,000 won.]
As they exchanged opinions about the bonuses, people realized something.
[-Speaking of which, doesn't Godple not use devil transformation?]
[Reply: Oh crap, you're right, hahaha]
[Reply: He literally only used it once in the tutorial and never again]
[Reply: Damn, it's because he's so good, nobody even thought of it]
[Reply: Isn't it natural that a god can't become a devil?]
[Reply: Seriously, no matter how much of a training camp instructor you are, you can't be a god]
[Reply: ???: Depending on your actions, you could become an angel or a devil]
[Reply: Why bring up instructors, damn lol]
Discussion about pre-orders quickly turned into praise for Lee Gyeongbok's skills.
So the night deepened, and the community's fervor seemed to be dying down.
[(Sacred Ground reservation?) Are there any reports from Reddit?]
A newly posted topic drew attention.
[I checked some reactions on Reddit and brought over a translation of a post that felt significant.
Right now in North America, godple's voice is pretty hot, and the guy who posted this has been making mods since the day the trial stream began.
I enlarged the English post to read it and just wrote the translation, lol.
〈You guys know me?
I've been posting updates on the 'Durante Must Perfect' mod development.
But now I can't make it anymore.〉
〈I haven't given up,
the devs requested a takedown and didn't even tell me why.
But I'm not pissed off, lol
Actually, I'm glad!
I had a feeling about this!〉
〈Think about it.
The company's always been super generous about mods.
I've made so many Bark mods!
But out of all mods, why tell me to delete only the voice pack mod?〉
〈I trust that everyone knows what this means.
Maybe it's just my wild theory.
Anyway, sorry to those who were waiting—no, actually, I'm not sorry.
Maybe a brighter future awaits us.〉
As soon as this went up, there were tons of comments, lol.
Here's a few of them:
〈No way, was this deleted through 'official' request?〉
〈Damn, this is the best decision in company history!〉
〈Mod development stopped, but literally nobody is sad, lol〉
〈If you don't get this, you shouldn't be playing the game, lol. Go enroll in school again!〉
It's still just a rumor, but don't you see the possible chance? Lol]
News had spread that the mod, which had extracted Lee Gyeongbok's voice, was discontinued.
But everyone was actually glad to hear it.
[-This person really translates Godple's foreign reactions consistently, lol]
[Reply: Thanks, dear translator!]
[Reply: Haha, gotta keep up with overseas fans too]
[Reply: Overseas Koreans, damn lol]
[Reply: They've probably all subscribed to the Purple channel, so Koreans gotta take the lead lol]
[Reply: Now all they need to do is learn Korean!]
[Reply: Seriously, Korean proficiency test is essential for naturalization]
[-Could this mean we're getting an official voice pack?]
[Reply: It definitely looks like it's happening, lol]
[Reply: But why didn't they mention it on stream?]
[Reply: Maybe it's not finalized yet?]
[Reply: Still, from the company's side, it's worth preparing]
[Reply: If a user mod comes out first, it might reduce official sales]
[-If they bundle a voice pack, who needs other merch, lol]
[Reply: Merch gets old over time, but Godple's voice doesn't, right?]
[Reply: Total character imbalance, lol]
[Reply: I'm buying, no hesitation!]
Korean fans were no exception either.
* * *
The next day, early afternoon.
Lee Gyeongbok and Park Juho visited the CAP Company building again.
Glancing at the time, Park Juho spoke to Lee Gyeongbok.
"Let's do one last check."
After announcing the pre-order schedule yesterday, Park Juho had received a renegotiation request email from the developer.
While Lee Gyeongbok streamed, Park Juho referred to information and documents from a patent attorney and organized everything.
"The rates go from 0.5% up to 10%. But more important than that is the actual amount we get for each sale."
With the organized data, Park Juho consulted the patent attorney again.
"Right. The attorney recommended 1,000 won per sale, correct?"
"I'll ask again."
Since the summary was simple, it wasn't hard to remember. Still, Park Juho double-checked for a reason.
"And you'll still go with 500 won?"
Because the final decider, Lee Gyeongbok, insisted that even 500 won per sale would be enough.
Lee Gyeongbok replied with a stifled laugh at his seriousness.
"Look, how much do you think we'll actually make from this? I'd rather focus on fan service than profits."
"That's not exactly the wrong approach."
"Yeah, it's better if more people can enjoy it."
Park Juho sighed lightly and nodded, though he couldn't completely hide his disappointment.
"Besides, you said it yourself, right?"
"What?"
"Even if you're holding the sword, you shouldn't swing it."
That came up during discussion of the previous trial stream contract.
"Honestly, even with our current income, it's not like we're lacking, right? There's no need to get greedy."
Lee Gyeongbok replied confidently.
His divine energy was quiet on this decision, too.
"All right, I get it. It's almost time, let's head up."
Park Juho adjusted his glasses and his outfit. He looked like he was heading into battle, yet Lee Gyeongbok was relaxed, like he was out for a stroll.
With such contrasting moods, the two entered the meeting room, guided in.
"Ah, welcome."
Just like their last meeting, Korean branch manager Frank Choi was waiting for them.
Lee Gyeongbok smiled in greeting.
"Yes, nice to see you. I hope we're not coming here too often."
"If it's you, Purple, you're always welcome—feel free to come by even just to relax, even if you have no business."
The mood was very congenial. But Park Juho remained vigilant. Business was not an emotional matter.
'So, north America's branch is involved again this time...'
Just like before, the North American rep appeared across from them.
〈Now, regarding the proposal Purple presented last time...〉
Pleasantries exchanged, the real agenda began. The manager and rep's attitudes sharpened.
The warm atmosphere just moments earlier vanished as if it were a lie.
'I'd hoped for 1,000 won per sale, even though Gyeongbok said less would be fine...'
Park Juho watched the hologram in front of him, hiding his nerves.
They weren't planning to lower their worth on purpose, only preparing for the minimum level; if something better was offered, they'd close the deal.
"These are the finalized terms, as decided by headquarters and branch executives."
With this, a hologram popped up before their eyes.
〈Sale price: $5 in North America, 5,000 won in Korea, and 500 yen in Japan. We think a 1:9 split is reasonable.〉
The core of the document was spoken by the North American rep.
Park Juho sighed inwardly.
'Gyeongbok nailed it perfectly.'
They had settled, coincidentally, exactly at the lowest rate suggested.
But Lee Gyeongbok's reaction was different.
"Excuse me, but is there a typo in the percentage split?"
Park Juho's eyes widened. He checked the contract again.
Why?
'The 9 isn't the company's share, but ours?'
From their "1:9," only 10% would go to Team Perfect, not the developer.
The manager laughed.
"No, not at all. We're not a company that can't get paperwork right."
〈Let me clarify: 90% of the proceeds from the voice pack go to Purple, team Perfect.〉
At the North American rep's words, Park Juho blinked. He could hardly believe his ears.
A single question popped into his head:
'Wait—why?'
The manager must have noticed his confusion; a smile curved at his lips.
"I'm glad to surprise you both. But think about it—it's only natural."
"Natural?"
"Yes. For this voice pack, we've barely spent anything on production. The voice sampling and editing were already completed by you. Didn't you?"
At this, realization flashed in Park Juho's mind.
'Ah...! The cases the patent attorney mentioned all assumed the company fronted the production costs.'
He hadn't considered this loophole.
But now, since the company didn't need to pay, even a higher share for Team Perfect didn't matter.
〈We've already confirmed the quality. Analyzing the Purple channel Q-tube membership-exclusive video, we concluded no changes were needed.〉
"We could really feel Purple's sincerity toward streaming. Not just anyone can pull off this level of recording and sampling quality. I don't know the exact cost, but I'm sure it wasn't cheap!"
The manager and rep exchanged nods. Park Juho, meanwhile, tensed for a different reason.
'... No, it was just a glass of coffee for the engineer.'
All Team Perfect gave their engineer was a cup of coffee—hardly even a fancy brand. But the executives didn't have a clue.
〈And as you said, it'll be sold as a regular item, not limited. That means the marketing effect lasts longer, so this split makes sense.〉
"You might not believe it, but this is genuinely the best deal we could give."
That much was true.
Typically, whether B2B or B2C, the smaller party gets a lower share.
'But 9:1 in our favor? Didn't they concede too much? Even 5:5 would've been plenty.'
Scanning their expressions, Park Juho suddenly grew rigid. The terms were so generous, it was almost suspicious.
'They're a company experienced in these deals. And yet this is way above average... Could there be something else?'
Corporations don't volunteer to take a loss.
Even considering their stated benefits, there was no reason to raise costs. Yet they willingly did so.
'Let's see.'
That led to only one conclusion.
'It's an investment.'
If it means greater profits down the road, it's a different calculation.
These people were undeniably investing in the "Purple" possibility—an opportunity more solid than any other.
"We wouldn't want to risk a falling out with Purple just to cut costs, even if we might with another influencer."
〈Ha ha, our company doesn't just make Bio Crisis and Demon Must Cry. You might find interest in our other games too.〉
As if confirming this thought, the two added further comments. Park Juho finally relaxed a little, glancing at his friend.
'He really has nerves of steel.'
Countless thoughts crossed his mind, yet Lee Gyeongbok had stayed consistent from the beginning.
The genuine joy on his face proved it.
'So that's why there was no reaction.'
Lee Gyeongbok realized why his divine energy had been quiet; no matter what standards he and his friends set, the company had already decided on even better terms.
"I think these conditions are more than fair."
There was no reason to refuse.
He smiled and signed the contract.
"Ah, is this agreement confidential?"
At his question, the manager waved his hand.
"No, not at all. In fact, we plan to announce it as soon as possible."
"In that case, I'll reveal it directly on today's stream."
Lee Gyeongbok smiled.
"I want to tell the fans myself."
"Ah, we'd be grateful for that."
That's exactly what the company hoped for.
With that, the meeting concluded and everyone stood up.
"I'm really looking forward to today's stream."
At the manager's words, Lee Gyeongbok nodded. How would viewers react to this news?
"Yes, I am too."
It wasn't just the viewers looking forward to the stream.