Global monopoly of technology

"The virtual idol project took nearly half a year, with a budget of 1 billion U.S. dollars and actual expenditures that have accumulated 837 million U.S. dollars." He Chao who attended the meeting immediately reported to Luo Sheng the progress of his work.

"There is still US$163 million left? Well, the remaining money will be used for publicity." Luo Sheng made a decision immediately.

This kind of publicity cost is about one-third higher than that of Hollywood A-level major production movies, and a lot lower than "Avatar". The cost of this movie is also exaggerated. The total cost of production and publicity exceeds 500 million. Dollars.

The brand-new element of virtual idols does not have any audience base, and it will definitely take a lot of thought and financial expenditure on publicity.

It is difficult to make more money without spending money.

But for a moment, He Chao continued to report: "The three major sections of the virtual idol project have been completed. The film and television section Anno Hideaki has completed the production of the advertising film, and the later stage is also fixed. The film is finally named "Hatsune Miku: With Love "Name". In addition, the official version of the sound production software "SINGOID" has been confirmed to be released, and the official version of the music rhythm game "Hatsune Miku: Diva Project" has also been finalized, and is also in preparation for release."

These three-piece sets form the core of Bluestar Technology’s virtual idol project. The promotional film "Hatsune Miku: In the Name of Love" burned half of the budget. The initial budget was US$450 million, and the final budget was US$495 million. Very satisfied with the internal screening.

At least it won the recognition of the project team. At first, everyone was not optimistic or worried about it.

Hideaki Anno's hands and feet were saved.

The final development cost of the sound production software "SINGOID" is 82 million US dollars. This software product collects samples of human voices and then produces a singing database. However, there is no singing database. The actual version that can be used is developed by a third party. It is user-generated content, the typical web2.0 model, so the database and copyright will also be open source and free.

This is the key to building a self-contained ecosystem of "Hatsune Miku", where everyone can participate and share.

This sound production software is called "SINGOID". The origin of its name represents two meanings. One is composed of the English word "Sing (singing)" and the suffix "oid (similar)", which means "software that can sing" , Another meaning is "Sing" and "Android (robot)", which means "robot that can sing".

The third game section "Hatsune Miku: The Diva Project" has a budget of up to 260 million U.S. dollars, of which 155 million U.S. dollars was spent to build an engine system code-named "Bingxin", and the game engine is still being improved. Consider whether to open source it.

The content of this music rhythm game is very rich. You can get props and components to dress up Hatsune Miku's custom mode. The development team has designed a lot of costumes, shapes, scenes, etc.

In the music rhythm mode, the player presses the corresponding button according to the rhythm block on the screen. If the input timing is correct, the song of Hatsune can be heard smoothly, and the singing voice will be interrupted if the input fails.

When special conditions are met, a close-up picture of Hatsune Miku’s expressions and actions will appear, and there will be more than one or two, but hundreds of random selections, allowing players to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of improvisation.

There is also a dress-up system. In the rhythm game, you can unlock new costume styles by passing special conditions. After changing the costume, it will be reflected in each mode.

In addition, it is the photography system. Appreciation mode can be used when certain conditions are met in the game. The background can be used to take photos. You can also change clothes and the player can shoot according to their favorite posture. It can be used in various scenes.

Then there is the scene. That's right, players can also arrange the scene as they want, and get various props to arrange in the game. Hatsune will also interact with different expressions and voices due to different scenes and different decorations.

Finally, there is a powerful free editing system. Players can make their own rhythm game content, or use their favorite costumes to make PVs, including background stage, dance moves, target configuration, expressions, camera angle directions, etc., all can be set freely .

The subsequent new item updates will be purchased in the form of similar game DLC.

This is definitely a loss-making super 3A game masterpiece, it is impossible to recover the production cost, because it requires players to understand a lot, and it is destined to be a niche game.

However, Luo Sheng has never thought about profiting from games at all. Its fundamental goal is to shape the IP of "Hatsune Miku", use this game to enrich the videos about Hatsune Miku, and encourage "great players" to generate video content through this game platform. , Enrich ACG culture.

Bluestar Technology's "virtual idol" plan has almost reached the moment when it is ready to go, everything is ready.

...

Entering December, the next job is to officially launch the launch of the "Virtual Idol" project as the finale this year.

"Mr. Luo, what's your order?"

Luo Sheng, who was staring at his work computer, heard the voice and put down his work. He looked at Zhang Bowen who entered the office and said immediately: "A week later, there will be a press conference for the'virtual idol' plan. I want to acquire two Japanese companies. Get this thing done."

Zhang Bowen asked straightforwardly: "Acquisition of Japan Company?"

Luo Shengyan said concisely: "Call NicoNico and Pixiv. Let's try again early next year. It's not a good time to hunt down the bottom."

Zhang Bowen nodded: "Understand."

He didn't ask anything. The boss wanted to buy, buy, buy, just pay.

The subprime mortgage crisis in North America can no longer be suppressed, and the systemic financial crisis that will be further triggered will sweep the world next year. It is a disaster for others, and it is a good time for Luo Sheng to make a big merger.

When cash is king, money can really do whatever you want.

The acquisition of these two companies does not cost much, but Bluestar Technology’s money is not the wind blowing. Although Luo Sheng’s methods of spending money appear to be the same as those caused by the wind, it is because the outside world does not understand. His layout and thinking.

NicoNico is a barrage video website. It is an online video sharing website launched in 2006. It is similar to the Bluestar Video sharing website model of Bluestar Technology.

Be regarded as a half follower.

But there are also innovations of its own. For example, messages will appear on the film in the form of barrage. This is the first time for a streaming video website. Luo Sheng is not in a hurry to let his video website launch the video barrage function.

The Pixiv website is a community network service website with artistic illustrations, and a new website for sharing drawings and illustrations in Japan. A new website was established in September of this year.

The purpose of the acquisition of these two websites is to enrich the entire ecological chain of the "virtual idol" project, as well as to expand the Japanese market and its in-depth development, and to encourage users to publish related works of Hatsune Miku on the NicoNico and Pixiv communities.

...

On December 3, the latest news was released on the most eye-catching homepage of Bluestar Technology Group's official website, officially announcing that a new product launch conference will be held in Akihabara, Japan on December 8.

The official website also released a poster, an image of a girl with a long double ponytail, but it was just a shadow and did not show the real face on the poster, and she was holding a brand new registered logo in her hand.

The meaning is self-evident, the outside world obviously understands, this is a brand new brand launched by Bluestar Technology.

The conference is set in Akihabara because Japan’s ACG culture and animation industry leads the world, and it is undoubtedly an important market for Bluestar’s “virtual idols”. There is no foundation at all in China, or even a blank state. Luo Sheng didn't want the intermittent inexplicable and persistent cold spot at this press conference, so he went to Akihabara honestly.

After the news was disclosed, it immediately aroused widespread concern in the industry. In the second half of the year, Bluestar Technology Group, following its high-profile entry into the e-sports industry, made another big move. Once it was disclosed, it triggered a rush of media reports.

At the same time, a publicity budget of more than US$150 million prepared for the launch of the "virtual idol" program is also gaining momentum.

...