1988 Retro Game Tycoon - Chapter 57



Only Noblemtl

Episode 57 – Return of the Stars

Before professional baseball was invented, high school baseball was an incredibly popular sport.

Even in the 1970s, high school baseball enjoyed the popularity of a national sport. When a competition was held, the stands at Dongdaemun Stadium, then called Seoul Stadium Baseball Stadium, were packed, and every important game was broadcast on TV.

Then, with the launch of professional baseball in 1982, the popularity of high school baseball quickly waned.

As the popularity of high school baseball declined and professional baseball teams moved to Jamsil Stadium, which was built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the number of people heading to Dongdaemun Stadium also decreased.

“As becomes popular, people will think of Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium again. Since there were many games, there must have been many great matches. I think adults like not just because it’s a baseball game.”

“That’s right, sir. Dongdaemun Stadium is a place filled with memories. But what would be a good way to hold an event match? The best would be a professional team event match, but the professional team’s league is about to start, so it’s not only about money, but also about the schedule.”

“There’s nothing like a professional team invitational game to gather spectators, but the professional teams are giving up. After all, our game is also a national high school baseball tournament, so a professional team doesn’t fit the concept.”

“Then, how about inviting eight famous baseball teams from around the country and holding a tournament like in a game? We’ll make the ‘Golden Sun Flag’ from the game and award it to the winning team along with a prize.”

“That’s a good idea, but then we’d have to play seven games. If we bring in local teams, it would cost a lot of money for transportation, lodging, stadium rental fees, and even umpires and stadium management staff. And I’m not sure if we’ll be able to get people interested.”

As Director Park said, it would be okay to create a high school baseball tournament that we sponsor. However, the four major high school baseball tournaments were already established and running well. It seemed difficult to attract people’s attention simply by creating one more tournament.

“Rather than that, we need a strong event that fits the nature of the game and can stimulate memories of Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium. What we must not forget is that this is a promotion to make more widely known and to promote sales.”

“In the past, if you invited only two popular teams from high school baseball clubs and held an event game, it would have attracted a large crowd, but it is difficult to expect that kind of effect now.”

“That’s right. That’s why planning skills are needed.”

“Do you have anything in mind, sir?”

After working with me a few times, Manager Park, who knew that I had a clear idea of ​​what I wanted, asked me:

“There is one. The concept is ‘Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium, Return of the Stars.’”

“What if the stars return…?”

“We’re going to gather together the legends who played in many great games at Dongdaemun Stadium. Among the stars who played at Dongdaemun Stadium in high school, gather those who have now stopped playing baseball. There will be some among them who want to play again. We’ll form a team with those people and hold an event game at Dongdaemun Stadium.”

“Oh! Legends of Dongdaemun Stadium? That’s really cool.”

“It doesn’t end there. It would be meaningful to just gather the legends, but I don’t know how many there will be, and there will be some who haven’t played baseball for a long time, so I can’t guarantee their performance. Even if it’s an event game, I can’t let it be a boring game.”

“I guess that part is a concern. If we’re not careful, we might end up with nothing to eat at the famous banquet.”

“That’s why we’re pitting an active high school baseball team against the opposing team.”

“Ah···! Then it’s a match between a legend and an active player at Dongdaemun Stadium?”

“The copy comes to mind right away. The battle of stars that decorated Dongdaemun Stadium! A showdown between legend and modern times!”

“Who would be good among the famous retired players? It should be someone that everyone knows.”

“Ah~, when was that? Was it in ’77? The player who hit the game-winning hit in the Phoenix Cup finals? What’s he doing these days?”

“There was a pitcher who pitched a shutout in the semifinals of the President’s Cup. He went to a professional team and we haven’t seen him in a while. Will he be recruited?”

The people at Myeongseong Planning started talking about baseball and started listing the names of players they wanted to recruit. Most of them were players who were active in the 70s and early 80s, and I didn’t know them.

“Oh, but if you’re going to form a team, you have to think about positions too···.”

“That’s right. If you consider the possibility of failing to recruit, forming a team might not be as easy as you think.”

“It won’t be easy. Also, there’s the Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium rental schedule, so time is tight. I’ll trust you this time too. Please take care of me, Manager Park.”

I held Manager Park’s hand tightly and earnestly begged him. Manager Park certainly looked like he was having fun, but he must have been thinking about the many difficulties and difficult situations that lay ahead, because he kept his eyes and mouth tightly shut.

“And Manager Choi too. This time too, your strength is absolutely necessary.”

There were many hurdles to overcome before the event game could be held. The legends of Dongdaemun Stadium had to be reunited to form a team, recruit a high school team to play against, rent Dongdaemun Stadium, call in reporters, and promote the game to attract spectators.

And we need to make various preparations so that the audience can experience the game, not just enjoy baseball.

“I know it’s not easy. If you need anything, please let me know. I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can.”

It would be a very difficult event, but if it was successful, it would definitely be an effective and meaningful event. I trusted Myeongseong Planning and pushed forward with the ‘Return of the Stars at Dongdaemun Stadium’ event game.

The match schedule was set first.

The date is Sunday, April 2, 1989.

It was set for Saturday, April 8th, before the opening game of the professional baseball league.

After all, once professional baseball starts, it becomes harder for event games to attract attention. If games overlap, there is a higher chance of people going to the professional baseball stadium first.

“Contact the KBO and see if they can provide any support since it’s an event game that will help ignite baseball fever before the opening of the professional baseball season. Even if current professional players don’t play, it would be better if at least a few of their faces were shown.”

“Yes, I’ll see if there’s anything I can do!”

From that day on, Myeongseong Planning was on high alert. They mobilized all their available connections to find the players’ contact information and begin recruiting them.

We also contacted prestigious baseball high schools to confirm their intention to participate in the event games.

Saetbyeoljeom gave a fresh shock to the advertising industry when it appeared on the 9 o’clock news. If this Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium Stars’ Return event in Gyeonggi Province comes to fruition, it will definitely be newsworthy for the 9 o’clock news.

I left the practical work to Myeongseong Planning, and took on the job of promotion, event planning, and most importantly, securing the funds for the game.

Basically, since the Return of the Stars event match is a competition to promote , the basic admission ticket was supposed to be the game.

Bring your game pack to the ticket booth and you will receive a free event match ticket for one person.

If you don’t have a game pack, you have to buy a ticket, but since it’s a promotional event, we can’t charge a high ticket price. That means we have to cover most of the Dongdaemun Stadium rental fee, various promotional costs, and game operation costs.

“Sir, no matter how I calculate it, the cost is too much for our company to handle. Is it really okay to spend this much money on a single promotional event?”

“That’s right. Wouldn’t it be better to just do a TV commercial?”

Even if you squeeze the minimum budget, it was an event that would cost hundreds of millions of won.

The indirect promotional effect would be enormous, but it was not possible to recoup all the costs of the event by selling games on site.

It is an event that can clearly be a plus in the long run, but if you only look at the numbers in the short term, it is an event that will clearly be a loss to the company.

So, if I wasn’t the CEO of the company, this was an event that couldn’t even have been planned properly in the first place.

“I understand your concerns, Mr. Song. But I really want to do this. It’s a much more memorable event than a TV commercial. I’ll try to raise more money.”

I taught him how to use Lotus 1-2-3, a spreadsheet program for financial management, but I reassured Manager Song, who still carries an abacus at his side.

Even after Manager Song finished calculating with Lotus 1-2-3, he would always check it again with the abacus.

Well, it can’t hurt to check several times.

I took the budget proposal from Myeongseong Planning and Manager Song to the Myeongseong Group Chairman’s office to secure additional funds.

“Yeah, come on in. You came all the way to the office. It must be quite urgent.”

I laughed awkwardly because it seemed like my father had already figured out what I was thinking before I could even say anything.

“That’s true, but it’s still a really cool thing.”

“Okay, let’s hear it.”

I gave my father a brief briefing about the ‘Return of the Stars at Dongdaemun Stadium’ event match.

My father, who had heard my story, couldn’t hold back his laughter and continued to chuckle.

“Why are you like that, Father?”

“No, I suddenly remembered when you said you were going to start a company. I said I would make a position at Myungsung Electronics, so how about you make games there? Namjoon, you said that, right? You didn’t want to fight with the president of Myungsung Electronics over the budget. I think we’d be fighting and blushing all the time if we joined. I think I know exactly what he meant.”

Why is it that I’m in such an awkward position today? I scratched my head for no reason.

“Yes, it’s a really great event, just like you said. It’s a great promotion and a meaningful gift to baseball fans. It’s a bold plan. If you were at Myungsung Electronics, the president and executives would be really embarrassed. They’re spending a lot more money than a typical TV commercial to promote a game. And since it’s my son, I can’t say no out loud.”

“That’s why I told you. It would be much better for both of us if I left and started my own company.”

“Yes, you are right. You were much wiser than me. You did well to persist until the end. So, what can I do for you? Can I sponsor you in the name of the Myungsung Group?”

“Sponsorship is sponsorship, but I’m not asking you to support me with your bare hands. There must be many people among our Myeongseong Group employees who like baseball, right?”

“Of course. Even if you just look at the CEO and executives, there are a lot of people who like baseball.”

“Then I think there will be many people among the executives and employees of Myeongseong Group who would like to see this event where the stars return.”

“I guess so.”

“So, please buy game tickets in advance from Myeongseong Group. A lot. And expensive.”

“Would you like to support us by purchasing tickets?”

“Yes, we will divide the stadium area and make some of them into Myeongseong Group areas. Myeongseong Group will purchase tickets for the Myeongseong Group area in bulk in advance and distribute them to each group company. Then, the group companies will be able to distribute the tickets by accepting applicants or holding a lottery. It will be a welfare measure for the hard-working employees.”

“You really did a good job of making a good cause. It’s a sponsorship, but it’s also a benefit for the employees, right?”

“Yes, it doesn’t make sense for a company that Myungsung Electronics invested in to hold such a big event and say that Myungsung Group employees won’t get any benefits. Instead of waiting to buy tickets, they should enjoy the event and watch the game.”

“Hehehehe! Namjoon, you really have the skill to ask for money in a good mood. You have a good cause. Yeah, that’s important. I don’t want to hear people say you’re just giving money to your son’s company for no reason.”

“Of course I would come here empty-handed and ask for money without anything. And we will hold various raffle events using ticket numbers at the stadium, and we will prepare everything including Myungsung Electronics and Myungsung Group products. Of course, you will buy them at full price.”

“You take donations under the pretext of giving away tickets, and you’re just making a fuss with a few prizes? Now that I look at it, Namjoon, you’re not a game developer, you’re a total businessman. You give 100 won and get 10,000 won worth of effects.”

“Of course not. I never let the other party suffer. My usual belief is to always make a deal where both parties win.”

“That’s a very good attitude. Yes, I should also earn some points from the staff thanks to my son. So if I buy a ticket, you’ll give me a seat too?”

“I will show you the VIP seat, Mr. Chairman.”

My father laughed cheerfully as I spoke in an exaggerated tone.

First, we got the support of the Myungsung Group through the pre-sale of tickets. With this, we were able to cover a significant portion of the operating and promotional costs.

I think I should go to Jewoo Electronics and sell some tickets in advance like this.

“Well, if we’re going to hold such a big event, wouldn’t it be better to broadcast it on TV?”

“I guess that’s true. Since it’s just an event match, I don’t think it’ll be easy to talk to the broadcasting station about the broadcast. Instead, I plan to call as many reporters as possible.”

“No. No. It takes a lot of effort to gather the players and spectators. It would be a waste to end it like that…”

My father thought about something for a moment and then made a phone call.

“Yeah, Director Ahn. Who’s the current KBO commissioner? Yeah, that’s him, right? Let’s make time to meet up after a long time. Tomorrow would be fine. As soon as possible. Yeah, Namjoon will go with me too. Okay.”

My father spoke to me after a brief phone call with Director Ahn.

“I will arrange a meeting with the KBO Commissioner soon, so keep that in mind and prepare accordingly.”

“Why is the KBO Commissioner suddenly···?”

I was a little taken aback by the fact that I could meet the KBO Commissioner so easily, and I was also curious as to why they wanted to meet the KBO Commissioner while talking about TV broadcasts.

“Namjoon, you don’t know. The current KBO commissioner is originally a journalist. He’s been an economics reporter for quite some time, so I’ve met him many times and am familiar with him.”

“ah···.”

“This guy is interesting. He has quite a few solid careers, one of which was as the president of MBS. I think it’s a good idea, so let’s give it a try. I don’t know how much influence this guy has over MBS, but it’s still worth it, right?”

I just came to see my father to sell tickets and raise money for a charity event.

Suddenly, I met the KBO Commissioner.