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In the light of the recent events of SNK, here is a point of view from a Japanese analyst, Sho Sato. (A thread) https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/shigiharamorihiro/20201214-00211884/
I am trying my best to retranslate what was translated. I'll summarize the translated paragraphs due to twitter character limits. Please understand...
The Prince is a big fan of Japanese contents such as anime and manga. The foundation had partnered with various anime studios and manga publishers. They have previously collaborated with Toei Animation.
According to Mr. Sato, game consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch are sold at retail stores and online stores in Saudi Arabia, and e-sports are also actively held there with various genres such as FPS, fighting games, and sports games (football in particular).
The size of Saudi Arabia's video game market in 2019 is around $83.7 Billion (or 87 Billion Yen).
Recently, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia has announced that the charity e-sports event "Gamers without Borders".
Recently, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia has announced that the charity e-sports event "Gamers without Borders".
In 2016, they established the "Entertainment Agency". They organized an event called "Comic-Con" which is equivalent to Japan's "Comic Market". According to Mr. Sato, "A women-only game event called" GCON "was held for about four years until 2015."
"In other words, the acquisition of SNK's shares this time was not just a royal idea and spoiled excess oil money, but there is already a large market in Saudi Arabia, and both men and women are fully interested in the game..."
(cont'd due to character limit)
(cont'd due to character limit)
"...It is an action with an understanding and with a view to further revitalizing the market."
Mr. Sato added,
"It's no wonder that Saudi Arabian foundations such as MiSK invest in game makers. As stated on the Foundation's website, by bringing the culture and content industry, such as games, to their own countries..."
(cont's due to character limit)
"It's no wonder that Saudi Arabian foundations such as MiSK invest in game makers. As stated on the Foundation's website, by bringing the culture and content industry, such as games, to their own countries..."
(cont's due to character limit)
"...we are trying to create a place where young people can play an active role. We all have to work together to get them out of their extreme dependence on oil."
Aside from the KOF XIV character contest that gave us Najd as mentioned in the article.
MiSK and SNK have been doing a joint business for a while, saying that they should put Saudi Arabian characters in the game. Instead, they will cooperate in production. eSports competitions for KOF have been held, and players have been popular for a long time.
Here comes the interesting part:
"So, with this acquisition of shares, will SNK start full-scale entry into the Middle East market and a new game led by the MiSK Foundation will be born?"
But Mr. Sato said. "It's still premature."
"So, with this acquisition of shares, will SNK start full-scale entry into the Middle East market and a new game led by the MiSK Foundation will be born?"
But Mr. Sato said. "It's still premature."
He added that Saudi Arabia has an unusual habits of postponing or cancelling things.
Also, this habit is a common occurrence in Saudi Arabia. Although they have improved some time, but they're still not used to preparing and running events.
Also, this habit is a common occurrence in Saudi Arabia. Although they have improved some time, but they're still not used to preparing and running events.
(Note: someone called this "A vanity move" from the KOF 2002 UM Discord server)
Well, he cited the following examples as seen in the following tweets:
Well, he cited the following examples as seen in the following tweets:
In August 2018, eSports Unions of Japan and Saudi Arabia signed a "Japan-Saudi Arabia eSports Match" with a total prize of 30M Yen and it will be held in January 2019. However, it was (indefinitely) postponed since November 2018.
Then, he also cited the League of Legends European Championship controversy involving Riot and Saudi Arabia, but it is self-explanatory.
Now, we move on to this part...
Pointing out MiSK's press statement, it says that it has "Announced to Invest", but it does not say that it has "Completed Invest".
Mr. Sato added that a lot of things might happen ahead, particularly with Saudi Arabia's "unique habit".
Pointing out MiSK's press statement, it says that it has "Announced to Invest", but it does not say that it has "Completed Invest".
Mr. Sato added that a lot of things might happen ahead, particularly with Saudi Arabia's "unique habit".
The writer, Mr. Shigihara and Mr. Sato checked it on the electronic public notice system published by the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea, they found that they "concluded a share transfer agreement with the largest shareholder change". (Translated from Kr to Jp)
It was written that (Translated from Japanese to Korean, sic):
"The above payment date and maximum shareholder change date shall be January 12, 2021 or the parties to the sales transaction..."
(cont'd due to character limits)
"The above payment date and maximum shareholder change date shall be January 12, 2021 or the parties to the sales transaction..."
(cont'd due to character limits)
"...assuming that all the preconditions for closing the transaction, including the approval of the off-site transaction by the Financial Supervisory Service, are met. Subject to change depending on progress as a date for making a separate agreement."
"In other words, whether or not the MiSK Foundation can acquire a majority stake in SNK is one of the conditions for approval from the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea."
(cont'd due to character limits)
(cont'd due to character limits)
"Considering the cases related to Saudi Arabia so far, it is not clear at this point whether things will proceed as originally announced."
Source: http://dart.fss.or.kr/dsaf001/main.do?rcpNo=20201126900398
Source: http://dart.fss.or.kr/dsaf001/main.do?rcpNo=20201126900398
As reference, Mr. Shigihara also provided (and translated into Japanese) an article from E-Daily. https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsid=02548566625994584
Here were the points (1/2):
- "On the 30th of last month, each submitted a large-scale holding status report on shares, etc., based on the contract conclusion date..."
(cont'd due to character limits)
- "On the 30th of last month, each submitted a large-scale holding status report on shares, etc., based on the contract conclusion date..."
(cont'd due to character limits)
"...However, this is just a matter of change schedule based on the contract conclusion date, and it is possible only if the price is paid on January 12."
(2/2)
"An official of the Financial Supervisory Service said on December 1 that the foreign investment registration certificate should be submitted with simple documents such as a company establishment certificate and investment registration application..." (cont'd)
"An official of the Financial Supervisory Service said on December 1 that the foreign investment registration certificate should be submitted with simple documents such as a company establishment certificate and investment registration application..." (cont'd)
"...and said, "Application for foreign investment registration of Saudi Arabian nationality." Has not been recently entered or approved."
At the end of the article, they mentioned that there is a high possibility that Saudi Arabia will continue to invest to Japanese game developers in the future.
Whether or not MiSK acquires a majority stake at SNK, it was given that there is certainly a large gaming market in Saudi Arabia.
They also mentioned the creation of Shaheen from Tekken 7, whose design is supervised by an Arabian student.
They also mentioned the creation of Shaheen from Tekken 7, whose design is supervised by an Arabian student.
and added...
"...Although the powerful players of this game, who are active in international eSports competitions, have already been born, it was hard to imagine that the popularity of the game has expanded to this extent in Saudi Arabia."
"...Although the powerful players of this game, who are active in international eSports competitions, have already been born, it was hard to imagine that the popularity of the game has expanded to this extent in Saudi Arabia."
Saudi Arabia are gradually fostering industries that also function as places where young people can play an active role, revitalizing the market, and opening up culture.
As a means of achieving that goal, they are expanding into the games industry and dispatching personnel through internships. Women are also enthusiastic about studying, and there are a large number of excellent people.
According to Mr. Sato, we don't know what these foundations do, but it's possible that Saudi Arabia will try to invest in other Japanese game developers.
(Their investment in SNK could be a "starting point" of something.)
(Their investment in SNK could be a "starting point" of something.)
Final words:
Currently in Japan, some companies like Nintendo are doing well in the pandemic due to "nesting". However, most manufacturers are in a difficult situation. (1/2)
Currently in Japan, some companies like Nintendo are doing well in the pandemic due to "nesting". However, most manufacturers are in a difficult situation. (1/2)
Japanese developers will break through difficult management in the future, so more places may accept capital participation through investments by the likes of MiSK foundation. (2/2)
Tl;dr
- Saudi Arabia has a big game market
- There is a possibility they might miss this due to their "unusual habits"
- Their majority stake acquisition has a long way to go
- They might invest on other Japanese game developers in the future
Yeah, we'll have to wait and see.
- Saudi Arabia has a big game market
- There is a possibility they might miss this due to their "unusual habits"
- Their majority stake acquisition has a long way to go
- They might invest on other Japanese game developers in the future
Yeah, we'll have to wait and see.
This is also the link I missed to post in the first tweet, my sincere apologies. https://twitter.com/m_shigihara/status/1338414173806424066
