Chapter 353 – Piracy beating originals
“You can just call him Hu Laosan! (Laosan means number 3, Hu Ge has two elder siblings. This is a common way of addressing people in China.)” Master Lu glanced at Hu Ge.
“Yes, yes, yes. Brother Feng, just call me Hu Laosan.”
Feng Yu looked at Hu Ge. He was speechless. This Hu Ge was in his early 20s and was slightly older than him. He could still lower himself and address Feng Yu as Brother Feng.
Zhao Liang brought 3 cups of tea over and cleared up the mess on the floor. He then quietly moves to a corner.
“Hu Laosan, since you are already in this industry, then carry on in this industry. You are now selling pirated game cartridges?”
Hu Ge awkwardly smiled: “Those originals are too expensive.”
“Then carry on selling pirated game cartridges.”
When imitation products reach a big scale, the effects can be very damaging. When Microsoft entered China, there were many pirated versions of their software.
But at that time, Microsoft did not take any action against those pirates. It was because they had just entered the Chinese market and Microsoft operating system was not the only operating system in the market. There were operating systems from Europe and China was also developing their own operating system.
However, Microsoft’s operating system was the most user-friendly. The only thing limiting Microsoft was that their operating system was the price!
When a pirated version of Microsoft operating system entered the market, most of the computers in China started to use Microsoft’s system. Within 3 years, almost all of China companies who were developing operating systems closed down.
It was because no one wants to use their operating system. These companies were also selling their operating systems, but those pirated Microsoft’s operating system was easier to use and was free!
Even the companies from other countries that were developing operating systems were beaten by pirated Microsoft operating system. This allows Microsoft to take over the operating system market in China.
This was what Bill Gates had described. Let China killed their own operating systems companies. This was more effective than spending money to promote the Microsoft operating system. When the consumers had no other choices, they will start to collect money!
At that time, Microsoft started their fight against piracy. They began suing governments, organizations, companies, etc.!
Those organizations had to compensate Microsoft, and there were even some companies that were almost bankrupted. The most famous software company in China that was nearly bankrupted was Kingsoft. China also apologized on behalf of this company.
Microsoft had made use of piracy to monopolize the market. If they had started to fight against piracy at the start, then it might take Microsoft some years before they can capture the Chinese market. They might even fail.
So, why can’t they sell pirated games to steal the market share from Sega and Nintendo? As for the video game machine, there was the Little Tyrant. Some other factories had also started to copy Little Tyrant. Their prices were only one-tenth of Sega and Nintendo!
This way, Sega and Nintendo will not get the chance to capture the Chinese market, and China can start to develop this industry.
Hu Ge looked at Feng Yu disappointedly. Why did Feng Yu give him this suggestion? He does not want to carry on selling pirate video game cartridges. He knew this was not right and was ashamed of doing this.
“Brother Feng, do you have other suggestions?”
“I am asking you to sell pirated video games for the time being and to capture the market. I can also introduce you to the Little Tyrant, and both of you can cooperate. You can sell your game cartridges at their sales point. This way, your profits will increase, Sega and Nintendo’s game cartridges sales will drop. Of course, I am not asking you to sell pirated game cartridges for the rest of your life. Since you can get your people to make pirated games cartridges, you should have people that are good with programming. Why not ask them to develop some games?”
“Develop our own games?”
Hu Ge had also thought of developing his own games. But he does not know what sort of games to build. Whatever they thought of, it was available in the market. Furthermore, it was harder to develop their own games than decoding those games in the market. He does not have enough manpower, and the investment required was not a small sum.
“Why? You don’t believe what I said?”
“I believe. I believe whatever you said. But it is not easy to develop our own games.” Hu Ge replied.
“How many software engineers do you have? Where is your company located? I will go and take a look. At the same time, give you some guidance. I guarantee you will make money. If you can develop a popular game, then you will surely get an award!”
Hmmm… I am saying you will get an award in the future. As for when we will discuss some other days.
“Really?” Hu Ge was overjoyed.
Master Lu said: “Are you doubting Brother Feng? You think Brother Feng would lie to you? How can you compare your small company with him? Do you know how much his company is worth? More than 1 billion!”
Hiss~~~~
More than 1 billion?
Hu Ge had positioned Feng Yu in a very high position in his heart. But he never expects that Feng Yu had more than 1 billion RMB worth of assets. Among their 2nd generation circle, one can be considered wealthy if he has a few million.
He had not even heard of anyone that have more than 100 million RMB! 1 billion could last him several generations!
“Brother Feng made over 1 billion just by selling Walkman?” Hu Ge swallowed his saliva. He was thinking of switching to Walkman since it was so profitable.
Master Lu looked at Hu Ge with despised: “Walkman? That is just one of Brother Feng’s businesses. You see that humidifier on the desk there? It’s manufactured by him. You see that bladeless fan? It is also his. You saw all those Songjiang Motorcycles on the roads? It is also his. Next year, you will see his cars on the roads!”
Hu Ge was at a loss for words. All of Feng Yu’s products were the best-selling products on the market. This Feng Yu was really talented. No wonder Master Lu showed him so much respect.
Feng Yu was enjoying the envious look of Hu Ge. He really likes this feeling of being praised!
“Brother Feng, I will be looking forward to your visit to my company. Why not we go over to my company today?” Hu Ge asked excitedly. He no longer doubts Feng Yu. Compared to Feng Yu, those businessmen he met in the southern provinces were nothing.
There were rumors that Master Lu had invested in a company. He heard that even when Master Lu does nothing every day, he will still get a few million RMB every year. Could it be this company is Feng Yu’s company?
Hu Ge also wanted to be like Master Lu.
“Fine. Let’s go today since I got nothing on. Master Lu, are you free? Want to go together?” Feng Yu still did not trust this Hu Ge completely. It was safer with Master Lu around.
Master Lu nodded: “Ok. I shall take a look too. Later tonight, I will ask Hu Laosan to prepare a banquet for you to apologize. This kid must be taught a lesson!”
Hu Ge nodded his head and smiled: “Of course, of course. I will make arrangements for a banquet tonight for the both of you. Shall we go now?”
“Let’s go.”