Chapter 85. Game Theory (2)

I nodded.

"If the user stops using the program and the party takes responsibility and leaves, the company can avoid the criticism pouring in."

Of course, that's assuming Rolph Butch leaves willingly.

"Next, we'll negotiate with Continuu Capital and Mimir about the use of the program, either by buying the program or paying royalties. If that fails, we'll consider selling the company."

"Is there a company that would buy CoolCloud?"

"I understand that Gubl has been in contact for a long time."

AMZ's ZWS, NS's Ager, and Gubl's BigStorage are commonly known as the Cloud Big 3.

However, it can be more accurately described as two strong and one weak.

In terms of market share, ZWS has 32%, Ager has 20%, while BigStorage has only 8%.

Therefore, Gubl has been planning to expand its cloud business for a long time. The easiest and safest way for a latecomer to catch up with the frontrunners is through mergers and acquisitions.

From Gubl's perspective, considering the customers CoolCloud has secured and the synergy after acquisition, it would be worth taking some risks to acquire it.

"Although not being able to use Minerva is fatal, Gubl also has its own program, so it shouldn't be a big problem."

"It's a kind of bolt-on technique."

By acquiring a company with overlapping business areas within the same industry, one can grow in size and reduce costs.

However...

"Isn't that only possible if no one tries to sabotage the acquisition process?"

David chuckled.

"You're planning to sabotage it."

"Gubl's motto is 'Don't be evil.'"

It was created to mean that one can make money without doing bad things, but once it became a giant corporation, it committed ruthless acts for money and later subtly changed it to 'Do the right thing.'

Of course, it didn't do the right thing after that. It just did what was profitable.

"Wouldn't there be a significant burden to acquire a company rumored to have been founded by stealing a dead friend's program?"

"Maybe, but if the price is low enough, they could become evil."

You already know Gubl well.

"Then we should file a lawsuit to prevent the sale until the compensation issue is resolved."

David shook his head.

"If it goes to court, the situation will become more complicated."

"How long will it take for a judgment?"

"At least 3 years, and it could drag on for up to 10 years."

"By then, the company will be beyond recovery."

"Exactly."

If that happens, it will be the end for both.

One of the biggest characteristics of the digital industry is the monopoly.

When a large restaurant opens, it doesn't necessarily cause the small restaurants around it to go out of business because there is a limit to the number of people they can accommodate.

Once the seats are full, people will have to use the surrounding restaurants.

However, internet companies are different.

If there is high demand, they can simply expand their servers. Whether it's a restaurant or a shopping mall, they can expand infinitely to meet demand.

While CoolCloud is tied up in litigation, other companies will steal its customers and dominate the market.

Therefore, it should be acquired as quickly and intact as possible. For that, some costs will have to be borne.

"The biggest problem is that CoolCloud is a private company. Since the two founders hold the majority of the shares, if they refuse to sell, a hostile M&A is impossible from the start."

Price is only established with both a seller and a buyer. Without a seller, the price will skyrocket indefinitely.

However, there is a way.

"It's fortunate that there are two founders."

David chuckled, catching my meaning.

"Is this game theory?"

The most famous example of game theory is the prisoner's dilemma.

Just because all members make rational choices doesn't mean a rational outcome will result.

To get what you want, you have to exploit the gaps.

* * *

A high-rise penthouse overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

The duplex penthouse even had a swimming pool on the terrace.

This place, where the monthly rent alone was equivalent to the annual salary of an average worker, was Rolph Butch's home. Just a few days ago, he held a party here, inviting celebrities and models.

Many people wanted to be friends with him, and many women wanted to date him.

But now he was alone.

He knew countless people, but there was no one he could honestly consult with about his current situation.

Alone in the dark house, all sorts of thoughts flooded his mind.

'Why did Jason leave those documents? Did his wife really not know? Why now? Why is he doing this to me? What did I do wrong!'

Regret and a sense of injustice overshadowed remorse or guilt.

Jason, who left the documents; his wife, who transferred the rights; Han Miru and David Rockheart, who bought them; and Alex, who didn't stand up for him.

They were all targets of his resentment.

Rolph recalled Alex's gaze, which was filled with contempt.

Alex told him to rest while he found a solution and then disappeared. Time continued to pass.

The deadline they set was four days.

Who knows what will happen after four days.

Can Alex find a way in that time?

Born into an ordinary family, he achieved the life he wanted through his own efforts.

Everyone admired him, and everyone envied him.

He was a Silicon Valley innovator and the best star.

Young and handsome, with a brilliant mind and excellent development skills. He was also wealthy and articulate. The media focused on him, and even trivial posts on social media became news.

Interview and appearance requests flooded in from all sides.

Many developers and programmers looked up to him as a role model and expressed their desire to be like him.

Successful developers were called 'the second Rolph Butch,' and they were proud of it.

He enjoyed popularity like a Hollywood actor or a rock star.

However...

He was about to fall from grace and become a fraudster overnight.

When the truth came out, he would face public criticism like Mercedes Watson of Therapis and Brad Button of Thomas Motors.

No, given his higher fame and popularity, the shock of his fall would be even greater.

Everyone might curse and point fingers at him.

'This must be prevented!'

But how?

If he had brought up this issue at their first meeting, there might have been a way to respond. David Rockheart was a fallen investor, and Continuu Capital was an unknown investment firm.

If they exposed him, few would listen, and perhaps he could suppress them with his capital and reputation.

During that time, he could negotiate or find another way.

The problem was that David Rockheart gained immense fame from the Thomas Motors scandal. If he exposed Rolph, all the media would cover it extensively.

"No... no..."

Losing his reputation and becoming a target of criticism was a terrifying prospect, almost as bad as death.

'What should I do?'

At that moment, a thought popped into his head.

What the other party wants is CoolCloud.

If he gives it to them, will that solve the problem?

Rolph frantically searched through the drawers and found a crumpled business card. He then called the number on the card with trembling hands.

* * *

After hanging up, I told David.

"Rolph wants to meet us."

"Just one day. I thought he could hold out for two."

"Considering the circumstances, he held on for quite a while."

"He seems to be very afraid of the truth coming out."

"People value different things."

What he values most is his reputation. If he had valued money more, he wouldn't have created this weakness.

Should I be grateful for this opportunity?

"Does David have something important too?"

He smiled.

"Of course."

"How important is it?"

"More important than my life."

His expression was completely sincere.

I already know what it is.

"What does the boss value the most?"

"Hmm..."

"If it's difficult to answer, you don't have to."

"No, it's just that I've never really thought about it."

In my previous life, after the company failed, I gave up everything and lived aimlessly. Time passed, and I entered middle age.

Thinking about it, valuing something is a sign of living earnestly or having something.

So...

"I need to start creating something important."

David nodded.

"One of those things could be CoolCloud."

"I hope so."

"How do you plan to negotiate?"

I occasionally dealt with customers in the first cycle, but this is my first time negotiating an acquisition. I'll need to get used to it since I'll likely do it often in the future.

"I have a plan, but I'm not sure if I can do it well. If I need help, I'll signal you, and you can step in."

"Depending on the situation, I might have to be a bit harsh."

"That's good. If there's a good cop, there's always a bad cop."

Rolph Butch came to the hotel where we were staying.

David and I greeted him. Seeing his appearance, I was inwardly shocked.

Rolph Butch, a programmer, had a tall stature and a handsome face that contributed to half of his popularity.

He actively appeared on broadcasts, enjoying his popularity.

However...

In just one day, he looked ten years older.

It was hard to believe it was the same person from yesterday. His once lustrous blonde hair was now dull and frizzy.

Seeing him, I realized that the Marie Antoinette syndrome really exists.

His characteristic confident expression and condescending attitude were gone.

It seemed he had suffered greatly in the past day, but I didn't feel much sympathy. After all, he brought it upon himself.

I calmly asked,

"Why did you want to see us?"

He opened his dry lips and spoke.

"I have one question."

"What is it?"

"How did you find out that Jason Kim developed Mimir? Only he and I knew that."

"Let's just say we got lucky."

It's not a lie.

The fact that I have regressed is itself a stroke of luck.

He held his head in his hands and muttered,

"If it weren't for you, no one would have ever known."