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Bleach: Soul Resonance, reasons for its precarious journey even before its releaseThis is an analysis of the various problems encountered during the launch of the mobile game 'Bleach: Soul Resonance,' which utilizes the Bleach IP. We will delve into the factors threatening the game's future, from the acquisition process to IP issues and internal conflicts.
1. 🎮 The Complexity and Financial Burden of the Game Acquisition Process
· In 2021, Min Chen Hill, a personal care products company, attempted to acquire the game company CAU. However, the deal fell through due to an absurd price of 219 billion won, 1400 times its actual value.
· A year later, CAU reorganized its workforce and business divisions and was acquired by Min Chen Hill for 72.7 billion won. In this process, existing shareholders entered into a contract stipulating that they must provide cash compensation if a cumulative net profit of 72.7 billion won is not achieved from 2023 to 2025.
· CAU secured the official license for Japan's famous IP, 'Bleach,' and began the project by attracting investment from major game developers like Tencent. Tencent provided substantial funding and technical expertise as a development partner, with the initial contract deposit alone reaching 60 billion won.
· A year later, CAU reorganized its workforce and business divisions and was acquired by Min Chen Hill for 72.7 billion won. In this process, existing shareholders entered into a contract stipulating that they must provide cash compensation if a cumulative net profit of 72.7 billion won is not achieved from 2023 to 2025.
· CAU secured the official license for Japan's famous IP, 'Bleach,' and began the project by attracting investment from major game developers like Tencent. Tencent provided substantial funding and technical expertise as a development partner, with the initial contract deposit alone reaching 60 billion won.
00:00 - 01:25
1. 🎮 The Complexity and Financial Burden of the Game Acquisition Process
· In 2021, Min Chen Hill, a personal care products company, attempted to acquire the game company CAU. However, the deal fell through due to an absurd price of 219 billion won, 1400 times its actual value.
· A year later, CAU reorganized its workforce and business divisions and was acquired by Min Chen Hill for 72.7 billion won. In this process, existing shareholders entered into a contract stipulating that they must provide cash compensation if a cumulative net profit of 72.7 billion won is not achieved from 2023 to 2025.
· CAU secured the official license for Japan's famous IP, 'Bleach,' and began the project by attracting investment from major game developers like Tencent. Tencent provided substantial funding and technical expertise as a development partner, with the initial contract deposit alone reaching 60 billion won.
· A year later, CAU reorganized its workforce and business divisions and was acquired by Min Chen Hill for 72.7 billion won. In this process, existing shareholders entered into a contract stipulating that they must provide cash compensation if a cumulative net profit of 72.7 billion won is not achieved from 2023 to 2025.
· CAU secured the official license for Japan's famous IP, 'Bleach,' and began the project by attracting investment from major game developers like Tencent. Tencent provided substantial funding and technical expertise as a development partner, with the initial contract deposit alone reaching 60 billion won.
01:26 - 03:06
2. 💥 Tencent's Withdrawal and the Project's Crisis
· At the end of 2023, significant changes occurred within Tencent's game division, leading to a reduction in new project investments and the suspension of core development personnel and technical support. This caused major disruptions to the 'Bleach: Soul Resonance' project due to the lack of key personnel, bringing it to the brink of collapse.
· 'TaoDian,' who was the head of game development at the time, witnessed many colleagues leaving the company, and with the contractual financial obligations still remaining, the project faced an even more difficult situation.
· 'TaoDian,' who was the head of game development at the time, witnessed many colleagues leaving the company, and with the contractual financial obligations still remaining, the project faced an even more difficult situation.
03:07 - 04:08
3. 🔄 Tencent's Return and Ambiguous Responsibility
· At the end of 2024, when the project was at its lowest point, Tencent reacquired the development team, art team, and IP license management team, resuming the project. However, Tencent only took the core assets of the project, leaving the CAU legal entity, which was responsible for financial obligations, intact.
· This is akin to a football club on the verge of bankruptcy where only the star players are taken, leaving the owner responsible for the financial debts behind. Tencent is focusing on game promotion as a publisher, but CAU must bear the financial responsibilities.
· This is akin to a football club on the verge of bankruptcy where only the star players are taken, leaving the owner responsible for the financial debts behind. Tencent is focusing on game promotion as a publisher, but CAU must bear the financial responsibilities.
04:09 - 05:55
4. 📈 Early Launch Success and Financial Dilemma
· On November 21, 2025, 'Bleach: Soul Resonance' was smoothly launched, recording millions of pre-registrations. However, the financial commitment period was very short, ending on December 31, 2025.
· Due to the time difference between the game's launch and revenue settlement, if revenue generated in November was settled in December or January of the following year, it would not be included in the 2025 financial target achievement. This led to a failure to meet the three-year financial commitment, resulting in an additional loss of 31.46 billion yuan, bringing the total loss to 104 billion yuan. Consequently, the existing shareholders found themselves in a situation where they had to compensate Min Chen Hill approximately 104 billion yuan.
· Due to the time difference between the game's launch and revenue settlement, if revenue generated in November was settled in December or January of the following year, it would not be included in the 2025 financial target achievement. This led to a failure to meet the three-year financial commitment, resulting in an additional loss of 31.46 billion yuan, bringing the total loss to 104 billion yuan. Consequently, the existing shareholders found themselves in a situation where they had to compensate Min Chen Hill approximately 104 billion yuan.
05:56 - 06:55
5. ⚖️ IP Issues and the Impact of Political Tensions
· The game's launch coincided with a period of heightened political tension between Japan and China. Bandai Namco in Japan announced the release of 'Comics 2' in 2026 and intentionally restricted the marketing of 'Bleach: Soul Resonance' to protect its domestic IP.
· This prevented proper promotion of the game, leading to a decline in its recognition. This situation worked unfavorably for Chinese developers, and the game was inevitably constrained due to pressure from the Japanese side.
· This prevented proper promotion of the game, leading to a decline in its recognition. This situation worked unfavorably for Chinese developers, and the game was inevitably constrained due to pressure from the Japanese side.
06:56 - 08:16
6. 💥 Factors Contributing to the Game's Failure and Internal Conflicts
· One of the biggest factors hindering the game's success is the interference from the IP holder. The IP holder can impose restrictions on the game's development and promotion, thereby undermining its potential. This has also been observed in cases like 'Shadow War.'
· Furthermore, within China, issues such as communication problems between the development team and influencers, information leaks, and internal conflicts have caused chaos in game development. In particular, the development team's cancellation of a promised livestream deepened the distrust among influencers. These complex issues are increasing the likelihood of 'Bleach: Soul Resonance' failing.
· Furthermore, within China, issues such as communication problems between the development team and influencers, information leaks, and internal conflicts have caused chaos in game development. In particular, the development team's cancellation of a promised livestream deepened the distrust among influencers. These complex issues are increasing the likelihood of 'Bleach: Soul Resonance' failing.
08:17 - 09:06
7. ❓ Q&A and Personal Reflections
· The video includes a Q&A session addressing viewers' questions about the game's release date, genre, and more.
· Additionally, the presenter reveals they are 19 years old and struggle with emotional decision-making when writing posts. They mention having similar experiences in the past, expressing both affection for the game and complex emotions.
· Additionally, the presenter reveals they are 19 years old and struggle with emotional decision-making when writing posts. They mention having similar experiences in the past, expressing both affection for the game and complex emotions.