[See Moon], the literal translation can be called "see the moon", and a more elegant translation can be "watch the moon" or "appreciate the moon".
But if you put the first letters of the two words together, it will have a hint of vulgarity.
In fact, when Nanaya first came up with this name, he didn't realize this.
He used the name [See Moon] to imply that fans can watch Type-Moon's works on this website.
Therefore, when he gave this name to Shion, she directly complained about it.
"You have really strong tastes. Do you need me to prepare whips and candles for those girls?"
"…How about changing your name?"
"No need." Shion shook her head. "This name might arouse the interest of some people. It's not an insulting word anyway."
So the name [See Moon] was decided.
This video website is an important platform for Nanaya and Shion to expand Washimine's global entertainment territory.
If you look at it from the perspective of a few years later, this website is quite simple.
In addition to the two main functions of video websites, uploading videos and watching videos, [See Moon] only allows three functions: video comments and personal sharing and following other people's information.
There is no such thing as coins to like, or even video comments.
However, for netizens at this stage, this function is enough.
In 2004, netizens had a very clear purpose in using the Internet. Less frills and direct, simple and crude functions were good for everyone.
You should know that even YouTube was only established in 2005.
In 2004, the field of large-scale video websites was completely blank.
Nanaya believed that as long as he made advance arrangements based on his knowledge of video websites from his previous life, coupled with Washimine's resources, he believed that this video website would be able to reach the heights of YouTube and Netflix in the future.
However, as it stands now, the development of personal video production will not be too fast, and it can only be used temporarily as an auxiliary function to expand business and increase user stickiness.
After all, even watching videos online is a very new thing these days, let alone making videos.
Currently, Nanaya and Shion's core business for [See Moon] is still focused on the online cinema function.
This is also the most important part for Washimine to expand his influence in the pan-entertainment industry at this stage.
How much help having a website with high traffic can bring to a company, not to mention 10 years later, even in 2004, all major companies were well aware of this truth.
However, few companies can clearly feel the relationship between entertainment companies and video websites.
Currently, most European and American film and television companies are still at the stage of online DVD rental like Netflix regarding the Internet copyright of their works.
There was no concept at all of the coming era of video networking.
Therefore, Washimine bought the online video copyright of movies for the next 5-10 years from most Hollywood production companies at a relatively reasonable price.
Even for the most expensive company, Disney, Washimine only spent $5 million plus a 5% profit share on on-demand streaming to obtain the 8-year online video rights to Disney's animation and live-action film library.
Perhaps in the eyes of those traditional Hollywood giants, this part of the income can be regarded as an additional income.
This is not the first time they have done this. Both Blockbuster and Netflix have done similar things.
Of course, the latest blockbuster movies will definitely be released later in terms of timeliness.
According to the agreement, Washimine must wait 1-2 months after the movie is circulated offline on DVD before putting the movie online.
This is also a helpless situation.
After all, generally speaking, after a movie is taken off the theaters, not counting the peripheral profits, the bulk of the movie's own profits come from DVDs and videotapes.
In order to ensure the profits of these two areas, it is necessary to postpone the launch of the online version.
As for breach of contract, Washimine had never thought about it at all. Whether in Europe, the United States or Japan, the copyright system is already very complete.
Washimine is not one of those sneaky little workshops. Shion and Nanaya's goal has always been to become a future entertainment media giant, so it is absolutely necessary to operate according to the agreement.
Anyway, when [See Moon] develops and becomes a leading video website, Hollywood giants will come to them for help.
In fact, it's not that those Hollywood companies have not seen the possibility of developing video websites, but these companies are too large.
Various office intrigues made it impossible for them to come up with so much cash to build a website.
On the contrary, it is easier to get the money directly through authorization.
Another thing is that few people could have predicted that online video technology would develop so quickly.
In most people's inherent impression, watching videos online is basically like watching PPT, which lacks fluency and clarity.
This is also the reason why Nanaya did not let Washimine open a video website in the past two years. The hardware conditions were not up to standard and the Internet speed was too slow to watch videos at all.
However, with the development of technology, watching videos with [smooth] clarity is no longer a problem if the Internet speed is normal.
There are two important hardware factors that restrict the development of online video, one of which is Internet speed.
The other is the hardware condition of the port, that is, the hardware condition of the computer (and mobile phone in the future).
Therefore, even though the technical team members of Washimine have already developed the barrage function module, they still gave up on implementing this function.
Because according to the configuration of most personal computers on the market, they need to play videos, cache videos, and release bullet comments in real time at the same time...
It is estimated that more than half of the computers will directly blue screen, and the other half of the computers will probably turn into PPT.
Therefore, more video additional content can only wait until the technology is further developed.
"Looks OK."
Nanaya nodded as he watched Titanic playing on the computer screen.
Today, on the first day that [See Moon] was launched, Nanaya deliberately paused the post-production of Fate and stayed in the office to browse and test this new video website.
The clarity and smoothness of the video currently playing on the page are within an acceptable range.
Although it is not as good as DVD, it is much better than videotape.
Nanaya believes that such videos, combined with the convenience of the Internet, can already open up Washimine's position in the European and American entertainment markets.
This is also what Washimine needs most at the moment.
"ZUN, what do you think?"
Nanaya asked Shunya Ota who was helping her experience the website.
"It's very interesting. I've seen several people sharing Scarlet Devil Village." ZUN drank beer and answered vaguely, "It seems that the difficulty I designed is too simple. I have to make the next one more difficult."
After hearing this answer, Nanaya mourned for Shunya fan for a second in his heart.
"Have you registered as a member?"
"I registered and paid."
ZUN swallowed a mouthful of beer and complained to Nanaya: "Why do internal employees like us have to pay membership fees? Can't we have an internal employee benefit?"
Nanaya rejected ZUN's proposal directly: "Don't even think about it. Even I paid for it with my own money. And the membership fee is only 1198 yen a month. You can get it if you drink a few less cans of beer."
"How stingy."
ZUN complained and continued watching the video.
[See Moon]'s profit model mainly relies on advertising and VIP membership, and the construction of these two contents was proposed by Nanaya.
In terms of advertising, Nanaya uses a fixed block advertising presentation method instead of video patches.
After all, the latter's way of placing advertisements really affects the audience's mood for watching videos, and it is easy to discourage users in the early days of video websites.
Nanaya referred to the charging model of a certain future video website and divided the website users into three types: visitors, ordinary users and VIP members.
The VIP membership fee is $10.99 per month in North America and 1,198 yen in Japan.
There are only these two prices because Washimine has only launched the North American and Japanese versions of the website.
In terms of viewing rights, there is not much difference between visitors and ordinary users. Both can watch videos in other sections, as well as free movies and TV series.
The main difference between the two is that only registered users can comment on and share videos.
VIP members have the additional privilege of watching member-only movies and TV series, and can purchase paid movies at a very low price.
In addition to Hollywood, Washimine has also cooperated with various film and television companies in other countries and regions, which has enabled [See Moon] to acquire thousands of movies and nearly 10,000 episodes of TV series and anime series.
These works are divided into three major categories by Nanaya, namely free viewing, membership viewing and on-demand viewing.
As for the basis for classification, except for very few works, Nanaya divides them according to the time of the work and the box office or ratings performance.
Older films and films with poor commercial performance are placed in the free movie category, while the latest blockbusters are placed in the on-demand paid category, and the rest of the films are counted in the member viewing category.
The price of on-demand movies was set by Nanaya at $3.99 and 459 yen per movie, which can be watched as many times as you want within 15 days.
If you are a member, you can enjoy preferential prices of US$1.99 and 259 yen.
Moreover, the three categories of movies are not static. When new movies become old movies, on-demand movies will naturally become members-only movies, and member movies will become free movies.
"Boss Shion."
Nanaya called his female boss and asked, "What's the current situation?"
"The traffic is better than expected, and many video fans are satisfied with our content."
Shion's tone on the other end of the phone was very cheerful, and it seemed that she was in a very good mood.
"However, the conversion rate of paying to become a VIP user is average. I hope it will get better in the future."
"Yes, when we have more and more original content, those users who are attracted by these movies will naturally choose to become our VIP users."
Nanaya said very confidently.
"I hope so."
Shion didn't care too much about this. She was more concerned about the increased influence of the video website on Washimine.
"By the way, did you see the recommendation on the homepage? Doesn't it look good?"
"I see, but don't you think this is a bit excessive?"
Nanaya broke out in a cold sweat as he looked at the homepage of the website.
The home page video recommends a huge banner with the big Fate title in the middle.
This is nothing, but the recommended pictures are the photos from Lily's previous photo album that are played in a loop.
"Lily will definitely go berserk..."
Nanaya pinched his brows and said.