Holy crap—
Time to get serious!
Even with Gus Harper's experience, he couldn't help but shiver at James Carver's pitch!
This was a massive game dev event!
Continental level!
If WindyPeak joined, win or lose, they'd be stepping out of the U.S., reaching for the global stage!
But that wasn't all!
The real kicker?
James's final line:
The winning game's esports event would rock Beijing's National Arena!
That's huge!
As a seasoned pro, Gus caught the subtext others might miss.
PacificTech Council, as a co-organizer and host, was throwing down the gauntlet!
Winning at home was non-negotiable, right?
James didn't spell it out, but the vibe was clear—
Gus, you're the hottest game designer in the U.S., churning out bangers.
So, on behalf of PacificTech, we're inviting you to the Asian Esports Game Developers Conference to throw down an esports event on our turf.
Sure, WindyPeak wasn't big enough for this league!
But!
James, PacificTech's number two, was offering a golden ticket.
Help PacificTech, and take a shot at global fame.
Win or lose, PacificTech, a semi-official player, would keep WindyPeak in their good books.
And if they nailed it?
PacificTech might grease the wheels—policy favors, rare game licenses, fast-tracked growth.
Temptation? Massive!
Gus paused, then spoke slowly:
"Sounds like all upside, no downside. Hard to say no."
But really?
If it was that sweet, James wouldn't have flown from Beijing to pitch in person!
WindyPeak should be the one begging in Beijing!
Something's fishy.
A lightbulb flicked on in Gus's head:
"Chairman Carver, pardon my newb status on these big conferences. Can you break down the qualifications?"
"Like—"
"What's the investment for one game?"
Sharp move!
James gave a mental thumbs-up.
Gus, barely out of college, wasn't some rookie.
He moved like a gaming industry vet, sniffing out the catch.
Not bad.
WindyPeak's meteoric rise? This kid's the engine.
"Haha," James chuckled, nodding:
"Director Harper cuts to the chase. I'll be straight."
"PacificTech's here because, frankly, WindyPeak's size makes this conference a stretch."
James waved to his assistant:
"Zoe, walk Director Harper through the rules."
"Got it," Zoe Adams nodded, flashing a smile at Gus, opening her notebook:
"This conference is co-hosted by PacificTech Council, Tokyo Neon Game Club, Korea Esports Alliance, and Crescent Tech."
"It's about pumping fresh blood into global esports and delivering top-tier games for the booming motion-sensing pod market."
"Each region gets five slots."
"Games costing up to $50 million are small game groups."
"$50 million to $100 million are medium-sized groups."
"Over $100 million are large-scale groups."
"Of the five slots, small games take 60%, medium and large split the rest at 20% each."
"Post-deadline, games sell on a temporary platform set by the organizing committee."
"Pricing's within their range."
"They'll judge based on player count, positive reviews, playtime, and online data."
"Each group's winner gets the Best Esports Game Category Award."
"The overall champ snags the Asia's Best Esports Game Crown Award, Asia's Best Esports Game Designer Award, and a shot at an Asian United Esports Tournament funded by the committee."
Zoe paused, then dropped the bomb:
"But…"
"Small game groups don't qualify for the Crown Awards."
Gotcha!
Gus's heart skipped.
No free lunch!
That's why James was so polite!
WindyPeak, a scrappy outfit with tens of millions in revenue, could only swing a small game group with their current cash!
But small games couldn't chase the big prize or meet PacificTech's home-turf esports dream!
So, if WindyPeak took the bait, they'd need to cough up at least $50 million for a medium group!
Huge risk!
Forget winning—bad sales, poor reviews, or a flop could tank WindyPeak into bankruptcy!
Gus's palms sweated under the table.
This was gambling with their lives!
Eyeing James's kind smile, Gus muttered internally—
Old fox, you've got a long game plan, huh?
You want my design chops to own the Asian esports pod market.
But the committee ties your hands—no cash help, just prayers and incense.
If we win, you win. If we crash, I burn alone.
Rough.
Sure, Left 4 Dead 2's $10.85M bet was a black hole, but its quality was a lock!
A flop wouldn't kill them—just a setback.
But $50 million?
A year or two to recover, if they survived!
Worst case, WindyPeak folds, Gus and his crew scatter, and Zoey goes home to marry and inherit Papa Parker's empire.
Gus frowned, stroking his Mickey Mouse watch.
Tick, tick, tick…
The conference room fell silent.
You could hear the second hand.
Dang it.
Gus cursed himself.
You've got a system, man! No losses, so why the fear?
Why's the pot growing, but your guts shrinking?
Then—
Zoey Parker giggled beside him:
"Thanks, Chairman Carver, for the trust. WindyPeak won't let you down!"
Zoey was done waiting!
Her eyes had been drilling into Gus!
Big bro! Say yes! Where's your swagger? You're chill when the sky's falling!
Let's roll!
Our games are life-or-death bets daily!
Our cash flow spins faster than a rocket!
Why hesitate?
Zoey was about to explode.
Perfect chance to lose big!
$50 million, up against Asia's top designers—easy to flop!
Even if it didn't lose, a $50M game wouldn't profit fast!
Gus said yesterday: bigger investment, longer profit cycle!
Left 4 Dead 2's $10.85M didn't break even in a week.
A $50M game? At least a month to profit!
Guaranteed loss!
Zoey was itching for Gus to nod!
But Gus, like he was cursed, kept stalling!
If her system didn't block her, she'd whisper: "Chill, I've got a system. Bigger losses, bigger WindyPeak wins. We won't tank!"
Gus didn't budge.
Out of options, Zoey spoke up!
This project? I, Zoey Parker, am all in!
What?!
Her words stunned James and Gus!
James was thrilled.
Gus? Shocked and horrified.
Seriously…
Gus wanted to yeet her out the window.
You just say yes like that?!
No thinking?!
The conference starts this month! Groups lock in, budgets too!
No more making games while eating rebates!
The committee demands locked budgets upfront, with random audits during production.
Shady accounting? Instant DQ and blacklist!
So, the million-dollar question—
Gus stared at Zoey: "Smooth move! Where's the cash?"
Outsiders think Papa Parker's bankrolling us, so $50M's pocket change.
But you know we're broke!
Since day one, has Papa Parker given us a dime?
Zoey caught Gus's shock, waving under the table—chill, I got this.
She had a plan.
Left 4 Dead 2 was still selling like crazy, and other games were steady!
By month's end, Chloe Quinn and the finance team projected $38M in recovered funds.
Just $12M more for the $50M budget!
Her piggy bank had the fresh $10M rebate!
Scrape a bit more, and boom—$50M!
You don't catch wolves without bait!
Business needs bold moves!
Clinging to $18M won't buy a yacht!
Women gotta be tough!
$10M? Invest it!
Big bets, big bank!
Zoey was hyped!
Bigger games, bigger losses!
With Zoey's nod, James and his crew relaxed.
James stood, shaking Zoey's hand:
"Ms. Parker, you've got guts! A true titan!"
"Nah, nah," Zoey grinned, basking:
"We'll give it our all!"
In her head: Whether we lose ain't up to me.
…
"Safe travels, Chairman! We'll go hard, don't worry…"
Vroom—
As James's car peeled out, Gus's fake smile dropped. He glared at Zoey's smug grin:
"Fifty million! You said yes like it's nothing. Where's the money?"
"Project starts end of the month. Plenty of time."
Zoey waved him off:
"Chill, if we're short, I'll beg Papa Parker."
Gus shrugged: "Good luck with that."
"Why—"
Zoey pressed her finger to Gus's lips:
"Don't think it, feel it."
Gus froze for five seconds: "…Zoey Parker, keep this up, I'm out."
"No, no, hehe," Zoey grabbed his sleeve, smirking:
"Kidding, Boss Harper! This crew needs you…"
Gus cracked a smile.
Jokes aside, funds weren't the only issue.
The real problem?
What game guarantees a profit?