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The outside world didn't report much on the specific success of Swallowing Heaven and Earth. When it came to actual revenue figures, the media couldn't even begin to inquire or get concrete information.
Evan had already launched an official social media account for Swallowing Heaven and Earth beforehand. Although it currently only had a single, lonely announcement about the test server opening, it had already become a showcase platform for various players showing off: those selling accounts, those seeking internal test codes, those buying accounts, those showing off their lucky draws, and those looking for connections, among many others.
This social media activity also indirectly made other friendly companies in the industry aware of the game's popularity and buzz.
On another front, there was a specific rumor circulating within the industry: Swallowing Heaven and Earth had reportedly achieved $660,000 in first-day revenue. The rumor was very detailed and specific, and the source was said to be a classmate of the Redbird Studios boss's sister-in-law. Evan was genuinely stunned when he heard it, and after a moment's thought, he figured it was probably Rachel who had strategically released the news, most likely to build additional momentum for Swallowing Heaven and Earth.
For many industry insiders, official news was often untrustworthy—just boilerplate press releases—while these unverified rumors actually seemed more credible and authentic.
With both factors combined, several game companies sent cooperation invitations to Redbird Studios. A full agency agreement was unlikely at this stage, but for a browser-based web game, setting up a channel server was no trouble at all and could even make money, so why not?
So these past two days, Logan from the operations department was experiencing both pain and happiness simultaneously. On one hand, he was experiencing the busiest two days since he'd started working at the company, even discussing potential collaborations with other companies while in the restroom.
On the other hand, he was also experiencing the most fulfilling two days of his career. The partnerships he'd secured in just two days were something the old Redbird wouldn't have dared to dream of achieving.
Meanwhile, Evan also received a phone call from Director Tate of Silver Ridge Games. After some brief pleasantries, it was the familiar direct approach:
"Evan, we're not strangers to each other, so I'll get straight to the point. How was your company's game on its first day yesterday?"
"Director Tate must have heard some news already. The rumors circulating outside aren't far off from reality."
"Completely true?"
"Half-true, half-false."
After a moment of contemplation, Director Tate said:
"Evan, we'd like to recall the technical personnel Silver Ridge Games sent to assist in our cooperation earlier than originally planned."
Evan thought to himself: 'Just as I expected.'
When Evan first borrowed people from Silver Ridge Games, he had fully anticipated a scenario exactly like this. However, at the time, there had been truly no other option available. Redbird had been in turmoil both internally and externally and couldn't afford to wait, so he'd chosen the relatively compromising method of borrowing talent. This would inevitably lead to one of two outcomes: either both parties would be happy, the borrowing period would end naturally, and the cooperation would be pleasant, or Silver Ridge Games would become envious, recall the R&D personnel early, and try to make their own similar game.
And now, Silver Ridge Games was indeed pursuing the latter option. But was Evan afraid? As someone with an entire world of games as his backing, Evan was not at all flustered!
"Oh, is that so? It's not impossible, but we initially agreed on a three-month term, and the previously discussed updates for Killing Planet haven't been broken. Your side, Silver Ridge Games..."
Director Tate was also straightforward. The decision to recall the R&D personnel early—an action almost equivalent to falling out with Redbird Studios—wasn't his personal decision to make. He was just a messenger. As compensation for the breach of contract, the higher-ups had given him a bottom line for negotiation, and Director Tate didn't waste time, directly relaying the bottom line to Evan:
"The agency rights for Killing Planet will be shortened by another year, and the corresponding revenue structure will change from a buyout to a buyout plus a percentage. You will receive an additional 20% of Killing Planet's revenue going forward."
Evan pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. The agency rights for Killing Planet might only cause a slight pang for Silver Ridge Games, but for Evan, they were incredibly important, as they were related to the starry sky within the Reaper Server!
After settling things with Evan, Director Tate agreed on a time for the early recall of personnel and hung up the phone.
Evan put down the phone and immediately pressed the intercom:
"Lana, please have Owen come to my office. Then, you and Grace Quinn from the finance department come see me after lunch."
Two minutes later, Owen arrived directly at Evan's office.
"Owen, how are those two people from Silver Ridge Games who came to assist us?"
"They're doing great! Everyone gets along well. They're both young, good people, and their technical skills are excellent. They're always willing to share what they know when people have questions. Overall, they're very satisfying to work with—it's just a shame they're not permanently ours."
"Silver Ridge is recalling them early."
Hearing Evan say this, Owen immediately became alert:
"Are they planning to copy us?"
Evan chuckled:
"How could that be? Silver Ridge is a big company—they wouldn't do something that blatant. At most, they'll just refer to our model and make something new based on it."
"But isn't that the same thing?! Evan, you can't agree to this! Didn't we sign a contract for three months? If they go back to Silver Ridge Games and make the same thing, how can we compete?"
Evan shook his head:
"I've already agreed. Don't worry, Silver Ridge Games making a similar game would be like a blind man feeling an elephant. They'll just be following in our footsteps. 'Those who learn from me live, those who imitate me die.' There's no way they can surpass us. The main reason I called you over is to have you talk to them. Tell them that if Silver Ridge Games asks about Swallowing Heaven and Earth, they shouldn't feel pressured. They should say whatever they need to say. They've only been out of college for a short while—they can't contend with an old company like that."
"So we're just going to take this silently?" Owen was still a bit unwilling.
"You go tell them to say what needs to be said, and then to process their resignation as soon as possible. We at Redbird Studios will always welcome them," Evan said, smiling at Owen, whose eyes were gradually brightening. "Silver Ridge imitates our game, we get two talents. We're not losing out. Besides, our Swallowing Heaven and Earth will be officially launched very soon. They've only just started—it's not that simple."
Owen nodded excitedly, indicating he understood. Evan then waved his hand, signaling him to quickly take care of what needed to be done.
After lunch, Grace Quinn and Lana arrived at Evan's office together.
"Boss, why did you call the two of us?" Lana was as energetic as ever.
Grace Quinn was also a veteran employee from when Frank had been the boss, specifically in charge of finance. She was reliable, in her thirties, and as far as Evan knew, had an honest husband, a harmonious family, and a daughter already in elementary school. Evan hadn't had much direct interaction with Grace these past two months, so they weren't too familiar yet.
Evan nodded to Grace and said:
"Grace, how much usable capital does our company currently have in its accounts?"
Grace seemed to have already known why Evan was looking for her. After a brief thought, she replied:
"The company's revenue until now has come from the 12 games previously launched. However, the revenue from these products has been steadily decreasing over time. Last month's revenue, after deducting employee salaries and repaying the bank loan, only left just over eighty thousand dollars. This month, if we temporarily don't consider the revenue from new games, after deducting daily expenses, we still have $410,000 in available funds."
Evan calculated in his mind and said:
"Grace, the main reason I called you here is to discuss that Redbird Studios has now overcome its difficulties. These past two months haven't been easy for anyone, so I think it's only right, both emotionally and logically, that we increase salaries and issue bonuses. I hope you can draw up a plan and implement this as soon as possible."
Grace nodded: "No problem."
Evan then looked at Lana: "Besides these, our company also needs to expand its recruitment. For the next two months, prepare for a job fair."
Plz THROW POWER STONES.