Zoey Parker was all-in.
Unlike Gus Harper's "let's see" vibe, she was hyped for this deal.
She wasn't from another world, so she had no beef with Komina, the global entertainment giant.
She only knew they were a big shot in gaming.
Their somatosensory cabin market share? Top-tier.
A world-class player.
A titan like Komina reaching out to a scrappy Seattle outfit like WindyPeak? You'd have to be nuts not to think it over.
Zoey saw dollar signs—big ones.
With APEX's system launch, a new mechanic dropped: derivative projects. If the main project profits, it's a win, unlocking sub-projects that inherit the main project's rebate multiplier, with potential to crank it higher.
This flipped her game plan.
No more chasing losses blindly. Now, she'd max out the main project's profits to juice the rebate multiplier, then tank sub-projects to cash in big.
And now!
Komina's pitch was the perfect main project.
They're Asia's top dog, a global entertainment beast.
Big rep, big muscle.
Plus, they dominate cabins.
Best part? Gus is the lead director.
If it was anyone else, Zoey might've hesitated.
But Gus?
All these stars aligning screamed success.
Zoey was pumped.
Sure, Gus had his doubts, but Zoey was sold.
No question—they'd at least hear Komina out.
So!
That afternoon!
Chloe Quinn set up a video call between WindyPeak and Komina.
Komina's side was led by Tetsuya Moriya, gaming division head, flanked by his secretary Sanae Inoue and game affairs director Higashinoda.
WindyPeak? Zoey took point, with Gus and Chloe by her side.
After some small talk, they got to it.
"We're honored you're open to this call—it shows your interest," Moriya said. "Let me, on behalf of Komina, lay out our vision for this collab—"
Komina pitched first, so they brought the plan.
It's standard for a giant like Komina to tap studios for collabs—happens all the time.
Like Nebula Games and Zenith Studios back in the day.
Basically, hiring guns.
But WindyPeak's deal wasn't like Zenith's.
Zenith made escort titles for Polar Bear 3, footing their own bill.
Nebula Games just tossed in marketing and some commission perks.
Komina's offer to WindyPeak was deeper.
Moriya explained: for the "Silent Hill Reboot," Komina wanted co-investment.
Komina supplies the IP, WindyPeak brings the core team.
Komina covers 70% of costs, WindyPeak 30%.
Profits split 70-30, Komina's favor.
IP rights? All Komina's.
Fair deal.
It's Komina's scrapped IP. WindyPeak's sending a lean team of under 20, while Komina handles most staff and cash.
Zoey and Gus exchanged glances. No objections.
They were about to dig into details when—
Moriya pivoted: "But…"
On the screen, he hesitated, then said, "Before we dive in, given our trust in Mr. Harper, we'd like to kick off with a pilot collaboration."
"Pilot collaboration?" Zoey frowned, unsure if her English caught it right. "Mr. Moriya, can you break that down?"
"Sure," Moriya nodded.
"Negotiations, details, legal approvals, signing—takes a month and a half, maybe two."
He wasn't wrong.
This was a cross-border deal, messy by nature.
Plus, WindyPeak's parent, Parker Capital, had rules: cross-border projects need their legal team's sign-off.
Hard rule.
Parker Capital's clout didn't come without strict oversight.
Zoey's dad, Walter Parker, and higher-ups demanded it.
Even a game collab takes a month or two from draft to done.
"But Tokyo Game Fest is two months out," Moriya said. "Time's tight."
"Horror's a tough sell right now. A trailer alone won't cut it to show we're serious about reviving horror."
"So, our execs want a playable demo at the Fest, alongside the trailer."
"Not long, but it needs to scream innovation and make Silent Hill a beacon for horror."
"So…"
Moriya paused, choosing words: "We're proposing a pilot collaboration to start demo production while we hash out the main deal."
Tsk!
Gus and Zoey both winced, brows furrowed.
Komina was rushing it. This "expand to horror" plan seemed last-minute, pushed hard.
Tricky.
A straight collab? Komina's terms were solid, no reason to pass.
Profit aside, the rep boost would be huge.
But a "pilot collaboration" threw a wrench in the usual process.
"This… breaks our rules," Zoey said, frowning. "Cross-border partnerships need Parker Capital's approval and risk checks. It's strict."
"Even rushing, it's over a month."
"Your 'pilot collaboration' won't fly."
Red lines don't budge.
Zoey loved her rebate scheme, but she wasn't reckless enough to defy headquarters.
But Moriya? He was ready.
He smiled: "We respect your rules and won't cross any lines."
"We've tweaked the plan."
"Negotiations and approvals go as normal."
"But during that, we'll 'hire' Mr. Harper at double market rate."
"Sorry if 'hire' sounds off—I mean no offense."
"This way, it's not a cross-border partnership."
"Just simple labor outsourcing."
What the—?!
Gus's eyebrows shot up.
Clever move—Komina sidestepped Parker Capital's rules.
For now, they'd "hire" Gus, the ace, pay him, and crank out the demo.
Later, once the deal's signed, WindyPeak invests more, sending a team to co-build Silent Hill's main game with Komina.
Gus and Zoey turned to Chloe, the rules guru.
Chloe nodded slightly—Moriya's plan was legit, no violations.
Gus smirked at Zoey: "These guys came prepared. They know your family's rulebook better than you."
Zoey shot back a helpless look: "So, Special Forces King, you buying this?"
Gus grinned: "Depends on their offer. If it's good, I'm game."
Zoey's eyes gleamed: "Deal."
She faced Moriya: "We're cool with it, but what's your bid?"
Moriya froze.
Huh?
Wait—what?
You "discussed"?
You just swapped looks!
What, WindyPeak got secret eye signals now?
Hiss!
Moriya's scalp tingled.
If true, WindyPeak's a negotiation beast—swapping takes silently, owning the table!
"Uh…" Moriya stammered, snapping back. He grabbed the quote sheet from Sanae Inoue, swallowing hard.
"Market research says top directors like Mr. Harper earn $100,000 to $150,000 a year."
"To show our commitment, we're offering Mr. Harper $300,000 as special Chief Game Director for Silent Hill."
Whoa!
Gus and Zoey gasped internally.
For a demo? Double the top annual rate!
$300,000—about $2.1 million in their terms.
Gus thought: Damn, Komina's loaded.
Zoey noted the figure, planning a raise for Gus.
From Cat Leo to Titanfall, Gus's $500,000 salary was solid locally, plus year-end bonuses.
But now? He's worth more.
And guys like Luke Bennett and Jake Rivers—Gus's crew—deserve bumps too.
Yup! Zoey nodded to herself.
This is about team morale, not jacking up costs for future games!
No objections!
Pilot collab sealed!
Komina hires Gus as Silent Hill's special Chief Game Director for $300,000, with full project control.
In a week, Gus heads to Tokyo, joining Komina's gaming division to start the demo.
Both sides were stoked, optimistic.
Zoey opened the system's main project file, extending the attachment period to 90 days—
Main Project: Silent Hill (Unlocked)
Investment: $0
Settlement Time: ? days (+90 days)
Rebate Rate: 10x (+90x)
Current Revenue: $2.1 million
Expected Rebate: $0
Remaining Settlement Time: Waiting to open
PS: Unlocked projects don't generate settlement time until locked
Perfect!
Zoey grinned at the unlocked file.
This time, it's about profits, not losses!
Nail this, and her next sub-project gets a 100x rebate!
Gus, it's on you! Keep killing it!
Zoey was buzzing!
Gus was geared up!
Silent Hill!
This legendary IP was now in his hands.
Time to flex and deliver a soul-deep psychological horror ride!
Horror reboot!
Silent Hill— incoming!!!