Chapter 23: Proving Value Beyond Creativity (2)
"Dr. Mitchell," Anderson, the VP of Business Development, was first to speak, a professional smile on his face, but his tone carried undeniable assertiveness.
"Your concept is undoubtedly brilliant, and we highly commend it. However, in the gaming industry, creativity is the spark, but turning it into reality requires capital, technology, a team, and distribution channels.
We at Polaris estimate we'll need to invest millions of dollars, assemble a team of dozens, and spend at least a year and a half to implement it, bearing all the risks.
Therefore, we believe that an eight percent share of global net revenue for the creative party is already the most generous offer we can make, out of respect for your talent."
Eight percent. Far below David's expectations.
David didn't immediately retort. He picked up his water glass, took a small sip, and calmly scanned the three executives.
He knew the real negotiation was just beginning.
"Mr. Anderson," David set down his water glass, his voice still steady. "I understand your company's investment and risk. But with all due respect, eight percent doesn't reflect the true value of this concept, nor the additional value I'll bring to this project."
"Additional value?" Anderson raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying subtle sarcasm. "Are you referring to your excellent design document? It is indeed very detailed, but it's ultimately something on paper. The real difficulty lies in turning it into code, into a smooth experience."
Just then, Sam Chen, who'd been silently reading the manual, suddenly looked up, pushed up his glasses, and looked at David with intense focus, his tone revealing undisguised directness and astonishment:
"Dr. Mitchell, please allow me to interrupt. I've just carefully read your document regarding optimization strategies for real-time loading and rendering of large-scale maps, as well as your proposed dynamic level-of-detail and data synchronization solution based on player distance and field of view."
He picked up several printed charts containing simplified models and flowcharts David had hand-drawn.
"These concepts... are incredibly ingenious, even revolutionary. They cleverly circumvent current hardware performance bottlenecks, and through logic almost akin to 'visual optimization' and 'data prediction,'
they theoretically can greatly alleviate client memory, VRAM pressure, and network data floods. This is by no means a solution an ordinary gamer, or even an ordinary designer, could propose. Where did you get these insights? It's almost as if... as if you've already personally witnessed a mature, operational solution."
Sam Chen's question precisely highlighted David's biggest secret, but also provided him with the most powerful endorsement from a technical perspective.
Anderson shot Sam a displeased look, clearly because Sam had, at a crucial moment, increased David's bargaining chips and psychological advantage by praising his technical approach.
David's mind raced, knowing the opportunity had arrived. He smiled faintly, deftly avoiding the direct question while turning the tables. "Director Chen is a technical expert—he immediately saw the key.
These concepts are derived from my understanding of existing technical boundaries and my ultimate pursuit of this gaming experience, through repeated deduction and simulation. They're not pie in the sky, but rather feasible engineering paths."
He then turned his gaze to Chance and Anderson, his tone hardening. "And this is what I mean by 'additional value.' What I provide isn't just a creative concept,
but also key technical insights and solutions on how to implement this concept efficiently and quickly. This can help your team avoid countless detours and save substantial trial-and-error costs and, most importantly, precious time."
He paused, then dropped the heavy card he'd been contemplating. "To prove this, and to demonstrate my sincerity, I propose adding a performance-based clause to our cooperation contract."
"Performance-based?" Chance finally spoke, his eyes sharp.
"Yes," David said clearly. "The clause will be based on the core version development timeline:
If the game completes development and reaches standards for online beta testing within 6 months, I'll receive 20% of global net revenue as my share.
If completed within 8 months, my share will be 18%.
If it exceeds 12 months, my share will voluntarily decrease to 15%."
"20%?!" Anderson nearly lost his composure, then quickly suppressed his emotions, a look of absurdity mixed with amusement on his face. "Dr. Mitchell, do you know what 20% means? There's almost no precedent for this in the entire gaming industry! You're practically..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
David was unmoved, responding calmly, "This means I have absolute confidence in my ability to 'accelerate' this entire project's development.
For every month completed early, the costs saved for your company and the market lead gained—the value your company receives far exceeds these additional few percentage points. If I don't vouch for my own value, why should I ask your company to believe I can deliver miracles?"
The conference room fell into brief silence. Chance sat in his chair, staring intently at the table, clearly weighing the stakes. Sam looked at David thoughtfully, his eyes filled with even greater curiosity and admiration.
Anderson seemed to feel his previous pressure wasn't strong enough. He leaned forward and spoke in an almost "candid" tone, yet subtly laced with veiled threats:
"Dr. Mitchell, I must remind you again. In business negotiations, transparency is very important. You see, you've already shown us your most core concepts,
and even some technical ideas. You should know that the law protects specific expressions, like your document, but it's difficult to protect an abstract 'gameplay concept' itself.
If we can't agree on revenue share now, aren't you worried... that Polaris might organize a team to develop a similar game based on this concept? At that point, you might... get nothing."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chance immediately feigned reprimand. "Anderson! Watch your words!" But deep in his eyes was also scrutiny, wanting to see how David would respond to this almost outright threat.
David smiled. Not a nervous smile, but a calm, knowing smile of someone who saw through everything and was completely in control.
He unhurriedly adjusted his posture, meeting Anderson's provocative gaze calmly, and slowly began:
"Mr. Anderson, Mr. Chance, thank you for your 'reminder.' In fact, before sitting here, I'd already initiated preliminary discussions with several capable companies, including 'Apex Software' and 'Mirage Arts.' Yes, just like here, I presented my core concept and some ideas to them."
His speaking pace wasn't fast, yet every word was like a hammer striking their hearts. "I'm not at all worried that you, or any other company, will bypass me to develop it. Why?"
He leaned forward slightly, exuding powerful confidence and pressure. "Because you only know 'what it is,' but I know 'how to do it,' and how to do it fastest and best.
What I possess isn't a static document, but a complete, thoroughly considered solution that can almost immediately guide development. From core loops to avoiding technical pitfalls, from numerical balance to experience optimization, all possible problems and detours—I know them intimately."
"Others who get this concept will need at least 12 to 18 months to explore and trial-and-error. But I," he said emphatically, "can ensure my partner can launch a highly complete,
maturely experienced game within 6 months, seizing absolute market precedence! In this industry, creativity is important, but the time window and execution perfection often determine success or failure."
Finally, he made a gesture as if to stand, delivering his ultimate ultimatum: "Now, if your company still has sincerity, an agreement containing a performance clause is the basis of our cooperation.
In fact, in the future, you'll realize what a huge concession I've made at this moment. If you insist on believing you can bypass me, then I can leave now and find the next partner willing to accept these terms.
You can certainly develop based on this concept yourselves, but please speed up. Because I'm almost certain that at this very moment, some company I've spoken with is evaluating this project. And I'll ensure that my ultimate partner,
in six months, will launch a game that perfectly realizes the blueprint in my mind, astonishing the market. At that time, will the market still give slow imitators a chance?"
David's words, combining frankness, warning, and immense temptation, completely turned the tide. He transformed himself from a mere concept provider into a "strategic accelerator" who could determine project success and market precedence.
The conference room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Chance and Anderson quickly exchanged glances, while Sam nodded slightly, apparently acknowledging David's technical claims weren't false.
Finally, CEO Robert Chance took a deep breath, a determined look on his face. He stood and extended his hand to David. "Dr. Mitchell, your confidence and foresight have convinced me. This is a worthwhile gamble. We accept your performance agreement!"
During the subsequent contract terms and details negotiation phase, David, through Martin Foster's introduction, hired a legal consultant specializing in technology and intellectual property cooperation to represent him in negotiations with Polaris's legal team on every clause.
David insisted on a "right to consultation" on core gameplay modifications and a "veto power" at critical junctures to ensure the game wouldn't deviate from his envisioned path to success.
When all terms were finally settled, both parties officially signed the contract on the third day.
As David prepared to leave, the group walked to the company entrance. Anderson, the VP who'd played the 'bad cop' role, still seemed to harbor some resentment. As he shook hands to say goodbye, with complex emotion, he said meaningfully to David:
"Dr. Mitchell, I must say, you're very fortunate. In the entire gaming industry, I've never seen anyone get a 20-point global share based solely on a concept—even if it's brilliant. You've set a precedent." In his words, he deliberately ignored David's crucial role as 'creative consultant and development accelerator.'
David stopped, turned around, and gave him a gentle, confident smile, with composure that transcended his years:
"No, Mr. Anderson, you're mistaken." He responded clearly, his gaze sweeping over Anderson, and also over Chance and Chen standing nearby. "Your company is the fortunate one. We... shall see."
With that, he didn't linger, turned and walked straight away, his silhouette stretching long in the setting sun, bold and confident.
Sam Chen watched David walk away, muttering, "He's not lucky... he came with the answers looking for the questions. I have a feeling we might have really struck gold."
Robert Chance's gaze was profound as he slowly said, "Indeed, either it's treasure, or it's a massive gamble. But I like his confidence."
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