Rise To Stardom - Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Atlas International
“So, you mean to say that the tower-defense shooter and survival theme of the game should just be a single mode?” Otis tilted his head with an intrigued gaze after digesting Kyle’s idea.

“Yes. It’ll unfortunately… or maybe fortunately, take even longer to release but, by the time it does, it won’t just be your typical run-of-the-mill, games-as-a-service cash grab model.”

“Rather, it’d be way, way better. Might even set a new standard in the industry.” the CEO explained and Carlos nodded in agreement.

Having already made an online game in the past that flopped, he knew that it was necessary for games like that to have many interesting and fun modes on launch day to keep players satisfied and invested in the game.

“I agree too. It will take longer as you’ve said, but maybe it’s for the best.” Theo pitched in with an acknowledging smile as Phineas added with a thoughtful expression;

“But six more game modes huh…”

“That’s a whole lotta work.” the teenage dev audibly mused out loud.

From a free-to-play competitive battle royale mode, to a casual creative mode, a social game mode, a cart-like racing mode, a rhythm game mode and a tactical first-person shooter…

These were all the things Kyle had hoped Carlos and the trio would be able to make better sense of than him as he only had a vague framework of how the modes could be implemented in-game.

“I honestly can’t help but wonder how you keep coming up with all these ideas despite your busy schedule though.” Carlos curiously inquired of the young CEO who simply shrugged in response;

“Beats me. I’m just glad you liked them all enough to want to implement them into the game.”

To that, all five shared a light chuckle, after which Otis then asked;

“[Tech Wiz]’s release date’s almost here huh…”

“Yeah.” Kyle and Carlos casually replied in unison after which Phineas and Theo simultaneously questioned;

“You guys nervous?”

To that question, the CEO and the Studio Head, glanced over to each other, shared a confident smile and then responded in unison;

“Not one bit.”

With the amount of work, time, funds and effort they had put into polishing [Tech Wiz] to the height of what it could be as superhero game, Kyle and Carlos, truly had no reason to be bothered.

In fact, despite not having a large marketing team, Kyle’s decision to invest an impressive $3.5 million solely in marketing and promotions two months earlier had proved pivotal.

As a result, SpawnPoint Studios had been able to effectively capitalize on their CEO’s surprise reveal at Games Con, making it easy for them to build and sustain the hype for the game until its release date.

The only thing they felt might end up being an issue however, was probably [A Pirate’s Odyssey] which would be releasing on the very same day as theirs…

But even that, was a footnote that barely lingered in the minds of most of SpawnPoint Studio’s employees.

In any case, the release date was just a week away.

Whatever would be the outcome of two blockbuster AAA games releasing on the same day, they’d be finding out, soon enough.

“On a more important note though, asides from the lady we mailed a customized gaming rig and an early copy of the game to, did you guys eventually add that as part of the game’s achievements?” Kyle curiously inquired of Carlos who grinned in response;

“You bet we did!”

“And I think fans are gonna love it!” the Studio Head concluded with an excited gesture of his arms.

* * *

Atlas International.

The most renowned and undisputed juggernaut of the entertainment industry.

Since its founding in the early 1990’s, the fledgling studio had grown from a promising studio to Hollywood’s reigning titan for the past thirty years.

Like the juggernauts that they were, they now currently owned about 40% of the entertainment industry, something a lot of people often referred to as almost tethering on the edge of monopoly in the industry, a practice that was obviously frowned upon by the law.

But upon several ‘thorough’ investigations over the years, it was shown time and time again that the multi-billion-dollar company had acquired all the companies under them the ‘legal’ way.

In any case, with such a massive market share of the film industry, Atlas International was essentially becoming the entertainment industry gods.

Their roots were spread so far into every nook and cranny of the industry, one could almost say that they controlled the flow of things, whenever they felt like it, however they felt like it.

In fact, even the current, ongoing Hollywood Writers & Actors Guild strike that was still in play, was something they had purposely engineered.

Sure on the outside it must’ve seemed like increased wages and the fight for better working conditions for Hollywood actors, background actors and performers was the play here but, in actuality, the giant corporation was using it as an avenue to extend their tendrils of control even further.

With the ongoing strike, many media companies, especially film studios, were forced to halt productions for their various movies and TV shows/series, leading to huge financial losses on their end.

Faced with this unfavorable situation, many small to mid-sized film studios, and even some larger ones, resorted to staffing cuts as a necessary evil to stay afloat and avoid bankruptcy.

But for those studios whom were unwilling to make those sacrifices, they needed aid and support in the form of financial backing… urgently.

Who would then swoop in to ‘save’ the day?

Atlas International, of course.

45% of the entertainment industry.

That was their goal this time.

And the main instigator et mastermind?

Lex Alexander Harlow, a former movie producer turned business magnate in the early 2000’s and now currently the CEO of Atlas International.

At 58, the distinguished man, his sharp and refined features framed by a neatly groomed gray beard and swept-back salt-and-pepper hair, lightly tapped his fingers on the table as he listened casually.

Across from him, his secretary, a poised and impeccably dressed stunner of a lady in her mid-thirties, concluded her report;

“In summary, we’ve successfully acquired the majority of our targeted studios and companies, achieving a 43% increase in market share, three months ahead of schedule.”

“However, a few media companies, notably Millennium-Fox Studios and Walt Brothers Comics, remain unwilling to entertain our offers.” the secretary briefly paused, flipping to the next page of the report as she continued;

“As for prospective video game companies to acquire— GameSoft Studios, Zentendo, and the up-and-coming SpawnPoint Studios, which are forecasted to achieve significant financial growth—we’re keeping them under close observation.”

In response to her report, Lex leaned back in his chair, the gaze of his steel-blue irises shifting to the sprawling cityscape of L.A beyond the skyscraper’s windowpane.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he then responded calmly;

“Prioritize the acquisition of Walt Brothers Comics. Leave the rest for now.”

“Understood.” the secretary replied with a succinct nod before exiting the room.

Typically, Lex’s rational decision should not have posed any issues for the industry juggernaut.

Acquiring Walt Brothers Comics would secure the intellectual property rights to numerous comic-book characters, thereby providing a lucrative opportunity to produce blockbuster superhero films without the immense cost of developing entirely new franchises.

However, in the months that followed, the CEO of the monopolizing Hollywood studio would come to realize that seemingly, the most valuable of those comic-book characters had already been quietly purchased by a young star with a far more strategic vision.

And in the not-so-far future, Atlas International, or more specifically, Lex Harlow himself, would become a serious pain in the ass for Kyle and his team.

* * *

(A few days later…)

Anita, wasn’t easily impressed.

In fact, as a struggling Hitch streamer whom had spent the past two years of her life, actively trying to grow her modest channel, her interests were very few and far between.

Anime, movies, series, video games, the color black… rocket launchers…

That was essentially it for as long as the lady, better known by her online moniker, ‘WaifuWithARocketLauncher’, could remember.

Even her viewers, despite finding her weirdly entertaining obsession with rocket launchers somewhat cute yet equally concerning, often talked and joked about her apparent aversion to trying new things.

But then Kyle Kestis happened, and, for the first time in years, Anita finally found something new that had piqued her interest.

At first, it wasn’t even the young star himself who really caught the lady’s attention.

Rather, it had been his rapidly growing fan base.

Their amusing messages and occasionally obsessive comments about Kyle, soon found their way into her life, and she couldn’t help but find it extremely fun, to say the least.

Slowly, and without even realizing it though, Anita soon found herself becoming a full-fledged fangirl of the Hollywood sensation too, her own comments even more obsessive than some of Kyle’s older fans in fact.

Still, that was simply her online persona whenever Kyle was involved…

… a persona that wasn’t exactly reflective of Anita’s normally stoic and cool demeanor, one that her loyal followers found very appealing.

Added to that, watching the lady’s reserved persona, make a complete 180° to a sudden burst of giddy enthusiasm whenever the prospect of nuking things ‘just for fun’ arose, made her an enigma of an interesting lady.

But, when she was revealed as the very person who shouted “You’re extraordinary!!” during Kyle’s surprise reveal at Games Con a few months back, her viewers were obviously shook!

Watching their favorite streamer devolve into a full-on fangirl, complete with high-pitched squeals and unbridled excitement, had clearly left her audience both amused and noticeably bewildered.

That said, due to the viral TicToc clip of her exuberant outburst, Anita had earned herself a little fame, hence contributing to and boosting her channel’s growth by a couple thousand viewers.

However, after the buzz had settled, Anita was back to her usual grind, determined to keep nurturing her slow yet steadily growing community.

“Play Nuke or Spare again? [A Pirate’s Odyssey] or [Tech Wiz]?” she coolly read aloud, her pure-brown irises noticeably glimmering with delight as she tucked her silky-black hair behind her ear.

“C’mon chat. That’s too easy. You know I’ll nuk-”

Before Anita could finish up her response though, the doorbell rang.

“Hold up guys, be right back.” she excused herself politely, leaving the stream momentarily.

Moments later, an off-screen shriek of pure excitement pierced the air, stunning her chat whom had never experienced such strong fervor from the lady save for the viral video three months ago.

The next thing her viewers saw though, was Anita rushing back into the room a few minutes later, clutching a physical copy of [Tech Wiz] in her hands!

Her expression was one of utter elation as she breathlessly exclaimed;

“SpawnPoint Studios just sent me an early copy of [Tech Wiz] and a custom-made PC rig to play and review the game!”

Chaos erupted in her chat in response to those words!

The excitement was contagious as viewers realized they were about to witness exclusive gameplay of the highly anticipated title, a full day before its official release!